WATA Seeking Public Opinion on Proposed Fare Changes

WATA Seeking Public Opinion on Proposed Fare Changes

By Amber Lester Kennedy Thursday, August 04, 2011

WATA is seeking public opinion on raising fare prices.

Riding the bus could soon become more expensive, but the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority is seeking public input before raising fares.

WATA will be hosting three meetings this month to gather public opinion, starting with a meeting at 5 p.m. today at the James River Community Center, located at 8901 Pocahontas Trail. The other meetings will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 9 in Suite 60 at the Williamsburg Outlet Mall and at 5 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Williamsburg Library Theatre. All meetings will be open to the public until 7 p.m.

For the first time since its beginning in 2008, WATA is considering raising fares. Surveys have indicated passengers would be willing to support fare changes, according to WATA, and its Daily Pass averages $1.14 lower than comparable transit programs around Virginia. Grants that provided for the Williamsburg Trolley, Sunday service and half-hour service will expire in the next year, pushing WATA to explore its fare options.

If WATA passengers support its proposal, the authority plans to ask its Board of Directors to approve a change in programs and fare prices at its September meeting, with the goal of launching the changes in January 2012.

WATA is proposing raising the fares on Daily Passes, Trolley fares and Student fares. Daily Passes would be raised from $1.50 to $2; for seniors and disabled persons, the increase would be from 50 cents to $1. Trolley fares would be raised from 50 cents to $1, and from 25 cents to 50 cents for seniors and disabled persons.

Middle and high school students currently ride WATA buses for free, but WATA is proposing a charge of 50 cents per ride for those students. College students will continue to ride for free as long as The College of William and Mary and Thomas Nelson Community College maintain contracts with WATA.

WATA is also proposing the introduction of new goWATA pass programs. They include:

• A 7-Day unlimited use pass for $10

• A 7-Day Senior/Disabled persons unlimited use pass for $5

• Book of six Daily Passes with no expiration for $10

• Book of six Senior/Disabled persons Daily Passes with no expiration for $5

• A 30-day unlimited use pass for $35

• A 30-day unlimited use pass for Seniors/Disabled persons for $17.50

Anyone unable to attend one of the three meetings can share his or her opinion by email; sending a fax to (757) 220-5493; sending a letter to Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, 7239 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185; sending a tweet here or by sharing a message on its Facebook.

Comments

+1 #2 Guest 2011-08-04 09:39

To put the burden on those who can least afford to pay their transportation costs seems par for the course for our country, and our region. Fiscal constraints are a reality for our localities, we know that. But these proposed increases amount to a 25%-100% increase in transportation costs for those who HAVE to use the system. What single-occupanc y vehicle driver would ever stand for such an increase in their transpo costs? At the same time, "we" continue to complain about congestion and bad drivers in the area. Making transportation alternatives affordable is a solution--unles s, of course, we're priced out of it.

Quote

+1 #1 Guest 2011-08-04 06:03

What great timing! Jobs are scarce and gas prices are through the roof, so lets raise the cost to ride the bus to insure those at the bottom of the income spectrum stay there.

Quote

Refresh comments list

Add comment

WYDaily invites you to join the community conversation. We expect civil discourse here. Personal attacks on others, indecent language and bad manners in general are unwelcome.

JComments