The Tucson City Council voted to keep bus fares free as they explore ways to fund the city’s transit system and make public transportation safer.
The city stopped charging fares from 2020 to 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, using federal relief dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to help pay for transit. After those dollars expired, the city has used money from its General Fund to help pay for transit.
The city council voted 5-2 to keep transit free and asked staff to develop a safety plan for making public transportation safer. The motion to keep bus fare free was introduced by Councilmember Kevin Dahl. It differed from the recommendation by the city manager’s office to reinstate fares. City staff presented five possible fare changes, including a low-income fare-free program.
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Councilmembers Nikki Lee and Paul Cunningham voted against fare-free transit, in part, because of the city’s lack of resources for transit. Cunningham said safety at bus stops and on buses was another reason why he wanted to reinstate fares. Both councilmembers said the city should offer a low-income fare program…