ShortCuts

By ELL857

November 4, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this

Well that tears it, as of Febuary I will be a FORMER CAPMETRO rider. At least I can sleep in until 5:30 AM before driving in to work rather than getting up at 4AM to catch the bus in Leander. $75 for a bus pass! ***!

By Chris

November 4, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this

This is nothing short of criminal, and I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. Cap Metro has done nothing — NOTHING — to demonstrate that any increase in fares is warranted. They are reducing routes, cutting services, and the continual delay, delay, delay of the rail service has become a farcical joke. Where does the Cap Metro board get the cojones to stand up in front of the people of Austin and demand more money from those they have been underserving?

By jr

November 4, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this

I guess they have to pay to store those trains that don’t go anywhere. Maybe it will help pay for the bridge over Lady Bird Lake for the trains that are yet to carry a passenger. Let’s see…tight economy, business and families cutting back, government raising prices (taxes) and spending more. Makes perfect sense to me. Seems that the retired leader of CapMetro was not the only incompetent boob helping run the place. Guess that is what we get for handing government free rein with programs - I worry about my healthcare becoming a similar disaster.

By Bobby

November 4, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this

ELL857, the $75 pass is for the silly suburban choo-choo. The express bus pass is going to be $63.

By enough

November 4, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this

The fares should reflect the actual cost, nothing more nothing less. If CAP Metro gets too expensive it needs to die off just like a normal business.

By Greg

November 4, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

Congrats Cap Metro! You’ve effectively eliminated all of your commuters that ride the Express buses and the now yet to open commuter train. I live in Leander and there is no way I’m paying that much money. Up until now, there was a trade off to take the Express- saving money while sacrificing a little of my time. But now that the Express goes up to $63 and the train $75, I’m back to driving. Right now I sacrifice 2 hours of commute time round trip to take the Express(the train would be about the same), but the cost of fuel versus fares is now balanced and I can save an hour of commute time to drive. This is nonsense.

By Famous Original Bob

November 4, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

Thank you , commuter rail.

By Dennis

November 4, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this

This reminds me why I’m so thankful I decided to move closer to my office. I love my 10 minute commute! I laugh every time I pass a bus.

By Hugh Jobert

November 4, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this

Hey Greg, why did you move to a place like Leander if you work in downtown Austin?

By BKinATX

November 4, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this

I stopped riding CapMetro a while ago because as price went up service continued to go down. In a town as “green” as Austin why we have our mass transit contracts with an organization that seems committed to discouraging its use is beyond me.

By Texas Two Stepper

November 4, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this

So, Capital Metro is spending big $ on to correct MISTAKES in the design of its fancy schmancy no one will ride it once the novelty wears off choo choo…doesn’t anyone in any agency of city/county government know how to do anything…oh, wait, they hire everything out to consultants, whose work is not held to any sort of standard. Have they not heard of supply and demand? They have a low demand for bus ridership and high supply…raising fares so dramatically will not solve anything - it will only result in fewer riders. What a bunch of doofusses (or is the plural doofi?)

By whiny commuters

November 4, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

Hugh:

Greg & the rest all moved out there because they expected Cap Metro to subsidize their commute forever. The Express bus pass just went up $27. It’s a significant increase, but unless you’re driving a subcompact, it still amounts to less than a single tank of gas per month (and how many people commute from Leander in a Yaris or a Versa?)

By Hugh Jorgen

November 4, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

What takes longer: driving TO the station, parking the car, getting out, waiting for the next train, riding at an agonozingly low speed through residential neighborhoods for 45 minutes, walking from the stop to your office? OR driving to work, parking and walking to your office? answer: it’s a trick question, they both take 2 hours because it’s Leander.

By jules

November 4, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

Where is the money for the budget shortfall supposed to come from? I would LOVE to see a referendum get passed but it isn’t going to happen. Public transit in this town is kind of a joke, but we need to invest in it if we want to get something out of it. I say bring back the light rail referendum. We need a real alternative to cars in this city.

By Sounds to me

November 4, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

like this is a “Highway Robbery”. Cap Metro what you need now is riders. You did great when gas was $4.00 per gallon but you know the amount of riders dropped when gas prices started falling. Bet that train sits for another year without passengers.

