Patch Blog: 200% Increase in Beeline Fare

From time to time, for the sake of feeling part of the community, I ditch my Ford Focus for the Glendale Beeline. You can’t even imagine the thoughts that whirled in my head when I say that ugly announcement.

Starting this Saturday, Oct.1, riders of the Glendale Beeline will experience a 200% increase in bus fare. The reason, they say, is to cover the cost of a new system that will greet passengers, announce upcoming stops. It will show the date, time and stop requested on a marquee in the front. This is all fine and dandy, but why the increase? If our city didn’t waste our tax money on a monstrosity like the Americana then maybe they could give back to the little people. The wait time is already at a staggering more than 30 minutes between buses and now they’re increasing the fare. What’s next, cutting the bus in half?

I am a firm believer that there a few public institutions that should be provided for by the government (health care, education, bus fare) and when I say provided for I mean free. Why don’t they understand that the reason people take the bus is because either they can’t afford a car or can no longer afford to pay for their gas?

On the bus Friday I had the opportunity to speak with a bus rider about the current situation. She was on the Route 7 bus leaving Glendale Community College on the way to work on Glenoaks Boulevard and Alameda Avenue. She told me she actually owned a car but could no longer afford to use it, so she took refuge on the great Bee. Unfortunately for her, the 75 cents per day that she used to spend on transportation will now be increased to $2.25 per day, $13.50 per week and $54 per month. She looked as if she was on the verge of tears when she told me she makes a little over $1,000 per month and the jump from $18 to $54 will be putting a huge dent on her living situation.

Wait there’s more, the city plans on increasing the fare to $1.25 in the next two years. Shame on you city of Glendale, go ahead continue filling your money grubbing hands paid for by the tears and anguish of those who barely get by. Stop making excuses and appropriate the funds to ensure a better standard of living.