Bad timing for transit hike

A Jan. 18 article about a shake-up in transportation roles suggested that Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin weeps over a northwest Spokane loss of a representative on STA. She, a self-proclaimed conservative, with Al French, Valley representatives and County Commissioner Mark Richard, raised fares on STA riders. Why, I may ask, in tough times do you raise rider rates to grow a money stash? Was it for special interest in light rail?

I take a populist view that STA services should be “a free for all ride” and truly cut bad air sources, help our local economy and develop a citizen-bus culture. Everyone understands that the feds are likely to support green public transit. We must not hand that money over to landowners who greatly benefit, while our common good suffers.

John Heffernan

Spokane