Several area residents said they depend on the bus everyday, rain or shine, and for many riders the new change in the system is causing some unease as far as the change in their pockets is concerned.

Dayton resident Deangela Shrivers said she rides the bus a lot but doesn’t know if she can anymore now that an adult fare will cost 25 cents more.

Stephanie Campbell of Dayton said she doesn’t know if she can afford the fare raise – which adds up to an additional $1.75 per day and $65 per year for each rider.

According to a release from RTA, other changes include a raise in Project Mobility dares from $3 to $3.50. The agency will also reduce the number of times the bus runs each day and the number of trips on certain routes.

Starting August 16, RTA will eliminate Route 32 altogether, however night-time service and senior-targeted Routes 65 and 66 will stay in service. In addition, Route 22 will be extended to serve some popular destinations like the Job Center and Miller Lane.

According to RTA Executive Director Mark Donaghy in the release, all these changes are part of an effort to dig them out of a $3.1 million loss. Though he added, this still might not be enough.

“We’re in a situation we hate to be in,” he stated in the release. “We hope actions today will get us through the year 2010.”

The release also stated that fare increases taking place this summer only address projected revenue shortfalls through the rest of 2009 and perhaps through 2010.

Donaghy cited uncertainty about sales tax revenues as one reason he is concerned the adjustments will not even offset losses in 2010. The release stated 15 percent of revenue from fares and received 58 percent from sales taxes collected in Montgomery County.

Despite concerns from area residents, Board Vice President William Kramer said in the release, they have no choice but to make the changes.

“We really have no choice,” he said. “We can not print money like the federal government can.”