City of Palmdale’s SAVES to Offer Rider Relief Coupons

PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale’s South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES) will be offering Rider Relief Transportation Program (RRTP) coupons good for use on Antelope Valley Transit Authority transportation beginning July 1 to the most economically vulnerable and transit dependent seniors, K-12 grade students, full-time college/vocational students, disabled persons, and full time college/vocational students in Palmdale.

“You can save up to $10 on your transit pass if your income qualifies you for Metro’s Rider Relief Transportation Program,” said SAVES Coordinator Patricia Morales. “If eligible, you’ll get fare subsidy coupons to use each month when buying your transit pass from participating providers and pass sales outlets.” The types of subsidy coupons in the RRTP program include:

· $10 subsidy coupon – Riders that purchase regular monthly or weekly passes, provided that their city or the county does not provide a subsidy

· $6 Subsidy coupon – Senior citizen riders of cities who do not offer any user side subsidy

· $6 Subsidy coupon – Kindergarten through 12th grade students of cities or schools that do not provide a subsidy

· $6 Subsidy coupon – College-vocational students provided that their city or the county or school does not provide a subsidy

“This is something we’ve been working on for a while and, it’s going to make transportation more affordable for many of our residents,” said Councilmember and AVTA Board Member Steve Hofbauer.

“The City of Palmdale is always looking for ways to partner with other agencies to assist those who need help the most,” said Councilmember and AVTA Board Member Fred Thompson.

In addition to the AVTA, Rider Relief coupons may be used on Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus Lines, Torrance Transit, LADOT, Santa Clarita Transit, Foothill Transit, Long Beach Transit, Montebello Bus Lines and Norwalk Transit. Adult riders, Senior/Disabled/Medicare, K-12 grade students and full time College/Vocational students are eligible if their incomes are:

Annual Income

Persons in Household

$28,550 or below

1

$32,600 or below

2

$36,700 or below

3

$40,750 or below

4

$44,050 or below

5

$47,300 or below

6

Children over 5 years old whose parents qualify are automatically also eligible to receive Rider Relief coupons. A schedule for coupon distribution will be posted on the City of Palmdale’s Web site, www.cityofpalmdale.org, next week.

For more information or to see if you qualify for the RRTP through SAVES, please call 661/267-5300.