Many want bus service intact

Proposed bus route cuts and fare increases are an embarrassment and the worst solution to the city’s financial woes, residents told the City Council on Thursday night at a public budget hearing.

“I’ve been around the world and back,” said bus rider Frances Hampton. “This is the only city that I have to be concerned about for transportation. Please, please keep our transportation upward, not downward.”

Most of the 125 attendees at the hearing sounded off about the city’s proposal to cut 14,000 hours a year of transit service, calling the proposal insensitive, environmentally unsound and a hoax in light of the 2004 voter-approved Rural Transportation Authority sales tax that was intended to bolster city transit.

The city says the service cuts and a fare increase would save $1.3 million a year.

Several elderly and disabled residents said the bus is their only means to get to work and doctor’s appointments.

Dion Killingsworth, human resources director for the Antlers Hilton hotel, told the council that 35 percent of his staff use public transit to get to work.

“A good number of those are disabled and that is their only transportation,” he said. “They already have limitations. I’m asking you to reconsider. It is actually their lifeline and their income.”

Tom Rochell, who has used the bus system for 20 years, tearfully told the council that the biggest roadblock to employment for the city’s disabled population is the deficient public transit system.

“As it is, it does not meet the transportation needs of the users,” he said.

Perhaps one of the most passionate speakers was Timothy Lafond, who has driven city buses for four years.

He was outraged at a list of what he calls broken promises after the RTA received voter approval three years ago.

He says residents were told it would expand and improve local service.

“We’ve been deceived and it was through the City Council members,” he said.

Council members remained silent throughout the evening, soaking up the criticism and taking notes on residents’ concerns, which also included funding for local parks and the proposed vendor fee cap for businesses that collect city sales tax.

“Take the opportunity to define yourself as a pro-business council and leave the vendor fee in place,” said Ben Faricy of the Faricy Boys chain of car dealerships.

City officials will take additional public comment on the proposed bus service cuts and fare increases next week.

The council will make final budget decisions 8:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Nov. 2, at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0232 or carlyn.mitchell@gazette.com