Once again, public services are being cut without real community input (“Riding the bus could soon cost you more,” Beacon, Oct. 11, page 2). Decisions to raise bus fares are counter-productive and not in the public interest.
MTs media spokesman Luis Gonzales states that increases in bus fares and elimination of transfers is way overdue since “fare structure hasn’t been modified sine 2003.”
In order to increase use of public transportation, fees need to be drastically reduced or totally eliminated. (Downtown Seattle has free bus service.) An increase in fares is counter-productive. Eliminating transfers is really stupid. Higher fares are a serious hardship for many workers. Public transportation is a necessity and a rational solution to traffic and pollution problems. If we want more people to use buses, they must be affordable and accessible. Some folks, who ordinarily do not use buses, may actually hop on a bus instead of driving their car.
Instead of paying “consultants” exorbitant fees to install expensive parking meters, let’s promote free bus service. That’s where our tax money should go. We could make a dent in our traffic problem and save our environment. Not a bad investment. Of course, it won’t appeal to the gang who are out to make a profit.