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GUEST: Manual Criollo, Spokesperson for the Bus Riders Union

The Bus Riders Union held a rally last Wednesday outside of the San Fernando High School where Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave his State of the City address. The group continued to call on the mayor to withdraw proposed MTA fare increases for buses and trains. About a month ago the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced a plan to increases fares this July and once more in January 2009. Under the proposal, cash fares for bus and rail lines would increase from $1.25 to $2.00 in 2009. Day passes would also increase from three to five dollars and monthly passes would increase from $52 to $120 in that same time period. The MTA insists that the increases are necessary due to a “budget shortfall.” The Bus Riders Union, which previously sued the MTA over fare hikes in 1994, opposes the current plan on the grounds that such a move will most affect low-income minority communities. Fare increases, they say, will also decrease the number of bus riders which will, in turn, increase pollution.

The Mayor, who controls 4 out of 13 votes on the MTA board, can be reached at 213-978-0600.

For more information, visit www.busridersunion.org.