Brownsville Metro fare increase to go into effect Oct. 1

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Metro fare increase is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1. Bus fares will be increased by double.

This comes after the city received strong reaction from the public when it hosted its public comments meeting three weeks ago.

The Brownsville Metro is justifying the increase by stating that it is facing close to a $1 million deficit due to increasing fuel prices, maintenance and employee pay.

The city commission voted to approve the increase in a five-to-two decision.

Commissioner Linda C. Macias said voting no on the resolution was not a choice as it meant making cuts in personnel and bus stop funding. Ultimately, this would mean fewer available routes for the public.

“I asked the public to raise your hand if you want us to cut personnel, raise your hand if you want us to cut bus stops, nobody raised their hand,” Macias said.

Macias said she found common ground with those advocating against the increase when they said how the elderly, disabled, and students would still get a 50% discount.

Those who attended the meeting voiced that they felt the commissioners failed to see how the community would be impacted by this fare increase.

“People who are workers down here, who are affected by the bus fare increase, feel like it’s taking more money out of their pockets,” Martin Cuevas, a Brownsville resident, said. “People who have a hard time finding parking are now trying to use more and more our local metro, and for them, it’s just choosing one way of taking money out of their pocket.”

A list of the approved increases can be seen below:

These increases will go into effect for bus travelers on Oct. 1.

Jorge Vela contributed to this report.

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