Lower bus fares for youths result in more riders and more sales

                               Juneau's young people have been riding the bus more since Capital Transit cut its youth fares last year,
                               and the bus system has actually been collecting more money despite the lower fares.

                               The city's bus system dropped the price of a youth monthly pass from $18 to $10 in August. Since the
                               price cut, monthly pass sales have more than doubled, Capital Transit manager John Kern said.

                               Capital Transit expected to see its overall revenues drop $6,500 because of the lower-priced youth
                               passes. But instead, the system has been collecting more money, Kern said.

                               In October, youth pass revenue was $4,580, up 32 percent from the $3,474 collected in the same month
                               of 2001.

                               The Juneau School District's Community Advisory Committee last year asked the city to let kids ride the
                               buses free to encourage participation in after-school activities.

                               As a compromise, Juneau Assembly members approved the lower youth fares and gave the committee
                               $3,500 in free bus passes and tokens to distribute.

                               The youth passes are available for people age 6 to 18.

                               -- The Associated Press