Indigo hears widespread concern about proposed fare increase and paratransit costs at June 18 public hearing

IndigoPresident and CEO Jennifer Pierce presented a proposed fare-policy update during a public hearing June 18, 2025, telling the board the recommendation follows a year-long review and would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, if adopted. The proposal would raise the standard fixed-route two-hour fare from $1.75 to $2.75 and the half-fare from $0.85 to $1.35; it would also raise daily and weekly fare caps and change several pass offerings.

Why it matters: the increase would raise paratransit (Indigo Access) fares tied to the base fare and, riders and advocates said, could substantially raise the cost of routine trips for people with disabilities and low incomes. Commenters described daily and weekly cost impacts in concrete terms and urged either a phased increase, parity for fare capping on paratransit, or other mitigations.

Pierce told the board the proposal responds to inflation and rising operating costs. "We have not adjusted our fixed route base fare in more than 15 years," she said, citing increases in fuel, labor and construction costs and…