Dramatic drop in ridership on 95 Express bus route - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Ridership is down dramatically on a popular bus route between Richmond and Petersburg. This, after fare for the 95-express increased and service decreased. Now, there are concerns the route will be eliminated.

It's been a little more than three weeks since the fare on the 95 express jumped form $3 to $5 each way and service decreased from 11 to 6 round trips daily.

There's now another number being wheeled around -- 46%, that's how much ridership has dropped.

"If it stays like that I don't know if we'll be able to maintain the route," said Petersburg Area Transit General Manager, Gha-is Bashir.

The city is working to get grant dollars to bring service back to what is was and hopefully increase ridership.

"We'd like to keep the service," Bashir added.

When the city along with GRTC announced the 95 express changes those who park at the lot near the transit station in Petersburg also learned they'd be charged a parking fee -- $15 a month for residents and $30 for non-residents.

When it was free to park at the lot there was a shortage of spaces. To accommodate the overflow the city turned all of it's visitor spaces into commuter spaces.

"I counted the cars today. Only 37 cars are here. There are a whole lot of spaces," Bashir explained.

Commuter, Curtis Walker noticed the difference and is worried about what will happen next.

"If you ain't getting the people to support you, they'll probably cut it off," said Walker. "Although ridership is down the 95 express is the only way for a lot of folks to get to and from Richmond."

For now, the Petersburg says it will do all it can to keep the route rolling.

GRTC has said it had to raise the fare and decrease service on the 95 express due to a lack of funding.

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