October 19, 2004
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Dave Sotero/Marc Littman
Metro MEDIA RELATIONS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Low Metro Fares Remain Unchanged as Gasoline Prices Hit Record High

Low fares make it attractive for more people to utilize public transit to avoid skyrocketing gasoline prices

The price of gasoline has reached record highs, making public transit an even more economical choice for more cost-conscious Los Angeles residents.

According to Energy Department, California's average gasoline price jumped 7.5 cents Monday to a record $2.402 per gallon.

L.A. County drivers pay some of the highest prices for gasoline than anywhere else in the country. Metro Bus and Rail fares, however, remain unchanged, and are easily affordable for commuters seeking ways to cut their gasoline bills.

A one-way cash fare for Metro is just $1.25. Weekly and monthly fares are $14 and $52, respectively. Metro also offers a $3 Day Pass that gives users unlimited local access to Metro Buses and Rail from time of purchase until 3 a.m. the next morning.

"Los Angeles commuters have alternatives to paying high prices at the pump," said Roger Snoble, Metro CEO. "L.A. County's expansive Metro transportation system gives daily commuters the option to rethink how they get around L.A. utilizing Metro's 73 miles of rail lines and nearly 2,400 buses."

Metro conducted a cost comparison earlier this year and found that daily L.A. County commuters who switch from solo driving to public transportation, carpools or vanpools can save more than $4,000 per year in commuting costs.

Residents interested in finding out how to get to their destinations without driving can go to Metro's web site at WWW.METRO.NET and utilize the Metro Trip Planner. The online service allows users to enter starting and ending locations, desired date and time of travel and fare type. The system then provides a report indicating public transportation options. Results also include maps, travel costs, estimated travel times. Users can plan their return trips from the same web page. Trip planning is also available over the phone at 1-800-COMMUTE.

METRO-179

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