TCC bargaining with HRT to snag special rate for students

Posted to: Education News Traffic - Transportation Virginia Beach
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By Cheryl Ross
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 14, 2011

VIRGINIA BEACH

Tidewater Community College students and staff may be able to use Hampton Roads Transit's light rail, ferry and bus services at a special rate if contract negotiations between the school and transportation provider prove a success.

TCC's College Board unanimously approved a proposal Tuesday night to begin negotiations with HRT to provide the services, which would be available to students who attend all of TCC's campuses, said TCC President Deborah M. DiCroce.

Currently, TCC provides a free, on-campus shuttle service that takes students to the campuses.

Under the HRT proposal, students and employees could use HRT services anywhere for a projected $6.50 a year, officials said.

Student fees fund the current shuttle service, budgeted at $400,000 annually. The potential contract with HRT could cost as little as $250,000 annually, said Phyllis F. Milloy, TCC's vice president for finance.

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Gee Phil, why negotiate.

Submitted by keithh41833 on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 6:18 pm.

Gee Phil, why negotiate. Just let them ride for free. We are subsidizing 905 of the actual cost. What's another 10%. Taxpayers have plenty of money for this carnival ride.

One of the figures I'm anxious to see.

Submitted by jpjones on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 7:13 am.

In addition to the daily ridership "figures," I'd like to see how many citations were issued and fines collected for riders "apprehended" without tickets.

My guess is we'll never see that figure or, if it is made public, it will be astonishingly low.

A "deal" for all Norfolk residents.

Submitted by jpjones on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 7:09 am.

Our city manager ought to swing a deal with HRT to allow all Norfolk residents to ride for just $1.50 per ride.

Oh wait! He already has. To get the $1.50 per ride deal, all he had to do was plunk down a $318 million one time fee and a $6 million annual fee.

"special rates" means that taxpayers have to foot

Submitted by tb35349 on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 7:03 am.

the tab for the rest.

STOP GIVING HANDOUTS.

I'll be waiting for your $5

Submitted by trackermw on Fri, 09/16/2011 at 8:24 am.

I'll be waiting for your $5 toll to be deposited next time you use one of our interstates since you're so interested in stopping "handouts." Better yet... next time you need a police officer, have your credit card ready as the dispatcher needs to pre-approve your card for the pursuant charge before he/she sends an officer. NOW we're getting rid of handouts.

Why?

Submitted by B in VA on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 6:23 am.

Why should some people get a better deal than other people? If it was reversed, then it's be called unfair practices? The best example is the Tax System. We all live here, all consume and use up resources, but some people don't pay taxes, and some people get back more than what they put in... The Tide cost too much money to put together, so now let's justify who get's a free or discount ride?

Again, it's not "free." The

Submitted by trackermw on Fri, 09/16/2011 at 8:26 am.

Again, it's not "free." The universities are paying money to HRT for a kind of "bulk rate" so that it is free to the students. HRT isn't just granting free access to certain people.

great scam

Submitted by beach23451 on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 6:14 am.

I love a good acam. It seems that HRT is contracting ridership numbers through contracts with local organizations....It is to be seen if this results in ridership numbers or just numbers that alow for grant applications,,,

If Norfolk State and ODU

Submitted by b84184 on Wed, 09/14/2011 at 5:54 am.

If Norfolk State and ODU students get free HRT passes, why not also allow TCC students the same privilege?

First of all, both of those

Submitted by trackermw on Fri, 09/16/2011 at 8:22 am.

First of all, both of those schools PAID HRT a lump sum to be able to offer that service to their students, faculty and staff. It is no different than you going and buying a month or year pass, but on a larger scale.

Secondly, those people get to ride for free with their university ID cards. While it is a subtle difference, there is a difference between allowing ridership with an ID versus "free passes."

I love how everyone on these forums just spouts off nonsense without first knowing all of the facts.