(SF public transit) MTC votes 8-7 not to fund free-Muni plan

[alp227]

Source: SF Chronicle

The much-debated plan to let low-income kids in San Francisco hop aboard Muni for free apparently died Wednesday as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission narrowly voted against giving the plan $4 million in regional transportation funds.

The commission voted 8-7 against a motion to fund the 22-month free Muni plan, give $1 million to a two-year reduced- fare plan for low-income adults in Santa Clara County, and contribute $500,000 to an Alameda County student pass plan with a possible $2.5 million later. The vote split along regional lines with commissioners from San Francisco, the Peninsula and the South Bay favoring the program and East Bay and North Bay representatives opposed.

The MTC vote leaves Muni's $9.4 million plan, which was to start on Aug. 1, $5 million short. Municipal Transportation Agency officials declined to declare the free-fare program dead, but have said repeatedly that they can't afford to contribute any extra money.

"We're disappointed in the outcome," said Paul Rose, an MTA spokesman. "We're going to have to regroup and go back to our board and see where we are without funding from the region."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/MTC-votes-8-7-not-to-fund-free-Muni-plan-3735978.php

[gtar100]

1. Sounds like standard conservative/republican bullshit.

"We can't afford to help the poor." Then they underfund the program to prove their point.

[awoke_in_2003]

2. that and...

"we can't let poor kids come in our neighborhoods"

[brooklynite]

3. Not clear why this is an MTC decision...

...If Muni want free or low-cost fares for low-income customers, they can raise the fairs for everyone else.