Transportation and County Taxpayers

Regarding the possible consolidation of the transportation agencies of Orange County: I don’t think consolidation is good for the transit riders and taxpayers of Orange County.

I don’t know how it will affect the handicapped. I don’t know how it will affect bus fares. County Supervisor Roger R. Stanton wants the handicapped and senior citizens to have free Dial-A-Ride and no van services for the general public.

If van service is free for the handicapped and senior citizens, how much will bus service fares be? Somehow the agency will have to make up the lost revenue. The only way to make up the lost revenue is to raise the bus fares over $1 and charge for the transfers.

I think that state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) and Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) should ask the Orange County Transportation Commission and Supervisor Stanton how much consolidation will cost the citizens of Orange County.

Transit riders and the taxpayers of Orange County should know how much the bus fares will be after consolidation, if it happens.

I think that all citizens of Orange County should know all the language in the consolidation bill. The consolidation can be very costly to the taxpayers and the transit riders of Orange County.

GARY A. MUDGE

Garden Grove