The Abilene City Council voted on final reading to raise fares across the CityLink system, including fixed-route buses, paratransit and the ZIP on-demand zone, with half of each fare increase taking effect Nov. 3 and the remainder on Oct. 1, 2026.

City transportation director Don Green told the council the system has gone nine years without a fare increase and is facing higher payroll, maintenance and facility costs after pandemic-era grant support was used. “We have experienced, like everybody else has, increased costs to operate,” Green said, and identified Federal Transit Administration and Texas Department of Transportation grants as temporary supports that have now been largely expended.

Green said projected fare revenue for the current fiscal year is $539,500 against total CityLink revenues of $6,109,411 and proposed expenditures of $6,529,715, leaving an estimated fund-balance draw of about $420,304 that the proposed increases would reduce. He also said a FY26 budget increase to support pay raises — $743,125 approved for salary increases effective Oct. 1 — has improved recruiting and retention and that the council’s phased approach was intended to ease the burden on riders.

During public comment, resident Eddie Pugh urged the council not to shift costs to low-income riders and riders with disabilities, asking whether the council had examined operating budgets and discretionary spending. Joanne, who identified herself as a member of Abilene’s disability community and citizens advisory board, said drivers’ availability is the primary operational concern and urged support for drivers while acknowledging the impact on riders.

Council members asked about ridership trends, driver recruiting and a consultant study by KFH Group that Green said will return recommendations early next year for fixed-route service adjustments. Green said paratransit demand has been growing and that the department hopes to restore service to some group homes within weeks.

Councilman Don Craver moved the ordinance; Councilman Yates seconded. The motion carried on a council vote recorded as "all yeses, motion carries."