Chemung County - Following a July 5th public hearing, the Chemung County Legislature at its Monday meeting approved Chemung County Transit System’s bus fare increase. The transit system’s reasons for the fare increase at this time are to maintain the share of system costs paid for by the riders and to help meet the system’s increased fuel costs since 2009.

On August 15th, the cash fare will go from $1.25 to $1.50. The senior/ disabled fare will go from .50 to .75, with seniors maintaining their free rides on Mondays. Starting with the September pass, monthly passes will go to $50, $40 for seniors/disabled, $65 for the Chemung Commuter to Ithaca.  The Corning Community College semester pass starting with the 2011 fall semester will be $180.

Also, Transit will implement two fare decreases. One will allow people with disabilities to pay a reduced fee for monthly passes. When purchasing the reduced monthly pass, a Transit Half Fare I.D. card is required. The other decrease establishes a student fare of .75 for riders ages 6 thru 18 years. Currently, children 5 and under ride for free, and riders ages 6 thru 18 pay full fare. High school students must show a school I.D. when boarding to qualify for the student rate.

During a Public Information Session held on the fare changes, one rider commented, “I really like the addition of a student fare and think a 25 cent raise is a reasonable request for our economy.”