RTD Riders Protest Proposed Fare Hikes

More than 200 Southern California Rapid Transit District riders, protesting proposed fare hikes and cutbacks in service, appeared at a public hearing Saturday even though a Senate subcommittee voted late last week to maintain current levels of federal aid to the local bus system.

The RTD is considering cutting back or eliminating service on 51 routes, which carry 5.1 million riders a year. Also proposed is an increase of up to 10 cents in the basic 85-cent fare. These increases would also apply to monthly passes, currently set at a base of $32.

Many of those testifying at RTD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles Saturday called the RTD board’s proposals “premature” in light of the subcommittee’s action and asked for alternatives to the cutbacks and fare increases.

State Sen. Art Torres (D-South Pasadena) urged the board to consider using Los Angeles County Transportation Commission funds instead of making cutbacks or increasing fares. Of the $300 million available through Proposition A tax monies, $120 million may be used by the commission at its discretion.

“Don’t let those of us in East Los Angeles be scapegoats,” he said. At least three of the 51 lines that would suffer are in the Boyle Heights area, including the 255, which runs from Griffin Avenue to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center to Rowan Avenue.

Anticipated Loss of Funds

RTD officials noted that the spending bill approved by the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on transportation has not been passed by Congress and signed by President Reagan.

The RTD had prepared a combination of fare hikes and service cuts to offset an anticipated 10% to 15% reduction in federal funds, for an estimated loss of $5 million to $7 million to the RTD.

Randy P. Banis, chairman of the Los Angeles Collegiate Council, said he thinks the proposals should only be a contingency plan. “Don’t get your bluff called,” he said.