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Residents and housing officials urge caution on proposed shared‑ride fare increases
Summary
Council heard several riders and a housing authority director warn that proposed fare increases for the shared‑ride taxi service would hit low‑income seniors and people with disabilities; staff outlined cost pressures and said increases could be phased and limited to non‑senior fares.
A public hearing on a proposed fare increase for the city's shared‑ride taxi service drew riders, housing officials and frequent users who said higher fares would be burdensome for seniors and people on fixed incomes.
Pat Brandenburg, executive director of the Monroe Housing Authority, said Sherpa Woods houses 85 tenants and warned the proposal would erode low‑income residents' budgets: "The average ride will increase 50¢ as they ride both ways ... please please consider no increase at least for our community of the low income seniors and persons with disability." Staff described operating expenses of about $6.72 per ride hour and said federal and state grants had been covering a portion of costs that has declined since COVID‑era CARES funding expired.
Council members discussed a range of options: a modest 25¢ increase phased over several years, raising the base fare while protecting senior/disabled fares, or annual reviews to avoid large sporadic hikes. No formal rate change was adopted; staff said they would prepare scenarios and a draft resolution for future committee/council consideration.
