CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Over half the amount of passengers who ride the bus in Kanawha County have been taking advantage of the new flat fare system that was implemented this year.
“As of now, 69 percent of our riders are using a pass instead of paying cash, which is really great because it’s easier for them,” said Doug Hartley, the assistant general manager of the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority.
The flat fare is $1.50 one way to ride anywhere the bus travels to in the county. It costs $2.50 for a day pass, which allows passengers to ride the bus as many times as they need to throughout the day.
KRT also offers a five-day pass for $12.50 and a 31-day pass for $60, under the new system.
“The day pass has been very successful,” Hartley said. “In July, when we started it, 61 percent of the people were using day passes and now we’re up to 69 percent, so that speeds boarding and makes the system run smoother.”
The board that oversees the KRT bus system eliminated the system’s most highly subsidized route back in July while adding three new routes.
Service of the Route 9 feeder route from Eskdale to Montgomery was cancelled. KRT then added routes in Kanawha City and to Southridge.