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

Link to story with video here: http://weareaustin.com/content/fulltext/?cid=26281
Protesters and others speaking against an alternative budget proposal stood outside Capital Metro's headquarters Monday in East Austin.

They are disappointed in the budget because they say it raises health care costs for them and takes service routes away from riders.

"I don’t know why they want to cut service because people still got to get from one part of the town to the other," said union member Billy Bennett.

Bennett has been a part of the local driver's union for 26 years. He says he joined because he liked the direction it was headed. That's not the case anymore, according to the veteran mechanic, who is now months away from retirement. He thinks a better budget could be decided, one that would be fair to both drivers and riders.

"If they're really serious about it, it can be done," said Bennett. "They can run it better than this."

The budget proposals include deferred bus purchases for two more years, a continued hiring freeze, the elimination of administrative positions, increased healthcare costs for employees and the use of $2.6 million in federal stimulus money to cover the gaps in operation costs. The board already cut the downtown Dillo service.

Communications director Adam Shaivitz says the decisions made haven't been easy for anyone.

"There have been a lot of difficult decisions along the way to this point," Shaivitz said.

Shaivitz added that the downtown Dillo service cuts will be picked up by other bus lines that already run similar routes. He also says the budget proposals do not include a fare increase for customers.

Mac McKaskle with the Bus Rider's Union believes the board hasn't kept customers in mind during the budget-making process.

"They’re not a business. They’re a part of our government. They should be providing a service that we pay them for," he said.

Jennifer McPhair is wheel-chair bound and relies on bus service for her transportation needs. She attended the protest Monday and argues with the way the budget has been handled.

"You kind of have to wonder, 'what are their priorities?'" she said. "Certainly not the riders."

McPhair and Bennett believe even the smallest change could have a huge impact for them later down the road.

The public will get the opportunity to review the budget for themselves starting Sept. 4. On Sept. 21, a public hearing will be held to obtain feedback from the public. The final adoption of the budget will be on Sept. 28.