Lately, Mayor Greg Stanton has proudly stated that the city of Phoenix Public Transit program is an economical success.
REALLY? Let’s take a look at the city of Phoenix Public Transit Department 2011-12 Operating Budget. Total operating budget (for 2011-12) is $247 million, less than 18 percent is recovered from revenue. For every single dollar the city spends on public transportation, the taxpayer pays 82 cents. Cost to taxpayers each year is a minimum of $203 million, which equals the projected revenue from more than four food taxes.
How can our mayor and city of Phoenix justify this, knowing that total deficit for the city in fiscal year 2010-11 and 2011-12 was/is $336 million? This is a financial disaster FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
And by the way, one of the many benefits the city’s 15,000 employees have is FREE public transportation. Our newly elected mayor promised us transparency, is this transparency? Is this what we would characterize as an economical success?
Per Klype
