Public transportation systems offer less service to balance budgets
Major public transportation systems are experiencing high budget deficits and are raising fares, cutting routes and staff to cover costs, according to “Stranded at the Station: The Impact of the Financial Crisis in Public Transportation,” a report from Washington-based Transportation for America (TA) and the Chicago-based Transportation Equity Network (TEN). The report examined 25 public transportation systems and found that historic ridership and service demands, combined with a funding crisis generated by the recession, were resulting in service cuts and fare increases. “[The financial problems are] hurting people who are trying to hang onto hard-to-find jobs and who can least afford the added financial strain,” said TEN’s Chairperson Sarah Mullins in a statement. The entire report is available at www.t4america.org.
Percentage increases in base fares in 2009
San Francisco’s Muni — 33%
Boston’s MBTA — 33%
San Francisco’s BART — 17%
Dallas’ DART — 17%
King County, Wash.’s Metro — 17%
Denver’s RTD — 14%
Atlanta’s MARTA — 14%
New York’s MTA — 13%
Chicago’s CTA — 13%
Honolulu’s TheBus — 13%
