Today is a table day. When I first heard that COTA was increasing their fares, I was shell-shocked. COTA’s presentation also left a little bit to be desired for me.
According to the presentation, transit agencies funding sources vary between tax revenues, state funding, and fares from riders. COTA has targeted 20% compared to the current 17.1% paid for by riders. Additionally, COTA fares haven’t increased with inflation. Xing Columbus has another good post about the situation and he is more receptive to the idea, but he also has a radical idea to change COTA's funding model where property taxes are increased in exchange for no fares. I would definitely prefer to ride without paying for a fare or having a COTA pass on me.
I’ve compiled some information from various transit authorities and I don’t think it’s a terrible idea to raise the rates, but I’ll still complain.
Current | Proposed | % Increase | |
COTA Local | $1.75 | $2.00 | 14.3% |
COTA Local Monthly | $55.00 | $62.00 | 12.7% |
COTA Express | $2.50 | $2.75 | 10.0% |
COTA Express Monthly | $76.00 | $85.00 | 11.8% |
Local | Local Monthly | Express | Express Monthly | Multi-Pass System | ||
$2.25 | $90.00 | $3.25 | $130.00 | 10 for $22.50 | 66.1 | |
$2.25 | $85.00 | $2.50 | $95.00 | 5 for $11.25 | 44.7 | |
$1.75 | $70.00 | $2.65 | $106.00 | No | 19 | |
$2.00 | $62.00 | $2.75 | $85.00 | No | 17.2 | |
$1.75 | $60.00 | n/a | n/a | 10 for $17.50 | 8.8 | |
$1.75 | $55.00 | n/a | n/a | 10 for $15.00 | 8.8 | |
$1.25 | $50.00 | n/a | n/a | No | 5 | |
$1.00 | $40.00 | n/a | n/a | 25 for $22.50 | 3.5 |
*Light rail has a surcharge of $0.75 but the inner downtown is free.
Finally, today a bicyclist was killed after being hit by a motorist on I-270 at approximately 5:00 AM. It is unfortunate that it happened as it seems preventable. If you thought that I was going to do an impassioned plea for bicyclist to have the right to be on freeways, that’s not my bag.
Next up: More maps
Somber link of the day:
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