Although the King Country Metro deficit is at $213 million dollars, the bus service hours won't be cut for the next two years. Instead, Metro will be creating new funding sources for the Metro bus service. Metro will be increasing the number of full bus-wrap ads that encase county buses in corporate advertisements. It will also increase rider fares by $.25 each year for the next two years. In 2010, fares will increase to $2.00/$2.25 for off-peak / peak-one zone fare. In 2011, the fare will increase to $2.25 / $2.50 for off-peak / peak-one zone fare. Metro will divert funding from the King County Ferry District to provide further support.
Fare increase are coming at a time when transit ridership is up due to unemployment. While preserving the total service hours, Metro will be changing bus schedules to make the trips more "economical" for the county. This won't guarantee an equally "economical" ride for students and workers
