Brent McKinney isn’t sure why that’s so; Greensboro city council member Sandy Carmany has the numbers.
If the numbers hold, that’s 300,000 riders out of a total population of 1.5 million, which is significant, no doubt. While the Mountain Express has a sliding fare rate depending on where you’re going, the vast majority of riders are paying $2 per ride, for a rough total of $600,000 in fares, right? The dent that puts in overhead is questionable:
PART continues to plan for growth in ridership through future service in Randolph and Davidson counties. The board Wednesday voted to award a contract to DaimlerChrysler for five new buses, which will bring the PART fleet to 25.
The PART staff is working with Randolph County officials, the N.C. Department of Transportation and local property owners to develop five park-and-ride lots. PART also wants to develop at least one lot in Davidson County.
PART intends to start bus service to Randolph and Davidson by June, McKinney said. The DaimlerChrysler low-floor buses will cost $360,000 per vehicle, said Scott Rhine, PART program manager. The first buses should be ready for use by June, McKinney said.
Somebody help me see how this is a profiable venture.
