Tribune/Debra Reid Chef Josef Carver rides driver Cheryl Player's packed Citifare bus to work at Supper Club Zulu on Friday. Carver said he'd pay higher ticket prices to avoid cuts in bus service.
On Friday at the RTC RIDE bus station in downtown Reno, staff informed bus customers about the possible changes, and asked whether they prefer a cut in service, higher bus fares or a combination of the two.
In the morning, more than 150 bus customers commented on the proposed changes.
"They overwhelmingly said they don't want to see a reduction in service, that they'd rather pay a slightly higher fare," said Michael Moreno, RTC public affairs officer. "Most of them have said, 'Don't cut my route,' and are asking for an expansion of service. We hear that all the time. But with the economic situation, we can't look at expanding out to Spanish Springs at this time."
The possible fare hike and service reduction is expected to address a 5- to 7-percent shortfall in sales tax revenue from the last year and into the next fiscal year. The shortfall is estimated at between $800,000 and $1 million in revenue that the RTC doesn't expect to collect, Moreno said. Sales tax comprises 70 percent of the RTC transit budget, Moreno said.
To combat weak local sales tax revenues that are expected to continue for at least 18 months, the RTC is contemplating whether to eliminate between 2 and 3 percent of bus trips on some less traveled routes. However, RTC staff will not face layoffs because of the budget, Moreno said.
If a smaller fare hike is paired with a 5-percent cut to bus trips, rates would rise by 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for seniors and the disabled. Without any cut to bus service, fares could increase by 30 cents for adults and 15 cents for seniors and the disabled, Moreno said.
It could also mean an increase in the cost of monthly bus passes of between $5 and $10, Moreno said. However, the youth bus fare will not increase.
"One of the RTC's initiatives is to increase youth ridership," Moreno said. "One way we do that is to keep fares low."
Current bus fares are $1.75 for adults, $1.25 for youth ages 6-18, 85 cents for seniors over age 60, 85 cents for passengers who are disabled or receive Medicare and 55 cents for RTC Access on the RTC RIDE bus. Children younger than 5 years old ride for free, and bus transfers, which are valid for two hours, are also free.
Bus customers who were not able to share their comments on Friday can attend a public hearing on the changes at 9 a.m. on March 21 at the RTC main office, located at 2050 Villanova Drive, underneath Highway 395 off the Plumb Lane exit.
After the public hearing on March 21, changes approved by the RTC board will go into effect on May 4.
"It's important for us to hear from our RTC RIDE customers to determine the best scenario to address the fare increase and service reduction issues," said David Jickling, RTC director of public transportation. "We value their input."
The largest transit service, RTC RIDE, comprises 75 buses on 30 different routes throughout Sparks and Reno, covering 58 square miles. RTC RIDE provides nearly 9 million rides per year.
The last fare hike went into effect in August 2007, and resulted in a 5-cent increase in adult fare on RTC RIDE, Moreno said.
Information on longer-term bus passes and discounts is available online at: www.rtcwashoe.com/public-transportation-5-4.html.
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