Transit authority seeking additional local funds in light of inflation, loss of state aid

Oct. 19—The New River Transit Authority is seeking aid from the local governments it serves in Raleigh and Fayette counties to cover increased operating costs as well as a loss of some state funding.

During a Raleigh County Commission meeting Tuesday, Andy Austin, the director of the New River Transit Authority (NRTA), approached commissioners about doubling their annual allocation to the NRTA.

Raleigh County currently allocates around $33,000 to the NRTA each year.

Austin said additional funds are needed to cover the rising costs of vehicles and a loss of toll credit funds from the state's Department of Transportation.

"Within one year, our bus purchases increased by 62 percent," he said. "That's a heavy lift. We had plans on purchasing seven buses at one point, but we had to scale that back down" because of the increase.

Austin went on to say that in previous years, the NRTA would request toll credits through the state DOT. However, those requests are now being denied as the funds from the toll credits have been redirected to state road projects.

He added that the NRTA receives federal funding, but that money comes with a requirement that it be matched with local funds.

"With the increase in operating, it's very, very critical for us to find local matches for the federal funds ... We have to have the local part to be able to draw down the federal aspect of it," Austin said.

The NRTA receives local funds from the municipalities in Beckley, Sophia, Oak Hill, Mount Hope and Fayetteville, as well as the Raleigh and Fayette county commissions.

Austin said the NRTA is contacting all these local governments and requesting additional funds.

Beckley Common Council has already agreed to double its allocation to the NRTA.

Beckley gives the NRTA $38,500 each year.

Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold, who spoke favorably of the measure when it was brought up for a vote, said the city has not increased its allocation to NRTA, which existed under a different name at the time, in more than 40 years.

He added that public transportation is vital to any plans the city has for economic development.

In addition to finding ways to recoup the loss of state funding, Austin said NRTA's overall operating costs have increased due to inflation and the cost of additional bus routes and expanded hours.

Before April 2021, the NRTA had three bus routes in Raleigh and Fayette counties that ran from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The NRTA now has five routes that run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While they have set routes, Austin said they also work with the community to make public transportation as accessible as possible.

"We have a deviated route system to where if you can't get to the bus stop, we'll go up to three-quarters of a mile off the bus stop to pick you up," he said. "We would try to grab as many people in the area that needs public transit as we possibly can."

The Raleigh County Commission is expected to make a decision regarding additional funding to the NRTA at its next meeting in November.

Email: jmoore@register-herald.com