MARTA fare hike advances

A MARTA committee voted 7-1 Tuesday to recommend raising the basic fare from $2 to $2.50, according to MARTA spokeswoman Cara Hodgson.  The full board will make the final decision next week.

The fare increase is one of many changes intended for inclusion in the agency's budget for the fiscal year that starts in July.  MARTA also intends to raise monthly pass fees from $68 to $95, and to restore some bus service, which would happen Sep. 24, Hodgson said.  The fare hikes would go into effect Oct. 2.