Thank you for your support and timely action. The BRU was able to postpone a critical vote on the Fare Increase Policy and defeat the proposed increase in senior age.
We would like to thank our allies who provided critical support this week – Instituto Internacional, Westside Center for Independent Living, Korean Resource Center, and SEIU SOULA 2006.
During the meeting, scores of BRU members gave moving testimony questioning the civil rights, environmental, public health and ethical implications of the Fare Increase Policy. This was followed by many MTA Board members questioning the reduction subsides for bus riders and the need for higher revenue return through fare increases.
Critical leadership was provided by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Director Richard Katz who raised the environmental and equity implications of locking in ongoing fare increases. This lead to the postponement of the policy, even at the chagrin of MTA Chair Pam O’Connor (City of Santa Monica) and Director John Fasana (City of Duarte) who insisted on supporting ongoing fare increases and the reduction of subsidies for the transit dependent. In addition, not only was the senior age maintained for the monthly pass, but the qualifying age for the .25 cent off-peak fare was reduced from age 65 to 62.
We hope to work with Mayor Villaraigosa, Director Katz and other MTA Board Members to put to rest this draconian fare increase policy. We urge the same type of leadership displayed yesterday in moving to reverse the recent fare increase and stop the massive service cuts currently being proposed by MTA staff.