Manatee County makes MCAT bus fare free for 18 months. Will it help traffic?
As of Tuesday, Manatee County Area Transit is free to all riders for the next 18 months as part of a new pilot program.
The temporary removal of the $1.50 bus fare follows a decision by the Board of County Commissioners, which voted to approve the new changes in September. Officials hope the program will improve low ridership numbers while reducing the number of vehicles on local roads.
Commissioner George Kruse first proposed the program, following a conversation at Port Manatee with U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-MO, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Because MCAT has always been a money-loser for the county, Kruse said it makes sense for officials to quit asking for bus fare. The decision could make Manatee County eligible for federal or state funding to make up the difference.
“There are grants available for this. The federal government wants this to happen. They want people to be fare-free,” said Kruse.
MCAT costs county government about $20 million to operate every year, but charging bus fare only brings in a small fraction of the operating costs, Kruse explained.
Free bus rides could improve ridership
In a successful pitch to his fellow commissioners, Kruse argued that removing fees for bus riders in Manatee County might speed up the routes, increase rider participation and improve the quality of life for local residents.
“I look at this as a low-cost, high potential for Manatee County,” Kruse said.
The idea quickly found support from board members, who agreed that it was worth a shot to see what impact it might have on traffic and ridership.
“I think it makes sense. It does bring equity for transportation across the county. That helps our economy greatly,” said Commissioner Misty Servia.
“As far as the unfortunate who struggle to come up with that bus fare, this is music to their ears,” added Commissioner Reggie Bellamy. “Sometimes the bus fare isn’t just one day, in one situation. People who are car-less need to come up with the bus fare every day.”
The proposal did not find unanimous support, however. Commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge and James Satcher said they were concerned about the costs associated with the program.
“When government makes things free, there’s usually unintended consequences,” said Satcher, who claimed that seeking federal funding could turn the matter into a political issue.
Will free bus fares improve traffic congestion?
Other commissioners pushed back on Satcher’s comments, arguing that solving traffic problems will benefit everyone.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with politics. I think it makes common sense,” said Commissioner Vanessa Baugh. “We have a traffic problem in Manatee County. We have to figure out a way to handle it.”
Free transit rides are not a new concept in Manatee County. MCAT has offered free rides on the Anna Maria Island trolley for nearly two decades. Fares are also free for seniors over 80 years old and children below the age of 5.
“The shining example is the trolley. It’s economic development. You can get around without stressing the roads,” said Commissioner Carol Whitmore.
MCAT bus rides will be free until May 1, 2024. Visit www.MyManatee.org for more information.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 9:16 AM.
