PULLQUOTE:
“There may be a whole lot of want right here in Farmington.” — Craig Zurhost, Western Maine Transportation Providers group relations director.
FARMINGTON — Selectmen took no motion Tuesday on a request so as to add $25,000 to the city’s infrastructure finances for Western Maine Transportation Providers.
“What’s spurring that is the continued points surrounding county funding for Western Maine Transportation Providers. We have been dropped from county funds,” Neighborhood Relations Director Craig Zurhost mentioned.
The service has gotten by means of the pandemic by utilizing restoration funds, Zurhost mentioned, including he has been suggested at cash will abruptly be coming to an finish.
“We’ve to discover a sustainable method to supply public transit in Franklin County, however extra particularly in Farmington, which has the best use of any city that we (serve),” Zurhost famous.
There have been 6,506 one-way journeys in Franklin County from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, not together with journeys on the Sugarloaf Specific or Sugarloaf Explorer, he mentioned. Of these, 4,676 originated in Farmington. Riders 60 and older accounted for 1,288, with one other 2,732 rides for these ages 12 to 59, he mentioned.
“There have been 197 distinctive riders we all know of,” Zurhost mentioned. “The Inexperienced Line doesn’t take reservations, simply does a boarding depend. Of these 197, 94 are aged. About half of the riders are aged Farmington residents utilizing our providers.”
He famous journeys recognized for particular causes:
• 360 have been for work or schooling
• 372 have been for well being care
• 624 have been for buying or different providers
The Inexperienced Line commuter service offered 475 rides originating in Farmington, Zurhost mentioned.
“What you’re looking at is a whole lot of alternative, a whole lot of well-being, a whole lot of economics all crammed into our buses,” he said.
WMTS has one common bus on the highway in Farmington, Zurhost mentioned. The service suffers from an absence of drivers and an absence of buses, however what is offered is protected resulting from mechanics doing “fantastic work,” he famous. “There may be a whole lot of want right here in Farmington,” he added.
WMTS is infrastructure, not a human or social service, Zurhost mentioned earlier than requesting Farmington institute a line in its finances for WMTS that may be accessible with out having to hunt cash yearly.
WMTS is looking for $25,000, which might be eligible for matches equaling one other $36,000, he famous. A few of these matches are 50/50, some are 80/20 and all collectively are about 60/40, he added.
Rider charges differ: $3 for an grownup; $1.50 for aged, disabled or 5- to 11-year-olds using with an grownup, Zurhost mentioned in response to a query from Selectman Joshua Bell.
“Fares make up about 10% of the working prices (and) can’t be used towards matches,” Zurhost mentioned. “Fares should be inexpensive.”
With out state or federal subsidies it could be about $8 per journey with a per mile price of about $1.50, he added.
The buses seat 12, and there’s a vast variance in use. Lots of people are utilizing it at first of the month, Zurhost mentioned. There are about three to 4 riders common per bus run, he famous.
When Bell requested if there would come a time when WMTS wouldn’t want funding, Zurhost mentioned he hoped so.
State funding would take away the necessity for native assist, he mentioned. Different states are investing extra in public transit, he mentioned.
“We recognize what you do for the group,” board Chairperson Matthew Smith mentioned. “My household has had to make use of it just a few occasions. It’s a a lot wanted useful resource for the group.”
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