Latest news with #busfare
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RIPTA to consider spending cuts, layoffs, fare hikes. Here's why
PROVIDENCE – Bus fares are set to rise throughout the Ocean State and routes scaled back − including termination of the South County Beach Bus − as the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority cuts spending to close a projected $18 million budget gap. The exact size of the fare hike and details on which routes will be axed or see frequency reduced, is expected to be announced in July. In anticipation of the announcement, RIPTA has announced a series of nine legally-required public hearings starting July 28 where riders throughout the state can share their thoughts about the changes. "RIPTA's primary source of operating funds, the state gas tax, has failed to keep pace with inflation, making it inadequate to sustain a quality transit system and contributing to the agency's budget deficit,' RIPTA CEO Christopher Durand said in a Thursday, June 26 news release. 'We've worked diligently to manage our operations with limited resources, and an independent efficiency study has confirmed what we already knew: there are no hidden savings left to be found. At this point, in order to close the budget gap, we must reluctantly consider reducing service, increasing fares and laying off our workforce. Without new revenue, we simply have no other choice.' Riders should anticipate the "elimination of routes or route segments, decreased service frequency, reduced service span, and reduced or eliminated weekend service, the news release said. "The reductions would include the elimination of South County Express Beach Bus service." A consultant's "efficiency study" of how the statewide bus system can operate without federal pandemic funding is now expected to be released in "early to mid July," according to RIPTA spokesperson Cristy Raposo Perry. Cuts became inevitable when the General Assembly passed a state budget June 20 that provided RIPTA an extra $15 million next year through an increase in the state gas tax, but still left the agency facing an $18 million hole. At a June 26 meeting of the RIPTA Board of Directors, board members braced for bad news. How critical are RIPTA's money woes? Bad enough that after discussing the budget, the Board of Directors opted to go without insurance next year to protect the agency from catastrophic medical claims by employees. Called stop-loss insurance, these policies are used by employers who self-insure workers to guard against a sudden spike of expensive, unexpected claims. In most years, including each of the last five RIPTA has had a policy, claims exceeding the $400,000 threshold where the stop-loss policy kicks in have cost the agency less than its premiums. This past year, for example, the insurance only covered $100,000 in claims. The policy for next year would have cost $480,000 in premiums and fees. So, facing layoffs and route reductions that could exacerbate ridership losses, the board decided to roll the dice and go uninsured starting in July. "Maybe this is the year to go naked on this?" board member Normand Benoit suggested. Durand said the $480,000 saved by not buying a policy should be enough to save five jobs. Of course, that's unless there's a bad accident or a few people get really sick. RIPTA began buying stop-loss insurance after getting socked with $1.1 million claim in fiscal 2017-2018. "This will be the one opportunity I can think of off the top of my head to save some significant money," Benoit said. "Yes, we take on some additional risk. We're not going to know what the end result of this decision is until a year later." The rest of the board agreed, and the insurance policy was tabled. Like most mass transit agencies across the country, RIPTA saw ridership plunge during the COVID pandemic. Some of those bus passengers returned in recent years, but not all, and federal pandemic aid has now run out. Through May, RIPTA ridership was 300,000 people short of where it was at the same period in 2024, suggesting that ridership may have plateaued despite far fewer canceled bus trips than a year ago. The reduction in canceled trips is the result of a driver recruitment effort and pay raises that cured a persistent shortage. The budget shortfall could reverse some of those gains. Sections of the consultant efficiency study that have been released project that RIPTA might need to cut as much as 20% of its service and 90 employees. To try to find new riders and revenue, Durand said RIPTA is exploring partnerships with major employers, such as a deal with Amazon to serve its Johnston distribution center. RIPTA is in talks with Ocean State Job Lot to serve its headquarters in the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Cash-strapped RIPTA awaits efficiency study to plan best route ahead
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Midlands bus fares to rise from Sunday
The price of bus tickets in the West Midlands will rise at the Sunday, a single adult fare will cost £3 - an increase of 10p - and a day ticket will go up from £4.80 to £ four-week fare, often used by those who commute on a daily basis, will go up from £64 to £70, while the monthly direct debit will rise from £59 to £ 8.6% rise follows an independent review, instigated by bus operators, which recommended the increase, and which Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) was required to introduce. Bus operators cited rising costs as the reason for the increase.A TfWM spokesperson said the four-week tickets were still cheaper than comparable fares in London (£94), Liverpool (£77.10), Manchester (£80) and Nottingham (£75).National Express West Midlands, the main bus operator in the region, said there were "great value" tickets available to passengers, including a new single 10 ticket bundle for £ Midlands mayor Richard Parker previously expressed his frustration with the said the hike backed up his decision to move the current deregulated bus network to a franchise model."I know this fare rise will frustrate people and I share that frustration," said Parker. "It's a decision taken by the operators. And it proves exactly why I'm franchising our buses."Under franchising, we'll take back control - setting fares, choosing routes and putting passengers first." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Reeves set to extend £3 bus fare cap until 2027
