LANTA fares to rise in part under fiscal year 2013 budget proposal

Proposed to rise are the costs of a 10-ride ticket, 31-day pass and annual pass.

Some Lehigh Valley public transportation costs are on the rise, according to the Lehigh And Northampton Transportation Authority's fiscal year 2013 budget proposal.

LANTaBus rates slated to remain unchanged are the $2 cash fare, $1 student fare and $4 day pass.

Proposed to rise are the costs of a 10-ride ticket, from $15 to $16 (6.67 percent); 31-day pass, from $55 to $60 (9.1 percent); and annual pass, from $605 to $660 (9.1 percent).

Prices last changed Oct. 1, with day passes increasing from $3 to $4, 10-ride tickets from $14 to $15 and 31-day passes from $50 to $55.

LANTaBus, formerly LANTA Metro, services are slated to continue at current levels established last Aug. 29, when the authority shifted from 40 fixed routes designated by letters to 24 fixed routes designated by a three-digit title.

Fares and services for LANTaVan, formerly Metro Plus, are unchanged in the proposed budget.

Expenses in the budget include the $1.36 million purchase of 20 new LANTaVan vehicles accessible to people with disabilities, $2.08 million purchase of seven new transit buses and $320,000 investment in new shelters and signs.

Ongoing capital costs include funding of the new Easton Intermodal Transportation Center -- the project includes a three-story, 45,000-square-foot commercial space -- and new Allentown Maintenance Garage.

LANTA plans to hold a public hearing on the budget noon May 11 at its Allentown office, 1060 Lehigh St.