Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will implement a fare increase on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, marking its first fixed-route fare hike in 18 years. The new rates include a $2.00 fixed-route fare with a $6.00 daily cap and $60.00 monthly cap, while reduced fares will have a $6.00 daily cap and $30.00 monthly cap. Paratransit will cost $3.00 per ride with a $6.00 daily cap and $30.00 monthly cap. Youth 18 and under and personal care assistants will ride for free. WTA says the change addresses rising operational costs for fuel, vehicles, and labor while maintaining system-wide service across Whatcom County.
WTA Fare Increase Set for Sept 1, 2026
π Listen Β· narrated by Aiden
π Source: Local Government β https://www.ridewta.com/webalerts
Source receipts15 of 16 claims supported Β· 94%
Legacy automated check: the original source text was not preserved. These earlier verdicts have not passed the current publication checks and may contain errors. Source: original document β
- βWhatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will implement a fare increase on Tuesday, September 1, 2026βFares are Changing Sept 1 Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will implement a fare change on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.β
- βWhatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will implement its first fixed-route fare hike in 18 yearsβApproved by the Board of Directors following public outreach, this marks WTAβs first fixed-route fare increase in 18 years.β
- βThe new rates include a $2.00 fixed-route fareβFixed Route: $2.00 per ride ($6.00 daily cap / $60.00 monthly cap)β
- βThe new rates include a $6.00 daily capβFixed Route: $2.00 per ride ($6.00 daily cap / $60.00 monthly cap)β
- βThe new rates include a $60.00 monthly capβFixed Route: $2.00 per ride ($6.00 daily cap / $60.00 monthly cap)β
- βReduced fares will have a $6.00 daily capβReduced Fare (Fixed Route Only): ($6.00 daily cap / $30.00 monthly cap)β
- βReduced fares will have a $30.00 monthly capβReduced Fare (Fixed Route Only): ($6.00 daily cap / $30.00 monthly cap)β
- βParatransit will cost $3.00 per rideβParatransit: $3.00 per ride ($6.00 daily cap / $30.00 monthly cap)β
- βParatransit will have a $6.00 daily capβParatransit: $3.00 per ride ($6.00 daily cap / $30.00 monthly cap)β
- β Paratransit will have a $30.00 monthly capNo usable supporting receipt β unverified.
- βYouth 18 and under will ride for freeβYouth (18 & under): Freeβ
- βPersonal care assistants will ride for freeβPersonal Care Assistants: Free (when accompanying eligible riders)β
- βWTA says the change addresses rising operational costs for fuelβThe updated rates address rising operational costs for fuel, vehicles, and labor while preserving reliable, system-wide service across Whatcom County.β
- βWTA says the change addresses rising operational costs for vehiclesβThe updated rates address rising operational costs for fuel, vehicles, and labor while preserving reliable, system-wide service across Whatcom County.β
- βWTA says the change addresses rising operational costs for laborβThe updated rates address rising operational costs for fuel, vehicles, and labor while preserving reliable, system-wide service across Whatcom County.β
- βWTA says the change maintains system-wide service across Whatcom CountyβThe updated rates address rising operational costs for fuel, vehicles, and labor while preserving reliable, system-wide service across Whatcom County.β
The Bellingham Wire is free. Get Bellingham's news delivered every morning.