June
17, 2010
Michelle Coats, APR, CPRC
Community Information Specialist
Volusia County Council restores routes 24 and
200; Public input meetings canceled
The scope of proposed Votran public transit service reductions was reduced
Thursday by the Volusia County Council. As a result some of the scheduled
public meetings to hear rider comments have been canceled.
At Thursday’s meeting in DeLand, the county council by consensus directed
County Manager Jim Dinneen to include funding for routes 24 (Pierson/DeLand)
and 200 (to Orlando from the Orange City park and ride lot) in the budget
the county manager will recommend to the county council for the fiscal year
that begins Oct. 1. Although the county council expressed unanimous desire
to continue routes 24 and 200, the decision won’t be final until the county
council officially adopts the budget in September. Votran is seeking a
partnership with the private sector to fund the seasonal trolley service on
Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach.
Votran will hold two public meetings in June to receive comments on
remaining bus service reductions that have been proposed as part of county
government’s overall goal to reduce the 2010-11 fiscal year budget by
approximately $23 million. Proposed Votran service eliminations include
holiday service and southeast Volusia routes 42, 43, and 44.
“The members of the county council felt that these routes were very
important and needed to be added back into our budget,” said County Council
Chair Frank Bruno. “The Route 200 is an important feeder to the Sun Rail
which will come online in 2013. The county council and staff have worked
diligently to make enough cuts across the board that we are in the position
to add a few critical services back into the budget.”
According to Votran General Manager Ken Fischer, the service changes have
been recommended to reduce operating costs while affecting the fewest number
of riders. “Our next step is to hold these public meetings, gather public
input, and then move toward educating citizens about any changes that are
brought back to the county council for final approval. Significant savings
in the Votran budget can be achieved only through a reduction in service.”
The changes are subject to final approval in September by the Volusia County
Council as part of the adoption of the overall county budget for the fiscal
year that begins October 1.
“This is an unpleasant position to be in, especially in light of economic
factors that are hitting our most vulnerable residents in the pocketbook,”
said Fischer. “At the same time, Votran’s costs also are rising and our
revenues are declining. Votran continues to explore other service options
that may bridge the gap caused by the remaining service eliminations
proposed.”
Votran will hold two public meetings in June to receive comments on proposed
service changes to the holiday service and southeast Volusia routes. A final
recommendation on route changes is expected to be considered by the County
Council in July.
The public meetings will be:
- Monday, June 21, 4-6 p.m. at the Brannon Center, 105
Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach. This location is served by Votran
routes 42, 43 and 44.
- Tuesday, June 22, 4-6 p.m. at Votran Headquarters,
950 Big Tree Road, South Daytona. This location is served by Votran
route 7.
People unable to attend the public meetings can submit
written comments. Written comments can be handed to Votran drivers or an
online form can be completed at votran.org. Written comments also can be
mailed to Votran Route Elimination, 950 Big Tree Road, South Daytona, FL
32119. All correspondence should include name and address for the official
record. Written comments will be accepted prior to June 30.
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