[Mpls] Bus service cuts and fare hikes

[Robert Lilligren]

The Met Council will be holding a series of public hearings to "...review bus and rail fares in the region, as well as transit service levels." Two will be held in Minneapolis; Thursday, April 14, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Metro Transit Chambers (560 Sixth Ave. N) and Monday, April 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m in City Hall Room 220 (350 South Fifth St.).

We have what Metro Transit staff calls "an efficient system for recovery costs" due to the high percentage of operating costs paid by riders. These proposed fare hikes will bring the fare box recovery to somewhere between 30 and 35% of operations - MUCH higher than most systems nationally. Met Council Chair Peter Bell says that increasing taxpayer support of operating costs is "...simply not sustainable, reasonable or fair." Find out more at:

http://metrocouncil.org/directions/transit/hearingsFeb05.htm

I am confused about how the Met Council, who operates Metro Transit, plans on meeting its own goal of doubling transit ridership by 2030 (formerly by 2020) with these continued cuts. I am also confused about why we would debilitate our most effective congestion mitigation measure in this way.

I serve on several regional transportation bodies. I hear the desire for increased transit expressed consistently across party lines and from the urban to rural areas. When will this governor and legislature respond? 

There has been discussion on the list about a "stable" source for funding for transit. Perhaps "dedicated" is a better word. Currently, transit is in competition for funding with roads, highways, etc. Securing a dedicated funding stream for transit is a message that the Met Council needs to hear loudly and clearly at the upcoming hearings.   

Yours,

Robert Lilligren (3 bus trips today)
Council Member Ward 8
Candidate Ward 6
Phillips West
www.voterobert.com