Erica Regina has been riding GRTC bus Route 13 up Main Street to Church Hill for years. The 68-year-old Richmonder is disabled and lives on a limited income. The bus route is the only way she has to go buy groceries and her medication.
Laura Minnie uses routes 13 or 16/Westhampton to get to her two jobs. A disability prevents her from driving a car and those buses are the only way for her to get to work.
For the past 17 years, Diane Fitts Williams has ridden the Route 13 bus from her home to her state job at 8th and Main streets.
"Without the bus, it makes it difficult for me to come to work," she said. "I'm 58. I'm at a total loss for getting to work if you cut it."
One by one, each of these people, plus nearly 50 more, spoke or attended a Richmond City Council committee meeting Tuesday afternoon to beg members not to eliminate the seven routes proposed for removal by GRTC Transit System.
No action was taken Tuesday, however, because the committee did not have an ordinance request from a council member. But council will likely have a request by September, which will be followed by more public hearings.
GRTC has proposed the cuts, saying they will save $3.5 million because there are not enough riders per hour on the seven proposed routes and the company isn't making enough money to offset the cost of running the buses, which includes rising fuel costs.
The routes proposed for elimination or reductions are:
No. 11, Laurel/17th Street;
No. 13, Main Street/Church Street;
No. 16, Westhampton;
No. 20, North Side: Dill Road/Willow Lawn;
No. 56, South Laburnum in Henrico;
No. 61, Broad Rock Shuttle;
No. 65, Stony Point Express No. 68;
Lunch Time Express (which is free); and
No. 93, Azalea Connector in Henrico.
Given the $4 gas prices and increased bus ridership, GRTC Chief Executive Officer John M. Lewis Jr. said this was not a time they relished making route cuts.
"This is a result of ignoring or not having a comprehensive transportation policy nationwide," he said, noting that at least nine other transit systems across the country were faced with the same problem.
"While ridership has increased, it's nowhere near the increase in operational costs. If the market doesn't change, we will be looking at the almost doubling of operation costs solely because of diesel fuel [cost] increase. We're looking at $4 million deficit and it's come to us to fix it."
But the people who attended the committee meeting said they would lose their independence, their jobs and their ability to get around the city from their homes. Many urged Lewis to consider combining routes; reducing the number and size of buses on the routes; and increasing the fares. Lewis said if they increased the $1.25 by 25 cents, it would generate about $900,000. Raising the fare more than that usually discourages riders, Lewis said. But the people who spoke Tuesday said they'd gladly pay $2 and more to keep their routes.
"The 16 is the only bus that runs in the West End and I've used it for about 17 years," said Linda Christian.
"I make four trips a day going back and forth to church at St. Benedict's. I'm 68. I don't want to be forced to retire. My work for others is not done yet. I don't mind paying more or cutting down on mid-day time schedules, but please do not take out 16 from us."
By far, most people were concerned about the possible elimination of Route 16 to the Westhampton area in the West End. The timing is particularly poor for the University of Richmond, which began giving faculty and employees free bus passes in March to help cope with the rising gas prices.
They also hope to do the same thing for students come fall, and would likely use the route to reach a the university's planned downtown satellite campus.
"Given the change in Route 16 bus ridership and our commitment to partner with GRTC, it would be premature to eliminate it at this time," said Carl Sorenson, who represented the university at the committee meeting.
"With university-sponsored bus passes, over 110 employees have taken advantage. In fact during June, Route 16 ridership has increased when it historically declines, and UR accounted for 970 rides on 16."
At least 35 UR employees depend entirely on the route to get to work, he said.
"This will create economic stress for many. We will work with GRTC to tweak the route. We will work with other employers. We will help GRTC acquire a smaller more efficient bus," Sorenson said. "We are eager to make this route financially feasible and will do anything we can."
But if one of these routes isn't cut, Lewis said, they would look at the next higher route on the list, which would have even more riders.
Councilwoman Kathy Graziano (4th), who heads the land use, housing and transportation committee, told the crowd that there will be more public hearings on the issue and that council could decide to cut fewer or none of the routes.
"The public will continue to be kept in the loop," she said. "We are faced with a very difficult situation. We have rising fuel costs, low ridership and the people in buses need those routes.
"It's a very difficult balancing act to keep taxes low, bus fares low and provide services that you need. That's why we have these meetings -- so we can do what is best for everybody. It doesn't mean everyone will be happy. We will all work together to get the best solution possible."