PRTC proposes service cuts and fare increases to combat declining revenues

While declining gasoline and diesel fuel costs are providing an economic benefit for consumers and business, public transit authorities are losing significant revenues as the result of declining motor fuel taxes.

The loss of those revenues for the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has created a $9.2 million budget deficit that is forcing a proposed cut in commuter and local bus services, and a proposed fare increase starting in July 2016.

Four public hearings on the proposed budget, service cuts and fare increase have been set for:

Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 1 PM
Manassas City Hall, Council Chambers
9027 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 1 PM
PRTC Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 7 PM
PRTC Transit Center
14700 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Tuesday, February 16, 2016, 7 PM
Manassas City Hall, Council Chambers
9027 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110

“This is a critical time for public transportation in Northern Virginia,” PRTC Interim Executive Director Eric Marx was quoted as saying in a news release.“The need has never been greater, but the funding model that supports vital transit services is unsustainable.”

In addition to the loss of motor fuels tax revenue, PRTC’s budget gap for 2016-2017 is due to:

• The imminent depletion of a motor fuels tax reserve fund that Prince William County has used as the sole source for paying its public transportation obligations since 2008; and

The loss of federal funding due in part to the conversion of the I-95 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes.

PRTC and Prince William County, which provides the majority of PRTC’s local funding, have been projecting a shortfall for years, and PRTC has made substantial changes in order to maintain its transportation services for as long as possible. Since 2009, PRTC has implemented cost-saving service reductions amounting to 9% of its scheduled bus services and increased fares by nearly 30%. The proposed budget calls for a 5% average annual fare increase starting in July 2016 along with service cuts that will impact all routes and affect an estimated 125,000 annual passengers.