Peeved at the last-minute availability of monthly-fare passes and a recent fare hike, public transit riders got welcome news via a Metro Transit apology: The first two weeks of March are on us.

Due in part to a production snafu, new March monthly passes only began arriving at sales locations Feb. 26. The delay was caused by a combination of factors that interfered with the card’s production timeline, said Metro Transit spokesperson Linda Thielke. The cards normally take four to six months to print, laminate, embed and encode all of the correct information. King County Council also adopted an ordinance last November to raise fares 25 cents in February and again next January, 2010.

“All of these things combined to cause a delay,” she said.

February Puget Pass will remain valid through March 13 – saving time and money for passengers. Those riding public transit can also use the pass as valid fare payment on Community Transit, Metro Transit, Sound Transit and Everett Transit. Pierce Transit users, however, will only get one week to make the adjustment after the February pass expires March 6.

The March 2009 PugetPass, and Vanpool, Ship-to-Shore and Access Transportation passes, are now available at authorized locations.