PRTC pushes back fare hike hearings

More snow prompted a local transit agency to reschedule two public hearings about a proposed fare increase to next week.

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission originally scheduled two public meetings this week about a proposed 10 percent fare increase for riders on OmniRide commuter buses and a 9 percent fare increase for OmniLink and Cross-County Connector buses.

The snow forced the transit agency to reschedule the hearings to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the PRTC Transit Center on Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge and to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25 at Manassas City Hall on Center Street in Manassas.

The public hearings are in addition to two online forums held on the transit agency's Web site, one held Tuesday and another scheduled for noon Thursday, at prtctransit.org.

Under the fare increase, OmniRide customers who currently pay $6.50 cash, or $4.75 with a SmarTrip card would now pay $7 cash, or $5.25 with SmarTrip. Metro Direct riders currently pay $3 cash; $2.40 with SmarTrip would pay $3.30 cash or $2.65 with a SmarTrip card.

Additionally, if Congress chooses to extend a $230 transit subsidy included in a recent stimulus bill beyond January 2011, and the fare increase is approved, an additional 25 cents will be added to fares on OmniRide commuter buses.

The public hearings come as the transit agency works on approving its $30.4 million 2011 operating budget, which could take effect July 1. The agency's director, Alfred H. Harf, said the fare increase is necessary as the agency has nearly used all of its financial resources to deal with increased ridership growth during its first six months of the fiscal year.

PRTC is funded by the federal government and with monies from the region's 2.1 percent motor fuels tax.

Prince William County, the agency's largest funding source will use $14.6 million in FY 2011 to fund the agency, and has been able to do so because of a surplus of money collected in 2008 when gas prices were topping out at $4 per gallon. That surplus, officials said won't last forever.

Residents who participated in the online forum Tuesday questioned Harf on topic of bus maintenance, why they saw so many Dale City commuter buses operating half full while other routes in Lake Ridge are standing room only, and about the $230 federal commuter benefit the agency took into account in their proposed fare increase.

"Not everyone receives the 230 per month. I work for the state government and they only cover $115 per month at this point in time. I have also been told that even the federal government employees do not necessarily receive the full 230 per month. In other words, I spend 200 per month on commuting in which the state gives me $115. I am now going to have to spend more money out of my own pocket to cover the expense of commuting on your buses," said Jamie, from Dumfries.

In addition to the forums, the agency is accepting written comments mailed to the PRTC offices at 14700 Potomac Mills Road Woodbridge, Va. 22192, or e-mailed to publichearing@omniride.com.

The agency will review the comments and finalize a proposal by spring.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.