Hearings set for PRTC increases

Three of the six public hearings focusing on the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission’s proposed fare increases to deal with a $1.6 million budget deficit will be held Tuesday and Wednesday.

The other three meetings will be held the following week and on Oct. 2, the PRTC board of commissioners will hear and likely vote on the proposed fare increase — one way PRTC plans to address the deficit that has resulted from a jump in fuel costs and an increase in passenger demand.

Over the course of just a few months, PRTC has all but exhausted the money set aside in its budget for additional trips to handle increased demands on service.

Between May and June, eight additional trips were added to the OmniRide commuter service to cope with an above-average increase that led to standing-room only situations on the buses that take commuters directly into Washington, D.C., and the Pentagon, said Christine Rodrigo, PRTC spokeswoman.

“As the gas prices went up so dramatically, they were seeing huge numbers of people turning to public transportation,” Rodrigo said.

In April, PRTC saw a 13.7 percent year-to-year increase in ridership, in May there was a 10.1 percent increase, and in June there was an 18 percent increase, she said.

But the increase in passenger fare revenues from the jump in riders is not enough to offset the added expenses, according to PRTC.

And cost of diesel fuel increased in a way PRTC’s fiscal 2009 budget didn’t anticipate, Rodrigo said.

Fuel was budgeted at $3 per gallon, but the fuel purchased in a contract for July through October averages at $4.28, according to PRTC.

OmniRide fare would increase from $4 to $4.75 for those with a SmarTrip pass and go from $5.50 to $6.50 for those who pay for cash.

Metro-Direct fare would increase from $2.10 to $2.40 for those with a SmarTrip pass and go from $2.50 to $3 for those paying cash.

PRTC is looking at two options for local bus service through the county, Manassas and Manassas Park. Under one proposed plan, fares for SmarTrip Card holders would not rise, but costs for those paying cash would jump from $1 to $1.25. In the second suggested scenario, all local riders —whether paying by cash or card — would see a fare of $1.10. Day passes would increase to $2.50.

If approved, the new pricing schedule would not go into effect until after November, PRTC said.

Board members will also hear a proposal to implement a fare indexing policy that calls for an increase average of once every two years, according to a PRTC a presentation that will be given at the upcoming public hearings.

In addition to a fare hike, PRTC is also asking for an additional $534,550 from Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park — its sponsoring jurisdictions — and are also planning to cut expenditures currently in the budget that are not vital for day-to-day operations, Rodrigo said.

PRTC public hearings
The Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission will be holding the following public hearings at Manassas City Hall, 9027 Center St., and the PRTC Transit Center, 14700 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge:
• Tuesday at Manassas City Hall. Separate hearings will be held at 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the PRTC Transit Center.
• Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the PRTC Transit Center.
• Sept. 11 at Manassas City Hall. Separate hearings will start be held at 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m.
Spanish and sign language interpreters will be present at all public hearings.
A presentation that will be shown during the hearings also may be viewed in English and in Spanish at http://www.PRTCtransit.org. Comments may be made verbally or submitted in writing during the hearings. Written comments also may be submitted via e-mail to or can be mailed or delivered to PRTC, 14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192. All written comments must be received by Sept. 12.