Well, we knew this was going to happen. When Capital Area Transportation Authority proposed taking over the MSU bus system not so long ago, students reacted by saying CATA would increase prices. Come on, it has a monopoly on public transportation in and around campus, it has no reason not to.

But it promised it would conduct the merger/takeover with the condition that prices would remain the same. Students all rolled their eyes and said, “Yeah, sure, for how long?”

Apparently, we got our answer.

I’m not saying the price increase is wrong, isn’t fair, justified or necessary. CATA is a business, too. But I do feel it did not listen to students, for whom this was a primary objection. It at least should have waited four years so most of the students who remember the debate would be gone. Or raise prices across the board so it does not look like it is targeting students. Do we really wonder why students have a lousy relationship with other citizens?

I’m not bothered by an extra quarter. I am bothered by a perceived lack of attention and CATA breaking its word that it would not raise prices.

Susan Mickelson
social work senior