Rachel Reeves is set to extend the £3 cap on bus fares until 2027 when she unveils her spending review on Wednesday. As first reported by the Mirror, the Chancellor is understood to be preparing to announce an extension to the cap beyond the end of 2025. Instead, it will continue across England until March 2027 as the Government seeks to ease cost-of-living pressures on the public. The Government has previously said that, without the cap, fares could rise by as much as £12 for a journey between Leeds and Scarborough, or £5.50 for a ticket between Hull and York. A Treasury source said: 'We understand the cost of living is a priority for the British people. That is why we are investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off.' But the Liberal Democrats criticised the decision not to return to the £2 cap that had been in place between January 2023 and December 2024. The increase in the cap was announced at the budget in October, with the Government arguing the lower rate was not financially sustainable, although some metro mayors decided to fund an extension of the £2 cap in their areas. Lib Dem transport spokesman Paul Kohler said: 'Household budgets are still really feeling the squeeze, so many will be really disappointed to see that the Government is moving to make the bus fare hike permanent. 'This will hit those who rely on public transport to get around to their local high street or to work and school in the pocket. People have been telling them they got this wrong, but Labour clearly isn't listening.'
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Midlands bus passengers face hike in fares after review
Bus fares are to increase by 8.6% as a result of rising costs faced by bus operators, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) 15 June, a day ticket will rise by 40p to £5.20; a four-week fare will go up from £64 to £70, and the monthly direct debit fare is to change from £59 to £ fare rise follows an independent review, instigated by bus operators, which recommended the increase and which TfWM was required to introduce. The public body said its monthly and annual bus passes would remain among the lowest in this month, West Midlands mayor Richard Parker signed an order to bring the region's bus network back under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years. TfWM said the West Midlands Combined Authority, which it is part of, had agreed to continue the £50m a year funding to "support struggling operators and prevent further reductions in bus services".Matt Lewis, TfWM commercial director – bus and operations, stated it was a "difficult time for people and money is tight". Long-term investment The public body had worked hard with "our bus operators to keep these increases to an absolute minimum" and keep its services on the road, he a franchise system, the TfWM and regional leaders will take control of routes and timetables and set fares, as well as make long-term investments in services. Private operators will bid to run services on behalf of TfWM, and this will be introduced in phases from 2027, with the rollout completed during 3,600 people who took part in a consultation, including organisations, 75% who expressed a preference backed bringing services under public control, the combined authority has one-off costs of setting up the new operation and designing the network were expected to be £22.5m over three years, it had stated. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Reading bus prices to rise after government funding ends
Bus tickets prices in Reading are set to rise as government funding comes to an borough council said five million All-Bus tickets had been sold since the scheme was introduced in March 2023 as part of its £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said the council's scheme had brought bus usage close to pre-Covid levels, and that the authority remained "committed" to making public transport more he said the government funding "was never going to last forever" and the council could not subsidise bus travel. The All-Bus tickets allow passengers all-day travel on services run by several different operators in the Reading Monday, the ticket will cost £4.90 on an app and £5.40 if purchased on the bus. Currently, it costs £3.40 on the app and £3.50 on the Young Persons All-Bus ticket - currently £2.60 if bought on the app - will cost £4.20, and the Group All-Bus ticket will cost £10.80 during the peak period and £8.80 off-peak. Service improvements The council has introduced a number of improvements to its bus services, including the introduction of tap-on-tap-off payment and adding new services, such as those to and from Reading Green Park railway station."The council's BSIP has so far been successful in helping to bring passenger numbers close to the level they were before the Covid pandemic," said Mr Ennis."Reading already had an excellent bus service and the BSIP funding has allowed us to introduce a wide range of improvements to make bus journeys even more reliable, convenient, easier, faster and cheaper."Encouraging more people to travel by bus takes cars off roads, reduces congestion, improves air quality and benefits the health of Reading residents." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
