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MTA Considers Changes, Public Offers Comments - John Dunn
FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn
The news isn’t good for Nashville’s bus system, or its riders.
MTA is seriously considering cutting routes and raising fares.
A budget crunch and rising fuel prices are putting the brakes on the buses.
"It saves me money, it's more convenient, and I'm a big fan of public transportation," says rider Sekou Franklin.
30,000 people ride Nashville’s MTA buses each weekday.
For some, it’s the only way they have to get around.
"And pretty much I depend on the bus all the time," says rider Charles Hernandez.
It’s why many filled a room at the downtown library to hear about some big changes.
"The bottom line is our budget is 2.9 million dollars shorter than it should be," says MTA Director of Planning Jim McAteer.
The Metro Transit Authority is looking at two very real possibilities to save money…cutting 11 different routes, and raising bus fares by as much as 25 cents.
It’s no surprise a two million dollar increase in fuel costs is a big part of the problem.
"We use about 1.7 million gallons of fuel a year and times that by $3.50...it adds up pretty fast," says McAteer.
The proposed changes aren’t sitting well with many bus riders.
"I'm just very concerned. I've been a bus rider for about 20 years," says rider Rachel Roberts.
"You effectively make it harder for the people who have the least amount of money to get to work," says Sekou Franklin.
MTA may also scale back its Access Ride program, which provides services to the disabled.
"It is going to impact a lot of people," says Debbie Chadwick with the Rochelle Center.
The Rochelle Center serves about 140 people with disabilities, more than half of them depend on Public Transportation.
"It will impact our struggle greatly. It will be another problem to maneuver around," says Chadwick.
Carla Conte, who is blind, came to Tuesday’s public hearing to share her opinion.
"In cutting these routes, that's going to cut out the transportation for the disabled community," says Conte.
Still the problem comes down to money, either MTA finds some more, or makes some tough decisions…leaving a few more people standing on the corner.
MTA has scheduled two more public hearings about the proposed changes.
The first is Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m. at the Madison Library, 610 Gallatin Pike
The second will be at the Easley Community Center, 1000 Edgehill Ave. on Monday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m.
You do not have to attend a meeting to offer comments. You can fax comments to (615) 862-6208 or email comments to mta.publichearings@nashville.gov through May 14, 2008.
Comments can also be made by calling (615) 862-5950 or by writing MTA at 130 Nestor St., Nashville, TN 37210.
You can also visit www.nashvillemta.org.
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