Bus, Train Fees Could Increase By $0.25

By Edgar Linares, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Commuters say giving an extra quarter to take the bus or train is something they're reluctant to pay, but they're willing to do it.

"Nobody wants anything to go higher," said Deborah Hyatt, who takes public transportation to get to work. "I would love it if it stayed the same. It turns out to be a lot of money in the end. I pay for a bus card and it's my main source of transportation, so I'd have to pay for it."

Andrew Pole walked off a metro bus Wednesday morning and said the price increase wouldn't affect him that much.

"From my perspective, I'm absolutely fine with it," said Pole, a Minneapolis bus commuter. "I do honestly worry about people who are less fortunate and that maybe affected by those hikes in prices who depend on the bus to get to work."

On Wednesday, the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee will meet with the Metropolitan Council on increasing the fare by $0.25. They'll meet in St. Paul at 12:30 p.m.

Minneapolis and St. Paul are among the highest fares in the nation according to a national report released in 2009 by Transportation for America. The average rate is $1.75 to $3.00.

Gov. Mark Dayton said in his budget proposal the increase maybe needed to avoid serious cuts in service.

Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb told the Minneapolis Star Tribune the fare increase could generate $6 million a year. If the change is approved it would take place later this year or by 2012.