WENATCHEE — Link Transit may reduce fares on most routes to increase ridership and eliminate some rural services that don’t get enough passengers.

One fare option calls for charging a flat fee of $1 for all routes, regardless of length, with a monthly pass costing $40. Reduced fares for seniors and others who qualify would be 50 cents.

Ridership would have to increase by 50 to 75 percent to maintain current revenue at those fares.

A second option would be to eliminate trolley fares and reduce single zone fares from $1.25 to 75 cents, with a flat fee of $2.50 for intercity trips, regardless of length. Local one-zone passes would cost $30 and reduced fares would be 35 cents. System-wide ridership would have to increase by 25 percent to maintain current revenue, said Link spokesman Eric West.

Public meetings are set for later this month to answer questions and gather comments on all the proposed changes.

If approved, the changes would take effect July 1 and include:

Route 28: Olds Station to Cashmere service would end, replaced by dial-a-ride “DART” service for the Easy Street, Olds Station, Monitor and Cashmere area. The service would require 24-hour advance reservation.

Route 31: Service between Chelan and Manson would end and be replaced by expanded service on Routes 20 and 21 between Wenatchee and Manson.

Route 37: Regular service between Leavenworth, Plain and Lake Wenatchee would end and be replaced by dial-a-ride “DART” service.

Route 9: Wenatchee trolley service hours would increase one hour each morning, to begin at 9 a.m.

Route 19: East Wenatchee trolley would increase one hour each evening with service until 7 p.m.

The meetings are set for:

Martin’s Market Place, Cashmere: 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 23; noon to 2 p.m., Jan. 24

Cashmere City Hall: 4 to 7 p.m., Jan. 29

Beaver Valley Lodge, Plain: 6 to 8 p.m., Jan. 22

Chelan City Hall: 4 to 7 p.m., Jan. 23

Columbia Station, Wenatchee: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan 22; noon to 2 p.m., Jan. 25; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 28 and 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 30

More information about the changes and meeting places can be found on the Link website, www.linktransit.com, or by calling Link at 664-7600.

Rick Steigmeyer: 664-7151

steigmeyer@wenatcheeworld.com