Public hearing tonight on transit fare increase

The JeffTran Handi Wheels bus is stopped outside Dulle Hamilton Towers to drop off and pick up riders.
The JeffTran Handi Wheels bus is stopped outside Dulle Hamilton Towers to drop off and pick up riders.

A public hearing on a proposed fare increase for Jefferson City transit will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall.

The recommended increase, which already is in the 2015 budget, would bring fares for regular routes from $1 to $1.50, while fares for HandiWheels would be raised from $2 to $3. Reduced fare, which is offered for those over the age of 60, people with disabilities and Medicare cardholders, would be increased from 50 cents to 75 cents.

The city estimates the increase would generate about $30,000 in revenue. The bill authorizing the increase was introduced at the council meeting June 1, where two residents also spoke in opposition to the increase.

The increase has been recommended by the city's Public Transit Advisory Committee, though several members of that committee also had commented the increase would create a burden for many transit riders.

Wayne Lee, a member of the Public Transit Advisory Committee who voted in favor of the increase, said at the council meeting June 1 that he rescinds his vote as he had just had a seizure before the vote was taken and did not fully understand what was being voted on. Lee then requested that all votes be written ahead of time to prevent further confusion.

Part of the transit committee's recommendation also was to consider instituting a one-day pass to help combat the negative effects of a fare increase.

Public Works Director Matt Morasch has previously said he and Transit Director Mark Mehmert have discussed some ideas on how to start such a program, looking at it as a pilot program that can be run for several months and then evaluated to see if it should continue.

The public hearing on the proposed increase will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in the council chambers at City Hall. The City Council also may vote on the bill after all comments are heard.