Deadline set for WAVE bus riders to voice opinions on fare increase | Business

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Bus riders have 90 days to voice their opinions about a proposed 50 cent raise to WAVE fares.

The authority's board of commissioners approved the public comment process to begin Thursday afternoon. Similar to the comment period for a proposed cut of Sunday service, board members will not necessarily take action after all comments are received.

An overall fare of $2.00 for one adult ride is projected to generate an extra $312,500 if it does not stop anyone from taking a bus. If 100,000 people stop riding a WAVE bus, the proposed 50 cent increase would still collect more than $225,000 annually.

The board approved staff a 30 day period to work out a contract with Amtrak, but the company does not have a written contract with any of the 550 cities it connects.

Laura Padgett, Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization President, made the presentation to the board, saying a decision need to made Thursday about using the WAVE’s main terminal as the drop off point.

She added that delaying a decision would be "a black eye on Wilmington and New Hanover County."

The board was not willing to enter a “handshake agreement.”

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