No plans for Razorback Transit to charge public
Brian Lofton
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: News
Some people, including bus drivers, think that UA buses being open to the public is justifiable.
"The majority of non-students who utilize the bus usually can't afford a vehicle of their own," Seither said. "There is a certain grace to extend courtesy to those who are less fortunate."
Seither and the transit crew enjoy providing a beneficial and crucial service for economically challenged families at no charge; however, government assistance is something Seither fears may lessen within the next few years, he said.
"We have to keep an open mind in the event the Northwest Arkansas region [reaches a population of 200,000]," he said.
If this occurs, the TPD will lose about $450,000 in operational expenses from the federal government, which could possibly result in TPD reverting to a public payment method.
Seither also said he fears federal grant-reduction would cause a number of other problems.
One means of covering the lost funds would be to charge the public.
Seither mentioned a list of investments and drawbacks the TPD would incur from the reform: card swipes, coin collectors and maintenance for the machines, along with many other expenses.
He mentioned that Razorback Transit would lose a large number of its riders, and it would not obtain enough fair funds to cover even one-fourth of its expenses.
Also, as transit riders will be forced to either pay or confirm use a UA ID, a lag in the boarding and exiting process might occur.
Raising student fees would not be an alternative solution to remaining cost, Seither said.
The TPD is not allowed to increase at a rate of more than 5 percent over time, so a heavy fee increase would not be a feasible solution, he said.
As much as TPD officials do not look forward to the shrinking of federal funds and a possible requirement of public fares, a business decision will be made to keep Razorback Transit performing its duty to UA students and the Fayetteville transit dependants.
"All options remain open at this time," Seither said.
"The majority of non-students who utilize the bus usually can't afford a vehicle of their own," Seither said. "There is a certain grace to extend courtesy to those who are less fortunate."
Seither and the transit crew enjoy providing a beneficial and crucial service for economically challenged families at no charge; however, government assistance is something Seither fears may lessen within the next few years, he said.
"We have to keep an open mind in the event the Northwest Arkansas region [reaches a population of 200,000]," he said.
If this occurs, the TPD will lose about $450,000 in operational expenses from the federal government, which could possibly result in TPD reverting to a public payment method.
Seither also said he fears federal grant-reduction would cause a number of other problems.
One means of covering the lost funds would be to charge the public.
Seither mentioned a list of investments and drawbacks the TPD would incur from the reform: card swipes, coin collectors and maintenance for the machines, along with many other expenses.
He mentioned that Razorback Transit would lose a large number of its riders, and it would not obtain enough fair funds to cover even one-fourth of its expenses.
Also, as transit riders will be forced to either pay or confirm use a UA ID, a lag in the boarding and exiting process might occur.
Raising student fees would not be an alternative solution to remaining cost, Seither said.
The TPD is not allowed to increase at a rate of more than 5 percent over time, so a heavy fee increase would not be a feasible solution, he said.
As much as TPD officials do not look forward to the shrinking of federal funds and a possible requirement of public fares, a business decision will be made to keep Razorback Transit performing its duty to UA students and the Fayetteville transit dependants.
"All options remain open at this time," Seither said.
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