Being a Charlottesville Transit System regular has its problems. Dr. Ivy Hinton is always late for her meetings, and has to walk half a mile every night in the dark to get home. She is a lecturer at UVA’s School of Nursing and has relied on the bus system since January when her car broke down and she decided not to fix it.
“I wish for a more realistic transit schedule,” says Hinton. “You have to limit your activities because you simply cannot get to them.” Hinton talked about her daily struggle to an audience keen on knowing what residents of the city and county want as officials consider a regional transit authority.
 How to pay for an expanded bus system with $138 million in capital costs? Local officials are considering a 1 percent increase in the city and county sales tax, which would bring in $26 million annually. |
Hinton’s concerns were a starting point for the discussion between city councilors and county supervisors in a joint working session on August 5. The meeting was set to advance the idea of instituting a regional transit authority that would extend into the county with safer and more reliable bus and trolley services and expand the current bus system within the city.
In order for the transit authority to become a reality, elected officials were encouraged by the Thomas Jefferson District Planning Commission to appoint a “working group” that will decide the authority’s composition and legal mandate. It will also need to have the consensus of state officials before presenting it for approval to the General Assembly next January.
Supervisors David Slutzky and Dennis Rooker were appointed from the county, along with Dave Norris and Satyendra Huja of City Council. Donna Shaunesey of JAUNT and Rebecca White of UVA’s Department of Parking and Transportation will also serve on the work group.
The proposed expansion on the table would feature eight new routes that connect county communities to the city’s current transit system, improve safety for bus routes and have an estimated 35 new buses and an operating cost in the range of $16 million annually. Capital costs for expanding and improving the bus system are estimated at $138 million.
Funding is going to be the most difficult obstacle, said Rooker. “We need to find and survey potential funding mechanisms.”
According to research done by consultants Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., $26 million annually can be raised for the system by increasing the city and county sales tax by 1 percent.
“Anything that has to do with a revenue-raising authority is very challenging right now in the General Assembly,” says state Del. David Toscano. City and county officials alike were uncomfortable with the thought of raising taxes, but agreed that it was the safest way to get the capital.
State Senator Creigh Deeds, also in attendance, pointed out that it was essential that all members be on board. “Right now, get me something that all you support, and I’ll bring it to Richmond.”
The likelihood of a regional transit authority also depends on the available state funds for transportation-related projects.
“It’s like getting a new toy for Christmas and not having the batteries,” says Councilor Holly Edwards. “But doing nothing is not an option.”
“If we don’t do anything, it’s a tax on our citizens,” says Slutzky. “We have to move forward with the regional transit authority, we need to create enabling legislation and demand that [the General Assembly] approves it.”
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