|
It says right there on ARS 40-372, they cant charge
more then 5 cents for a one way ride on light rail.
Of course they won't obey the law!!!!
40-372. Street railways; fares; transfers
A. A street or interurban railroad shall not charge or receive more than five cents for one continuous ride in the same general direction within the corporate limits of any city or town, except upon a showing before the commission that a greater charge is justified.
B. Every street or interurban railroad shall upon such terms the commission finds just and reasonable furnish to its passengers transfers entitling them to one continuous trip in the same general direction over and upon the portions of its lines not reached by the originating car.
Source
Old law caps rail rides at 5 cents
by Melissa Blasius - Dec. 18, 2008 10:36 PM
12 News
METRO Light Rail could be overcharging its riders when it opens this month, according to some interpretations of a decades-old state law.
Back in the days of the old Phoenix trolley system, the state legislature set price caps for commuter railroads. Statute 40-372 reads, "A street or interurban railroad shall not charge or receive more than five cents for one continuous ride in the same general direction... except upon a showing before the [corporation] commission that a greater charge is justified." The 5-cent rail fare law is still on the books.
"We have many antiquated statutes in law that we just haven't cleaned up. That's one of them," says state Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix.
Former state Rep. Greg Patterson wrote about the law in his Espresso Pundit blog. "No one is saying it's really something that should be the law," Patterson tells 12 News. "The question is: Is it really the law?
Some state leaders say federal transit laws in the 1980s eliminated rail price caps nationwide, making the Arizona law non-binding. Legislators could end the confusion by repealing the statute when they return to session next month.
A METRO spokeswoman says light rail officials reviewed the law years ago and determined the price cap doesn't apply to the modern system. METRO advises riders to pay the posted fare. A regular one-way fare costs $1.25. METRO opens its light rail line on December 27.
|