Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez is joined by fellow Capital Metro board members and community leaders, including D’Ann Johnson of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, in support of the exemption.

“The community reaction to the proposed fare increases on seniors and disabled riders has been loud and clear,” Gómez said. “Capital Metro is a public, taxpayer funded agency and cannot afford to ignore pubic input when making changes to the fare structure. I will do what I believe is right by voting no on a fare increase for the elderly and the disabled. At this time, it just does not make sense to increase the burden on these groups.”

Johnson, Austin branch manager of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, issued the following statement in support of the exemption.

“When people do not drive and family members are not available to drive them, public transportation is the only option for those who live in poverty. Mobility and independence are of high importance to seniors and people with disabilities.  Many people worry that they will be stranded and unable to go to the grocery store or to the doctor,” Johnson said. “Those most impacted by rising costs of public transportation are older women, African-Americans, Latinos and people with disabilities. In Central Texas, people with disabilities are 1.5 times more likely to live in poverty. While 16 percent of older whites own a car, 42 percent of African-Americans over the age of 65 and 39 percent of older Latinos do not own a car. Older minority populations are more than twice as likely to use public transportation as their white counterparts.”

“Those who are financially secure have more convenient alternatives that riding the bus. They can call a cab or hire a personal assistant to drive them doorstep to doorstep,” Johnson said. “It is those most vulnerable and on fixed incomes that are dependent on the public transportation system. The Cap Metro board should exercise leadership and cut expenses and leave seniors alone.”