La. Department of Transportation: LA Swift raises fare, opens new

New Orleans CityBusiness, Oct 1, 2008

Beginning Monday, the cost to ride LA Swift will increase from $5 to $6 per one-way trip, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

DOTD raised the rate because of fuel costs. The new fare applies to all riders. Children younger than 3 will be allowed to ride for free if they sit on an adult's lap.

Drivers will not be able to provide change. All fares are handled by a Genfare machine located on the bus. Passengers insert cash or tickets into the machine when boarding and will receive a Genfare card for the difference.

Also beginning Monday, LA Swift will open a new park-and-ride stop at the Home Depot parking lot on Louisiana Highway 30 in Gonzales. A second park-and-ride stop is at the Home Depot parking lot at 18139 Highland Road in Baton Rouge. However, DOTD has decided to close the park-and-ride stop at Convention Street in Baton Rouge because of low ridership.

For more information, go to www.laswift.com or call (877) 947- 9438.