Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced Tuesday that the Madison Metro Transit fares will remain the same for a third year in a row if current funding levels are maintained in the undecided state budget.
According to Cieslewicz, if the state Assembly's portion of the budget on Payments for Municipal Services were to pass, the city budget would need to be cut by $15 million.
The mayor's spokesperson George Twigg said the state budget initially required the city to request a 3 percent reduction from Madison Metro's budget.
Metro then responded with a budget proposal that included a Sunday service reduction, as well as a fare increase from $1.50 to $2.
Cieslewicz said Tuesday, however, the city no longer needs to cut Madison Metro funds because he was able to find the necessary financial resources elsewhere in the budget. Twigg said it is important to keep bus fares affordable so Madison residents have an alternative transportation option.
There are a lot of people who rely upon the metro to get to school and work,"" Twigg said. ""It's a lifeline for a lot of people.""
Madison Metro Customer Service Manager Julie Maryott-Walsh said Metro is pleased with the mayor's announcement because low bus fare translates into high rider-ship.
""Every time you have a fare increase you generally lose customers,"" she said, ""and we do have several people in Madison who are living with low incomes and count on the transit system for daily commutes.""
Twigg also said maintaining an inexpensive public transit system is necessary to reduce the city's environmental impact.
Cieslewicz announced earlier this year, the cities plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100,000 tons in five years. He said he sees public transportation as one way to help reach that goal.
""Greater use of transit helps reduce congestion and traffic, and the emissions that result from that,"" Twigg said.
