Austinist: Rate Increases Approved For Capital Metro

Wes

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:16:50 -0600

People in places like Cedar Park and Round Rock pay Cap Metro taxes everytime they buy something in Austin.

jayevee

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:58:44 -0600

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.

nausea1995

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:19:31 -0600

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.

nausea1995

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:16:33 -0600

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.

mdahmus

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:42:34 -0600

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.