The Westmorland Transit Board will meet Thursday night to discuss a possible fare increase for riders in a popular shared-ride program. If it passes, the fare hike would take effect Oct. 1.
Westmoreland County Transit’s shared ride program provided 177,000 trips last year. It’s primarily used by seniors and runs daily. According to Westmoreland County Transit Authority Executive Director Alan Blahovec, they’re using their last COVID-19 relief funds to subsidize the program.
“We’ve not had a fare increase since 2018,” Blahovec said. “When you look at things like the price of gasoline, it’s gone up 45% since then. Our drivers’ hourly wage has gone from $13.91 to starting at $18 with a wage scale. It’s just the price of everything has increased, and we’ve put this off as long as we can.”
If the change passes, Westmoreland County Transit will see a 24.7% increase in the incoming funds, but that 24.7% will be spread among riders.
“The amount of the increase that the rider will see depends on what program they are in, the fare distance they go, and the purpose of the trip at some points,” Blahovec said.
The amount of fare distance would also change. Rather than the typical eight distance options, it will be six.
“The most that a senior Rider will see is a $3 trip increase that could go the whole way down to nothing for trips over 30 miles,” said Blahovec
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