The Wisnton-Salem Transit Authority got a boost yesterday when the City Council’s finance committee increased its budget through federal grants and a reallocation of a vehicle tax. And fares:

WSTA learned last month that it had been awarded about $146,600 over three years to expand Saturday-night service and about $97,300 over three years to increase service in the southeastern part of the city.

The grants require the city to match the money dollar for dollar. Members of the finance committee agreed to pay for those matching dollars by using a portion of the existing motor-vehicle tax that the city has in savings.

The city also expects new riders to add about $77,800 in new fares in 2008-09. That money would also be used to expand some routes during peak hours.

Council members also learned that the federal government allocated $905,710 to help run the bus system next fiscal year. It was money that city staff members were not expecting to receive.

I realize the $77,800 figure comes from expected new fares, but I can’t help but notice that it’s the lowest figure in the group when you add the three-year averages for expansion of Saturday night and southeastern city services together. Am I missing something?