Arlington raises bus fares

The Arlington County Board voted at its meeting Saturday to increase its ART transit bus service fares from $1.25 to $1.50 with a SmarTrip card. The new fares begin July 1.

The board said the increase will help helps cover the doubling of ridership since the last fare increase in 2004 and will pay for fuel and maintenance.

"Each year, we are seeing a marked increase in local transit ridership," said Arlington Board Chairman Jay Fisette. "This fare adjustment is needed to maintain the safety and level of service that our riders have come to expect from Arlington's transit services."

Paratransit riders on the STAR system will see an increase, too. Local trips will increase from $2.50 to $3.00. Trips inside the Beltway were raised $1 to $4 and regional trips increased by $1.50 to $8.50.

Arlington's move follows a recent decision by Metro to implement widespread increases in its fares for rail, bus and paratransit services.

-- Christy Goodman