July 3, 2008
Metro Fares Increasing
Even folks who don't drive are being affected by the rising cost of fuel. Plane and train tickets prices have been raised recently to cover the increased cost of gas and, as we noted last month, it was only a matter of time before we'd be adding Seattle Metro buses and Access vans to that list.
King County Executive Ron Sims proposed the bus fare increase today. The other alternative is cutting Metro services, at a time they are being utilized by more riders than ever. Raising bus fare by 25 cents will hopefully stave off the estimated $36 million deficit Metro would incur in the wake of rising fuel costs. If approved the fare increase will begin on October 1st. The additional 25 cents would round up the cost of a bus ride to $2 for an adult passenger during peak fares. Four dollars a day for a round-trip commute sounds pretty good considering four bucks won't buy you a gallon of gas anymore.
"At the Bus Stop" by Seattlest Flickr photog cloverity
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This sucks. But its better than cutting service, I suppose. Plus less bums on the bus! I noticed a huge decline in bum numbers on buses after the last increase.
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Metro ripped this page straight out of the USPS rate increase schedule.
Is there still time to contact the council before they vote on this proposal?
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I was thinking of using that photo for the 'Sonics leaving town' story.... It's a good one.
Have a good weekend!
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$4 a day is cheaper than owning and maintaining a car, but still pretty huge in my opinion. That's $80/month just to get to work and back.
I thought Metro would be mostly unaffected by the gas increases. Many of the coaches are electric, and if more people are riding the bus, that's more money floating around the cabin to go to buying gas on the diesel buses. I'm just not sure I'm buying it.
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No.
Just accept it and make the necessary changes.
Thanks,
Management
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Makes plenty of sense - the buses are now so jammed full of extra fare-paying customers that they need more money to... What exactly? As Anthony says, these were supposed to be such green and efficient vehicles.
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Oil has gone up 124% in the last 12 months.
Metro wants 14% more in fares.
And the problem is?
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...Still cheaper to take my car on 520 than to take Metro. Go, Seattle.