It may soon cost more for people to use the Scotts Bluff County Handy Bus.
County Commissioners are looking into rate increases ranging from 50 cents to one dollar for trips on the Handy Bus.
On average, it costs riders $1.50 each way for a trip to Scottsbluff or Gering. That's 35 cents *less* than it actually costs the county to provide the rides.
Supporters of the increase say change is needed.
"It's probably time to have a small rate increase, and we're still going to lose money on it," explains Board Chairman Mark Masterton. "But the rate increase seems like a fair way to deal with the deficit."
Masterton says a rate increase has to go to a public hearing before it can go into effect.
The proposed rate for trips would increase from $4 to $5 each way to destinations of Lyman, and Morrill. Trips to Mitchell, Melbeta, and Minatare would increase from $3 to $4, and trips to Scottsbluff and Gering would go up from $1.50 to $2.
So far this year close to 32,000 trips have been provided to folks to Gering and Minatare, accounting for approximately 95% of all the rides within the county.