By Bobby

November 4, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this

Don’t you see a pattern here? Look at the Dillos. They were running fine, very busy during peak service hours to all parts of the city then, whack, CapMetro started charging a fee for them and cut the service down so low the ridership numbers went into the tank and now they are gone. CapMetro will raise these fares, fewer people will ride, routes and services will be eliminated (due to low “ridership”). Wait and see this will all come to pass. This is all part of a grand plan to get rid of service to certain parts of Austin. And we are letting them do this. The Board should be ashamed of themselves. And YES old people and disabled people SHOULD have to pay something!

By James

November 4, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this

As long as the cost-benefit ratio favors driving, fewer and fewer people will ride CapMetro’s buses! I’m glad I don’t have to use the agency’s services! Smart move, CapMetro! NOT.

By Entertained By Insanity

November 4, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

ROFL. I guess the capmetro board attended class not only in MisManagement 101, but also in BadEconomics 101. Usually, an increase in price follows an increase in demand. But the capmetro board has a bold, new model. They must know something the rest of us don’t.

By Tim1965

November 4, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

Only in the world of government monopolies can you counter lower revenues because of reduced demand with higher prices.

By ELL857

November 4, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this

You are right Bobby, but for $63 instead of $75 as I thought I’m to be grateful that the fare almost doubles instead of more than doubling? Foregitaboutit! Still will be a former rider and yes I will miss the riding instead of driving.

By Sally

November 4, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

I was just lamenting the fact that Cap Metro might be getting rid of my neighborhood bus route (Travis Heights). But now? Who the heck cares?! No way am I spending $28 to go three miles! Look for traffic on I-35 to get even worse as all of us riders become drivers…

By Entertained By Insanity

November 4, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

This is a real question. Does anyone know how much money capmetro has been given…and spent…since their inception? No wild guesses, please.

By greg

November 4, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

Hugh, I lived here before I worked downtown. To “whiny commuters,” yeah, we subsidize Capital Metro and not the other way around. We pay sales taxes to have service just like the residents of Austin do. And until now, that consisted of exactly 3 Express buses. It was supposed to include all of the trains, but now that is being cut back(some will now originate closer to Austin, instead of Leander) for fear of too many riders that might discourage NW Austin ridership. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Hugh, my commute if I take my own car is on average 30-35 minutes one way, both in the morning and evening. The Express bus(and future train) takes an hour each way.

By Chris

November 4, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

Is that “troubling curve” near downtown the real reason commuter rail hasn’t opened?

Asking everyone to pay at least a quarter is a much more fair solution than asking working commuters to pay $63 to $75 a month for a bus pass. I don’t, nor would I ever, live in Leander. But let’s face it, this is a cost/benefit analysis. If we can save money, reduce traffic and help the environment then making the sacrifice to ride the bus is worth it. If they’re going to use us to subsidize the non-working masses it’s not worth it.

By Hugh Jorgen

November 4, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

This is the beginning of the end for the exurbs. They need to build their own downtowns/commercial base now, especially the northern exurbs or else they will slowly empty as everyone tries to move into/close to downtown.

By Hugh Jorgen

November 4, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

It’s bad enough now that people won’t drive out to visit them.

By Michael

November 4, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

Another brilliant move by our elected heroes at Crap Metro.

By HydePark

November 4, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

Hugh, the northwest exurbs have the horrid the Domain. I have even heard it called North Downtown. Disgusting.

By Entertained By Insanity

November 4, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

Tragedy or Travesty? If you believe this is a travesty, please mail me $63. If you believe it is a tragedy, please send $75. Vote often.

CapMetro board.

By iMeh

November 4, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this

So why shouldn’t elderly and disabled pay again?

This is quite absurd and gives me more incentive to drive rather than ride the bus. Is this any incentive to be “green?”

By iMeh

November 4, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this

So why shouldn’t elderly and disabled pay again?

This is quite absurd and gives me more incentive to drive rather than ride the bus. Is this any incentive to be “green?”

By Greg

November 4, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this

Hugh, a little over dramatic aren’t we? We aren’t moving into Austin just to ride crappy, stinky buses. We pay less taxes, have less traffic, less expensive housing, have better schools, lower crime and friendlier people. We also have highways that, strangely enough, go right into Austin. I’ll gladly go back to my commute and pay my tolls on 183A and sit on MoPac. But I’m not going to pay the money Cap Metro wants for my time. But don’t worry Hugh, the 30,000 of us in Leander/Liberty Hill or the 65,000 in Cedar Park won’t come flooding into your neighborhood anytime soon.

