ROSEBURG, Ore. (KMTR) -- Just two months into the year, the Roseburg area transit system, Umpqua Transit, is in the middle of budget surplus and is looking to give operational funds back to area governments.
Umpqua Transit, or UTRANS, made the announcement Monday night at a Roseburg City Council meeting. Each year, Roseburg gives UTRANS $75,000 to help run the bus system. This year, UTRANS is only asking for $60,000 from the city. That's a 20% budget reduction from the City of Roseburg.
UTRANS is owned by Douglas County, and operated by the United Community Action Network, or UCAN. It says this is the first it's ever returned operational dollars.
The $15,000 in savings for the City of Roseburg come as the bus system is ahead of its budget. Bus fare revenue is above normal this year. Meanwhile, fuel costs are below normal.
Toby Notenboom is the transit manager for UTRANS. He says giving back the operational budget couldn't come at a better time. "It feels good (to give money back) but you know, it was important," say Notenboom. "With the economy the way that it is right now all of the cities and the county are struggling with their budgets. There's no guarantee we can do it next year but we're very happy and pleased to be able to do it this year."
The cities of Sutherlin and Winston, also Douglas County and the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians and Umpqua Community College also help fund the bus system. Those groups will see a return on operational dollars as well.
Even with returning some operational funds, Umpqua Transit says it will expand bus service across Douglas County this year. Starting in July, UTRANS will offer service in South Douglas County to the communities of Myrtle Creek, Canyonville & Riddle.
