SOME WANT THE BRAKES PUT ON METRO FARE HIKE.Byline: SUE DOYLE Staff Writer NORTH HOLLYWOOD -- Warren Sapp Warren Carlos Sapp (born December 19, 1972 in Orlando, Florida) is a professional football player for the NFL's Oakland Raiders. Sapp is known for his intense and aggressive defensive plays. doesn't mind paying $3 for a Metro day pass, but he might start driving if prices for public transportation increase this summer as planned. The decision is expected today after a public hearing at Metro headquarters. The Metro board is scheduled to vote on a two-tier plan to raise fares in July and again in 2009. For Sapp, 44, that means the cost for his day pass could increase to $5 this summer and $8 in two years. The same all-day pass costs $5 in Chicago and $7 in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . "Man, that's quite a bit," Sapp said of the prices in those cities. "I think we've had it good in L.A., but I think the price is reasonable. For an $8 pass every day, you might as well get a car." After unveiling the plan in March, Metro has faced significant public opposition, largely from the Bus Riders Union. A lawsuit filed by the advocacy organization triggered a federal consent decree A settlement of a lawsuit or criminal case in which a person or company agrees to take specific actions without admitting fault or guilt for the situation that led to the lawsuit. A consent decree is a settlement that is contained in a court order. on the transit agency in 1996. Metro was forced to invest $1.3 billion to improve bus service and could not increase fares for years. The mandate was lifted in October. Metro officials say fare hikes are necessary to help get out from under a looming looming: see mirage. $1.8 billion deficit and to maintain today's level of service. Some regular bus riders are reeling reel·ing n. Maine Sustained noise, as from hammering: "Hark that reeling, now, you'll wake the baby!" Anonymous. with sticker shock Sticker shock is a United States term for the feeling of surprise experienced by consumers upon finding unexpectedly high prices on the price tags (stickers) of products they are considering purchasing. over the leap in price for some tickets. A weekly pass, for example, is $14 now and could reach $20 in July and $32 in two years. Today's $52 monthly pass could reach $75 this summer and $120 in 2009. Maria Heck said fare increases are understandable, but she wants them to come at a more gradual pace. The 64-year-old disabled woman is concerned that prices will become unaffordable un·af·ford·a·ble adj. Too expensive: medical care that has become unaffordable for many. un for her husband and son, who also rely on the bus. "Increase them, but to something decent, like a 10 percent increase," she said. sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3746 If you go Today's public hearing about fare hikes starts at 9 a.m. inside Metro headquarters, 1 Gateway Plaza, in downtown L.A. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) Actor Robin Chappell gestures with bus schedules at the North Hollywood Metro Station For the band, see . A metro station is a railway station for a rapid transit system, often known by names such as "metro", "underground" and "subway". It is often underground or elevated. At crossings of metro lines they are multi-level. on Wednesday, while speaking against the proposed fare increase. (2) Warren Sapp, 44, of North Hollywood, waiting for the bus at the North Hollywood Metro Station on Wednesday, speaks about the possible fare increase for bus riders. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Box: If you go (see text) |
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