The Christiansburg Town Council held a special work session on Tuesday to gain an understanding of proposed public transportation options. Funding for expanded bus service in town is included in council’s proposed $36 million budget. At council’s May 5 meeting, members Ernest Wade and Jim Vanhoosier indicated they would not cast votes supporting the budget as presented if that approximate $200,000 for public transportation was included.
In beginning the work session, Mayor Dick Ballengee said "no one was opposed" to expanded bus service, but there was some concern about the wisdom of adding it now.
The town had supported a survey about public transportation needs and possible use patterns last fall. This was conducted by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which used about one year’s worth of funding to complete the study for the town. Survey results were presented to council on April 7, and included a proposed timeline for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding between the town and Blacksburg and an initial implementation this October.
Council heard again that public transit serves as a tool for economic development and is an option for all citizens, regardless of income, age or race. Traditionally, public transportation serves students, tourists, seniors and low-income households but remains a choice for anyone looking for ways to manager personal budgets.
Costs for the initial six options were based on an estimated “revenue hourly rate” of $55 and presumed rider fares would be similar to those currently charged riders of the Two Town Trolley or Blacksburg Transit (BT).
BT currently provides 2.6 million rides a year, with 95% of its ridership revolving around Virginia Tech. It derives 14% of its budget from fares and Virginia Tech fees include mandatory bus fares, whether used or not.
BT Transit Director Rebecca Martin stressed that successful systems were as seamless as possible, when responding to Councilman Mike Barber’s question about charging all riders a fare (including those with pre-paid passes for other BT routes).
The options before council now allow them the flexibility to determine hours of operations, actual location of bus stops and which of the six options they want to fund. The proposed routes include a downtown loop, mall circulator, deviated fixed route (allowing call-ahead, scheduled pick up points off of standard routes); flex routes, and commuter routes within the town or between Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Council could also determine if transfers between service routes, and time limits these transfers would be valid, as well as costs for monthly passes.
Councilman Brad Stipes said it would take some time for a majority of people “grow to understand” how the system works. Ms. Martin pointed out BT administrative staff would take care of special scheduling and said, “Please expect your calls to be answered by a person. This staff person will be able to determine where you are, where you want to go, and what the best (public transportation) option for you may be.”
Ms. Martin stressed Christiansburg was in a very good position because capital costs (which includes the purchase of vehicles) is typically 90% state and federal funds with a 10% local match. Operational costs are typically a 50/50 match of local and state/federal funds. Combined, actual costs typically had 70% covered by state/federal sources and 30% by a locality.
Assuming council would implement all six options offered, actual expenses for Christiansburg would equate to 23% match for 77% covered by state and federal funds. This would include six vehicles the town could “brand” and excludes any sponsorships, fares or paid advertising the Christiansburg system could generate. The first year would be a partial year, covering only nine months and is projected to have a cost of $211,712. The second year, or phase two, would cover a full 12 months and is projected to have a local cost of $294,116.
Council is scheduled to have conducted the upcoming budget’s Second Reading at its May 19th meeting. Adoption of the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget may occur at this meeting or deferred until a future meeting. Localities are required to have new budgets adopted by June 30 and fiscal years begin effective July 1.