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Free bus rides for Valley Transit customers might no longer be the norm after 2025. Since 2022, Valley Transit has had a free-ride policy for almost all riders. That policy's three-year test run is set to end before 2026. With a deadline looming, Valley Transit’s board of directors plans to review its budget and discuss whether the transit service will continue to provide free rides. Angie Peters, Valley Transit’s general manager, said the board’s decision to provide free rides for almost everyone has more than doubled the transit provider’s revenue. Peters said the grants from the Climate Commitment Act and the Washington Legislature’s Move Ahead Washington transportation package provides more funding to Valley Transit than what it would collect in ridership fees. Peters also said if the board doesn’t keep its current policy and loses the grant, the board could look for alternative funding through other grants. “If we were in a position where we needed to fund it, I'm sure that the board would encourage seeking some alternate funding source because we don't want the resolution to be that, yes, we've gone zero fare, but we are taking a hit to the budget in order to accommodate that,” Peters said. The board must report to the state about whether the organization will continue to provide free rides by the end of June 2025, or before the next two-year budget period begins, in order to continue receiving the grant. Continuing the grant and keeping the policy is important to the transit provider. Peters said an estimated 75% of its riders report not having access to a vehicle. “That means that they're transit dependent and would imply that they are middle- to low-income ... (and) when you're living on fixed income, every penny counts,” she said. Before the free-ride policy, transit fares had cost 50¢ a ride or $1 for a round trip, and various bus passes were available for more frequent riders. Paratransit services were set at 75¢ a ride or $1.50 for a round trip. Peters also said the transit service provides access to health care and social occasions for those who are unable to drive or would otherwise be isolated without transportation options. “If we're able to make sure that our budget stays whole without them (the riders) having to pay to make those frankly lifesaving trips, I think it helps everyone in the community,” she said. To qualify for state funding, a transit service must provide free rides to passengers under 18 years old and cannot lower the current sales tax authority. Instead of only providing zero-fare rides to minors, Valley Transit decided to use the state funds for almost all passengers regardless of age. Some exceptions to the policy include riders who are over the age of 18 and use the transit’s Job Access or Vanpool services, but all other services have remained free.
CHIPOTLE fans could be in for a shock as the chain's new finance chief considers price increases on three popular menu items. The Mexican grill restaurant with around 3,500 locations could soon be hiking prices on its burritos and rice bowls as the company battles rising costs. There have already been six price increases between 2021 and 2024 which has seen some customers already launch boycotts claiming that the chain is no longer affordable. The latest discussion about raising prices comes as raw ingredients like avocados, queso and sour cream become more expensive for Chipotle to buy. This increase could be offset by changes to prices on menus, meaning it will directly impact customers. But, to keep fans loyal, the chain is reportedly hoping to give them different offers and discounts. read more on chipotle Regardless of any increased costs, Chief Financial Officer Adam Rymer told The Wall Street Journal that customers still get better overall value compared to rival chains. Rymer, who took over as CFO in October said that any price increase that takes place will be "modest" as he hopes to keep menu items affordable for customers. It is not known when this supposed price hike would take place. Rymer has been with the Mexican restaurant chain for 15 years, previously taking on roles including vice president of finance and compensation analyst. Most read in Money His predecessor ex-CFO Brian Niccol left the chain in August to become the new CEO of Starbucks which saw Rymer's start date move from January to October. As other fast-food chains have been hit hard by inflation , losing custom and staff, Chiptole has managed to push on through the pressures facing the industry. In the company's latest quarterly results, its same-store sales increased by 6 per cent compared to the same time last year. Also, revenue grew by 13 per cent to $2.8 billion year over year. Despite this success, following the latest news of possible increases, outraged customers took to Facebook to share their thoughts. Many highlighted that previous rises in costs pushed them away from the chain. "Is already pricey enough. Haven't eaten Chipotle in months," one wrote. "Stopped eating there several months ago - skimpy servings for the high price we were paying - and we never added meat = vegetarian!" another added. "Good. I need to start eating healthier and more at home," a third noted. Others warned customers to "get ready to pay more for EVERYTHING" and that Chipotle should prepare "to lose customers." One even accused the chain of "greed." But, a senior analyst at Baird claims that the chain's price hikes have not had a huge effect on its customer base yet and that another one would "likely be digestible," per the WSJ. David Tarantino said that one reason for this is that Chiptole customers are typically more well-off than those of other fast-food chains and that its products offer better value overall. He said: "[Chipotle's] price increases are lagging what we're seeing elsewhere, and that leads to a much stronger value proposition." Read More on The US Sun It comes just months after the chain's CEO was forced to issue a change after diners threatened to boycott. The U.S. Sun has reached out to Chipotle for comment regarding the menu price increase.
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Shares of discount retail firm ( ) have performed brilliantly over the past few years. Undoubtedly, high demand for better deals of everyday goods combined with an impressive merchandising strategy and expansion have helped the Canadian retail top dog continue to surge above and beyond the expectations of many . If the Canadian economy runs into a bit of trouble in the new year and consumers start budgeting more aggressively again, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dollarama sales were to stay upbeat. Indeed, an inflationary economy to a recessionary one (perhaps Trump tariffs could cause flat-to-negative GDP growth, though I have no idea if they’ll actually be as high as 25%). With a higher multiple, though, investors should be asking themselves if the defensive growth juggernaut has become a tad too expensive. Sure, Dollarama is a model for how dollar stores and discount retailers should be run. And while the company’s growth profile seems secure, even in the face of inflation or a potential stock market selloff, I still think that paying an above-average price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple is seldom a good idea, especially if expectations ahead of earnings are a tad on the high side. Dollarama stock is getting a tad pricey Though I would not ever recommend betting against Dollarama stock, I think there are better market deals right now, as the name is going for more than $145 and change per share and around 37.7 times trailing price to earnings (P/E). Indeed, that’s a really high price to pay, even for one of the most predictable and stabler growth companies in the consumer scene. As the firm rolls into its latest round of quarterly earnings, I’d argue there’s some chance of a post-earnings pullback should the numbers come up short of investor hopes. Either way, patient investors may get a better opportunity to snag the stock, perhaps at below $135, at some point over the next 18 months. While it’s hard to find a cheaper high-growth retailer like Dollarama on the cheap, I think the following retail stocks are worth consideration as they progress with their growth plans. Alimentation Couche-Tard ( ) is another well-run retail firm that has a plan to keep growing its earnings at a steady pace over the next couple of years. Indeed, the main headline is that Couche-Tard is still doing its best to win over the right to acquire rival convenience retailer 7-Eleven in a deal that would be historic for the industry. At this juncture, Couche-Tard investors don’t seem quite sure which pathway the firm will ultimately take. In any case, I’m pretty confident Couche-Tard can get the deal done in the new year. With mostly negativity baked into the stock since the proposed deal hit the headlines, I think there may actually be some meaningful upside should a deal finally become official. Why? I believe that investors will gain more clarity into what the 7-Eleven deal could do to the earnings growth profile. Indeed, perhaps Couche-Tard can extract more than we give it credit for. Either way, the initial sticker shock on the proposed deal seems to be fading as investors pile back into ATD shares at modest multiples. Despite the recent relief rally, I still view ATD stock as a growth gem as a pretty sizeable discount. At 21.7 times trailing price P/E, ATD could prove a bargain right here.None
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