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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 15, 2005 Prices drive motorists to public transport By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Bus ridership seemed to have risen in conjunction with escalating gas prices, said Craig Anderson of the Rogue Valley Transportation District. He said the bus service in the Ashland/Medford area saw a 27 percent increase from October 2004 to October 2005. “It’s something transit agencies are experiencing across the country,” he said. “As gas prices are going up, people are giving more consideration to the bus.” However, the RVTD bus service was already operating at near capacity levels at some times of the day before the increase. Add to that a nearly 30 percent increase in riders and its easy to see why the system is being taxed. “We’ve been joking that we’re having a problem with too many customers,” Anderson said. “There is a misconception that riders pay for the service. In fact only about 6 percent of the operating costs are paid for by bus fare. Even with increased ridership, it doesn’t come close to paying for it.” Early in the morning and late in the day, at times when commuters would typically be riding the bus to and from work, the RVTD bus tends to be standing room only, which is a new phenomenon for the service. “It should be an indication that we need to look for ways to fund expanded service just to accommodate the present demand,” he said. Currently, Ashland is the only city on the bus route that helps RVTD foot the bill. The city contributes $290,000 annually for the service. This funds the free rides within the city limits and route 5, which continually loops around Ashland. RVTD has been discussing other revenue sources with the other local communities as well as with their chambers of commerce. “I’ve got to credit the city for putting its money where its mouth is,” Anderson said. “They talk a lot about alternative transportation and making it easier to not drive everywhere and they are paying to do just that. If Medford would contribute at a similar level it would be significant, but it would still not be enough.” RVTD is considering changing from a transportation district to being a mass transit district. The difference, Anderson said, is as a transit district, it would be able to impose payroll tax that would charge local businesses $3 for every $1,000 of payroll. He said they are also considering expanding the bus route to service Eagle Point, as well. “We see a mass transit district as being the most promising option, but we are open to any other ideas,” he said. “We’re interested in doing this because this is the kind of service this area needs.” DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams