Whatcom Transportation Authority would spend down enormous cash reserves built up with federal COVID-19 relief money, according to a proposed 2023 budget currently under review by the transit agency’s board of directors.
The WTA board will hold a public hearing on the budget on Thursday, Nov. 17.
The overall budget would grow 24% according to the administration’s proposal, from the projected $48.2 million that will be spent this year to $59.8 million in 2023. The extra spending is supported by more than $36 million in cash available to the agency — an amount projected to drop to $11.5 million by the end of next year.
WTA’s cash supply was bolstered over the past three years by federal COVID-19 rescue payments totaling more than $39 million.
The agency expects to spend nearly $7.5 million next year on 26 new vehicles: 24 of the smaller paratransit buses and two electrics that will replace old 40-foot buses that run on diesel.
WTA also would add seven employees next year, including a four-member security team that would be in full operation by the second half of the year.
The new security division would address “both a real and perceived threat of safety on the buses,” WTA Finance Director Shonda Shipman told the board in October.
Jeff Benson, the agency’s safety and risk manager, said at a Nov. 10 board meeting that he could recall only six cases of physical assault on WTA buses or in its facilities in the past seven years.
“Here in Whatcom County, I would consider our system quite safe in comparison to large metro areas,” Benson said, “but we are still struggling with graffiti, vandalism, some general disrespect of staff members.”
The new positions would be billed as “safety officers rather than security guards,” board President Michael Lilliquist said, to remove any impression that the team would aggressively police WTA buses or stations.
Not all board members were entirely convinced of the need for security staff. Blaine City Council member Eric Davidson and Everson City Council member Jen Lautenbach said educating the community about how safe it is to take the bus might be preferable to adding staff.
Some of the increased spending in the 2023 budget would cover the ballooning cost of day-to-day operations, due to inflation and supply-chain disruptions. The price for a new bus has increased more than 50% from some vendors, according to the budget document. With the sudden rise in diesel prices this year, WTA will exceed its fuel budget by 65%, and the agency expects to spend even more on fuel next year.
Ridership is below expectations this year, at 70% to 75% of pre-pandemic levels. In light of this, WTA is reducing its budgeted fare revenue for 2023.
Members of the public interested in participating in the budget hearing may attend in person at 8 a.m. Nov. 17 at WTA headquarters, 4011 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham. The public may also attend remotely. Instructions for joining the meeting online will be posted at ridewta.com/meeting.
