Vancouver transit fares go up

With the arrival of 2008, people in Metro Vancouver are paying more for public transit.

Prices are going up for all Translink services — buses, Seabuses, Skytrains, Handydarts and the West Coast Express — across the Lower Mainland.

* Regular one-zone fares and discount fares rise 25¢ to $2.50.

* Regular two-zone and three-zone fares rise 50¢ to $3.75 and $5.

* Concession fares rise to $1.75, $2.50, and $3.50.

* Faresaver books of 10 tickets rise to $19, $28, and $38.

* Monthly passes rise to $73, $99, and $136.

Translink approved the fare increase in June, saying the increases were necessary to pay for new equipment and infrastructure.
 
Critics say the higher fares discourage people from using public transit.
 
The price of a single zone fare rose by 25 cents in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008.