It's official. It's going to cost more to ride Capital Metro. Capital Metro's Board of Directors approved bus fare rate increase Wednesday. It will also cost more to ride the rail line, even though it's not up and running.
Capital Metro says it's trying to avoid using federal stimulus money to pay operating costs. With this rate hike, only $300,000 of the $2.6 million would go to operating costs.
The Capital Metro bus stop in downtown Austin was busy Wednesday.
"I ride every morning. I have to get to school on Riverside," said Jermaine Rogers.
His ride is about to get more expensive. On Wednesday, Capital Metro's Board approved a rate increase.
"I have to pay for it -- that's why I don't really agree with it. I don't really have any other way of getting around and getting to school," said Rogers.
Rates will change, beginning January 18.
The cost for a single ride on the bus jumps from 75 cents to $1. The Express Service jumps from $1.50 to $2.50 Monthly bus passes increase from $18 to $28.
Some people are OK with the increase.
"Once you know the system and everything, I think it's worth it," said William McClintock, who rides the bus nearly every day.
For Capital Metro's rail -- which hasn't opened and doesn't have a firm start date -- those rates jumped too. Fares were set at $1. That's now doubled to $2. Monthly rail pass go from $36 to $70.
The increases are frustrating for those who believe Capital Metro should be doing better.
"I think they could improve a lot of things - like on scheduling. It's inconvenient sometimes. You have to wait an hour for a bus. Some buses - they don't go everywhere," said Blanca Gonzales.
The single ride base rate increase -- which goes from 75 cents to $1 -- could be vetoed. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) has 60 days to make that decision. As for seniors, the disabled and Medicare cardholders, they'll continue to ride for free.
tinner said on November 4, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I'm not surprised the rate for the rail doubled, after all, the cost doubled from what the people were told in order to get them to vote for it. Soon after it starts running in 2012 you can look for another increase. The bottom line: If you ride it, pay for it.
blastoff said on November 4, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Hey, Metro riders just go to a chriopractor and get a letter saying you are disabled. I have seen people who can run for the bus or even ride a bike to use the rack with a disabled card. I say what is mobility impaired? I hear the people who get out of jail get an mobility card until they can get on their feet. A lot of the so-called street people have them. Why are they moving to Austin because we are a bunch of suckers. While I ride the bus; I see a lot of people who use these cards. I would like for Metro to give us the percentage of the ridership who have the free cards. This city will never get a decent transit system because they are not getting the people out of the cars unless the gas prices go up. Maybe if they close all of downtown to traffic and require the people to get out of their cars. I bet you Metro will keep relying on the Feds but the money will run out sometime. I cannot wait for the city to put up for vote on a rail system thru the downtown.
blastoff said on November 4, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Has Capmetro ever had someone who comes with real accounting crenditials and education to really come up with figures to operate this transit authority? It seems like politics play a big part in their decisions. Why are the low income or disabled treated here any different from the same in any other city? I believe this transit company has had some very poor management people. We have now finally come to where the main CEO who has lost all of the money is pushed out the door with over $90,000 a year pension. It was done with the highly praised ex-Dell executive, Lee Walker. Where has he gone to? No comment, Lee Walker. The transit properties have been pilfered around the country with the high salaries and mismanagement of money. It is time for city of Austin to say enough is enough. Yes, you are to blame because you never came to the board meetings and question their ways over the years. Yes, people it is one big click who jump from properties to properties with no real past checks.
4commonsense said on November 4, 2009 at 10:03 PM
1 dollar each way is MORE than reasonable. I mean really - forcing the rest of the taxpayers to pay the difference for what you're not paying as a rider - how can you really complain? - - Now raising the price of the rides is a good start, but now we need to take away the millions of dollars in golden parachutes that we're paying these "executives" who are doing much of nothing but collecting HUGE paychecks (and retirements). How is this even possible? Who the hell is making these "sweetheart deals"? Who ever it is, they need to be fired and some accountability needs to take place. NOW! - - If those in charge can't find someone to do the job for 60-80 thousand a year, then we need to have someone else do the hiring.
blastoff said on November 7, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Hey Kvue: Why don't you find out how many of the riders have these disability cards and what are the qualifications for the card? It is not fair to put most of the costs onto the people who do not ride the bus. If you are low income; it is no different than being low income in any other city. Check out the ways they come up with fare structure. It sounds like voodo mathematics. I belive the seniors should get free rides. They have earned the benefit!
blastoff said on November 7, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Hey, I heard they are trying to build the same kind of rail in Canada as they are in Austin. It is going on for 6 years and it is still not working.
blastoff said on November 7, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Hey Austininites: I heard they are trying to build the same kind of rail in Canada as they are in Austin. It has been going on for 6 years and it is still not working. Don't figure>