Click the play button on the video window to the see the storyPHOENIX -- The cost to ride the Valley’s light rail and bus system went up this week, causing a lot of anger among some riders.
On Thursday, a 90-year-old man said he decided to do something about it.
“The police are going to have to pull me off in handcuffs,” the protester said while waiting at the bus stop near 7th and Campbell avenues.
Jay Boggs can barely walk and hardly see, but he knows a bad deal when he hears one.
The prices went up across the board this week, but that’s not what bothers him. It’s the fact that you have to pay more if you buy at the bus.
In fact, the cost is more than double the price it used to be.
“It used to be $1.25, now it’s $1.75 but they tell me if I buy at the bus it’s $2.60," Boggs said. "That’s nonsense.”
Valley Metro officials said the higher prices for purchase at the bus is an attempt to get riders to buy in advance and speed up the boarding process.
While this senior citizen staged his stand-in, refusing to sit or leave the bus, several paying passengers were stuck on board with a front row seat, watching and waiting for this unusual protest to unfold.
“I’m glad he is making a stand,” one rider said.
Another one wasn’t so happy: “If I miss my appointment I’m not going to get a chance to make another one today.”
Outside the bus, police started to gather, almost outnumbering the riders.
But it was Officer Mark O’Connell’s job to patiently drive toward a peaceful conclusion.
“It’s our job to keep things peaceful and come up with some solution,” O'Connell said.
After an hour of talking in circles, Boggs got off the bus, shook Officer O’Connell’s hand and walked back home.
He’s now facing a possible disorderly conduct charge, but he made his point.
“I just did what I had to do and we’ll see what comes of it,” said Boggs.
