August 6, 2008
Rate Increases Approved For Capital Metro
Just like the cost of everything else lately, the price of your next bus ride on Capital Metro could get more expensive. In a 6-to-4 vote Monday night, an oversight committee made up of local government officials voted in favor of a fare hike, causing base fares to go up from 50 cents to 75 cents. Under the proposal, a second planned increase is scheduled for 2010 when base fares would go up to $1.00.
Proposed fare increases would also impact monthly passes, the ‘Dillo trolley (setting a $0.50 fare for what has in the past been a free service) and the MetroRail. The rate increases will not affect senior citizens and disabled people who will continue to ride for free. Capital Metro needs to have one more ratifying vote at the end of this month before rates would officially go into effect in October.
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The key here is that we're still screwing Austin for the benefit of people in places like Cedar Park and Round Rock (who don't pay Capital Metro taxes). Rail service is actually being provided more for Cedar Park residents than for people who live in Austin - all they need to do is drive a bit down the road, and hop on; nobody bothers to check whether they live in the taxing district before they buy a ticket. Express bus service is actually being marketed to Round Rock residents - again, they don't pay taxes; they shouldn't be getting the service at the same rate we do.
In times when we can't afford to provide rail transit for actual Austin residents, we should damn well make sure the chuckleheads who voted out Capital Metro can't turn around and ride for cheap with our tax dollars.
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As far as I understand it, Leander citizens do still pay taxes towards Capital Metro. Several years ago Cedar Park refused to contribute a percentage of sales tax to Capital Metro and that is why the Cedar Park park and ride was removed from the bus route. Sure people in Cedar Park can now just drive to Leander as you said, but I'd have to imagine this happens with any large public transportation system. That being said, it isn't exactly fair that they skipped out on their tax contribution knowing that their residents would just drive a few miles to Leander or northern Austin stations. What could (more importantly, would) Capital Metro do about that.
Cap Metro wants to look good by having high ridership, even at the cost of Austin residents.
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I'm still waiting for Cap Metro to post fares for the red line, and whether or not UT staff/students will be able to ride for free.
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The fare is STILL 50 cents? My god. It hasn't changed in at least 15 years. I always forget how cheap things are back home.
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People in places like Cedar Park and Round Rock pay Cap Metro taxes everytime they buy something in Austin.