Cap Metro talks cutting services

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Capital Metro board was in belt-tightening mode on Monday as it talked fare increases and service cuts, even putting the downtown 'Dillo on the chopping block in order to balance the budget.

Already, Cap Metro has reduced the number of 'Dillo routes once, saying the reduction in routes would reduce rider confusion. It does not appeared to have worked.

"Only eight people ride the 'Dillo every hour," said Erica McKewen with CapMetro's communications team. "We are looking at suspending its service starting in October."

The board heard from members of the community about the proposed cut. Those who showed up to the meeting were opposed to the city cutting the downtown service.

"I can't drive because I have epilepsy," said Will McLeod, who uses the 'Dillo and Capitol Metro buses daily. "When it's so hot outside, we shouldn't have to wait 30 or 40 minutes for a bus. The 'Dillo comes every five or 10 minutes and that really helps."

Fare Increases

Capital Metro staff are also looking to start increasing bus fares starting in January of 2010. Originally, the plan was to increase fares in August of 2010.

"We just want the blessing from the board to go into the community and find out how these proposals would affect people," said McKewen.

Some of the newly proposed increases are significantly higher than the ones originally approved. For example, an adult fare one day pass would go from $3 to $6. A monthly pass would increase from $18 to $28. And, when the Metrorail gets up and running, CapMetro wants to charge $75 for a monthly pass, instead of the original plan of $36.