110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
386-734-4622
By Al Everson
posted Jun 13, 2008 - 1:41:53pm
Votran officials and transportation planners want to hear customers' thoughts and ideas about the mass-transit service's routes and charges.
Votran has slated a series of public meetings on possible changes in the service.
"I think the proper thing to do is to go out and seek public input," County Council Member Art Giles said.
Higher costs — especially for fuel — and uncertainties about future funding are forcing Volusia County leaders to consider revamping the county's bus system, including perhaps slashing routes and raising fares.
"Certainly this is not the time to reduce bus service," County Council Member Carl Persis said. "I just will not support eliminating routes. ... Should the fares go up? Yeah, but we should not eliminate the service."
To keep Votran from bleeding too much red ink, the council may be hard-pressed to avoid reducing or even canceling bus runs that have low ridership.
"We provide a tremendous amount of service," Votran General Manager Lois Bollenbach said.
Votran logged almost 3.4 million boardings last year.
Are these trips necessary?
Following a series of public meetings this month, the County Council may decide in July what routes and schedules will be affected, and whether fares will be increased.
Among Bollenbach's recommendations for saving money are:
• Eliminating Route 200, also known as the Orlando Express, which has three buses going to Orlando from Orange City each weekday morning, and three return buses each weekday afternoon
• Eliminating Route 24, which serves Northwest Volusia with three buses making round trips between DeLand and Seville six days per week
• Eliminating Saturday service on Route 60, which connects DeLand and Daytona Beach
• Reducing service in Southeast Volusia, to concentrate coverage in New Smyrna Beach
• Eliminating service on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day
• Eliminating the beachside trolley service
• Changing routes, stops and schedules for buses serving Ormond Beach and Port Orange
Rising costs force decisions
Bollenbach recommended these changes because of low ridership. If all the recommended changes were implemented, Votran would save about $1.3 million a year, based on information submitted to the council.
Votran's proposed 2008-09 budget amounts to $19.5 million. Only 12 percent of that total, or about $2.3 million, comes from the riders.
The rest comes from federal, state, and local government agencies. While Votran receives subsidies from the Federal Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation, the lion's share of the bus system's funding — almost $8.8 million — comes from the county, which allocates revenues from local-option gasoline taxes and property taxes.
Although patronage is rising as some motorists try to save money by using public transportation instead of their own cars, steep increases in fuel prices are pressuring Votran executives and county leaders to seek savings.
Fuel, in fact, is becoming a major issue in the bus system's operations. Bollenbach noted Votran paid $1.40 for a gallon of diesel in 2004, but will soon be paying at least $4.
If the trend holds, fuel will account for almost 22 percent of Votran's estimated 2008-09 budget, a marked contrast to the 10 percent of budget money spent on fuel in 2004. Other cost increases, Bollenbach said, include labor and insurance.
There is uncertainty about the future funding of mass transit at all levels, especially at the state and local levels, because of tax and spending reforms.
Funding from gasoline taxes may be at risk, because as the prices of fuel soar, people are driving less and, therefore, buying less fuel.
Hurting those in need?
The idea of paring bus and paratransit services troubled county officials. Paratransit is the on-demand service provided to senior citizens and the disabled who have special needs that aren't met by the fixed-route service.
Despite the low ridership on several bus routes, County Chair Frank Bruno said Route 24 is necessary for Northwest Volusia residents who need the medical and retail-business services in DeLand.
"It's a lifeline," Bruno said.
Persis, whose District 4 covers Northeast Volusia, including Ormond Beach, said some of his constituents are elderly and can no longer drive.
"Trapped in their homes — that's a horrible way to live," said Persis.
To stave off isolation, Persis suggested the county allow people 66 and older to ride Votran's for free. To offset the possible losses in revenue and rising costs for fuel, Persis said the council should raise the bus fares.
Votran's fare is $1.25 per ride. The County Council hiked the fare last year. Frequent riders often save by purchasing passes.
Charging more to ride Votran and/or dropping services would also be a setback for the working poor, those who are unable to afford to buy or drive their own cars.
"We serve a segment of the community that needs us," Bollenbach said.
County Manager Jim Dinneen acknowledged the council faces some difficult choices.
"In some cases, you change fares, you lose riders," he said.
Dinneen said government austerity is taking its toll.
"The citizens don't expect the cuts to come this way," he said.
DeLand resident John Sinquefield claimed Routes 60 and 200 should remain intact.
"This area needs a regional transportation system," Sinquefield said.
Michael Mading, a Hontoon homeowner who said his wife rides the Orlando Express, said the county should change its transportation policy.
"We need to stop building roads," he said. "We need to push public transportation."
The public meetings on possible changes in Votran's service are as follows:
• June 17, 4-6 p.m., Deltona City Hall, 2345 Providence Blvd.
• June 17, 4-6 p.m., Training Room of the Thomas C. Kelly County Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave, DeLand
• June 18, 4-6 p.m., Votran Headquarters, 950 Big Tree Road, South Daytona
• June 19, 4-6 p.m., Brannon Center, 105 Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach
Please note the simultaneous public meetings in Deltona and DeLand.
For more information, contact Votran at (386) 736-2700 or (386) 756-7496, ext 4112, or visit www.votran.org.
Reader Comments
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I disagree about the discounted fares for most seniors. Most of us can afford the regular fares better than those with families to support. Rather than cut services raise fares and eleminate the discounted senior fare. I think it is ridiculous to provide free transit for persons over 66.
It does take longer to ride the bus most of the time but it is also great not to have the stress of driving and dealing with traffic, bad drivers, parking places and road rage. If I could drive, I would still ride the bus most of the time.
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