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Dear Editor: I would rather Madison Metro not have to raise bus fares now or in the future. We need a strong transit system that provides quality service at an affordable price.
In the past, I have fought fare increases, largely because raising fares means funding our transit system on the backs of those who can least afford it -- low-income individuals who rely on the bus as their only means to and from their jobs. It may seem incongruent that I have now filed an appeal of a recent Transit and Parking Commission decision asking that fares be raised more than the commission decided. The TPC voted to raise the Metro's cash fare by 25 cents with corresponding increases for passes and multi-ride tickets. This plan makes transit less affordable to those who depend on the bus and leaves a gaping hole in Metro's budget. The TPC rejected a plan from Mayor Dave Cieslewicz for a 50-cent fare increase coupled with a half-price bus pass available to low-income individuals. Unlike the mayor's plan, the TPC's plan will result in significant service cuts and does nothing to mitigate the impact of the increase on Madison's low-income workers. The mayor's plan responds to community concerns about affordability through a short-term plan to offer some reduced rate passes immediately as well as a sustainable long-term plan to address the transit needs of low-income residents into the future. The City Council should recognize that the commission's decision is an ill-conceived compromise that fails to address the issues of service cuts and affordability for low-income riders. It is my hope that through an appeal to the council, these issues will be addressed and the mayor's plan will be adopted.
Lisa Subeck, Madison
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