By Greg

November 4, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

It figures that ELL857 is a Leanderthal from his usual comments. Wah wah wah!!! Drive all you want. I hope you get in an accident. Right there goes your big savings you poor little cheapskate. Funny how conservatives act like they’re rich and have high tax bills, but live in Leanderthal and ride the freakin’ bus. You’re a typical $30k/year millionaire.

By ELL857

November 4, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this

S’all right I’ll just sleep in later and be home sooner.

By same old story. Disband CapMetro

November 4, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

Why does Cap. Metro have a monopoly on transit? They always have and always will provide lousy service.. the only bright side was the low fares but soon they’ll be as high as any other city in the country but yet the service will still continue to suck.

By Hugh Jorgen

November 4, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this

The “troublesome curve” near downtown is in reference to the detour through worst parts of the city in NE Austin. “Troublesome” might get on the train and head out to Lakeline mall in Cedar Park with their pants hanging down around their ankles scaring the white folk, and causing them to move out to Liberty Hill.

By ELL857

November 4, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

There you have it. I give you “Greg” proud example of that Oh so tolerant city by the river. BTW not Leander, Georgetown, and this conservative is probably greener than 95% living in the Oh so tolerant BHO city (formerly Austin) but I don’t care to impose my lifestyle on you. And yes I am a cheap skate its called stewardship, that’s why I have a little money.

By Entertained By Insanity

November 4, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Greg, is that YOU calling Hugh over-dramatic? I hope you get in an accident?!? What’s with the conservative, Leandethal, $30k/yr millionaire venting? Dude, get some help.

By Huge Jorgan

November 4, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand the Domain, You walk around outside with the automobiles between big-box stores? Isn’t that called an “outlet mall”?

By Bobby

November 4, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

Hugh, you are ignorant. There are TWO trains headed out of downtown to northwest areas VERY early in the mornings, that is it. Five or six inbound to downtown in the mornings, the opposite numbers later at the end of the workday. Trains WILL NOT run from 9-4 and NEVER on weekends. This is what the $75 fare will get you, a ride in and a ride out only Monday-Friday. Nothing more.

By Greg

November 4, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

The elitist downtowners are rearing their ugly little heads I see. Ya’ll keep believing Cedar Park and Leander is still some podunk backwater town. It doesn’t hurt our feelings at all. I’d rather more people believed it so we can keep the population down.

By ELL857

November 4, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

I apologize to Greg posting at 2:56 pm my comment was for Greg at 2:27 pm.

By mw

November 4, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

Good bye Metro. Your service sucked at lower prices and it sucks even more at today’s higher prices. Back to driving.

By ELL857

November 4, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

sorry that was greg at 2:57 pm

By mktiv

November 4, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

Cap Metro is really between a rock and a hard place. They’re trying to operate a transit system in a spread out, auto-centric urban area. All you “free-marketeers” who want everything to work like a business need to chill. Roads, fire/police dept, sewage plants, drinking water and transit- many things don’t and CAN’T be operated by private enterprise unless we want to see terrible inequality in our community. As for the Leander vs. living in town idea I think suburb commuters are kind of whiny and hypocritical. They want to be away from all the scary unfriendly people (read: not WASP) of the city and they want to mooch off the services found here. Like shopping, culture and infrastructure. When gas shoots up they all try to board express buses and whine that they need more. Gas stabilizes and they all want to jump on the interstate and whine that there’s too much traffic. Sorry- it’s hard to have your cake and eat it too people. Suburbs are like riding a wave. The wave, for the forseable future, has a pretty strong undertoe for suburbanites.

By Huge Jorgan

November 4, 2009 3:15 PM | Link to this

When I moved here, the only people who suggested I move to CP were the people living there. Maybe they wanted me to buy their house from them.

By Cryin' Shame

November 4, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this

There is no financial incentive to pay that much for an express bus pass or that much for the train if you own a car. The buses and trains will be empty by next year. Cap Metro has effective doomed itself which is really a shame. They don’t know ANYTHING about mass transit and ridership. They are just trying to figure out how to pay for the trains that have been parked doing nothing and were too expensive to begin with. WAKE UP PEOPLE! THEY ARE WAISTING OUR TAX DOLLARS. EVEN IF YOU NEVER RIDE THE BUS, YOU ARE STILL PAYING FOR IT.

By Greg

November 4, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

mktiv, we aren’t being hypocritical. We just expect to see services for the TAXES WE PAY. We pay for Capital Metro just like you do. That being said, I think it’s time we cut that revenue ***** loose and send Capital Metro packing. They can keep their soon to be overpriced Express buses and trains. It isn’t worth the doubling of fares AND our taxes to keep it around. Let Austinites have that headache.

