Published: May 30, 2008 6:00 a.m.
Citilink to plead for cash
Proposal to raise fares, cut routes would cost jobs
By Benjamin Lanka
The Journal Gazette
Citilink officials plan to attack its $1 million budget shortfall with an open hand.
While the Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation on Thursday discussed increasing fares and slashing services, its members made it clear they also plan to seek money from wherever they can get it.
The public transit corporation will conduct an extensive public relations push over the next several weeks, including a meeting with Fort Wayne City Council on June 10 to request any money available.
“We’re asking for funds anywhere we can get it,” board President Fred Lanahan said.
The board faces a nearly $1 million budget deficit because of skyrocketing fuel costs and a loss of more than $500,000 in property tax revenues from the state board members blamed on a technicality.
To keep the service solvent, the board Thursday proposed a plan to increase fares and cut service routes. The proposal would increase regular daily fares from $1 to $1.25 and its reduced fares from 50 cents to 60 cents. It would also eliminate its transfer program, requiring customers who switch buses to pay two fares.
To counter those increases, Citilink would begin offering a $3 day pass to provide unlimited rides for a day. The $45 monthly pass would not be increased in an effort to encourage riders to use it.
Along with the increases, the bus system would reduce the frequency of several bus routes and eliminate Route 5, which stretches from Coliseum Boulevard and Crescent Avenue to Tillman Park.
Marie Dunbar, 37, of Fort Wayne, said she wasn’t concerned about the fare increases, but it would be devastating to cut so much bus service.
“My biggest concern is the buses keep running and the drivers still have their jobs,” she said.
The service cuts would result in the elimination of seven part-time bus drivers and six full-time drivers, according to John Bartosiewicz, Citilink’s acting general manager.
Dunbar, a certified nursing assistant who regularly rides the bus, said it might be wise to ask the public to help raise money to keep the bus service afloat.
During the next few weeks, Citilink officials will meet with passengers, local officials and residents to plead their case.
Part of the presentation will be to ask for help contacting state and local legislators about finding money for the service, Bartosiewicz said.
While Citilink has made pleas to state legislators and Gov. Mitch Daniels, Bartosiewicz said it often is more effective for those arguments to come from regular residents.
Lanahan said if the board is successful in raising some money, it could forgo some of the service cuts, but he is unsure that will happen.
“We’ve got a million-dollar deficit against a $10 million budget and something has to give,” he said.
The public-input sessions on the proposal begin Monday during peak morning and evening hours at Citilink’s Superior Street transfer station. The board is scheduled for a final vote on the proposed changes June 19 so they could take effect in July.
Thank-you Mitch, once again.