By Gloria Walker, KRGV.com
And Jorge Vela, Valley Central
Riding the Brownsville Metro has become a lifeline for many people in Brownsville.
Now, the transit system is considering doubling that fare price from one to two dollars. Students, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities would still be charged a dollar.
Brownsville Transportation Director Joel Garza says the price increase is needed to match rising costs of operations.
“The dollar increase would cover the operational needs of the department,” Garza said. Some of those operational increases would include maintenance, added services and gas.
“In fiscal year 2020, it cost B Metro about $400,000. Currently, it's at $750,000, so it's almost double on just fuel alone,” Garza said.
One local resident and veteran said that no matter their frustrations they feel they will not be heard by the city, according to Valley Central's Jorge Vela..
“No matter what we say or what we do, the outcome is going to be the same because you guys don’t give us a chance and you could have told us about this six months ago, eight months ago and not just two weeks,” Joshue Valdez said.
Maria Jesus Vazquez, who we caught getting off the bus, said she worries for those who cannot afford it.
“I can afford it, but I know many people live day-by-day and those will struggle,” Vazquez said.
Tensions were high during the evening meeting. One of the most passionate was Citlaly Lopez, who advocated for a middle ground, so people do not have to budget more of their income on taking the bus while the city still gets more revenue.
“At the end of the day, don’t make it two dollars cause that’s too much,” Lopez said. “There is already too many people sacrificing their medical bills in order to ride the bus and not only that but some students are sacrificing their student money.”
One man told us he would stop taking the bus altogether if the fare were to increase.
“There was a question on the survey that said, if we do the change would you stop using the bus? And, honestly, I bike ride everywhere, and I might as well just stick with my bike if that is going to be the case,” said Pierre Lozano.
He believes this will impact not just Brownsville residents but also people who cross from Matamoros, Tamaulipas to shop or to school.
On Thursday, Brownsville residents were invited to take part in a public meeting to comment on the proposed fare increase. The comments will be taken to Brownsville city commissioners, who will discuss the proposed fare increase during a meeting set for Tuesday, Aug. 20.
39 comments:
You never see this in McAllen
the rich city servants look at it at only a dollar but add it up and its a big increase and most people here CAN NOT AFFORT IT. BOLA DE PENDEJOS. Increase the taxes on all companies see what they say, don't just target the poor citizen.
Mcallen is poor people oriented, here they cater to the rich and famous that is why mcallen will always be ahead, here en el valle. FACT....
VOTE EVERYBODY OUT TAKE NOTICE "V O T E" EVERYBODY OUT PERIOD.... THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE. SO WHERE IS MACIAS, AND ALL THOSE NEW CITY COMMISSIONERS???? WHERE
Brownsville’s less fortunate citizens always get the shaft. People live on a budget , period. For some, this increase may not sound like much but it really does add up . First and foremost, provide a better bus service by finishing those “ coveted” bus shelters and maybe offset some of the “operation cost increases” by using some of the money from the WASTEFUL PROJECTS such as : the hike and bike trails, mural ceremonies, BCIC AND GBIC grants etc. Just take a small percentage out of those “budgets”. After all , aren’t these all supposed to promote “ quality of life” So let them all share the wealth and help those that don’t have the means ( transportation) to move around town. Lets not forget who uses the the bus system: students to go to school , elderly to go to drs appointments/grocery stores, people to go to work , our neighbors from Matamoros to go shopping ( which in turn provides sales tax dollars) etc. Just saying
You can thank Bidenomics. Oh, it's working! In screwing us all. Beer went up one to two dollars at bars, gas doubled in price, rent went up, etc., and now the bus fair is DOUBLING!!!
Not even a small gradual increase of a quarter or something. Nah, bend over and take it DOUBLE!!! Bidenomics is more like DOUBLENOMIC$.
McAllen Metro: $`1 with transfer to second route/ 50cents for seniors over 55.
Wichita Falls is getting some notoriety as a multibillionaire has picked the city as a legal battleground. He got boca chica free and he still hates this area. go figure PENDEJOS ELECTED OFFICIALS ANY MORE FREE LAND FOR BILLIONAIRES?
WHERE ARE ALLLLLL THE NEW COMISSIONERS PERIOD.....
PROLLY GETTING A RAISE LIKE OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DID BUTTTTTTT NOT THE EMPLOYEES... VOTE EVREYONE OUTTTTTTTTTT
Maybe BCIC should of paid the difference but instead they get the money (for free of course) and open businesses that charge ridiculous prices!
Elvis Pesley dies on this day long ago...
Anonymous 9:12AM - McAllen is one-third the size of Brownsville, has just 25% less population, and 20% higher sales tax revenue. I hope you can figure out the rest on your own.
you have a choice with the wrecker its two bucks without the wrecker its only one buck and will take a day to get to your destination.
City leadership and management does not give a fuk about the poor people in Browntown. I guess they are trying to pay for the shitty new bus stops. You think it is bad now just wait till the local activist get the commissioners to switch to electric buses.
