RSS
|
|
The Choanoke Public Transportation Authority has raised bus fares by more than 30 percent. A booklet of 20 passes has increased from $60 dollars to $80 and a booklet of 42 passes has gone up $40 to $160.
“We are trying to keep prices as low as possible and the buses running,” said Amanda Vann, CPTA's finance officer..
She said CPTA held off increasing its fares for as long as possible but if gas prices continue to climb the fares may have to be raised gain. “The high cost of gas is affecting everyone,” Vann said.
“This is putting the squeeze on people,” said Lonnie Hedgepeth, director of the Halifax County Council on Aging.
“Our fares increased by 60 cents in April,” said Hedgepeth. The Council on Aging's purpose is to help meet the needs of the elderly and transportation is one of its major functions. Money is provided by the federal and state governments.
Hedgepeth said because of the high cost of gasoline her budget for transportation has been depleted and only $500 is left through June 30.
Hedgepeth anticipates dipping into her supplemental funding to help make it through the year. But even with the new budget year on July 1, Hedgepeth warns that, “If gas prices continue to rise this will affect services.”
Commercial carriers
Bobby Ray Phillips, owner of Phillips Cab Co., on Roanoke Avenue said that his business has not raised fares but if gas prices continue to rise he will have no other choice but to charge more.
“We have been absorbing the high cost so far but we won't be for long,' said Phillips. “I like to think about things before I do them and soon we will have to pass the cost on to the consumer.”
Right now Phillips said he charges the customer $4 to get into the car and $1.50 per mile. Phillips said that oil companies are getting richer and richer and high fuel prices are ruining the economy. “Something should be done about it and I'm willing to boycott,” he said.
Comments