I testified tonight at a hearing about the proposed $.50 to $ 1.00 fare increase on Capital District Transit Authority riders. I testified against this fifty to one hundred percent increase in base fares. I really think that, much like the other speakers, we need to focus on costs and making sure that we take every other possible step before seeking a rate increase.
My full testimony is below:
TESTIMONY OF COUNCILMAN MARK HENNESSEY
As Presented At The December 4, 2008 Public Meeting on CDTA Fare Increases
As Presented At The December 4, 2008 Public Meeting on CDTA Fare Increases
My name is Mark Hennessey and I am a Town Councilman in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County. I want to thank the board and the staff of CDTA for giving me an opportunity to speak today – because I believe that the $1.00 rate CDTA now charges plays an important part in keeping the Capitol Region moving. I know that a fifty cent and thereby fifty percent increase will drive people away from the buses and back to cars. That means more traffic, more pollution and ultimately, less revenue for the CDTA – but it also means a deep, deep impact on the working poor. I believe there is more CDTA can do to look at cutting its own expenses and other alternatives before considering a fare increase that should be the absolute last resort.
In reading through your Fiscal Year 2009 Budget I noticed a few things that gave me concern.
First off, I read that you implemented new services in Saratoga, adding five new bus routes, and significantly increasing service hours while providing a number of "customer amenities." I am all for expanding service – but it seems to me that the real important issue that is not talked about is the need for enhancements to pre-existing routes. My constituents ride the #18, #19 and #7 and they have no seen a correlated tripling of service – so as you raise fares to make sure that Saratogians can get around town – you are not doing the same for my constituents in Bethlehem. For my constituents and others who have been asking for improvements for years, this is simply scandalous.
Second, your budgeted cost increases are very high. Looking at costs, the salary line for the legal department has gone up 25.1% and the professional services line has gone up 100%. Albany Transit's Transportation Administration's line has gone up 44.5%, transportation supervisors have gone up 41.7%. This is exceeded by Troy where the same costs, for transportation Administration have gone up 74.8% while in Schenectady the same category has gone up 79.8%. These increases are surpassed by a 100% increase in Field Operations Material and Supplies and and a 133% increase in Travel and Meetings.
I also noticed in reviewing you budget that you anticipate a 29.6% percent increase year-to-year in fuel costs. I think that, looking at the current recession and precipitous drop in fuel prices – that could be a faulty projection. My suggestion in this case is to buy in to a new, long term fuel contract which could save you significant money.
Last, but not least, I ask you to reconsider the rates because of the unfair impact it has on those who can afford it the least. I rode the CDTA #18 for two years and saw first hand overcrowded, barely operational buses which were cold in the winter and scorching in the summer. I saw the mothers and fathers, children and grandparents, for whom CDTA is the only choice -- a lifeline of mobility. I sat alongside many people who told me their stories of how they were happy that a bus could help them to get to work – because otherwise they could not afford it. I met a lot of my future constituents on the 18. So it is for these people, and not for me, that I ask you to reconsider. In the last two years, due to the increase in ridership you have seen that a fair-priced ride improves ridership. I know a fare hike will drive those same folks away.
For all these reasons, I ask respectfully, to please reconsider your decision. Thank you.
Posts