By WAKE UP SHEEPLE

November 4, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this

WAKE UP SHEEPLE!!!!11 CAPMETRO WAS AN INSIDE JOB!!

By whiny commuters

November 4, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this

Greg:

We get it, you pay taxes. You also get buses with free Wi-Fi, individual seats, and limited stops. Try taking the #1 from the Transit Center at 183 & N. Lamar to the Capitol. It takes half an hour, it stops every two blocks, and the only free extra I get is the occasional weird odor.

By whall

November 4, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this

Heh. It takes a special kind of mind to come up with “The fare increase should generate an estimated $2.3 million during the transit agency’s 2009-10 fiscal year.” Typical government tax and spend mentality. Don’t they realize that increased taxation has consequences? I wouldn’t be surprised if revenue DECREASED. It all seems geared to ensure that the least capable people are the only ones who require the service, so that they can further subsidize it.

By mktiv

November 4, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

Well, Greg, that’s a fair and valid point- to demand and expect services. But the reality is that services cost money. I think an agency like Cap Metro would be irresponsible if it DIDN’T try to increase the “fare box revenue” portion of it’s revenue. They could just sit back and rely totally on sales taxes. Is that what you suggest they do? I think it’s the correct and responsible thing for the agency to raise fares gradually. Unfortunately Cap Metro hasn’t done that in the past and now they have to raise them too quickly I think. But nonetheless I think it’s good they raise them. Really though, Cap Metro collects something like .05% of sales tax of items sold and taxed within its jurisdiction. This is actually really good for us. That means it raises money from all those conventioneers, SXSW attendees, UT football fans from outta town, etc. who just come into the jurisdiction for a day, buy something and then leave. I’m sure Leander is important to Cap Metro and they don’t just operate buses & trains. They help build roads, sidewalks, ADA amenities and do engineering and planning studies throughout the service area. I think Cap Metro could survive fine without Leander- I’d imagine Leanderthals would miss being in the agency. This would reduce its citizens commute options, redirect tax funds coming to the city and probably make it a less desireable place to live. And no matter- CAMPO would probably require that Leander provide limited transit service for the disabled and elderly there even if they were to opt out of Cap Metro. This is happening in Round Rock & Georgetown as we speak. This is a cost that would be carried ONLY by the Leanderthals instead of spreadout and shared by the region (i.e. the greater Austin Cap Metro service area) PLUS Leanderthals would still contribute to Cap Metro everytime they drove into Austin to buy a sale-taxed product, or bought lunch on their lunch break if they work in Austin like I think u said you did. If you want to rally and try to get Leander out of Cap Metro- go for it- but I think that’d be unwise.

By notrainforyou

November 4, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this

Get used to major fare increases folks. As the MetroFail project drains more and more money from Cap Metro and sales tax revenues stagnate they will have to try and make up the shortfall on the backs of its riders. The people who shoved MetroFail down our throats at the expense of good basic bus service need to be held accountable.

By Famous Original Bob

November 4, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this

Hypothesis: Cap Metro’s mismanagement is mathematically provable.

Let’s start with the proposition that there are 2 main societal benefits of public transit: (1) marginally reduced vehicle traffic (and reduced consumption of fossil fuels); and (2) helping the poor and disabled get around. These are the only serious reasons public transportation is a taxpayer-subsidized endeavor.

The question, is, are we maximizing our benefit/cost ratio? If the “benefit” is measured by reduced vehicle miles, plus services for the indigent/disabled, it would be fairly easily to develop a formula to provide the most amount of “benefit” for least cost to the taxpayer.

Cap Metro management fails this test miserably. By heavily raising fares they will reduce ridership, with little corresponding increase in fare collection. This will cause the amount of taxpayer subsidy per vehicle-mile to INCREASE, not decrease. In other words, our public benefit just got more expensive.

Second, commuter rail has thrown this whole cost-benefit analysis completely off the tracks. When you amortize the capital costs, the amount of subsidy per mile for commuter rail is at least 10 times what our bus system incurs. That is a criminal waste of tax money.

By HydePark

November 4, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this

mktiv, writing from your workstation at CapMetro doesn’t make you look so honest.

By Greg

November 4, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

ELL857, you have little money because you are only worth little money. That’s why you live in Georgetown. Cause you’re poor. Why not stop being a lazy liberal and get a job? Then you could afford a car.

By Huge Jorgan

November 4, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

When the rail line is up and running, all the thugs will have the means to travel to Leander/Cedar Park while the residents are away at work. You might recognize your stuff when you’re getting on in the evenings. The bad parts of Austin will spread because of this rail and expose everything north of 183 for what it is: unremarkable flat, rocky soiled sprawl. North Austin will finally secure it’s reputation as the “bad side of town”

By Station Agent

November 4, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this

Good job Cap Metro! GOOD JOB! Balance your budget on the backs on the working poor that rely on your buses. Nice.

By RE Guy

November 4, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this

Wah Wah Wah!! Biggest Bunch of Cry Babies in the State. How would you like a county wide tax increase to pay the expenses? These asinine comments appear in every city trying to start rail service. Public transportation is an expense public service and it never makes any money. It is literally an exercise in trying not to lose too much and Cap Metro is just not very good at it - yet!!

By mktiv

November 4, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

hyde- i’m not writing from cap metro bob- you forgot 3) the FEDS make large urban areas like Austin have public transit and they pay for much or most of it. local taxpayers don’t. do a cost-benefit analysis for running the interstate across Montana or subsidizing public health facilities or building levees in S. Louisiana it doesn’t add up either. these are public goods, they don’t operate on cost-benefit. the operate on principles of community betterment, equality, liberty and all that “junk”. you’re foolish to insist they operate on capitalistic standards- they just don’t.

By Pete

November 4, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this

Next up…govt ruined health care.

By Robert

November 4, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this

They will give them the money too. Cap Metro can do whatever it wants

By OPT OUT

November 4, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this

Don’t like it? Then ask your respective City Councils to create a ballot item allowing your city to opt out. Unless you are doing this, stop whining. Of course, we in Austin will never do this, because we love subsidizing incompetence. It’s what we liberals do, even I, a proud lefty, admit to that. But the other cities still participating kind of amaze me.

By Trace

November 4, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this

The sad truth is that not all on the Cap Metro board will be going away. Among the worst staying on is Cowman who forced his way back on the Board for another three years; it was a joke how he got back on. There was recent hope for Cap Metro - but that hope has faded away already.

By H. Ly Blair

November 4, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this

I’m giving up on Cap Metro. I only use the $288, 31-day pass but I don’t own a car and would rather walk to work than pay another increase for something I didn’t give my vote.

I believe in the benefits of a light rail system but I have never thought Cap Metro had the expertise to oversee the installation nor the abilities to manage a light rail system.

Whether you live in town or out of town, I think we all have had enough of being taken for a ride…someone pull the cord, I want to get off..

By me

November 4, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this

This is why I drive, I will not ride Capmetro now. However, the city is now planning to put meters where I park for free close to downtown. Austin has come out of the recession and they want to put us back into it. Fleece the citizens of the city and county CapMetro and COA.

By Bobby

November 4, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this

Huge Jorgan, you are another idiot. The TWO morning trains TO LEANDER will run ONLY in the early morning hours (five or six trains from Leaner will run in to Austin). NO trains will run during the workday. Just early morning and late afternoon Monday - Friday.

By Pete

November 4, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this

Next up…govt ruined health care.

By Dan

November 4, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

CapMetro has to cut bus service to pay their executives huge salaries. The last chief also had a company car and an incredible retirement package:

Allen, Capital Metro’s executive vice president and chief development officer, will become the acting president and chief executive officer/general manager after Fred Gilliam’s retirement at the end of the week. Allen’s temporary promotion includes a salary increase of almost 21 percent, to $227,667 from his current salary of $188,475.

By H. Ly Blair

November 4, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

Yikes!

…um…that would be the $28, 31-day bus pass

By Tim

November 4, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this

The increased fair to $28 for the month will still be cheaper for me to get to work. The city is installing those new Pay Stations in locations that did not have meters before. So far I have counted a gain of 180 paid parking spaces and only 14 will remain free for me to fight to find. So I will either pay the $28 to ride the bus or buy a scooter to get to work. Sucks its going up in cost but still much cheaper than the $100/month parking cost plus the gas to get to work for me.

By mktiv

November 4, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this

pete- go whine about that somewhere else. if “the great market” did so great on healthcare we wouldn’t have to take it over.

