During a meeting this morning, the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) board of directors approved TCAT's 2001 fare structure. The fare increase – effective Jan. 1, 2001 – raises the single-zone cash fare from 75 cents to $1 and the multiple-zone cash fare from $1.50 to $2. (See fare chart on the second page of this release.)

In order to help its regular riders, TCAT is offering money-saving ways to pay for transit. The new unlimited-use, multi-zone, calendar-month pass will sell for $30. For people who commute daily in Zone 1 (which includes all of the city of Ithaca, Cornell, Ithaca College, the hospital, the airport and Pyramid Mall), the $30 pass negates the fare increase with just two trips every work day. Anything more frequent than that brings the cost per ride even lower. TCAT announced that passes for any 30 consecutive days (rather than for a calendar month) and shorter-term passes will be available in late spring 2001.

At the information meetings and public hearing held by TCAT this fall, among the greatest concerns expressed was the effect of the multi-zone fare on rural riders. The fare increase would raise the cost of commuting for some of TCAT's most economically disadvantaged customers. As a result, TCAT is making the same $30 pass available to these multi-zone riders. This will save them as much as $50 or more each month.

For those who have questions, or for further information, visit the web site: http://www.tcatbus.com , call 277-RIDE or e-mail TCAT@cornell.edu .