START will vote on a 2028 fare plan, including $1 rides
The START Board is set to decide Thursday whether to adopt a simplified fare structure for FY 2028, including $1 adult fares on Village Route and on-demand service and free transfers.
The START Board is set to vote Thursday on a new fare structure from its Transit Development Plan that would start in fiscal year 2028, including $1 adult fares on the Village Route and on-demand service, keeping the Town Shuttle free, and setting commuter routes at $5 for adults (with discounts for students, seniors, and riders with disabilities). The plan also includes free transfers and bigger savings for bulk and long-term passes, which is the kind of change that could matter for family budgets and for older teens who ride on their own. START Board Meeting Agenda Packet.
If you use START to get to work or to get kids to activities, this is the meeting to watch for two reasons: the Board is scheduling fares now for FY 2028, not next month, and the decision has already been divisive in prior discussion. In the packet, the May vote on the same fare structure passed 4-3, so expect questions about how START balances ridership goals with fare revenue, and who the new passes are meant to work best for (regular commuters, visitors, or both). START Board Regular Meeting Agenda Packet.
Background
The START Board approved a simplified, rider-focused fare structure for FY 2028, with key changes including $1 Village Route fares and free transfers, in a 4-3 vote on June 25, 2026.
Latest: 2026-06-25 — START Board voted 4-3 to approve the new fare structure from the Transit Development Plan for FY 2028 implementation.
curated as of 2026-06-24
START Board proposes simplified fares and service cuts for October 2026, pending public hearing and local funding decisions.
Latest: 2026-10-01 — Target implementation date for new fare structure and service reductions, unless local funding fills the gap.
curated as of 2026-08-19
On August 20, 2026, START Board's proposed fare hikes and service cuts met strong public opposition, with the Board recommending local funding to avoid immediate changes.
Latest: 2026-08-20 — START Board held public hearing on proposed service and fare changes. Proposed a $2.00 flat fare for local service and $10.00 for commuter routes. Public comments overwhelmingly opposed both fare increases and service reductions. Board recommended covering the funding gap with General Fund dollars, delaying immediate implementation of changes.
curated as of 2026-08-25
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2026 | START Board Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |