RTC ACCESS Fares Going Up

The recession is taking another bite out of public transit. After implementing a fare increase on its regular RTC RIDE service last year, and curtailing service on some routes, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) recently announced that fares for the RTC ACCESS paratransit service are going up. Though scaled back from what was originally proposed, it's still going to be a significant increase. On May 3, the fare per trip will jump from $1.75 to $2.50 for Reno-area rides. On August 30, it will increase to $3. Those riding from areas further out, like Cold Springs and Verdi, will start paying $5 in May.

Before approving the fare increases at its meeting last week, the RTC heard from numerous people who depend on RTC ACCESS for transportation to the grocery store, doctor's office, and to visit friends. Many indicated that the increased fare would be a serious burden to those already living at the edge of their incomes and could further isolate those who have no other way to get around. There is a glimmer of hope for an infusion of funds from the federal economic stimulus package and the possibility of shifting some funds from highway projects.

The big problem here is a $1 million shortfall in RTC funding. This is mainly due to the ongoing slide in Washoe County sales tax revenues, which provide well over half the money needed to operate the RTC public transit system. And in last November's election, a ballot measure to raise funds for transit was defeated.

Additional bad news on the transit front includes upcoming service reductions for RTC RIDE, RTC SIERRA SPIRIT, and RTC INTERCITY. Find out more from RTC on their Transit Service Cuts web page.

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