MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion Area Transit has announced plans to increase bus fares for the first time in over two decades, with the new rates set to take effect on August 15. This fare adjustment is intended to align Marion County’s transit costs with those of other counties and to help offset escalating operational expenses.
However, the proposed fare increase has sparked opposition among some City Council members. They have expressed concerns about the potential impact on low-income riders and are advocating for alternative funding solutions to support the transit system.
Marion City Councilman Ayers Ratliff told Marion County Now, “The people we are targeting with this raise—the elderly, the disabled, and the students—those individuals will feel that $5,000 much more directly than the city will.”
While the City Council does not have direct authority over the fare increase, the transit administrator has committed to considering public feedback during an upcoming meeting. A public forum on the fare hike is scheduled for today, Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. Community members can voice their opinions on the changes. The transit administrator, Welch, has committed to taking public input into consideration before new fares are set to take effect on August 15.
Marion County Now will continue to follow this developing story.