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Regional transit agency reports big ridership gains and asks Chesterfield County for $65,000 to sustain services
Summary
PDRTA reported rising ridership in Chesterfield County and requested roughly $65,000 in local support to maintain current services and about $95,000 to expand demand-response service; the agency highlighted high medical-trip usage and the benefits of local matching to leverage federal funds.
Chesterfield County Council received an update from the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA) on March 2, as the agency described rising ridership and asked the county for a modest local contribution to sustain and expand service.
Don Strickland, PDRTA executive director, told the council the system is on pace for roughly 525,000 passenger trips this fiscal year, up from about 401,000 last year. ‘‘This year, this fiscal year, over 1.4 million revenue miles, and we are ... this year we'll do 525,000 passenger trips,’’ Strickland said, citing strong year-over-year growth.
Strickland said Chesterfield County riders have a higher-than-average share of medical trips and that many riders do not have a vehicle at home. He explained the agency’s funding model—about two-thirds of operating revenue comes from federal funds and local matches amplify that investment—and asked Chesterfield County for $65,000 in local support for the coming year to sustain the level of services currently provided. ‘‘Our budget in Chester County is about $825,000. . . . The ask for this year from Chesterfield County is going to be basically where we’re standing about $65,000,’’ Strickland said.
He added that if the county wants a larger demand-response expansion with more drivers and vehicles, the local contribution would rise to about $95,000. Strickland described demand-response (door-to-door) service as especially effective for seniors and ADA riders and said the agency is pursuing partnerships, minivan purchases and outreach to expand usage without exceeding capacity.
Council members thanked PDRTA for growth and noted the county’s finance committee will review the request at its March 23 meeting. Councilwoman Burns and others signaled interest in sustaining the current service level and exploring options to support a modest expansion.
Next steps: PDRTA’s funding request will go to the county finance committee for review on March 23 and then be considered as part of the county’s budget process.
