How THE Bus Was Spared

For more than a year, a small but determined group of regular patrons of THE Bus gathered at county commission meetings and public hearings pleading with anyone who would listen not to cut what they called their lifeline to the community.

But county commissioners, faced with making tough budget cuts, threatened everything from cutting a day of service to grounding the mass transit system completely.

On Tuesday, THE Bus was spared. Planning and zoning officials said the county could trim over $200,000 from the county's subsidy and still keep the vehicles on the road.

Although commissioners still need to formally vote on THE Bus, the consensus Tuesday was to keep it going for now.

How, after all these months of wrangling, was the county able to keep THE Bus?

Turns out it was a combination of things:

- Raising fares from $1 to $1.25 ($1.50 after nine months) and monthly passes from $15 to $25

- Saving nearly $50,000 by switching vehicle maintenance and fueling from the operator to the county

- Passing over a costly planned service expansion

- Keeping the fixed route transit service as it is; no adding of routes

County Commissioner Diane Rowden, THE Bus' staunchest supporter, said she doesn't know the particulars of the plan. She's just glad staffers were able to find a way to save the system.

"At this point, I don't care how," she said. "I'm just glad that it's done. I'm ecstatic that I didn't have to throw myself under the bus."

Rowden said she expects staff to stay on top of any legislation that would allow the county to help financially support THE Bus or even expand the service.

Commissioner Dave Russell told Hernando Today last week he would like to scrap the service because it is a money drainer.

Days later, staff found ways to save it, he said.

He would like to think his tough talk had something to do with Tuesday's outcome.

"It's just amazing how these efficiencies appear when someone takes a hard line on the issue," Russell said. This thing has been, in my opinion, a boondoggle. (Then), lo and behold, we became more efficient."

County Administrator David Hamilton said the saving of THE Bus was a team effort from many county staffers who brainstormed for alternatives.

The declining economy and rising fuel costs also entered into the equation as more people are expected to save money by riding THE Bus, he said.

Hamilton said the county needs to continue to explore ways to make the system more efficient, both monetarily and practically.

"We will revisit this issue once the budget is in place and we will take a hard look (at) public transportation," Hamilton said.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said she wants to see a long-range plan for THE Bus and how it fits into the regional mass transit picture

Rocco said there is much work to be done to make THE Bus profitable.

"It's all going to depend on how this service plays out," she said.