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

KLBJ Newsroom
8/5/2008

It was a 6-to-4 vote in favor of a fare increase for Austin's transit provider. And while the end certainly is important, as it is an historical move by the Local Government Advisory Council, the final in a series of hurdles the fare increase proposal had to overcome, the events leading up to that decision may be considered a story worth reporting unto themselves.

Several months ago, the transit agency began to study its rate structure. At that time, Capital Metro did not know, or at least would not speak publicly about what would be the outcome of the study. Fast forward through spring and the first part of summer, add the skyrocketing price of fuel and the double-digit percentage increase in people catching a ride on the bus to avoid traffic and cut fuel costs, and the transit agency knew something had to change.

Then, Monday night, by six o'clock, it was becoming clear on the third floor of One Texas Center on Barton Springs Road, that the proposed rate increase schedule would be met with plenty of opposition. Two hours and testimony from several dozen angry riders and local group representatives later, the panel of mayors, county commissioners and transportation experts had an earful.

Richard Troxel, of the group "House the Homeless" spoke while volunteers held up a massive banner bearing the group's name.

"We believe that Capital Metro's fare increase will have a disporportionately high and adverse effect on our minority and low-income population," said Troxel. He also told of a lawsuit the group intended to file against the transit provider for the rate increase.

"Go ahead and authorize this fare increase. But attach a condition that Capital Metro must lower its sales tax," Arthur DiBianca, Treaurer of the Travis County Libertarian Party said. "That way riders will pay a larger share of the cost, which is good, and there will be some relief for Austin taxpayers, which is very good and very long overdue."

As the clock approached eight o'clock, County Judge Sam Biscoe announced the final three people to speak. About ten minutes later, with many speakers going slightly over their allotted three minutes, Biscoe announced the end of the public comment period.

Travis County Commissioner Ron Davis assertively stated that he could not vote for an increase in good conscience.

"The experiences that I have witnessed in the communities I represent, there is no way I can support a fare increase schedule that's been presented here tonight," Davis announced, amid applause.

Through nearly an hour of meandering motions, seconds, amendments and changes to those amendments, the board discussed and further hammered-out the decision they would make. Leander Mayor Capital Metro Board member John Cowman and motioned to enact the proposal as presented. Austin City Councilman and Capital Metro Board member Brewster McCracken seconded the motion and it was ready for a vote. That would have included a 50-cent increase for rail, 'Dillo and express bus to eliminate subsidies for discounts on monthly passes.

"If we do not make up the lost $1.1M, we will have then have acted this evening knowing this will then trigger service cuts within a couple of years," McCracken said.

Vote time. The amended motion went down to defeat by 6-to-4. The crowd applauded.

Back for discussion the panel went, determined, under the guidance of Biscoe to have a definitive vote by the end of the night.

Again, Commissioner Davis pushed hard for including an amendment for the working poor. One of his panel colleagues asked him to define the working poor. More discussion followed.

Austin City Councilman and former Capital Metro Board Member Lee Leffingwell said since there was no in-depth analysis of the amendments and no solid numbers to back up any of the projections on the part of the panel or Capital Metro Chief Financial Officer Randy Hume, Leffingwell said he could not support a proposal with amendments.

As the clock approached nine o'clock, the group had hammered-out another amendment proposal which did not include a provision for the "working poor". However, it did include an exception for senior citizens and people with disabilities, who, in a press release issued by Capital Metro, hours later, would continue to ride the bus system for free.

Vote time again. Six in favor, four opposed. The motion carried and the group's purpose of the evening was fulfilled.

Now Capital Metro is tasked with sitting down and figuring out how to serve senior citizens and riders with disabilities while replacing the projected $1.2M funding gap created by the fare exception.

The base new fares, $.75 for the first year and $1.00 the second year, will likely go into effect in November.

last modified: 8/5/2008 1:55:39 AM