http://www.madison.com/captimes/news/stories/36554.php
Monona may cut its mass transit
Ways sought to avoid big tax hike
MONONA - Public transportation may soon come to an end in Monona.
In an effort to reduce the proposed 12.4 percent increase in the city's tax rate, the City Council has put transportation on the chopping block.
The city of Monona currently provides transportation to its citizens via the Monona Express and Monona Lift services. The Express is a commuter service running between the city of Monona and downtown Madison. The Lift is a disabled-accessible bus designed to meet the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities on a scheduled route.
Monona is spending $234,000 on transportation this year and it is estimated that would rise to $247,000 next year - an increase of 5.59 percent. After the state transit aid subsidy and rider fares, Monona taxpayers would make up a difference of $53,171, City Administrator Dave Berner wrote in a news release.
But the council seems divided on whether to eliminate all the services or just the Monona Express. Not all council members agree.
"There are strong arguments on both sides," Mayor Tom Metcalfe said.
He said he would be reluctantly willing to support elimination of the Monona Express if the council recommends it, but he would not support abandoning the senior and disabled service.
"It will be pretty tough for people without transportation," Berner said.
Although he was unable to speculate regarding the contractual issues with Laidlaw, the company that provides the transit services, he did believe that if necessary, services could be discontinued as of Jan. 1.
Ald. Peter McKeever, co-chair of the Transportation Committee, was alarmed that the city would consider eliminating transportation. He called it "foolish and hard-hearted."
A strong advocate of maintaining both services, McKeever cited census information that says 300 households in Monona do not have a car. He said it is the responsibility of the municipality to provide transportation.
"We just can't pretend that Monona isn't part of a larger metropolitan area," McKeever argued.
He believes a partnership with Madison Metro is the better option.
The city is in preliminary discussions with officials from Madison's bus service regarding a partnership in transportation. Meetings began Tuesday, Berner said.
Council members Robb Kahl and Lisa Nelson support eliminating Monona Express and are in favor of maintaining the Monona Lift services, although the overall savings to the community would be significantly reduced.
Kahl noted that Monona has discussed eliminating transit services before.
"We took a look at this last year and tried to encourage ridership by offering free passes and increase our advertising. It didn't work," he said.
Nelson is concerned that the move is a knee-jerk reaction to the impending tax increase.
"We should be looking at these measures all year long, not just at budget time," she said.
"I respect the philosophical argument for keeping the service, but we need to look at the bigger picture," Nelson said.
She suggested that if people want to keep the service, they need to speak up.
Transportation isn't the only service under scrutiny in the upcoming budget talks.
Other suggestions include privatizing ambulance services and trash collection as well as consolidating emergency services with Dane County 911 dispatch, Berner said.
Published: 9:40 AM 11/11/02
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