By me

November 4, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this

To MTKIV, who thinks people shouldn’t complain about this, I moved from Seattle/Puget Sound region which is spread out auto-region which you call Austin. They have a very effective mass transit and they never shot up the price by 100% in one hike. I rode them for a year and they were very good. The express bus was $70 for a 40 mile commute, so for Capmetro to charge $78 for a 15 mile commute is HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

And people shouldn’t have to feel bad for wanting to live away from the city. Living in the city isn’t the ultimate. Go and experience life outside of Austin.

By John

November 4, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe the sheeple of Austin are such dupes. How long has “Crap” Metro promised that those super-expensive trains will transport us to Nirvana? When CP was first started they had a scandal with the existing tracks they owned being taken up by somebody and stolen. Now we have mythical trains. How can anybody at that cruelty joke of an agency hold their head up? The only thing worthwhile that I can see that they do is to run the UT shuttle. Why don’t you just leave it at that?

By sleuth

November 4, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this

The Cap Metro Board does not understand the basics of mass transit. They didn’t know how to set up commuter rail and they sure don’t know how to run the bus system.

By christina

November 4, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this

mktiv…pretty smart. Born and raised in Austin, we never had so many problems until everyone else got here! Austin Transit went north and south..that’s it and then you walked. We could be living in San Antonio, they raised the price of the bus for 2 years to subsidize building the Spurs Stadium. And, I hope Cap Metro doesn’t get rid of the #9, that 1 of 3 buses that I take to get to my job, besides how will all the nannies and housecleaners get to West Austin..stop complaining your life could be worse!!!!

By mktiv

November 4, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this

I don’t say don’t complain about transit. I was talking to pete who’s trying to bring healthcare into it. Complain all you want about transit. If you don’t like the cost, I guess don’t ride it. The other choice is to raise taxes instead of rider fees. I’m just trying to give you a different perspective.

By Ben Wear

November 4, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this

Ben Wear here.

Just to correct one thing that earlier readers might have seen, and that has certainly been a part of the comments: the 31-day MetroRail pass would be $70, not $75 as I had reported earlier. Capital Metro staff had proposed $75, and in fact one item I got from Capital Metro today listed it as $75. And it never came up during the board discussion.

But another chart from Capital Metro handed out at the meeting has the $70 figure. So, to review, under the current fare system MetroRail (if it were open) would cost $36 for a 31-day pass. That was to go to $48 under the two-step fare increase approved last year. Now, instead, it will go to $70 in January.

By Stuff

November 4, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this

Why don’t they charge more to people who live in Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Round Rock who drive to park and ride lots and pay the same as others who live in city’s that pay taxes to CrapMetro.

By Greg

November 4, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this

Yep, we’re cry babies in Leander. We pay an extra 1 percent sales tax for what exactly? 3 Express buses. 3!!! Last budget year Leander paid $1.6 million to Capital Metro. $1.6 million for 3 buses. For that amount of money yearly, the city of Leander could have bought 3 buses and run it themselves and probably for a lot less. For that amount, Leander could have easily run Express routes into Austin and run a route or two here. But no, we p!ss it away to Cap Metro, who has placated our worthless bandwagon mayor who also sits on the Cap Metro Board. Our wonderful mayor and Cap metro have promised city coffers with a Transit Orientated Development. What do we have to show for it? A nifty train station, higher fares for a service that is a couple years behind schedule and cut services for same said train “service.” So we in backwater Leander have a legitimate beef with Capitol Metro. We’re paying quite a bit of money for pipe dreams and 3 buses. Cedar Park did away with Cap Metro and used it to build such money and job makers like 1890 Ranch, Cedar Park Event Center, hotels and businesses. But hey, we DO have a nifty Cap Metro train station.

By IMHO

November 4, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

With today’s economic problems…. people trying to save and survive…. Does Cap Metro REALLY NEED TO INCREASE FARES?

If they would just read the comments here; maybe they would get a better idea of the pulse of the citizenry!

I don’t use this service, but would like for it to be affordable if I did!

Shameful and greedy!

By peterpunk

November 4, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

Geez! Why is there so much hate for people who live in North Austin, Cedar Park, Leander etc..? I bought a house here 7 years ago and all my neighbors are kick *** nice people who work their ***** off. It even says “Austin” on my address, but I guess I’m not the “cool. original” part of Austin even though my home was built in 1975. I sooo wanted to be part of the “IN” crowd! Guess I’ll just have to be “UNCOOL” Just like High School…

By elvis

November 4, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this

Greg you should be happy! Here in South Austin there are several areas where there’s no bus service period less than 8 miles outside of downtown and we still pay taxes for it. How far is leander, 20-25 miles outside of the city? I wish we could get your level of service in my neck of the woods.

