MORGAN HILL
– The few South Valley residents who attended Tuesday’s public
hearing on a proposed increase to Valley Transportation Authority
rates were concerned with the rates, but more specifically about
how they affected seniors and the disabled.
MORGAN HILL – The few South Valley residents who attended Tuesday’s public hearing on a proposed increase to Valley Transportation Authority rates were concerned with the rates, but more specifically about how they affected seniors and the disabled.
VTA’s Board of Directors will not take action on the proposed rates until June 5, and the new rates, if approved, would go into effect on Aug. 1.
The largest proposed increases are in annual passes and in senior/disabled rates. An adult local year’s pass would increase from $495 to $577.50; an adult express pass would increase from $792 to $990; a senior/disabled monthly pass would increase from $11 to $20; and a senior/disabled 12-month pass would increase from $121 to $247.50.
According to VTA, fares have increased four times in the last 10 years. In July 1994, fares increased by 10 percent. In July 1997, the base fare was unchanged but pass prices and discount fares were raised. In July 1999, an increase of 14 to 15 percent was approved, and in July 2002, a fares went up by 17 percent. The average fare increase, over the past eight years, has been 3 percent per year.
VTA Finance Director Scott Buhrer said the increase comes for several reasons, but a major factor is the current economic situation. He displayed charts showing the pattern of area employment rates and the pattern of area ridership.
“As you can see, the level of ridership has taken on the same pattern as employment,” he said.
The decrease in sales tax revenue, also due to the economic situation, has contributed to a $100 million deficit VTA must reduce.
Funding for VTA, which is a non-profit company responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations, comes from half cent and quarter cent sales taxes, federal and state grants, State Transit Assistance, passenger fares and investment and advertising income.
“Currently, passenger fares cover only 10 percent of our operating expenses,” Buhrer said. “Seventy percent of VTA’s costs is labor. Labor is every transit agency’s biggest cost.”
Local residents attending the meeting at Morgan Hill City Hall were concerned that seniors on a fixed budget who depend on VTA for transportation would not be able to afford the increases.
“What’s the average income of our seniors compared to others in the area?” said a speaker who identified himself as a taxi driver. “I think VTA needs to look at other alternatives (than raising the fares).”
Buhrer said comments made during the eight public hearings held April 2 through 10 will be considered.
“The VTA wants to get your comments as to what fair prices might be,” he said. “Changes have already been made to the original (fare) proposal because of input from the public and the board.”
The issue of Outreach, the paratransit service provided by VTA, provoked many questions from residents at the meeting, though Buhrer said he was not prepared to answer those questions at the meeting. He said a special meeting to address those issues would be held on April 30 at 2 p.m. in the Gilroy City Council chambers, 7351 Rosanna St.
Morgan Hill resident Michael Margherita said he depends on the paratransit service.
“I live in an area that is out in the country, in the hills, and I would have no way of getting to my medical appointments without this service,” he said. “But we know this is a bad time, I get the gist of what you’re saying, and I don’t know where the cuts should come from.”
“At the end of the day, our board either needs to find a new revenue source or share more of the cost in fares,” said Buhrer.
