Higher gas prices hurt Ely Buss effort

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 11:46 a.m.

"When we budgeted last year, White Pine County was paying $1.03 a gallon - local retail prices were about $1.35," Ely Buss Owner-Operator Wayne Cameron told the Ely Daily Times. "The county's now paying $1.23 a gallon, and officials fear it could go as high as $1.50. Local retail prices are now approximately $1.81."

State transit programs are partially subsidized by the federal gas tax, which is administered by the Nevada Department of Transportation, or NDOT, Cameron said. He and other operators were seeking the funding from the department.

Ely Buss already has received $1,500 in emergency funding from the Regional Transportation Commission, which should help carry the shuttle service through the end of this fiscal year, Cameron said. But more money is needed to prevent possible price hikes and service cuts in the future.

Ely Buss travels between Ely, Ruth and McGill, charging $1 for rides up to five miles and $2 for trips between five and 15 miles.

"If we don't receive help from NDOT, we might have to raise our fares," Cameron said. "We'd probably have to double them. We might also have to cut back on our hours."

Ely Buss provides service from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Cameron said, with two vans operating during peak hours.

"From shopping and work, to the senior center and medical appointments - Ely Buss transports virtually everyone in the community," Cameron said. "A lot of people depend on us."

Cameron also operates Nevada Express, charging $44 for a one-way ticket to Las Vegas and $63 for a one-way ticket to Reno. He said those trips would not be affected.

Jim Mallery, NDOT transit planner, said every transit program in Nevada has been affected by the rise in gas prices.

"The impact depends on how much they drive, and how many hours a day the specific vehicle is in operation," Mallery said.