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Move Sullivan officials review past fare trials, say costs exceeded revenues; five-year plan will examine options
Summary
County presenters recapped past fare-box experiments and a $2-per-ride pilot, which was discontinued in mid-2023 because collection costs exceeded revenue. Electronic fare-system quotes were cited at $250,000–$500,000; staff said a five-year plan will analyze revenue and route tradeoffs, including low-use Route E in Livingston Manor and Roscoe.
County transit staff reviewed the history of fare collection on Move Sullivan and described options under consideration as the county develops a five-year plan.
The county previously trialed low-cost mechanical fare boxes and a $2-per-ride structure (or three rides for $5) and collected fares until mid-2023. Staff said buses had to come into the government center for counting, required sheriff presence for collections, and that the administrative cost exceeded receipts. Staff reported quotes for electronic fare machines ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 for the system the county considered.
“...the decision was made, I think, August '23 is when we stopped doing it,” a transit presenter said. The presenter described community ideas such as low-cost annual passes and noted online or card-based passes would require upfront investment; a suggestion to price a year pass at $25 was discussed as an example, not a formal proposal.
Board members and the presenter agreed the county should weigh the administrative cost of collection, equity concerns about charging riders, and the economic benefits of Move Sullivan in enabling people to reach jobs and supporting local commerce. Staff said the transit five-year plan under development will examine fare-box options, ridership-based grant strategies and potential route redesigns to improve coverage while considering return on investment for low-use services (notably Route E in Livingston Manor and Roscoe). No fare change was adopted at the meeting.
Public commenters praised Move Sullivan’s role in helping residents get to work and suggested grants based on ridership as an alternative to higher fares.
