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RTA committees vote to cut routes, hike fees

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 9:34 PM Tuesday, June 23, 2009

DAYTON — Bus service cuts and fare increases were approved this morning, June 23, by Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority committees and will be sent to the full board for final action.

The finance/personnel and planning committees unanimously approved the changes recommended by Executive Director Mark Donaghy to resolve a projected $3.1 million 2009 deficit caused mostly by sharp declines in local sales tax revenues.

The full RTA board of trustees will vote July 7 on the proposal to raise adult bus fares 25 cents to $1.75, eliminate route 32 and reduce the frequency of service or the number of trips on a several other routes. The changes would take effect in August.

The committees went along with Donaghy’s decision to not eliminate routes 65 and 66, which are two popular senior citizen bus routes, and late-night service that is used mostly by second- and third-shift workers.

The proposed fare increase would boost annual revenues by $1.25 million and the service cuts would save $3.2 million annually, Donaghy said.

He said changing the original proposal won’t save as much money, but the revisions reflect serious concerns raised by riders. Cutting the elderly routes would have saved $140,208 annually and cutting night service would have saved nearly $1.27 million.

“I am very pleased that the staff did listen to the public hearing of comments of customers. That’s very evident by some of the changes that have been made,” said Trustee Richard Clay Dixon.

Donaghy said RTA has done everything it can to reduce costs, and without some additional revenue the transit system will need to look at major service cuts in the future, including night trips.

“Folks, we are about to run out of things to slice and dice here,” warned Donaghy. “We’ve still got a problem that needs to be fixed.”

Trustee Grafton Payne II said he was concerned about what continued cuts would do to the system.

“I feel that a transit authority has to have some core values in its operations to serve the needs of the people who depend on it. That is the only way they can get from here to there,” said Payne. “You don’t need a transportation company if we cut cut cut to the bare bone.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Proposed RTA Changes

All fares would go up except 25 cent transfers. Among the proposed changes. The current charge is in paranthesis:

Adults:

Cash fare - $1.75 ($1.50)
Tokens - 10 for $15 (10 for $11)
Weekly pass - $19 ($15)
Monthly pass - $55 ($45)

Seniors, the disabled and children aged 12 and under:

Cash fare - 85 cents (75 cents)
Tokens - 10 for $8.50 (10 for $7.50)
Monthly pass- $32 ($28)

Project Mobility:

Cash fare - $3.50 ($3)
Tickets - 10 for $35 (10 for $30)

Service Cuts:

Eliminate: Route 32 and Senior Citizens On the Town.
Reducing the frequency of service: Routes 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 24, and X-5.
Reduce the number of trips: Routes 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 24, 34, 61 and limited service.

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