Metro Pulse: Ear to the Ground

Nickels and Dimes

Knox Area Transit system fares are going up, but only after a touchy public forum last Tuesday.

The plan presented by the Knoxville Transportation Authority’s Board of Commissioners to compensate for spiking oil prices sounded reasonable enough: $1 base fares would rise a quarter, with monthly and UT student semester passes rising $10. Elderly, disabled and student riders would see a 10 cent increase in base fares and a $5 increase for monthly passes.
But the small, angry group of KAT patrons who showed up for the forum made a case for the increases’ financial impact on low-income riders whose sole transportation to and from minimum-wage jobs is the city’s bus system. Representing the KTA Citizen Advisory Board, Hubert Smith asked, “Who can afford it the most? Who can afford it the least? I’m here advocating for those who cannot be here to speak for themselves. Let’s not put this on the backs of people who can afford it the least.”

Commissioners John Sibley, David Booker and Chris Woodhull echoed the concerns, suggesting that action not be taken until an additional plan was on the table to account for low-income riders. They noted that the possibility of additional resources, such as County funding, had not been fully explored. Ultimately, however, other Board members’ eagerness to begin the budget-mending process prevailed. The final vote was unanimous, if reluctant.