The Jefferson City Council made a fair decision when it rejected a proposed fare increase for public transit.
We confess we were surprised when the fare hike proposal became the first recommendation advanced by the recently formed Jefferson City Public Transit Advisory Committee.
We expected the committee's priorities would be extending the times or scope of services.
Expanded services were a focus of discussion by Citizens for Jefftran, a group of concerned residents, including bus riders, that requested in spring 2013 the city form the advisory panel.
Jefftran, Jefferson City's bus service, operates from 6:40 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. The city also offers a paratransit service, Handi Wheels.
We joined the citizens group in urging formation of the city advisory panel, largely because we share concerns that public transit is not available in evenings or on weekends, when riders may need bus service to travel to and/or from their places of employment.
Transit riders sometimes received scant attention from government entities because they tend to represent a fairly narrow constituency. Elected officials tend to focus on issues - public safety, including police and fire protection, and road improvements - that directly affect a broad constituency.
That's not wrong, but officials err when they ignore the indirect impact public transit has on jobs. Every community has people who want to work, but who rely on public transit to find and retain jobs.
We are encouraged, therefore, that Jefferson City Council members are receptive and attentive to transit issues.
Public transit also is an expensive proposition for governments. Jefferson City is hardly alone in subsidizing public transportation with tax dollars and relying on federal funding to support the service.
At Monday's council meeting, the suggested fare increase from $1 to $1.50 for Jefftran and $2 to $3 for Handi Wheels was initially decreased by council members and ultimately failed on a 3-6 vote, with one member absent.
Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner, who voted no, said: "I wonder why we're raising it at all because it is so insignificant. It's a token at best."
Other opponents of the proposed fare hike argued it would provide little help for operations, but create a significant burden for some riders who rely on the system.
We agree.
The proposed fare hike would do little to improve operations. And charging riders more for the same level of service - which often doesn't suit their needs - is unfair.
A priority for the advisory committee must be expanding the times and/or scope of public transit operations. If a fare increase follows, at least riders who pay more will get more.