East Grand Forks residents face a 33% hike in daily public transit fares, from $1.50 to $2, even as Cities Area Transit (CAT) plans future service improvements. This increase, the first since 2013, impacts daily users while CAT updates its five-year transit development plan, which will recommend improvements over the next five to 10 years, according to the Grand Forks Herald. The community thus faces a trade-off: immediate financial burden for current riders versus the promise of long-term enhancements.
Current Costs and Usage
Specialized services already carry a higher price tag. The Senior Rider program and Dial-A-Ride service each cost $4 per one-way trip, according to Minnesota. Cities Area Transit estimated 273,000 fixed-route trips and 57,500 Dial-A-Ride and paratransit trips in 2024, according to the Grand Forks Herald.
The community significantly relies on transit, especially for specialized needs. The 57,500 annual paratransit trips, over 17% of combined ridership, mean the proposed 33% increase will disproportionately burden a critical segment of the community with limited alternative transportation.
The Proposed Fare Hikes
The universal 33% daily fare increase means a $4 paratransit or senior ride will jump by $1.32. This increase is nearly triple the $0.50 hike for standard fixed-route users. Monthly and 14-day passes will also rise by 14% to 16%, or $3 to $5, according to the Grand Forks Herald.
The fare hikes effectively levy a regressive tax on East Grand Forks' most transit-dependent residents. Seniors and paratransit users will shoulder a significant $1.32 increase per ride, funding future, undefined service improvements.
The Mandated Planning Process
The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization concluded a public input survey on May 6, gathering ideas for CAT service improvements, according to the Grand Forks Herald. The community engagement aims to shape future services, though immediate cost concerns persist.
The required five-year transit development plan will outline recommendations for improvements over the next five to 10 years, according to the Grand Forks Herald. The required five-year transit development plan creates a significant temporal mismatch: current riders are asked to fund future, undefined enhancements.
A draft of the transit development plan is expected by early fall, with completion by November, according to the Grand Forks Herald. If Cities Area Transit proceeds with immediate fare hikes before these long-term improvements are defined, it risks alienating its most vulnerable riders, particularly the 57,500 annual paratransit users.
