Island Transit should start charging bus fares

Island Transit doesn’t really have much of a choice when it comes to charging fares.

State lawmakers and state Department of Transportation officials have said that the agency needs to start collecting money from riders or risk losing out on grant funding. They say the agency shouldn’t ignore a revenue source, and that fares ensure that riders have “skin in the game.”

And they’re right.

Island Transit officials have held public open house meetings throughout the county to gather input about what residents think about the idea of charging fares. At 9:30 a.m. Monday, the agency’s board of directors will hold a public hearing to receive further input on Island Transit’s consideration of fixed route and paratransit fares.

Since the agency’s inception more than 30 years ago, the philosophy at Island Transit has been that fares don’t bring in much revenue to a rural bus system, they’re an expensive hassle to collect, and the presence of money on board could tempt some drug-addled mainlander to stage a robbery. With only one exception, the buses have remained fare-free; the agency has run on a combination of sales tax and grants.

But times have changed. Technology will make gathering fares a relatively simple and secure matter. Costs are ever-increasing. A modest fare just makes sense.

Island Transit went through some dark days a few years ago after a large budget deficit came to light. But things have greatly improved in recent years. The agency has a healthy budget and top officials who are paying close attention.

Mike Nortier, former commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, has done a great job as the head honcho at Island Transit. He led a complicated project to analyze routes and ridership; it led to changes that have increased the efficiency of the system.

Under his leadership, Island Transit has explored innovative programs, such as themed bus tours led by experts in different subject matter. As part of the agency’s commitment to the environment, the bus fleet switched to a biodiesel fuel blend earlier this month.

Island Transit is one of only two transit agencies in the state that don’t collect fares.

Clearly, charging fares works for other agencies. And it will work for Island Transit.