By ROBERT DAVIS

November 4, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

ANYTIME A BUNCH OF SORRY DUMOCRATIC POLITICIANS ARE RUNNING THINGS WATCH OUT FOR YOUR POCKETBOOK. THESE SOCIAL ENGINEERING KOOKS COULD RUN ANY GOOD THING INTO THE GROUND. SELL THAT SERVICE AND LET A GOOD FREE ENTERPRISE OPERATOR TAKE IT OVER. POLITICIANS ARE WORTHLESS IN TRYING TO RUN ANY ENTERPRISE. JUST LOOK AROUND. THEY HAVE A POLITICAL AGENDA NOT A BUSINESS AGENDA AND THATS WHY PEOPLE REALLY GET SCREWED TRYING TO LET POLITICIANS USE THEIR TAX MONEY TO RUN A BUSINESS. BAD IDEA AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS!

By tom

November 4, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this

Metro is the best,they should fund and schedule a day of public dance and music for the community to show their thanks and appreciation for their dedication to responsible public transit and safety!

By hg

November 4, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this

HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,

By Michael

November 4, 2009 7:52 PM | Link to this

I can see everyone’s point in this whole fiasco. But, it is evident that the folks that claim to be board members for cap metro haven’t a CLUE of what they are doing. Have they bothered to take a page out of what other cities have done with light rail, or their train systems that run from outer lying areas to the heart of downtown? IF they have, they must have just browsed their studies. Cap Metro has a train and they are using borrowed track? BUT yet they have yet to run one single load of people from the outer stretches like Leander, and Cedar Park to downtown. Talk about a waste of money, and the waste is going to get BIGGER, and LARGER before it gets better. I bet the train never becomes fully operational due to the fact it is only hype. Cap metro is going to make it to a point that NO ONE is going to be riding their buses, or so called train. Then they will discontinue bus, and train service all together to Leander, Cedar Park. Which will only lead to MORE congestion on 183, and I - 35. What takes some 30 minutes to get to work will then take an hour and half. Due to everyone else thinking they will get into town early, but then the highways will have an increase of cars, and trucks on them due to Cap Metro’s idiotic GREED. How much money did Cap Metro spend for the stations in Leander, and Cedar Park? and I bet there was tax payers money involved in the funding of these two stations too.

For the whiner wanting to know why someone lives in Leander, and works in Downtown? I for one love it out here. Granted the sidewalks are rolled up when it gets dark. BUT it keeps the riff raff such as yourself out of here. We don’t have unwanted jerks from the city out here, and furthermore I have yet to see the cops patrolling my neighborhood. Can you say the same? The air is soo much cleaner, and above all else? people are a hell of a lot nicer politer than the jack azzes in Austin.

By T.F.K.

November 4, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this

Comparisons:

1 Month w/comprehensive passenger rail, buses, and streetcars in Portland: $86

Price One Zone $75.00 Two Zone $90.00 Three Zone $110.00 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania … up to three zones offered, also with FUNCTIONING rail. 25 miles of rail throughout THE CITY, not just to a suburb, and not just twice a day, Monday through Friday.

$89/month, unlimited travel on Inner Express Bus PLUS all Subway, Local Bus, Inner Harbor Ferry, and Commuter Rail Zone 1A, in Boston, Massachusetts, arguably one of THE best places for public transportation.

And Austin has the b*lls to charge comparable fares for laughable, crappy, late, inconvenient buses? Congratulations Capital Metro … you’ve made yourself an even BIGGER laughing stock. Did not Austin just receive recognition as some kind of “green” city. So much for that.

By WhackyWaco

November 4, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this

Could this be considered a CAP and TAX.

By Immerarve

November 4, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this

Guteb Tag Ich haise Goga

By IMHO

November 4, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this

Quote Greg: But don’t worry Hugh, the 30,000 of us in Leander/Liberty Hill or the 65,000 in Cedar Park won’t come flooding into your neighborhood anytime soon. End Quote

Isn’t that why CapMetro is building the commuter train? I really don’t want to have to pay for folks that live that far out to come to work or play! It’s YOUR choice to live there, so work out how you get here at your own expense. You all want to save the tax rates of the big city, yet we have to pay for you to benefit from the jobs you get in it??

Seems sort of twisted and unfair to Austinites!

