IndyGo likely to raise fares
Mary Milz/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis – It could soon cost more to take the bus. IndyGo, which presented its 2009 budget to a City County Council committee Monday night, proposes raising its one-way fares from $1.50 to $1.75 to keep itself out of the red.
“That’s pretty consistent with what’s going on across the country. What we’re not doing is cutting services,” said interim CEO Mike Terry.
Terry said while ridership is up 16 percent this year over last, the cost of the running the bus company is also up. He said like everyone else, IndyGo is paying more at the pump and more for things like health insurance. At the same time, the city has fewer property tax dollars to dole out.
“2009 is pretty scary,” Terry said. “There are a lot of ‘ifs’ in terms of revenue and expenses.”
While no one wants to pay more, even a quarter per trip, several riders said they were okay with the fare hike.
Iva Dean Vance, who takes the bus regularly, said, “I’ve been expecting it and I have to have a ride, there is no choice.”
Helen Rush said she had “no problem” paying more as “it’s easier to catch the bus and the service is good so I’m satisfied.”
Esteban Sanchez, who wears a cast after breaking his arm, said, “I need (the bus) now more than ever. We all need to get around. You try to do what you can.”
Besides raising fares, IndyGo wants to freeze wages and charge employees a $500 deductible for health insurance. Right now it’s zero.
Mike Hale, the financial secretary/treasurer for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1070 said, “We’re not happy with it at all, at all.”
He and union president Joyce Ledell said with the deductible they’re actually looking at a pay cut.
“So, yes, it will put a hardship on some of us,” Ledell said.
Terry said IndyGo also wants to outsource all of its para-transit service. That’s the curb-to-curb service it provides for people with disabilities. While para-transit drivers can either switch to fixed routes at a higher pay rate or work for MV Transportation, the company already providing some of the service, Ledell said many drivers want to keep things as they are.
She said they don’t want to lose their seniority or days off and “they really like their jobs.”
Hale said he worried the service would suffer because “the people who work for IndyGo represent the city and the contract people work for that company.”
Bonnie Fazio, who just signed up for para-transit service, said she’s okay with the switch and even a fare hike.
“I can escape the isolation I endure in bad weather and it makes me more mobile and independent,” she said.
Terry said IndyGo hasn’t decided the new fares for para-transit or the express buses to Carmel, Fishers and the airport, but they too will likely increase.
Any changes need the full council’s approval. A vote is set for Sept. 22. If approved the new fares would take effect January 1, 2009.
IndyGo
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