Transportation fees, permits costs may increase

The local transportation system could be more than $6 million in the red by the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Representatives from the UNC Department of Public Safety presented a five-year plan at the Wednesday meeting of the Employee Forum, outlining the department’s plans to cover costs in the coming years by raising fees.

DPS officials estimated that an additional $6.1 million in annual revenue will be needed to cover operating costs by 2015-16.

Some funding strategies included increasing parking fees beginning in 2011-12, and increased fees for daytime and park-and-ride permits starting in 2013-14.

The Student Transit Fee, which currently covers just less than 30 percent of transit costs, is also set to rise from its current cost of $73.50 to $142 by the 2015-16 school year, an increase of 93 percent.

It will rise about $14 per year, according to the plan.

“This is what we’re going to be taking forward to the Board of Trustees for approval” in March, said Cheryl Stout, assistant director of parking services. “The plan is spreading costs of the system to user groups that have not been contributing to help offset costs.”

Park-and-ride permits, which are already the most expensive form of alternative transportation, will be raised to $250 per year. DPS projects the increase will generate more than $600,000.

In response to requests that the plan consider employees’ wages, DPS Chief Jeff McCracken said the increases would be gradual.

“We will try to stagger all these things to lessen the blow,” he said.

When an employee suggested charging a bus fare to help cover operational fees, McCracken said he doubted the system would return to a fare model after years of being free.

“Chapel Hill Transit is a partnership system designed to be fair and free,” he said. “Chapel Hill Transit is engaged with a consultant to do an efficiency study. Is it perfect? No. But we’re constantly trying to improve.”

Stout said there will inevitably be issues when the programs begin, but that, ultimately, they will serve the community best.

“With diverse needs for the University, we will try hard to make sure we use our limited resources to meet the needs of the system.”

The plan garnered mixed reactions from members of the forum.

“The Chapel Hill Transit system is a mess,” said Sohrab Habibi, a representative for the advisory committee on transportation. “There needs to be some understanding as to what they are supposed to provide us.”

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