$1 Hele-On Bus fare approved. Do you agree? (Hilo: sales, income)

[Cartoonemon]

Some Bus Riders to Pay $1 Fee with New Budget

June 2, 2011
By Sherry Bracken
Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday to institute a $1 fare each way for Hele-On Bus riders starting July 1. This was one item in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s budget that had some controversy to it. The Hele-On Bus has been free, countywide, since 2005 under Mayor Harry Kim’s administration. With this decision, the fare will be charged to all except children under 5, seniors, students, and riders from disabilities. There will be discount passes — 10 rides for $7.50, or a monthly unlimited pass for $30.
The fee is estimated to add $567,000 into the budget. Some testifiers in the past, including Council Member Pete Hoffman, have said it’s not rational to charge people to ride the bus to work while continuing to subsidize golf in East Hawaii and pay for the County Band. The Council did cut the subsidy for West Hawaii to save $500,000, but maintained support for subsidizing golf at Hilo Municipal Golf Course at a cost of around $300,000. They also will continue to subsidize the County Band, which costs around $240,000 for East Hawaii (including $66,000 for the band director) and $45,000 for West Hawaii.

I think the reason given in this article is convincing enough. It's not rational to subsidy the golf band while you charge citizen a bus fare.

[McFrostyJ]

I didn't know they had the bus on the Big Island. How is the service?

[Joliefille]

It seems reasonable to me. You couldn't keep a car for 10 or 12 dollars per week. I do think the Golf courses should be self-supporting or sold, but I hate golf, so thats just me!

[mdand3boys]

By charging $1, they will not raise as much money as they claim. Many people will simply use the bus less or resort to more hitch-hiking, which is very prevalent on the island already. I would be surprised if they raised $300,000 by doing so.

The golf course and county band issues are both examples of things that should not be taxpayer supported. The government should be in the business of providing essential services, which do not include golf and bands.

[Vaedrem]

Originally Posted by Cartoonemon

It's not rational to subsidy the golf band while you charge citizen a bus fare.

I agree. The golf subsidy is pretty ridiculous, and if people relying on heleon (likely) can't pay, then they will just find other solutions. It's doubly sad that this money won't even go to expanding bus service, but apparently paying for unrelated stuff.

[Ryan.]

I whole heartedly support charging for the bus service. Why should it be free? Makes no sense. In addition, I think it very likely that the majority of bus riders are not tax paying citizens.

I also agree we should do something about the golf and band subsidies.

[Cartoonemon]

Originally Posted by Ryan.

I whole heartedly support charging for the bus service. Why should it be free? Makes no sense. In addition, I think it very likely that the majority of bus riders are not tax paying citizens.

Do you mean students, seniors and disables?
For students, they're going to be taxpayers soon.
For seniors, they used to distribute many things while they were in working age.
For disables, it is about humanitarian aids.

However, taxes are not only income tax but also sales tax (genaral excise tax in HI).
I don't think there's any person can lives his/her life without being a consumer.
Thus, everybody is a taxpayer by either direct or indirect ways.