FREDericksburg Regional Transit will charge 25 cents to transfer buses starting the week of July 1.
It's the first time FRED has adjusted fares since it began operating in 1996.
A ride without transfer will remain 25 cents.
The new charge only applies when riders want to switch from one route to another. Transfers have previously been free.
Finances forced a change.
During the last fiscal year, FRED only recovered about 3 percent of its $2.6 million budget from fares.
Compared with percentages at city bus systems in Blacksburg, Charlottesville and Richmond, where single trips can range from 75 cents to $1, "We were clearly at the low end," said Arnold Levine, FRED senior adviser.
"One of the main reasons that underlay the review was perceived need to have those who use the service contribute more to the expenses," Levine said.
FRED reported 354,000 "unlinked trips" in 2006, which is the number of people who boarded a FRED bus. This counts some riders twice, since passengers who transfer are boarding two buses on their trip.
Between 45 and 50 percent of riders transfer, Levine said.
The new transfer fare of 25 cents was recommended by the Public Transit Advisory Board, which has representatives from each jurisdiction served by FRED.
Fredericksburg City Council approved the elimination of free transfers at its Tuesday night meeting.
"This review and modest adjustment of fare policy was long overdue," said Kathleen Beck, FRED transit manager, in a press release. "Roughly half of our customers will experience no change in what they pay, since they do not transfer between bus routes. The other half of our customers, who routinely transfer between buses, will pay an additional 25 cents each time they transfer. Even those who will be paying 50 cents for their end-to-end ride on FRED will still be getting the best deal in town."
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436