GoTriangle considers whether to resume bus fares

Thursday marks the final day for a GoTriangle survey about bringing back bus fares.

GoTriangle leaders say they will lose $10 million over five years without fares.

During the pandemic, GoTriangle stopped collecting bus fares to help people hardest hit by economic hardships. Now that the pandemic has ended, the transit authority is looking at ways to increase revenue to keep the buses running on time. The bus rides have been free over the last three years.

“We’re looking at all different levels of revenues to fulfill our budget needs,” said GoTriangle President and CEO Charles Lattuca.

GoTriangle routes will remain fare free until June 2023. Normally, a regular one-way fare is $2.25 for regional routes and $3 for express routes.

GoTriangle is asking for public input through an online survey. Among other things, it asks how often you use the bus system and whether you’d be willing to pay a bus fare again.

“Now that we don’t have the CARES Act funding coming in, all of our costs have gone up since COVID hit,” Lattuca said. “So, we’ve added about $1 million in labor costs.”

Some riders are hopeful GoTriangle remains free and that other revenue streams can make up the difference.

“Put yourself in our shoes,” bus rider George Joyner said. “Put yourself in the shoes of the ones that’s out here struggling trying to make ends meet.”

GoTriangle has about a $40 million operating budget. Without the bus fares, GoTriangle would have to fill the gap with other revenue sources or cut some services.

The transit authority’s online survey launched on March 8.