By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Rural county residents using the RITA transit service may soon pay more to travel into town.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a change in fares Monday for the “Share a Ride” service from $3 per day to $2 per trip.
This does not include Rowan Express, said Rowan Transit Systems Director Gary Price.
It also does not include seniors and disabled passengers who currently ride for free, Price said, because they are paid for with Home and Community Care Block Grant funds.
The RITA service picks up passengers at their homes for trips to doctors, pharmacies, grocery stores, post offices, public agencies, dialysis appointments and some recreational locations.
Unlike a per-trip fare, which is charged to passengers each time they board a van, Rowan Transit System’s per-day fare includes three destinations and a return trip home.
“These are people who can travel to multiple destinations, and your cost continues to go up and up for these few individuals,” said Commissioner Jim Sides. “It’s not a large number of people that are involved in this particular situation.”
Price agreed. He said the new fare structure also will alleviate confusion on the vans.
ADA passengers in the city of Salisbury already pay $2 per trip, sometimes on the same vehicle as rural county residents paying $3 per day, he said.
“Most fare structures are based on a per-trip charge — meaning every time you get on a transit vehicle, you’re paying,” Price said.
In addition, the current fare structure does not work with the department’s new RouteMatch software, and the new one will.
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.
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