By Edmond Ortiz
A decision by San Antonio’s mass transit agency to not pursue a free-fare program highlights this round of news briefs.
Elsewhere, Selma is getting ready to build a fire and police emergency training complex, and Leon Valley has both finalized a location for a public veterans’ monument, and opted to continue a pledge toward sustainability.
VIA/San Antonio
The VIA Metropolitan Transit board unanimously voted Feb. 24 to not pursue a pilot program involving free fares for riders, citing concern that it would cause a wide range of disruptions for drivers, riders, as well as the agency’s legal and financial support systems.
The idea of VIA exploring free fares came from a Feb. 11 San Antonio City Council B session discussion as well as a letter on the topic sent by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.
The mayor, and Councilmembers Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Ric Galvan and Edward Mungia suggested VIA mull developing a six-month pilot program to offer fare-free rides along the top five most-used routes that represent 25% of VIA’s ridership.
Proponents said fare-free rides on these routes would help the most severely financially strapped residents to use public mass transit and get to key destinations, such as jobs, school, and grocery and health-related appointments.
But at the VIA board meeting, several speakers, ranging from local business leaders to VIA management and drivers, said the cons associated with a fare-free program would far outweigh any pros.
A former bus driver suggested homeless people who might be mentally unstable or leave behind unsanitary conditions could adversely take advantage of free rides. Other speakers said free fares would result in long lines of people, including those who may negatively impact the safety of other riders and bus operators.
Former VIA trustee Paul Basaldua, board chair with Metro San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, said mandating free fares without replacing those lost funds would fiscally jeopardize VIA’s long-term operations.
Basaldua and other local business leaders added that free fares could also put at risk VIA’s ability to apply for and receive federal grants needed to support major investments, such as development of the agency’s Green and Silver advanced rapid transit lines
“As a former VIA trustee, I know that our transit system runs a lean operation. Calling for universal free fares without providing funding puts all of that at risk,” Basaldua said.
Board members agreed with worried speakers, saying they understand a desire to make mass transit even more affordable for residents who may be unable to purchase a boarding pass or regularly ride VIA vehicles.
However, trustees said safety of riders and drivers is more important, and VIA cannot jeopardize itself fiscally or legally by imposing free fares. The vote to not continue exploring a pilot fare-free program included VIA officials’ pledge to continue enhancing services, and working with employers and organizations to further extend passes to riders.
“We can and should continue to support targeted affordability programs and partnerships that help the most in need, but should not compromise the long-term stability of the system that the entire community depends on,” trustee Louis Cooper, a former Alamo Heights mayor, said.
Selma
Selma City Council on Feb. 12 awarded a $1.5 million contract to local construction firm FA Nunnelly to begin developing a site that will accommodate a future public emergency operations training facility.
The police and fire training center will be located at 16443 N. Evans Road. This first phase of site development, slated for completion late this spring or early summer, involves preparations of a 5.5 acre tract, including construction of concrete drives, paving, a burn tower pad, and landscaping.
Leon Valley
Leon Valley City Council on Feb. 17 approved a design and an exact location for a monument at Veterans Memorial Park.
Council previously approved budgeting $24,000 for installation of a monument that would pay tribute to U.S. veterans. The city’s parks commission recommended placing a tablet and base next to the circle where a flagpole currently stands.
Council members endorsed a two-sided design at a cost of $18,787. The monument will include logos of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps. Coast Guard, and Department of Defense.
In a separate matter Feb. 17, council passed a resolution adopting El Verde by 2030 plan for environmental sustainability.
The resolution extends the city government’s original pledge to become a carbon-neutral organization by 2020.
City officials said the resolution and plan reaffirm their commitment to not only achieve carbon neutrality, but to: preserve and expand the town’s tree canopy; promote green home and business construction with a goal of having 20% of Leon Valley’s residential and commercial structures by eco-friendly by 2030; promote water consumption reduction, alternative irrigation sources, and xeriscaping; adopt measures to reach the goal of becoming “verde,” or green, by 2030; and plant 10,000 trees.
