Alexandria council to receive transit funding request
By JIM BUTLER
The Alexandria City Council at its meeting this evening will introduce an ordinance accepting federal funding assistance for the municipal transit system.
The system provides public transportation along eight routes Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m., as well as elderly/handicapped van service. Additionally, four routes operate 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
This fiscal year’s total revenue-expense budget is estimated at $3.79 million, including $235,000 in passenger charges. Standard fare is 75 cents, with lower fees for some riders.
Public transit nationwide is a largely subsidized government service.
The ordinance being introduced this evening will authorize accepting $1.2 million in operating assistance dollars from the Federal Transit Administration, through the state Department of Transportation, with a $1.2 million local match.
There is also $188,640 in grant funding for an Automatic Passenger Count system, with $47,160 additional from the city.
According to the paperwork accompanying the ordinance, introduction of the APC technology will assist in gathering improved ridership data and service planning.
Effective route planning and operational efficiency are vital components of transit system management.
According to the current budget, ATRANS has 43 employee slots, including 19 fulltime and 10 part- time operators.
Buses do not operate on Sundays or most declared holidays.