Courtesy photo / Volusia County. A Votran bus heads west on Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach in this photo. The county is looking at possible route cuts for New Smyrna Beach and Pierson to overcome o $2.6 million shortfall in revenue.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The great thing about living in sleepy New Smyrna Beach is the escape from the sprawl of the more urban Daytona Beach. The payoff may be tougher to swallow, though for residents here like a young man named "Rich" who is is on disability and relies on the public transportation of Votran buses to get around the county.
"I guess I won't be going to Daytona much any more," the 23-year-old Dixie Freeway resident said.
Considered a fringe area, New Smyrna Beach is targeted for possible Votran route cuts as Volusia County officials grapple with a $2.6 million shortfall in revenue and elected representatives don't want tax hikes.
New Smyrna Beach and Pierson are identified for route cuts, as well as possible beachside trolley service in Daytona Beach, but no determination has been made, Votran General Manager Ken Fischer told the County Council on Thursday.
"There are other ideas, other restructures of service, other things we can do internally to change how we operate, and try to reduce cost during the next year,” Fischer said. “So yes, this is an unusual challenge trying to come up with $2.6 million.”
Besides eliminating some routes, a proposal is on the table to raise individual fares by a quarter, to $1.50. Another suggestion is eliminating some Votran jobs. But even with those tradeoffs, Fischer said Votran would still be a million short in revenue to operate in the new fiscal year. County Councilman Jack Hayman, who represents New Smyrna Beach, said he doesn't want to see a ridership increase, explaining that with the economy the way it is, "Now is not the time." The affected routes in New Smyrna Beach would be routes 42, 43 and 44.