Metro Transit and Madison's Transit and Parking Commission will hold a public hearing Nov. 24 to discuss the amount of the bus fare increase in March 2009.
The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. at Monona Terrace. Mick Rusch, Metro marketing specialist, said he expects an interesting mix of reactions from the public.
We do have people that understand our need to raise costs to cover the increased cost of fuel,"" Rusch said. ""There are others that are concerned about the affordability for people to ride the bus.""
Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, voted against the fare increase last week.
""Given the nature of our current economy, the fact that both students and the lower-middle income population of Madison use [Metro] as their primary, if not only form of transportation, its really essential for us to make sure that method is as accessible as possible,"" Judge said.
The Transit and Parking Commission has the ability, within the parameters of the set budget, to decide where and how to distribute funds.
""The fare increase has already been approved in the 2009 [operating] budget to add a contingency reserve to guard against future increases in fuel cost and add about $150,000 to be used for additional Metro services,"" Rusch said.
According to Rusch, the recently passed budget also accounts for an additional marketing position and creates a bus pass program for small employers.
""It has been a real tough time, budget-wise, for the city of Madison,"" he said. ""Tough decisions have to be made. The fare increase is one of those ways we need to keep providing our service out there.""
