Monday, Mar 24, 2008

Posted on Sun, Mar. 23, 2008

By Kathryn Thier

Town may cut subsidy for 83X

Mooresville commissioners are considering ending their subsidy of the 83X commuter express bus to Charlotte, threatening its continued service past June.

The news has angered bus riders who say Mooresville needs to do its part to reduce traffic and help the environment.

But some commissioners say it's unfair that the town subsidizes a service for many riders who aren't residents and don't pay town taxes.

Several years ago Iredell County commissioners turned down a request from the town to help fund the program.

The town's three-year contract with the Charlotte Area Transit System ends June 30. The agency is asking the town for about $95,000 next fiscal year.

CATS marketing manager Olaf Kinard said it's premature to say whether the route would be canceled if the town pulls out.

But CATS doesn't run buses to counties outside Mecklenburg without participation from local governments in those areas.

Within Mecklenburg, CATS uses revenue from the county's half-cent sales transit tax to pay for transit programs.

Mooresville commissioners have talked for the past few months about creating a funding mechanism, such as a vehicle tax, for area transportation projects, not just buses.

Commissioner Mac Herring, who generally supports public transportation, said the board needs to find a balance.

"We need to be responsible as a municipality in a larger region," he said. "(But) as a town commissioner I need to consider the town's interests."

Commissioner Frank Rader said declining ridership on the 83X suggests the town might better spend its money on improving local roads.

Ridership on the route declined almost 18 percent last fiscal year after CATS dropped the number of park-and-ride lots in town from three to one because of issues with the lot owners.

That drove many 83X riders to switch to the 77X in north Mecklenburg.

The one remaining Mooresville lot was moved to a new location at Brawley School and Williamson roads that isn't convenient for many who live east of Interstate 77.

Ridership on the 83X is up 3.6 percent year to date with an average 3,500 riders a month.

Rader said CATS should consider raising its fares to make up a potential shortfall from the town, saying the "ridership that is on it can afford to pay."

But Mary Colucci, who will start riding the 83X Monday, said the bus will help her get back to work. After being laid off twice in two years because of the economy, the town resident finally found a job in Charlotte.

"I tried to find a job around town," she said. "There's nothing here."

And rider Kirsti Lawson, a senior vice president at Bank of America, said many commuters are administrative assistants and construction workers.

When her job brought her back to the area from California, she chose to live in the Mooresville area for access to the bus. Although she lives outside town, she spends money in town.

"We're members of the community, so our community (sales) tax dollars help to pay for some of that," she said.

Kinard wouldn't comment on whether CATS might raise fares, but in the past the agency's policy hasn't allowed increases on one route and not others.

In making their decision, Mooresville commissioners will consider whether their support of the bus factors into how the federal government grades the area on air quality. Federal highway dollars could be lost if air quality doesn't improve.

The board could decide about funding for the bus as soon as next month, but has until June 30.

Riders respond

• I can't understand why the Mooresville/Iredell governments are so hard-core against subsidizing this service. They fund all other sorts of programs, especially for people who don't even work for food, medical and other things. At least everyone riding the bus has a job. -- Susan Minton

• The commissioners in Mooresville are not very reasonable at all when it comes to CATS. Since most of us live in Mooresville and do our business there, the commissioners should want to help us out, but I guess that's not the case. The town should subsidize CATS to keep the residents happy. If they don't want us to catch a bus to Charlotte, then they should provide us all a job in town. -- Elaine Boyles

• I cannot believe that once again the town of Mooresville is not going to encourage the use of mass transportation. We are down to one bus stop and they are not backing the train and now this. They have let the population get out of control by approving subdivision after subdivision, strip mall after strip mall knowing that the roads cannot handle any more cars. I often wonder when I am on certain roads if any of them ever drive in Mooresville. They cannot go on building and yet refuse to encourage mass transportation. Some people have gotten to the point that they cannot afford to drive into work and this is their only alternative. I would like to suggest they have a town meeting to get the input of citizens of Mooresville who use the bus or would use it were it a more attractive option. -- Maribeth Serio

• The bus ride from Mooresville to Charlotte is the only thing that makes my commute tolerable. These buses are nearly full every day on all schedules. I hope the subsidy is reconsidered because (without it) it will put another nearly 200 cars back onto I-77. --Jennifer Smith

• I have been riding 83X for five years. The riders on the bus have grown from three buses each morning and afternoon with about 10 people on each bus to four full buses both morning and afternoon. As gas prices increase, more people are riding the bus. Also, parking in downtown Charlotte is at a premium. Obviously the Mooresville commissioners do not care about the environment. Good to know at election time. -- Jeanette Osborne

• As an Iredell citizen, it is unfortunate that community leaders are not putting more emphasis on the region's air pollution and traffic. Granted, it saves us money for parking and gas, but I would also like to think I am doing the right thing for the environment. As a voter, I would like to know whom, exactly, is thinking of pulling the plug on this route? --Christine Lucas

• It sickens me to think that the Mooresville commissioners are indicating that they will not continue to subsidize the bus for riders. They should get out of their office and check out the traffic on I-77 through Mooresville every morning and evening and be grateful that so many of us choose to ride the bus and keep our cars off of the roads, not only to help reduce traffic, but also for the environment. -- Kathy Kurkowski

• I can hardly believe that anyone says this route has low ridership. It has a lot of people riding, as I notice when I see the full parking lot when I ride the first bus back in the afternoon. I live in Statesville and ride the Mooresville bus to save gas, since the stop is 14 miles from home versus 25 miles to Huntersville. It is less convenient since we lost the stops right near Interstate 77, but still worthwhile. The actual complaint I have always had is how few times there are available to catch it. Huntersville (77X) runs every 15 minutes during peak times. -- Ginny White