Current Size: 90%
Bus Riders Union expresses anger, concern over 25-cent rate increase |
Lindsey Morgan
Daily Texan
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lauren Tucker, Daily Texan Staff Austin Bus Riders Union members Austin Van Zant, Smokey Talmanson and Nailah I. A. Sankofa discuss different modes of action in response to Capital Metro's increased bus fares at the Austin History Center. The new fares will take effect Oct. 13. |
Members of the Bus Riders Union of Austin discussed Saturday at the Austin History Center their grievances and plans of action in response to the approved Capital Metro bus fare increase.
The 25-cent fare increase is set to take effect Oct. 13.
"I am a bus rider; I haven't driven a car since 1986," said union member Smokey Talmanson. "I feel very angry because the bus system is screwing the people and really hurting the loyal riders. Why pay more for less service?"
Cap Metro city buses have been running at a 50-cent rate since their inception in 1985.
The Local Government Approval Committee approved the 25-cent rate increase last month to 75 cents for all adult local service. By fall of 2010, the fare will increase to $1.
"It just seems they are increasing the fee because they haven't in 23 years," said union member Nailah I.A. Sankofa. "It's like stealing out of my purse, but I should overlook it because they've never done it before."
According to the Cap Metro Web site, the "increases are necessary in order ... to continue to provide the level of service that central Texans have come to expect and to help the authority grow to meet the ever-expanding needs of our region."
All fares have been increased within the Cap Metro system. The 'Dillo buses that were once free in the downtown region are now 50 cents for adults to ride, and the Express Service bus fare has risen to $1.50 from $1. Fares for children and non-UT students have also risen but not as significantly. Bus rides remain free for those with a UT ID.
Cap Metro's Web site also lists the new prices of monthly passes, which have risen from $15 a month to $22.50 a month. Ten-ride ticket passes rose from $3 a month to $7 a month. Other new prices for frequent rider discount packages were not listed.
Some union members also said Cap Metro raised fare prices and changed bus routes to segregate passengers from high- and low-income areas of the city.
"I feel that the fare increase, removing the free 'Dillos and changing the routes was intended to remove a certain type of person from riding the bus," Sankofa said.
During the meeting, the bus riders union created a list of goals and desires it plans to present at the Cap Metro Board of Directors' public monthly meeting Sept. 29.
The list includes a desire for more east-to-west transit routes, free 'Dillo service, an end to what some perceive to be a segregated system between the routes, fair distribution of resources between Metro buses and MetroRail, larger bike racks, 24-hour-a-day service seven days a week and more bus routes throughout the day.
Though the union members discussed using civil disobedience to enact change, they decided to instead voice their concerns at the upcoming meeting.
"Seventy percent of bus riders from the union don't even own cars," said Glenn Gaven, a union member and UT shuttle driver. "Whatever we decide to do, we don't want to inconvenience any fellow riders but let Capital Metro know that their customers aren't happy."