At their August 10, 2009 meeting, Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) board of directors agreed to pay it forward. This June MST received $7.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment (AARA) funds. Usually referred to as stimulus funds, the money allowed MST to adopt a balanced budget without service cuts, fare increases or job loss. And now, the savings realized by using a portion of the stimulus funds to pay off a long term debt on new buses will be passed along directly to MST passengers.

Beginning September 5, 2009 MST cash fares will be temporarily reduced a quarter from $2.50 to $2.25 and 15 cents from $1.25 to $1.10 for discounted passengers (65 years or older, individuals with disabilities, Medicare Card holders, or children 46” tall to 18 years old) until Memorial Day weekend. RIDES cash fares will also be temporarily reduced a quarter per zone from $3.00 to $2.75. No other passes or fare media is eligible for the discount.

The average savings for a person commuting weekdays to and from work or school from this promotion amounts to almost $100 each. That savings allows MST passengers to keep more of their income for daily necessities like food, medicine and other purchases. Recent studies show that every dollar spent at a local, independent business has a “multiplier effect” of an additional 68 cents, as these funds are spent by business owners, their employees and suppliers as they make subsequent purchases for goods and services in the local economy. Based on staff estimates, the $320,000 that passengers would ultimately save on fares during the promotion and spent on other items could have a total local economic impact of as much as $538,000.

As the cost of fuel has increased by nearly 50 percent since last December, studies also show that by using transit to commute to work and school, a family can save thousands of dollars each year in fuel, maintenance and other costs associated with owning and operating a car. “In this economic climate we are pleased to be able to use the stimulus funds allocated to MST in a way that directly benefits our customers, many of who need transit more than ever to get to work, or to look for work, or to just reduce their daily household expenses.” said General Manager/CEO, Carl Sedoryk.

or more information, visit www.mst.org or call Monterey-Salinas Transit toll free at 1-888-MST-BUS1.