TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) – Free fare for some TARTA riders is on the way, after a recent decision from the board.
There are about 4,500 Toledoans enrolled in TARTA's TARPS program, which serves riders with special needs. All of them will be able to ride TARTA's regular routes for free.
TARTA officials say their para transit service is the fastest growing part of TARTA. People taking advantage of it have boosted their ridership 115 percent in the last three years. Officials say that number will continue to grow with the amount of baby boomers and seniors that use public transit.
This is a way to save money for TARTA and the riders.
"According to the AARP, the average person outlives their ability to drive by eight to 10 years. They still need transportation. By using TARPS and TARTA, we can get folks from A to B," said James Gee with TARTA.
Currently, people using tarps pay $2 to ride, but it costs TARTA $17 an hour to send a TARPS bus each time.
The changes will start Nov. 1.
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