Fort Worth Transit Ending Free Rides for Homeless

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority said it's planning to end free and reduced-cost bus rides for the homeless in October 2015.

Last year, the transit agency spent about $300,000 on the Fare Aid program, providing the free and marked-down bus passes to about 140 are agencies, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

The money from ending the program is expected to go toward transit projects, such as a proposed rail commuter line from downtown Fort Worth to Grapevine and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

"They say it is about the money, and I get that," said Cindy Crain, director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.

But she said a lack of transportation could push homeless people into more panhandling. She predicts more homeless people will walk to get to services and hospitals if another solution isn't found.

Transit agency spokeswoman Joan Hunter said the Fare Aid program started in 1990, assisting 13 agencies with $40,000.

"We are a public transit agency and not a social services agency, and this was limiting our ability to operate our services," Hunter said.

Donna Wesley became homeless in May because she couldn't get to work. She said the free bus passes were important in her job search.

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