THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200439
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHAWN M. TERRY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Tidewater Regional Transit plans to increase its base fare for bus service by 40 cents but eliminate a 55-cent surcharge for riding across transit zones.
The change, scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, means that passengers traveling short distances will pay $1.50 instead of $1.10, but those taking longer rides will pay less.
The fare changes are part of TRT's latest effort to cut expenses and increase ridership.
TRT executive director James C. Echols said federal funding is expected to drop by 44 percent - or $1.2 million - in fiscal year 1996.
``The fare increase will produce revenue to offset the reduction,'' Echols said.
TRT's new base fare is about on par with most major cities, said Linda Minner, marketing coordinator for TRT.
About 20 elderly and disabled riders spoke against the new fare plan Wednesday evening at a hearing at TRT's headquarters. The change has upset passengers who travel short distances.
``I don't think that's right,'' said Anna Isom of Norfolk, sitting in her motorized wheelchair. ``You mean to tell me I will still have to pay a flat rate when I just have to go a block away from where I live to church?''
Isom, living on a fixed income, said she could not afford the increase.
Although the 40-cent increase could affect an average of 12,000 people a day, riders can escape the fare hike by buying Super Saver ticket books - a book of 10 tickets for $10.
``It only takes a ticket to board,'' said Minner, of TRT. ``By eliminating zone charges, our customers could ride anywhere in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach for one flat fare.''
Forty percent of TRT's 20,000 average daily riders travel through at least one transit zone. They actually will pay less under the new fare structure, Minner said. Now, those passengers pay at least $1.65.
As part of its fare restructuring, TRT will:
Charge the base fare for downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth zones rather than the current 25-cent charge within downtown zones.
Change the Handi-Ride rate from $2.20 to $3 but eliminate a $1.10 zone charge.
Change the Maxi-Ride rate from $2.20 to $3 but offer Ticket Book and Fare Cutter Card.
TRT's plan will be forwarded to the Tidewater Transportation District Commission for adoption in September.
TRT estimates it will gain nearly 137,000 riders and $70,000 in revenue a year by simplifying its fare structure.
Over the past 10 years, fare increases and route cuts instituted to make up budget shortfalls have caused ridership to drop dramatically. This in turn, has led TRT to further raise fares and drop more routes.
But a recent upswing in ridership has TRT officials optimistic.
``Revenue and passenger ridership is up,'' said A. Jeff Becker, TRT service development manager. ``We've had some success, and it's better than we expected.''
Jimmy Edge of Moyock, N.C., said he is pleased with the base fare change because now ``I don't have to go through the hassle of the zone check.''
KEYWORDS: TIDEWATER REGIONAL TRANSIT INCREASE FARE PRICE INCREASE
by CNB