Bus Fare Hike to Take Effect Wednesday : Transit: The rate increases by 25 cents. Price of monthly pass rises from $42 to $49.

Beginning Wednesday, the fare on Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses and the Blue Line trolley between Long Beach and Los Angeles will rise from $1.10 to $1.35. Red Line subway fares will remain at 25 cents.

Tokens can be purchased for 90 cents each and used in lieu of the higher fare. They must be purchased ahead of time at one of more than 400 locations, such as MTA customer service centers, supermarkets and check-cashing outlets.

The price of a monthly transit pass increases from $42 to $49.

The price hike, which had been blocked by a court order since September, was allowed under a compromise reached last week between the parties in a lawsuit over transit spending policies. The higher fare will remain in effect until a judge rules on the suit, which accuses the MTA of discriminating against minority and poor bus riders. The trial is not expected to begin before late spring.

Express charges--imposed on commuters traveling longer distances and usually on freeways--increase from 40 cents to 50 cents per zone. Express stamps go up from $12 to $15.

For senior citizens and the disabled, the cost of monthly passes increases from $10 to $12. Blind passengers, who have traveled for free, will also pay $12 for passes. Passes will rise from $25 to $30 for college and vocational school students and from $18 to $20 for schoolchildren.

For locations of token sales outlets, riders may call 1-800-COMMUTE.

It is the first fare increase in six years.

“We were losing $4 million each month we weren’t allowed to raise the fares,” said MTA Chief Executive Officer Franklin E. White. “Now, we’ve slowed the financial hemorrhage and will be in a little better shape as we move ahead to trial.”