Fare Aid Program To End October 2015

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A Texas transit agency says it's planning to end free and reduced-cost bus rides for the homeless.  

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority offers the free and reduced-cost bus passes through a program called Fare Aid. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/11qpsnb ) reports the transit agency will stop offering that program in October 2015.

The money is expected to go toward transit projects, such as a proposed rail commuter line from downtown Fort Worth to Grapevine and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Last year, the transit authority spent about $300,000 on the Fare Aid program.

But critics say a lack of transportation could push homeless people into more panhandling.

A transit agency spokeswoman says the Fare Aid program started in 1990.