In the Austin Statesmen Monday September 17 and Tuesday September 18 there has been two articles discussing Capital Metro's proposal to increase bus fare city wide. When they convened yesterday, the 17th, they met at 5pm giving anyone the opportunity to show and give their input. At first they thought the majority of the people would support the increase, considering Austin has one of the lowest bus fares in the state. Over the last few months Capital Metro held interviews and asked questions to over 1,300 people who use the transit system frequently. The results showed that 44% thought it was time to increase the bus fare, while 39% disagreed and were rather upset. Although at the meeting held, people gave voice that if the cost should be changed at all it should be reconfigured or at best be left alone. Many citizens spoke out and expressed opinions; including Jennifer McPhail, who was informed recently of Capital Metro's intentions to spend over 1.8 million dollars on new bus signs. She argued they do not even have things to spend there money on now why must they demand more? Another angry resident, Susana Almanza named the company racist because so many transit users are Mexican American. She was so infuriated by the proposal that she threatened to file a civil rights complaint. Overall the meeting allowed many people to express there opinions. The increase will be voted on next week by Capital Metro, and if they propose it the final say will be given, by law, to a hoc committee of 11 members sometime in October.
This article is especially important to our local politics and government because it effects thousands of residents in Austin. It is important to know that the increase is in the works so we can publicly voice our opinions in hopes of modifying or changing the plans.
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/09/18/0918capmetro.html?COXnetJSessionIDbuild53a_prod=hygMGwPcyvrSNrkLhfNXn5Kz3GgyhCpFLbPlJbZMGzsJQxkVypQs!903605892&UrAuth=`NXNUObN\UbTTUWUXUVUZTZU_UWUbUVUZU]U]UcTYWYWZV&urcm=y
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