Fees for the Maplewood Jitney and for commuter parking permits are set to rise in 2017, said Mayor Vic DeLuca.
DeLuca told the Township Committee Tuesday that fees have not increased since 2014, while costs to maintain the jitneys have been steadily rising. In addition, the township is adding a new jitney to its current fleet this year.
Parking permit fees will rise to cover the costs of maintaining the spots and lots, which include re-striping, signage and more.
The expected cost increases are:
- Jitney annual pass from $92 – 100
- Combo jitney/parking fee $232 – 250
- Single ride: $1 – 2
- Parking permit $210 -225
DeLuca said the township was seeking to bring the “fare box recovery ratio,” a method used by transportation agencies to ensure expenses are being covered, up to 40%. The costs to run the program is projected to be more than $250,000 in 2017. After revenue from fees, the rest of the costs come from the township budget.
“We never like to increase the fees but our costs are going up,” DeLuca said.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Adams, who chairs the engineering, planning and public works committee which recommended the hike, said that unless the township raises the fees, “We’re going to get ourselves into a bind because the existing fees don’t count for vehicle depreciation.”
The TC will vote on the increases in October.
