| By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer
April 12 -- Come July 1, school-age kids, their
parents and transfer riders will begin absorbing the largest
hike in bus fares in 16 years to keep the financially strapped
Big Blue Bus system rolling.
Santa Monica City Council members voted Tuesday night to
raise ridership fees for grade-school students from 25 to
50 cents, and for college students from 10 cents to 50 cents.
Also, those used to free transfers will now have to plunk
down two quarters to hop another bus.
Other changes include a much-touted first-ever day pass program.
A regular day pass for local service will cost $2.50, while
students will pay $1.25. Day-passes for seniors and the disabled
will go for $1.25. The most expensive pass will be $3.25 for
regular express bus riders.
"Overall, I think this is a good way to move forward,"
said Council member Pam O'Connor, the first vice chair of
the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
While regular fares were last raised in 2002, fares in the
discounted categories for seniors, the disabled, those with
Medicare and students under 20 years of age had not changed
since 1991.
Although the council unanimously backed the changes, many
did so grudgingly, saying they were worried that the new fares
could impact poor families and school-age children.
"Most folks, who live in Santa Monica anyway, can afford
to absorb the increase," said Mayor Richard Bloom.
"The problem is there are people in the community who
live on a fixed income,” he said. “These are people
who live and work in the community. It's essential transportation
for people who can't afford a car."
Over the objections of some Parent Teacher and Student Association
(PTSA) groups pushing for a cheaper fare, and several council
members’ concerns, City Manager Lamont Ewell cautioned
there will be a host of financial consequences if the fares
remained the same.
"We are running a very strong risk of going into the
red on enterprise funds," said Ewell.
Big Blue Bus, storm-water operations, the Santa Monica Pier
and other funds that generate income and operate separately
of the General Fund -- or enterprise funds as they are known
-- should run self-sufficiently, he said.
"You are now at a point where you'll have to take from
the General fund," unless changes are made, Ewell warned.
Because of rising cost of fuel, labor, parts, salaries and
other factors, the Big Blue Bus last year faced its first
unbalanced budget in its nearly 80-year history, falling nearly
$2 million in the red.
The City balanced that budget by shifting funds, but the
long-term forecast remains in doubt.
The City was left with few options, said Ewell, who tabled
a similar fare hike last year before the item came before
City Council members in order to gather more public input.
"We did not take this lightly… we recognize this
is a sacred area," he said. "We've worked on this
for the past six months."
Although several council members asked for alternatives,
fare hikes were the only option presented by City staff.
While Bloom and Council members Kevin McKeown and Bob Holbrook
said their main concern was the new rate's impact on the poor
and children, O'Connor said the rate hike was overdue.
"We do need to keep an eye on the horizon," she
said. "The fares have not been raised in 16 years. What
is the price of a movie…or the price of downloading
a song."
Bloom countered that, while seemingly cheap, the bus system’s
budget will be balanced on the backs of some of the poorest
community members.
"It's not a choice for them of downloading a song or
a movie, it's some other choice," said Bloom, suggesting
it may take money away from rent, food or other budgets.
With a new fiscal budget looming, council members chose not
to table the item.
Bus officials noted the line will still have some of the lowest
rates in the County.
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