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Durham leaders vow to keep GoDurham fare free while staff outline $10M-plus transit shortfall
Summary
City staff told council the GoDurham transit fund faces a structural deficit—driven by higher paratransit costs, contract wage increases and repair needs—and proposed options including eligibility changes, service cuts, tax increases or more county funding; council signaled no appetite to end fare-free service and asked for more analyses and regional talks.
Director Egan and the city manager told Durham City Council during a budget retreat that the GoDurham transit fund is projected to begin FY27 with a more than $10 million deficit and could grow to nearly $12 million by 2030 if current assumptions hold.
The presentation identified several contributors: a newly awarded ACCESS paratransit contract with step-up operator pay in 2025–2027, rising personnel costs and pandemic-related ridership declines that raised cost-per-trip. Staff said ADA paratransit trips taken outside the federal 3/4-mile eligibility zone represent about 16% of city-funded ADA trips with an associated cost near $1,350,000 annually. Other potential savings staff flagged included ending off-duty Durham Police coverage at Durham Station (estimated $1,200,000) and…
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