By jackie

November 4, 2009 9:24 PM | Link to this

This is stupid for them to raise the god damn prices! This is ridiculous and we need to **** boycott them like the stupid drivers did when they decided to want to boycott for increased pay and health insurance yet they treat us like crap and drive off when people knock on the door. They are always running the stupid lights and smoking all over us. If they couldn’t have hand the money last year what the hell are they going to do with the supposedly extra money they’ll get with the hikes? spend it on what? Ain’t no body gonna be rising as much any more so the moneys going down the drain.

By Lauren

November 4, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this

$70 is a bit steep for a commuter train. I paid $81 in Manhattan for a monthly pass… and that included trains, buses and express buses—all of which ran 24/7. Seems like Cap Metro is becoming a bit greedy.

By poppyw

November 4, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this

If you want people to stay out of their cars, why raise fares? In bad times, squeeze the low income group….figures..

By Robin

November 5, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this

In most cities, public transit works effectively. Here in the ‘green’ city of Texas, we have a badly mismanaged board.

A 25 cent fare on seniors and the disabled would not have broke the back of people..including those of us on limited budgets. There are addditional cost-effective ways for the agency to bring in needed money without hurting passengers.

THe addition of a yearly pass (for everbody) would have been more ecnomical. The most frequent riders would have been able to purchase one pass a year—and not have to keep budgeting for transit by month.

Gomez and the board cannot possibly be concerned about economic conditions if they fail to consider that people would have to keep purchasing passes without a yearly option being available for the general population.

By Kevin

November 5, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

How can something cost more if it doesn’t exist?

By Jman

November 5, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this

Yeah I think that new express buss pass is way too expensive. I used to commute from the Northwest Park & Ride as a student all the way down to 12th street.

The P&R was a 13mile round trip from my house. Just driving straight to my destination was a 43 mile round trip.

Now it costs about 20 cents per mile to drive. 10 cents for fuel, 10 cents for maintenance. So 43 miles costs me $8.60 per day. 5 days a week for 4 weeks comes out being $172 per month.

Takin the bus costs $2.60 to drive to and from the P&R, and then whatever the cost of the bus was, plus an extra 2 hours of my time. 5 days a week for 4 weeks comes out to $52 to drive to the P&R and $63 for the bus pass. $115 total.

So $172 driving vs $115 taking the bus. Just the bus wastes a whole 40 hours of my time over a month. When I was using the student express pass for something like $8, it was a real money saver for me.

By unfare comparisons

November 5, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this

when comparing other cities it is important to consider the tax we’ve already paid. too bad the board can’t comprehend this.

By transit racism

November 8, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

the $70 is not an effort to make fares equitable between the trains and buses. it is to keep low income workers from boarding trains at M.L. King and Saltillo.

By most comments ever!

November 8, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

100th!

By Jim

November 8, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this

It should be very clear to all now that perhaps, Cap Metro’s greatest tragedy is that focusing a major share of the transit resources on exorbitantly expensive, ineffective rail has siphoned significant funds from the backbone bus transit system which will continue to serve 98% of the transit riders. This results in a vastly disproportionate share of transit funds being used to provide rail for people who generally have a car alternative. Those who do not have an alternative and need transit in their daily lives bear the burden of reduced bus service and higher fares. This is occurring and has occurred in many cities and we are now witness to its unfolding in Austin. The Cap Metro board has approved the second major fare increase in a short time and their 2010 budget further reduces bus service. This story makes a mockery of our stated objectives to achieve social equity.

Another way to think of this is: In order to serve 1,000 people, who have a choice, daily on the train, Cap Metro is degrading the bus service and quality of life for more than 40,000 daily bus riders, many of which do not have a choice.

By Jim

November 8, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this

It should be very clear to all now that perhaps, Cap Metro’s greatest tragedy is that focusing a major share of the transit resources on exorbitantly expensive, ineffective rail has siphoned significant funds from the backbone bus transit system which will continue to serve 98% of the transit riders. This results in a vastly disproportionate share of transit funds being used to provide rail for people who generally have a car alternative. Those who do not have an alternative and need transit in their daily lives bear the burden of reduced bus service and higher fares. This is occurring and has occurred in many cities and we are now witness to its unfolding in Austin. The Cap Metro board has approved the second major fare increase in a short time and their 2010 budget further reduces bus service. This story makes a mockery of our stated objectives to achieve social equity.

Another way to think of this is: In order to serve 1,000 people, who have a choice, daily on the train, Cap Metro is degrading the bus service and quality of life for more than 40,000 daily bus riders, many of which do not have a choice.