You can now pay with plastic at SLO parking garages; bus fares may increase

Motorists in the city of San Luis Obispo can now use credit and debit cards in all parking garages.

The city implemented its new system in July. Previously, drivers were required to use cash.

Separately, the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority will consider fee increases at its Nov. 1 meeting of the Board of Directors, including a 25-cent increase from $1.50 to $1.75 to get on the bus and additional increases for longer trips between ridership zones.

A seven-day RTA pass will increase from $14 to $16, and a monthly RTA pass will increase from $44 to $47. Regional passes that allow transfers will increase from $5 to $5.50 per day and $64 to $68 monthly.

Geoff Straw, RTA’s executive director, said fares haven’t increased since 2010 and a funding shortfall is projected this year. The new fees would take effect Dec. 31.

Fee-related survey questions with a public comment section are now posted at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/9QQPS66.

This story was originally published September 10, 2017 at 1:27 PM with the headline "You can now pay with plastic at SLO parking garages; bus fares may increase."