Killing fare hike no boon to bus riders
The Dec. 11 issue of Isthmus listed Madison Metro bus riders in the "Up" section due to the fare-hike proposal not passing. That's debatable.
A likely reduction in bus service would have a far greater negative impact on those who rely on public transportation than a fare hike. Those who rely most on public transportation will pay via monthly passes, not single fare, as long as they take at least 30 rides (15 round-trip rides) per month. The increase to $2 for a single fare proposal came with an $8/month increase ($96/year) for the monthly pass. The compromise proposal to charge $1.75 for a single fare came with a $5/month pass increase ($60/year).
The no-increase option will likely eliminate service on holidays, Sunday evenings and possibly other times. Many who rely on public transportation need bus service during off-peak hours including Sunday evenings and holidays. A single, one-way taxi fare across town, required if the buses are not running, costs $15 to $30! So for some who don't drive, transportation costs could increase by thousands of dollars a year.
Jay M. Fleisher
Let freedom ring
In the Midwest, winter is a matter of survival. It would seem to me that bell ringers should be able to canvas inside a store entrance (Madison.gov, 12/18/08). Any business that does not have the sense to provide for society's philanthropic organizations should not be considered an organization of the 21st century. Some understanding of what it feels like to be asking for donations in below-freezing weather is a necessity.
Andrew J. Stangel
What a hoot!
Linda Falkenstein's article about the numerous restaurant closings ("Revolving Door," 12/26/08) was sadly accurate; a lot of places went belly-up over the last year. And she didn't even come close to citing all of the closings in the Madison area.
The article ended with Falkenstein's observation that there is a bright side to everything, as Hooter's had folded.
Somehow, one of the rollovers she missed was the closing of Damon's, which re-opened as The Tilted Kilt. That was quite probably intentional, as why would she give publicity to such a thing? Anyway, I guess this goes to show that when a door is closed, somewhere a window opens up. For oglers, anyway.
D.W. Marohl, Sun Prairie
