The Falls Church City Council voted unanimously to permit an increase in fares for the use of the scaled-back GEORGE bus system from 50 cents now, to $1.35 per trip as of July 6, or $1.25 per trip using a SmarTrip pass.

The new fare brings GEORGE fares into conformity with the rates of the Arlington Regional Transit (ART), which will begin operating the system July 1. The new rates will permit ART to fit GEORGE buses with its existing fare boxes. The Falls Church Council also voted to lower the GEORGE fare to $1 as soon as its own fare boxes can be reprogrammed, which may take a few months.