PRTC: Service cuts, higher fares, won’t save bus service

Officials are trying to figure out how to keep PRTC buses rolling in 2017.

There’s been more talk, but not much action to address the looming $9 million annual shortfall for Prince William County’s transit system.

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) operates bus service and has a hand in Virginia Railway Express. At the PRTC commissioners meeting last week, they talked about an impending $9 million budget shortfall that could halt bus service in its tracks.

PRTC only has until March 2016 to make changes before they’re forced to make some drastic cuts to bus service. Any changes will be implemented in July 2016.

Current funding is not enough

According to PRTC’s Executive Director Eric Marx, the cost for bus services is exceeding their funding. The transit agency’ is funded primarily through a 2.1% motor fuels tax which is imposed on jurisdictions that are members of PRTC, according to spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo.

The motor fuels tax rate is not enough to sustain current bus services, and by 2017 there will be a $7 million shortfall, and an additional $9 million shortfall every year after, said Marx.

“We’ve known about the [budget] concern for quite a while…and then the fuel prices fell, and we lost about 25% of our revenue, which squarely moved the problem up into fiscal year 2017…cuts alone aren’t going to be able to do all we have to do to solve the problem, unfortunately,” said Marx.

According to PRTC’s fiscal year 2015 budget, it receives $11.5 million in federal funding and $3 million from state grants. It also receives subsidies from the localities – $14.7 million from Prince William, $329,800 from Manassas, $245,900 from Manassas Park, $89,300 from Stafford, $28,500 from Fredericksburg, and $84,100 from Spotsylvania.

There are currently three potential scenarios on the table that Marx presented to the commission.

The first would cut 35% of all service – including local and commuter service – across the board, which would save $1.8 million a year and lose PRTC 2,350 riders a day, according to PRTC documents.

The second option would be to eliminate all local OmniLink services, which would save $3.1 million a year and lose 4,300 PRTC riders a day, said PRTC documents.

And the third scenario: cut all local OmniLink service, and eliminate the remaining services in half, which would save only $6.1 million. The transit system expects to lose 7,450 riders a day under this plan, according to PRTC documents.

None of these scenarios would allow PRTC to make up the full $9 million budget shortfall.

PRTC has a few options

Marx stated that PRTC had some options to find some cost savings and generate additional revenue.

An audit from the county’s independent auditor will be done this fall, to take a closer look at PRTC’s budget. Then the Prince William board of supervisors will provide budget guidance in December, and authorize any service reductions in March.

“Because we’ve been as lean and as self-critical as we have when trying to provide as much service, I don’t think there are an awful lot of [efficiencies] out there…we could consider additional revenue sources…any major services are going to result in a large reduction for riders,” said Marx.

According to Marx, PRTC budgets for a 7.5% fare increase to riders every other year, but a more frequent increase is possible – with a potential consequence.

“Obviously we can consider higher fares – again, what that will definitely do – because it will chase people away from the system…we will just chase people away [from riding],” said Marx.

Marx said adding a floor to the motor fuels tax could help alleviate the budget shortfall. This change would need to be made through the General Assembly in Richmond.

“Because of the drop in fuel prices, we lost about $2.1 million per year…and [we’re] going to lose roughly another $3 million in revenue [because of fuel prices],” said Marx.

A floor on the motor fuels tax would provide a bare minimum that PRTC could account for in their budget each year, which currently fluctuates based on the gas prices.

Additionally, Marx asked for general fund monies from the county, and some funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.

“Treading water”

Fredericksburg City Councilman Matthew Kelly, who serves on the PRTC Commission, spoke about his concerns on how Prince William County has been handling transit.

“Let’s face it in Prince William; you’ve been treading water on transportation for decades, barely keeping your head above water,” said Kelly.

Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson stated that she had concerns with the lack of riders she has seen on the OmniLink local service.

Coles District Supervisor Marty Nohe stated that OmniLink service needs to be preserved as the community continues to change.

“We have some very serious challenges. There’s no question that Prince William County’s going to continue to be in the transit business – both in terms of providing commuter service…but as well as that local service around town, which is going to grow more and more important as the community changes and grows. I don’t know how we’re going to solve the problem…I look forward to doing the work to make sure we continue to keep Prince William County commuters moving,” said Nohe.