DAA to Cap Metro: That’s not what the money is for
Cap Metro
Cap Metro
DAA to Cap Metro: That’s not what the money is for
Austin Business Journal – by Kate Harrington Staff writer
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is nearing its annual budget vote, and at least one Austin group is unhappy about a proposed budget balancing measure.
The Downtown Austin Alliance has voiced concern over Cap Metro’s proposal to use $2.6 million in federal stimulus funds – 10 percent of the stimulus funds the agency received this year – from use on its Red Line MetroRail into the general fund.
According to Adam Shaivitz, a Cap Metro spokesman, Cap Metro has also considered either implementing service cuts or accelerating a planned rate increase from next August to January. The proposal to use part of the stimulus funds would mean the agency would not have to resort to earlier fare increases or service cuts, Shaivitz said, but emphasized that nothing is yet set in stone. Shaivitz said the stimulus money is slated for Red Line improvements down the road, and that if $2.6 million were to go toward balancing the budget, it would not mean additional delays for the rail line.
via Austin Business Journal
Tags: Austin, budget, Cap Metro, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, DAA, Downtown Austin Alliance, fare increases, federal stimulus funds, rail, Red Line MetroRail, service cuts