Here are five reasons not to raise Metro bus fares: Gas prices have dropped precipitously; parking rates remain the same; the 50-cent hike would make Metro's fare the highest in the nation among comparable cities; the model Metro used understates the ridership and revenue losses the fare increase would cause; and, most importantly, you simply don't raise fares 33 percent in the worst economic crisis since the Depression.

To put off criticism that the fare hike would hurt low-income riders, the mayor proposes a token program to give certain people half-priced monthly passes. But most poor people won't get these passes, and the fact remains: The best way to help low-income riders is to not raise fares.

If fares are raised, many "choice riders" -- those with other options -- will drive. Lower ridership caused by the fare hike would spawn a spiral of more fare increases accompanied by service cuts. Madison needs both choice and captive riders. A bus system that only serves the poor is a poor system.

Metro staff claims Madison is exempt from nationally recognized models because after the 2005 fare increase, ridership did not decrease. This ignores that fact that gas prices doubled after that increase, and the number of unlimited ride pass programs was increasing. With neither of these factors in play this round, ridership would likely drop, causing a permanent budget crisis for Metro.

I hope the commission will once again vote down the fare increase.

Tim Wong, Madison
Former member of Transit and Parking Commission
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