In the editorial Squeezing the city (Free Press, January 18) the writer offereed the opinion that "...the transit market can probably bear an increase (of five cents)." Taken by itself, one nickel does not seem a staggering burden. However, should the latest hike be followed through, the transit fare will have doubled from 40 cents to 80 cents during the six-year period from 1979 to 1985.

This represents an annual rate of inflation of roughly 17 per cent, far outstripping the official cost-of-living index Canada-wide. In fact, if Winnipeg Transit continues to increase its fares in the proportion prevailing at present, the day is approaching when it will have priced itself out of the reach of those customers in need of its service.

Such an eventuality would signify an ironic end to the mission embraced by public transit when it was founded. The takeover of private transit companies by municipal governments across North America represented a pragmatic compromise.

Workers could not afford to pay the fares private transit operators felt they had to charge in order to maintain a healthy profit picture. In the interests of all concerned, city hall agreed to buy out the traction companies and shoulder the burden of the running and financing of the system — including the subsidies required to hold fares down. That historic compact appears to be teetering on the brink of either breaking down or being explicitly renounced.

The fare spiral could be defeated simply by abolishing user-pay in favor of financing out of the pot of general municipal tax collections. Transit would thus be put on a par with other public services regarded as vital.

As for the private sector's responsibilities toward transit, it must be made to surrender an increased share of the cost. Perhaps the payroll tax might be the appropriate instrument. A major portion of it could be dedicated to transit. Barring the elimination of fares, employers ought instead to be obligated to purchase monthly or yearly transit passes for their staff, which would certainly trigger major gains in ridership.