Hearing On Local Bus Rates

The Southeasteatern Regional Transit Authority heard from a number of local residents at a public hearing Wednesday night regarding their proposed rate hike. "Bus Riders United" and the Bristol County Chapter of the "Massachusetts Senior Action Council" complained that the cost of the so called "on demand response service"  fare is jumping from $1.25 to $3. Michelle Silvia, the vice president of the Bristol County Chapter of the Senior Action Council told SRTA officials that the fare increase is too drastic and costly for the disabled who rely on that bus service.

The fare hike is part of an overall rate restructuring that SRTA is proposing and hoping to impliment in December. The public comment period on the rate hikes ends on Sept 28 and a second hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday afternoon at 2 at the New Bedford downtown library.