GMT to resume fare collection in January 2024 on Chittenden County and LINK Express routes
Green Mountain Transit (GMT) will resume fare collection on Jan. 2, 2024, on Chittenden County and LINK Express routes. Fare collection was originally scheduled to restart on July 1, 2023, but additional state support will allow GMT to make fare infrastructure improvements before resuming fares.
GMT stopped collecting fares in March 2020 as a COVID-19 infection control measure. By offering free service, riders were able to enter buses through rear doors, greatly reducing contact between drivers and riders.
Prior to the pandemic, GMT earned about $2.5 million per year in fare revenue. GMT used federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace fare revenue through June 2022. Since July 2022, fare revenue replacement has been provided by the state of Vermont and additional state support to GMT is allowing fare-free service to be extended until January 2024.
“We sincerely appreciate the financial support that allowed us to offer our service free of charge to the communities we service,” said Clayton Clark, GMT general manager. “With pandemic relief funds running out, we need to return to our longstanding practice of having a portion of our operating expenses paid for by our riders.”
GMT requested the fare-free service extension, so that it could improve its fare collection system. Previously, GMT had used fare boxes from multiple providers, which limited more advanced payment options, such as onboard credit card payments. When fare service restarts, it will be with a single fare box system that will provide improved payment options, both in terms of how riders pay and how fast riders can pay when entering the bus.
“If we have to return to fare service, we want our riders to have better options,” Clark said.
GMT will begin receiving public comment on fare service in June, with the anticipation that fare plans will be finalized in fall 2023. As a condition of receiving additional state funds, GMT must assess its fare system to find ways to protect economically vulnerable riders while also ensuring fare revenue covers at least 10 percent of the operating costs. GMT must report back to the legislature on their fare plans in December 2023.
Moving from an analog system that relied on cash and paper tickets to one that accepts cash, digital payments, and smart passes will take time to implement. GMT anticipates some features will be ready when fare collection restarts, and others may be rolled out at a later time.
