Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 20, 1994 TAG: 9404200088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER NOTE: below
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The proposal would increase Valley Metro's normal one-trip fare from $1 to $1.25 and extend the bus company's service from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
''We are very excited about this,'' said Steve Mancuso, general manager of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company. ''The public is telling us that this is what they want.''
Transit officials developed the new plan after nearly 90 percent of the 96 bus riders included in a recent survey said they would be willing to pay for extended service, Mancuso said.
''We were very pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming majority,'' he said.
A public hearing on the proposed changes is scheduled at 2 p.m. May 18 at Valley Metro's offices at 1108 Campbell Ave.
''No final decisions have been made,'' Mancuso stressed.
If a lot of people speak against the proposal at the public hearing, the idea could be scrapped, he said.
If the proposal is supported, it will be presented in June to City Council, which acts as Valley Metro's board of directors.
Mayor David Bowers said that while he would hate to see the bus fares go up, extended service hours could benefit downtown businesses.
Bowers said the later routes will allow downtown workers to eat dinner and shop before catching a bus to go home.
''While I never like to see the rates increase, in this world you don't get something for nothing,'' he said. ''That's the reality of life.''
Bishop Manns, who rides the bus several times a week, said he would have no problem paying an extra quarter if it means service will improve.
"If people miss the last bus, they have to find alternative transportation," he said. "In the short run, it will save them some money.''
In addition to raising the basic fare rates, the proposal also calls for rate increases in all ticket categories.
Student tickets and discount fares for the handicapped and elderly would jump a dime, from 50 cents to 60 cents.
"If it helped to run the buses later, it would be worth it," said Stephan Craighead, who is eligible for discount prices.
The cost for Valley Metro's STAR program would increase from $1.50 to $2. STAR - Special Transist Arranged Rides - is a taxi-like service available for citizens who have a disability that prevents them from riding the bus.
Basic monthly passes would go from $32 to $40 under the new proposal, and weekly passes would increase from $9 to $11. STAR monthly passes would be discontinued under the new plan.
Mancuso said the proposed rate increase is aimed solely at providing better service and isn't needed if the bus service just wants to maintain the status quo.
Roughly 5,300 people ride Valley Metro buses each day.
The transit manager said the additional service hours would be added to all 11 of Valley Metro's routes and would represent a 15 percent increase in service.
''Two hours may not sound like a lot, but it's a big jump,'' he said.
If approved, this would be Valley Metro's first fare increase since 1990.
The transit company would eventually like to extend its hours even more and also begin offering service on Sundays, Mancuso said.
Staff Writer Erika Bolstad contributed information to this story.
by CNB