At the Lake: BlueGO considering fare increases, route changes

Fare increases and route changes might be in BlueGO's future.

The South Tahoe Area Transit Authority board, which oversees BlueGO, voted Friday to facilitate community outreach workshops and listening sessions to inform and gather public comment.

A final public hearing will be held at the next STATA board meeting at 10 a.m. Sept. 5.

If approved, the changes would take effect as soon as November.

"The South Lake Tahoe region needs and deserves reliable and efficient public transportation," said John Andoh, BlueGO transit administrator. "With these proposals, we hope to eliminate duplication, expand service to areas that desperately need it, and reinvent BlueGO so that it more effectively serves the public. Before we move forward with any of these proposals, however, it is important that we hear from riders."

Some proposed route changes include service to Meyers, along with BlueGO's curb-to-curb service morphing to an on-call service operating 24 hours a day.

The fare increases - which are the first since 2005 - may result because of the rising costs of fuel and operations, Andoh said. State revenue is declining, and if fares aren't increased, services would be cut.

For example, the existing one-trip fare for a BlueGO city bus would increase from $1.75 to $2. Fares for the BlueGO Kingsbury Express would increase from $3 one-way to $4.

2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at El Dorado County Library. Served by bus routes A, B, C, E and H.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at University of Nevada Extension Office in Gardnerville. Served by BlueGO Kingsbury Express.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 at South Lake Tahoe Senior Center. Served by bus routes A, B, C, E and H.

10 a.m. to noon Aug. 18 at Kingsbury Transit Center/Douglas County Government Center. Served by Nevada Flex and the Kingsbury Express.

9:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 19 at Lake Tahoe Community College, Room A106. Served by bus route H.

4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at Lira's Supermarket in Meyers. Served by BlueGO OnCall.

5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at Harveys Casino Resort Bus Center. Served by Club, Diamond, Kingsbury Timeshare, Kingsbury Express and Nevada Flex Routes.

3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 8

7 to 9 a.m. Aug. 13

3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 18

2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 21

10 a.m. to noon Sept. 2