Metro stop Reimbursing LADOT

[neyojii]

There is bad news for Metro Pass Holders who ride LADOT Transit, here is the latest news from LADOT Transit.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

METRO Contact: Helen Gilstrap
Contact: Bruce L. Gillman
213 922-2843
Public Information Office [e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]>

METRO PASSES NO LONGER VALID ON LADOT SERVICES AS OF JANUARY 1, 2008

Los Angeles (Dec 6) - Transit Services operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) will no longer accept Metro passes for the payment of Commuter Express or DASH bus fares as of January 1, 2008. LADOT was informed by Metro earlier this year that it will no longer reimburse the Department for riders who use Metro passes to pay their fares on LADOT buses.

LADOT General Manager Rita L. Robinson said that the Department regretted having to take this action because, “There are many Metro pass holders riding on Commuter Express and DASH buses. We share the same service area, so pass acceptance had enabled riders to shift freely between the two systems.”

Riders that will be impacted do have options. Listed below are the fare alternatives available to riders for paying their LADOT bus fares with a pass.

If you ONLY ride LADOT services (Commuter Express or DASH), you should purchase a LADOT bus pass. They are available

* online at ladottransit.com
* by calling (213. 310, 323, or 818) 808-2273 The LADOT Transit Store
* by visiting the LADOT Transit Store in the LA Mall

If you ride LADOT services (Commuter Express or DASH) AND any other bus service, such as Metro, Foothill, etc., you should purchase an EZ transit pass. They are available:

* online at metro.net
* by visiting the LADOT Transit Store in the LA Mall
* by visiting a Metro sales outlet (see www.metro.net for locations)

LADOT provides Commuter Express, Downtown and Community DASH, Cityride and Charter Bus services that carry more than 36,000,000 passenger trips annually. With a fleet of more than 400 vehicles, LADOT is the second largest provider of transit services in Los Angeles County.

For further information about LADOT transit services, call (213, 310, 323, 818) 808-2273 or visit the LADOT transit website. Area commuters can visit the LA Traffic Info site for real-time traffic information. Real-time traffic reports are a product of LADOT, innovators of Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSAC) technology.

LADOT is dedicated to moving Los Angeles forward as quickly and safely as possible. Motorists, bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians are encouraged to visit LADOT’s web site for information about bicycling in the city, and an array of transportation services.

12/7/07

I really didn't think that the Fare Hikes would come to this

[wad]

It does simplify matters somewhat. The EZ Pass is in the direction we should be going, especially since it got many munis to accept passes when they hadn't before.

LADOT also poaches many Metro routes, so Metro pass holders should just ide the orange buses and possibly carry a quarter in case the DASH comes first.

[neyojii]

I liked the way it was before, I mean lets compare Commuter Express-Metro, what sounds like the winner.