Whatcom Transportation Authority seeking first bus fare hike in nearly 20 years
Faced with costs that are growing faster than revenue, Whatcom County’s transit agency is seeking its first fare hike in nearly two decades.
Fares on Whatcom Transportation Authority buses would double in many cases under a proposed rate schedule posted for public consideration, WTA spokeswoman Maureen McCarthy told The Herald.
“Like nearly all public agencies right now, our expenses are rising faster than ever,” McCarthy said in a phone call. Expenses are going up for wages and benefits — especially health care — along with the cost of utilities, insurance and vehicles, she said.
Fares last rose in 2008, McCarthy said.
Under the proposal, fares would rise to $2 per ride from the current $1. The rate schedule under consideration includes a daily limit of $6, up from the current $3, and a monthly limit of $60, up from the current $30. Paratransit service will cost $3, up from $1 currently.
Daily and monthly passes will be replaced with fare capping, which can be tracked when riders use the Umo app, card or bank card.
If approved by the WTA board later this year, the fare increase would take effect in fall 2026. A public comment periods lasts through early December at https://engage.ridewta.com/fares. Comments can be made by emailing customerservice@ridewta.com or calling 360-676-7433.
Additional information regarding the public comment process is available at www.ridewta.com/notices/#comment.
Reduced fare of $1 will be available for veterans, people with disabilities and riders older than 65, with a monthly cap of $30 for those who qualify. People age 18 and younger would still ride for free.
“It looks like a big (fare) jump, but it really is the result of not having made fare adjustments in nearly 20 years’ time,” McCarthy said.
According to the Federal Transportation Administration, WTA had 3.7 million riders on its fixed-rote service, the most recent year that data was available. Its buses traveled nearly 12 million passenger miles across Bellingham and Whatcom County.
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM.
