Tucson City Councilman Paul Cunningham is scrapping his original proposal to increase bus fares, offering a new proposal a day before the council holds a public forum on increasing Sun Tran rates.
His latest option would leave the $1.50-per-ride base fare alone, with a formula deciding how to increase all other rates, from reduced fares for the poor to the annual pass for those using the express routes.
Cunningham says his newest proposal uses the best parts of the plans touted by City Manager Michael Ortega and Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.
He argues the base fare should remain at $1.50 per-ride because an increase could discourage βcasual riders.β
Ortegaβs proposal would increase the base fare to $1.75 per ride and the economy fare to 75 cents per ride, starting on July 1, 2017. Those using monthly economy and regular passes would see a $7 increase to those monthly rates.
Rothschild suggested holding the economy fare to the current rate of 50 cents per-ride while increasing the regular fare to $2 per ride. The mayor says the council needs to protect low-income riders who would be hit hardest by a fare increase.
In the last four years, the cityβs annual budget contribution to keep Sun Tran running has skyrocketed by $9.4 million, rising from $18.7 million in the 2010 fiscal year to $28.1 million in the fiscal year 2014.
During the same time frame, revenue from riders dropped by $3.7 million.
The council could approve any of the proposals or leave the rates unchanged.
The Tucson City Council is expected to vote on Sun Tran fares at its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 7, which begins at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held downtown at City Hall, 255 W. Alameda St.
