Laketran plans to operate on a budget of $13.9 million for 2015 with plans to also spend $4.6 million on its capital improvement program. The operating budget includes the long-term restoration of Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride on Saturdays and reflects no fare increases next year. Laketran anticipates receiving $13.9 million in revenue for the year.
The capital budget is used primarily for vehicles and is funded 80 percent by federal funds with a 20 percent local match. Replacement of five of the 1998 MCI motor coach buses used for Laketran’s Cleveland commuter Park-n-Ride service and 12 Dial-a-Ride buses will be the major capital expense in 2015.
The transit agency’s Board of Trustees approved the budgets Nov. 17.
Lisa Colling, Laketran controller, said the budget is comparable to the agency’s 2009 budget and is a 5 percent increase from 2014.
“The increase is mainly due to the addition of Saturday Dial-a-Ride service for seniors and people with disabilities that will begin in January, she said. “We also foresee being able to continue the extended holiday hours that has become very popular this time of year.” Colling cited sales tax revenues slowly starting to increase as the economy picks back up. The agency projects it will receive $8.23 million in sale tax receipts, which would be a 0.75 percent increase from what is anticipated for 2014.
The Saturday Dial-a-Ride service is funded by a competitive Federal Transit Administration New Freedom grant that requires a 50 percent match for operating funds.
Laketran received 73 percent, $420,080, of the total $577,600 funds awarded by the program and the service will begin Jan. 10 and operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We’re very excited to bring back Saturday service with our 2015 budget,” said Kevin Malecek, Laketran Board of Trustees president. “In addition to new Dial-a-Ride service, we’ll be launching online technologies in 2015 to create a better customer experience, including a real-time trip planner and online reservations opportunities.”
Laketran on Dec. 1 also will officially open the new Painesville Transfer Center on North St. Clair Street in Painesville, across from the county administration building. The new transfer center is expected to serve 130,000 annual riders who use Laketran Routes 1, 4, and 5.
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