Bus Riders Union of Austin, Texas | El Sindicato de Pasajeros

Board tells transit agency staff to take time to analyze options.

By Ben Wear
Austin American-Statesman
Friday, September 21, 2007

Capital Metro board members pulled back from a proposed January fare increase on Thursday, asking the transit agency staff to analyze a long list of options.

Board Chairman Lee Walker said that any consideration of raising bus fares should be based on a long-term financial plan, better market research and equity for low-income people dependent on buses.

"We're missing a context here," Walker said.

The board was set to vote Monday on what amounted largely to a doubling of fares, although there were some exceptions with much larger percentage increases. That board vote would have sent the fare plan to an ad hoc board of local elected officials to make a final decision, perhaps in October.

That won't happen now.

The change in direction comes after a public hearing Tuesday that generated harsh criticism of the fare increase proposal. That criticism stood in contrast to mixed reactions staff members said they had received in the month leading up to the planned vote.

Several elements of a likely revised fare plan were discussed at Thursday's board meeting, including:

Graduated fare increases. Rather than immediately doubling fares, the agency should make several changes over two to three years, board members said.

Zoned fares. The agency should charge more for longer trips, the board said, particularly on the coming commuter rail line.

Dillo dollars. The agency should consider charging for rides on the downtown rubber-tired trolleys, which are free now. Walker cited the example of downtown white-collar workers continuing to get free rides while the agency raises prices on other services. "Come on, that makes no sense," Walker said.

Maintaining discounts. The proposed fare increase plan would have both doubled the price for people who get door-to-door service and eliminated discounts, in effect quadrupling the price. The board was uncomfortable with that.

It was unclear from the discussion how quickly the staff might address the board's concerns and when a revised fare increase plan might come up for consideration. The board still intends on Monday to adopt its budget based on the fare increase proposal but will revise it later in the year to reflect any changes in the fare schedule.

bwear@statesman.com; 445-3698