Now that the Madison Metro fare increase has been rejected, where to we go to fund the buses? When this problem was debated 15 years ago, I went to a commission meeting and suggested paying the bus deficit from higher downtown daytime parking rates. My recent letter proposing the idea again met the same response as 15 years ago: Money just cannot be transferred from the parking part of the parking and transit budget to the transit (Metro) side.

OK. But even if that cannot be done until state law or the U.S. Constitution is amended, a surcharge to park in a downtown ramp before 10 a.m. would still reduce the Metro deficit by increasing ridership. Buses and driving are still in competition for downtown workers.

Jim Blair, Madison
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