Students will no longer get a break when it comes to Regional Transit bus fares when 2012 rolls around.

The San Joaquin Regional Transit District board has approved a series of fare changes that includes the wholesale elimination of reduced fares for students whether they are in elementary school, high school, or attending college.

The transit district effective Jan. 1, 2012 has dropped student discounts as well as almost all multi-day pass discounts in a bid to address budget shortfalls. That will impact those 5 to 17 and college students with the proper identification. Up to three children under the age of 5 can ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Students now pay $1.25 to ride a transit bus. That would go up 20 percent to $1.50 - the same as full fare - in January.

The discount fare of 75 cents for seniors age 65 and over as well as the disabled and Medicare Card holders who have property identification will remain intact.

Dial-a-Ride will also remain at $3.

The only multi-day passes not terminated is the 31-day pass. The rates are envisioned to remain at $65 for adults, $40 for students, and $30 for those who qualify for the discount fare.

Single weekend day passes will be eliminated while single weekday passes wil be kept with the rates applying for all seven days with the exception of the student one-day pass that wil be eliminated. Adult day passes are $4 and the discount pass is $2. The student one-day pass fare is $3.

Transit systems are heavily subsidized by state and federal funds. Fares cover just a portion of what it costs to run the system.