The Government Operations Committee voted to forward a proposal to the full council that would raise the Community Connector base single-ride fare from $1.50 to $2 and modernize fare collection.

Lori Lynn Scott, a Community Connector project representative, outlined the package: “increasing the base single ride fare for $1.50 to $2 … as well as replacing paper tickets with electronic methods, free transfers, fare capping, and … free fare access for college and university ID holders.” She and transit staff said the proposal also proposes mobile ticketing and other digital options aimed at simplifying riders’ experience.

Staff told committee members the one-time cost to implement the new fare technology is currently estimated at $130,000–$170,000, with ongoing licensing or operating costs around $30,000–$32,000 a year. Transit staff described these as estimates tied to pending contractor bids and said final figures would be provided when RFP responses are available.

Transit staff said the fare-change forecast projects up to $800,000 in additional revenue (an increase from about $500,000 under current fares), but presented that as a projection rather than a guarantee. The committee also heard that the authority has installed automatic passenger counters (APCs) on buses but that the APCs must be certified before the agency can use that data for federal reporting.

Members focused questions on implementation details. Councilors asked if increased revenue could support restored Saturday or later-evening service; transit staff said driver shortages—specifically a lack of qualified CDL drivers—and labor negotiations are the primary constraints, so additional revenue is only part of the solution.

Councilman Miles asked whether partner towns had been consulted; staff said the regional transit committee facilitated by BACS had voted to support the fare-structure change and noted Bangor’s local-share formula (roughly 61% for intra-city routes) when explaining cost divisions. Staff said the one-time technology purchase would be grant-funded and ongoing operating user fees would be shared among partners, with precise shares depending on final contractor terms.

A council member moved and another seconded forwarding the fare-structure and technology changes to the full council; the committee recorded no objection and the item will proceed to a council meeting for a final decision. Chair Michael Beck asked staff to return with certified APC ridership data, documented ridership impacts from prior free-fare days and concrete vendor pricing before the council vote.

The committee did not adopt policy language or set an implementation date; staff said, if approved by council, procurement and rollout would likely push live service changes months later, with staff estimating possible December–January timing depending on contracting and education needs.