City leadership and management does not give a fuk about the poor people in Browntown. I guess they are trying to pay for the shitty new bus stops. You think it is bad now just wait till the local activist get the commissioners to switch to electric buses.
Tell us first, how much money does the federal government give you for the day to day operation, how much money do you receive from riders, what about when when the buses were given to you for free from Capital Metro Austin Tx? City budget?
Juan this fare rate increase decision was already made some months ago they are just bringing it to the citizens because its budget time. chon y chuy
The poor against the rich. This type of action costs the city commissioners and the mayor their jobs. Taking advantage of the poor, the abandoned, the abused etc. The commissioners do not know how people struggle to get to their jobs. Then standing and sweating under the extreme heat. Then the family not having time to take the elderly to the hospital, the doctor, the dentist ... somebody do something to protect the elderly. Then the hospitals, doctors, clinics with their rules of if you are late we will not see you....they do not know that people have to take two buses to get to their appointments. Do not do this to the poor. Thank you Montoya for posting this article: give a voice to the poor Montoya.
Whether the fare is $1 or $2, it's actually the taxpayers subsidizing Brownsville Metro: $7,747,477 in 2024 and a proposed $8,033,096 in 2025.
The minimum wage is 7.25. So most people will have to work one hour per day to cover their bus fares.
You are correct Sir. I also think that because the BUS is asking for this increase, they will get it from the Mayor and the Commissioners without a question. They work together.
We need to stay strong on this. Go back to the past: if you drive and see people waiting for a Bus, give them a ride and do not charge them. In Mexico, people would stand in the roads and ask for rides and then they would do the same thing coming back. Some people charged for the service. Do not charge a fee and God will bless you.
THAT MCALLEN MAMON CAN STAY IN MCALLEN WHY COME TO A BROWTOWN BLOG? NONE IN MCALLEN? PENDEJO!!!
In high school we punished the mcallen faggot dogs and would always cry like newly born babies AND THIS IS A FACT
PINCHES LLORONES mcallen chiwawas.... hahahahaha!!!
puros mamones en mcallen? do you idiotas know who mcallen was? un gringo who hated meskins like all you idiots posting from mcallen. take that city and you know what you can do with it
BOLA DE MAMONES!!!
Mexico City 30 cents, Madrid, Spain $2.00 dollars, Moscow, Russia 90 cents, Tokyo and Los Angeles$1.50, Paris $2.00 dollars, With the new bus fare, Brownsville will be the new Paris and Madrid of the border towns. Yeah !
I used to ride the bus. I finally was able to buy a car last year!
Has anyone noticed the buses are always empty. Maybe a quarter full on a good day? Less riders means less money with the same overhead costs. I agree - The city should look into alternative funding instead of doubling the fare. Does anyone know if you can speak at the next meeting?
Houston charges $1.25 , San Antonio, Dallas $1.25 so Brownsville needs to use vans, smaller buses, and more programs for people to use the bus. Going to the Mall Van, Going downtown Van, Going to Whataburger Van, Going to Charro Days Van etc
August 16, 2024 at 9:57 AM
IDIOTA!
THE BUS MANUFACTURER PROVIDES LAS MORDIDAS TO THE LOCALS IN CHARGE OF PURCHASING THOSE HUMONGUS BUSES WHICH BY THE WAY ARE NOT NEEDED HERE.
USE THE BIKE TRAILS IDIOTAS....
Is the mcbaboso still here? what no mcallen blogs?
BOLA DE PENDEJOS...
You worked hard and got a car. Congratulations and blessing 🙌.
Next meeting. August 20 at 5:00 PM at the old courthouse downtown Elizabeth Street. You have to sign in when you arrive if you want to speak to: commissioners, bus, mayor there is an ad on the Brownsville Herald today but you can barely see it: blank ink with a dark blue background. (approved by the BUS and the City so that nobody can read it)
You want to raise fares to the most needy and students, but yet BCIC awards grant money to the city's past mayors, commissioners, attorneys, car dealerships and friends? They have built such a friggin' hard shell that they don't see or smell how bad this is.
Hey, its that guy again, the one that borrowed the ambulance and the cops are just watching the whole show.
August 16, 2024 at 7:12 PM
any fool knows that!!!
McAllen is poor people-oriented? What's stopping you from getting da fuck outta Brownsville? Go! pursue your poor happiness!!
WE NEED A PROTEST NOW!!!!!!! THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH - BUS, STREETS, AMBULANCES, SALARIES SKY HIGH, TOO MANY POSITIONS AND ASSISTANTS AND DIRECTORS, TOO MANY CARS, TRUCKS, VANS, MOTORCYCLES, SUVS, AND TAXI FARES... TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD AT OUR EXPENSE, AND THERE IS NO I MEAN NO AIRPORT BUT AN AIRPORT DIRECTOR THAT MAKES HALF A MILLON A YEAR WITH 4 ASSITANCE DIRECTORS MAKING 2 MILLION A YEAR. TIME TO FIRE UNNECESSARY POSITIONS ALL OVER CITY WIDE!!!!!!!!!
Exactly.
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