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Committee authorizes 30-day public comment period on proposed Winchester Transit fare increases
Summary
Finance committee members directed staff to begin a 30-day public comment period on proposed fare increases for Winchester Transit intended to cover a projected operating shortfall after service changes.
The Winchester City Finance Committee directed staff to begin a 30-day public comment period on proposed fare increases for Winchester Transit, with staff to return to the committee after the comment period with feedback for final action.
Perry, a transit staff presenter, said the council's recent service change left the city operating a single-loop route and that operating costs for the loop exceeded initial assumptions. Perry presented proposed fare increases that would raise the loop route fare from $1.00 to $1.50, the Laurel Ridge route from $2.00 to $3.00, and the WinReady service from $1.50 to $2.00. Perry said the package would generate "about 45,000" dollars in additional annual revenue.
Committee members reviewed the arithmetic against the service's projected shortfall. One committee member recapped earlier figures: operating the loop route would cost about $43,000 for the year; modifications to the Laurel Ridge route saved about $15,000, leaving an approximate $28,000 shortfall that the fare increase and other measures would cover. Perry explained federal funding rules that calculate federal operating support after fares and state contributions are subtracted; roughly 50% of the remaining net operating cost is then covered by federal funds and the remainder by the local general fund.
Committee members discussed ridership levels and comparisons with other systems. Perry noted some peer agencies operate fare-free and that "our current fares are certainly very comparable with other places." Members expressed concern about the potential for fares to suppress ridership but concluded the proposed increases appeared reasonable and directed staff to advertise the possible increases and begin a 30-day public comment period. Perry said the public comment period could start "later this afternoon" and staff would return to the finance committee in August with comments and proposed action.
Next steps: staff will advertise and run a 30-day public comment period on the proposed fare increases and report back to the finance committee with public input and a recommendation.
