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Waccamaw Regional Transit Authority presents FY26 budget with pay increases, service additions and vehicle replacements
Summary
The Waccamaw Regional Transit Authority presented and the council approved a FY26 budget that includes a new compensation plan to address 30% driver turnover, targeted raises for mechanics/supervisors/drivers, service additions funded in part by federal formula funds, and plans to receive four new buses by March.
The Waccamaw Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) presented its fiscal year 2026 budget to Horry County Council on Sept. 23 and secured council approval to release FY26 payments.
Speaker 2, presenting the WRTA budget, said the agency faces high turnover—about 30% among drivers in calendar year 2024—and proposed a new compensation plan with targeted increases for mechanics, road supervisors and drivers. "We did do comparison to Horry County, school systems, Grand Strand water and sewer… the largest increases were for those three categories," Speaker 2 said. The presenter described the plan as representing about 4% annual wage growth over the next three years, geared to reduce turnover and improve operator experience.
Speaker 2 outlined projected expenses and revenues: roughly a $1.6 million increase in total expense compared with FY25 revised, about $11.15 million in additional labor-related costs (presenter phrasing), and approximately $12.6 million in identified revenues providing a modest projected surplus. He also said formula funds (the presenter referenced 'bride/ride' formula funding) have replaced roughly $3 million previously contributed by the county and municipalities and that WRTA plans modest service increases tied to that funding, including roughly three buses' worth of additional peak service (about $400,000 for a quarter's service). Four new buses are expected to arrive by March to replace aging equipment.
The budget also includes an operational-reserve target change—from 5% to about two months (roughly 16%)—to comply with funding-agreement reserve requirements. Speaker 2 said some deferred capital (including a maintenance facility) remains a priority and that WRTA is negotiating to acquire property on Grissom Parkway and awaiting news on a grant application to support a transit center and maintenance facility.
Council members asked questions during the presentation; the council approved the budget and authorized release of October and future FY26 payments by voice vote.
