Last September, York Regional Council approved a fare increase for York Region Transit and Viva buses, starting New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013.
According to a York Region media release, “the fare increase will offset rising operating costs, as well as support the cost of delivering service to YRT / Viva’s growing ridership, expected to reach 22.5 million riders in 2013.”
The 6.38 per cent overall increase affects all YRT and Viva fares except for the GTA Weekly Pass. The Region says that the extra revenue resulting from higher fares will help YRT recover as much as 38.9 per cent of the cost to operate the transit system through the farebox. In York Region, taxpayers subsidize more than 60 per cent of transit costs, higher than the 50/50 cost-sharing balance the Region says its aiming to ultimately achieve.
For example, the new cash fare for traveling on local buses through one fare zone will be $3.75, instead of $3.50, while the two-zone fare will be $4.75, instead of $3.75. Cash fares for express buses jump to $4.25, instead of $4.
You can view a complete list of 2012 and 2013 YRT fares in all categories here.