Story by Kendall Jones for KTKA Channel 49 TV, April 21, 2008
It is their second fare increase in 16 years and members of the Topeka Metro Transit Authority said they had no other choice.
From the gas pump to the grocery store, prices on everything are going up. This year, the transit authority paid 86 percent *more* for gas than it did just 3 years ago, but gas prices aren't the only reason fares will rise on May first. For Topeka bus rider Christopher Hayes, it's no different from any other increase.
"Everything else is going up," he said, "except for minimum wage."
"These fare increases are coming whether people like it or not," said Kevin Seik, another local rider.
Everyday, Tammy Hoag rides the bus to and from work. She says this fare increase will break her bank.
"I only got one job and I don't get paid much for it," she said. "Bills are expensive now, cause they went up."
And now she'll pay more for her bus ride.
Many of the riders at the TMTA's community meeting on Monday were upset, but understood why the fares had to rise.
"I think it's kind of a trade off between which do you want more, Cuts in services or the fare increase," Seik said.
Gas prices are already above $4.00/gallon in California and Maryland and are expected to reach the mid-west by summer. Still, sky-rocketing gas prices weren't the only factor in the equation. The state and federal government have decreased their funding for the buses. And on average, Topeka's buses have more than $300,000 miles on them. Without the increase, many of them would be forced out of service.
"As your vehicle ages, more maintenance more attention goes into them," said Matthew Long, Urban Strategic Designer for TMTA. "Those prices are going up as well as parts and labor are going up."
From gas stations, to grocery stores, rising prices have become a fact of life. Long says there is only one thing to do about it, call your elected officials.
"Talk to them," he said. "Voice your concern with them so they know it's not just TMTA, it's the public also that rides and is feeling this in their pocket books."
Riders agreed.
"We need to let our leaders know that transit services are important for small and mid-size cities like Topeka, just like they are for major metropolitan areas," Seik said.
We've heard gas prices could reach $4 dollars a gallon by this summer. So I asked Topeka Transit board members if they will raise bus fares again?
They tell me this fare increase should be good for at least 18 months, but they wouldn't guarantee it. The fare increase means the Topeka 501 school district will be spending more, too.
Some students take metro buses to school. Once fares go up, the district will have to pay more for those bus passes.