The poor must not be required to subsidize public transit

Published: September 5, 2010

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With legislative elections pending, there is scant chance that state lawmakers will take any political risks before November, much less move on measures that could increase costs for some older voters.

A host of transportation issues, including stabilizing the state's struggling mass transit systems, likely will have to wait for a new legislative term, when politicians have a two-year comfort zone.

One issue that should not be on the table is allowing local mass transit agencies to collect nominal fares from older passengers, who now ride for free due to subsidies from the state lottery.

Under the free ride mass transit program, and another program that subsidizes door-to-door service for older riders, the lottery provides about $155 million a year in subsidies. Any Pennsylvanian over 65 is eligible for free transit rides.

Lawmakers should not take a serious look at the program, and not authorize transit agencies to establish modest, capped fares in addition to the lottery subsidies.

Transit agencies state wide provide about 115,000 free rides each day to older residents. Enabling those agencies to collect even 50 cents per ride would help alleviate the pressure to maintain service and fund improvements. But, for a rider making five roundtrips per week, that's $5 or about $20 a month.

That's too much. The poor cannot afford it especially as other costs are skyrocketing, including the anticipated huge jump for electrical use when rate caps come off.

Back in 1993 the County of Lackawanna Transit System asked older riders to contribute, voluntarily, by dropping any amount they chose into the fare box. Many of them responded until the state curtailed the practice because it violated the lottery subsidy rules. That's too bad. It was a good idea.

The legislature must find another way to raise the money needed. The poor already assume too heavy a burden. And in rural areas, where the poor run the risk of isolation, having access to free transportation to get around is vital for a decent quality of life.

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