Council panel approves increase in monthly bus fare

Montgomery County Council members gave an initial nod to increasing Ride On fares by $10 a month, but delayed action on a measure that would raise more than $2 million in parking fees in Bethesda and Silver Spring. The council’s transportation committee voted unanimously Thursday to increase the cost of monthly Ride On passes from $30 to $40 by July 1, which would generate roughly $417,000 in the first year. The increase is expected to contribute to a 6 percent reduction in ridership.

Councilman Hans Riemer, D-at-large, said the price increase would hit the bus system’s best customers the hardest.