Article content

Calgary Transit will literally nickel and dime its occasional riders in the new year, increasing adult cash fares by 15 cents once the calendar turns.

A single ride on the bus or LRT will cost $3.15. It’s the first time that the fare is something that isn’t a multiple of a quarter since 2000 — when each trip cost $1.60, or nearly half the new fare.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Transit fares up by pocket change in 2015 Back to video

The price rose to $1.75 in 2001, and has gone up in 25-cent increments every time since.

Riders will have to sweat the small stuff routinely from now on. Cash fares will rise again to $3.25 in 2016, then $3.30 and $3.35 in the years after.

Fairness was more of a consideration than convenience to transit officials. They wanted to hike the rate gradually for the group that gets no discount, unlike seniors, youth, low-income users and pass-holders, said transit planning manager Neil McKendrick.

“Typically, the adult cash fare has been hit hardest whenever we needed a fare increase,” he said.