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In June 2007, CAT switched fuel vendors to obtain a better rate. At that time, the bus system went from paying $2.75 per gallon with the Clemson University Motor Pool to $2.62 via the South Carolina State Fleet plan. Even with its State Fleet deal, CAT was charged $4.08 per gallon for fuel on its latest invoice from the plan.
CLEMSON — Rising fuel costs are taking a toll at Clemson Area Transit (CAT).
“It’s a problem in terms of planning and expanding to accommodate a higher demand,” said CAT Executive Director Al Babinicz.
Babinicz said high gasoline prices have prevented expansion of CAT routes, but there have been no discussions regarding scaling back routes or instituting a toll. At least five studies are considering the possibility of new CAT service areas — including those regarding Westminster, Walhalla and Easley — according to Babinicz.
In June 2007, CAT switched fuel vendors to obtain a better rate. At that time, the bus system went from paying $2.75 per gallon with the Clemson University Motor Pool to $2.62 via the South Carolina State Fleet plan. The latter allows CAT to pay the guaranteed lowest price available, Babinicz said. Each bus is assigned a credit card, with fueling taking place at both consumer gas stations and commercial outlets. Receipts are then sent to the state to compute and issue payments.
“The change resulted in significant savings on fuel cost,” Babinicz said.
Even with its State Fleet deal, CAT was charged $4.08 per gallon for fuel on its latest invoice from the plan. The accretion in gasoline cost comes at a time when there’s increased demand for public transportation, Babinicz said.
CAT ridership is up 83 percent on Oconee County routes from this quarter last year, with Pickens County usage up at least 10 percent. Across the board, CAT ridership has seen double-digit percentage increases each month in 2008, Babinicz said. Last year, CAT saw ridership rise to 1.7 million; Babinicz expects the 2008 tally to break 2 million.
“The demand is exceeding the supply,” Babinicz said.
CAT has operated fare-free since its inception in 1997, thanks to state and federal funding and agreements with local municipalities. The system now operates in Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.
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June 16, 2008
11:37 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Al Babinicz needs new quotes.
June 17, 2008
7:41 a.m.Report inappropriate content
The reporter is right about "fare-free" rides, but CAT is far from free to the people who are paying for the bloated fuel hogs. They cost a fortune to operate. That federal and state funding also came from our pockets, folks. Taxpayers paid dearly for those grants. We're also paying through local taxes. Grant money is tax money, and we can't afford to forget it. Why not charge riders to use the bus? Is CAT seen as yet another free entitlement? At least charging per ride, or per month, whatever, would require the people receiving the service to pay more of the costs.
June 17, 2008
9:31 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Although at face value you might say "make the riders pay" that may not be a "fair" solution. I certainly have paid my share of taxes during my 40+ working years and even after retirement - but consider the fact that we also have had "bloated" roadways with individuals riding in some pretty inefficient vechicles - our taxes are also paying for repairing and cleaning up roads and environments - I think better spent on more environmentally friendly modes of transport to get folks around who may not have much $'s to begin with - lot of people with minimum wage jobs and other reduced incomes deserve a break in this "rich" country - I would love to see it expand - shucks! I might need a ride too!
June 17, 2008
12:37 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Yes, rockbottom, taxes (largely gasoline taxes) pay for repairing and maintaining roads. But the more wear and tear a vehicle owner does to a road, the more he pays in taxes through the gasoline tax per gallon. Vehicle owners who use the roads more also pay much more in gasoline taxes to keep them up. That's the same "user pays" fairness I'm suggesting for CAT riders. I hope you're not suggesting that CAT buses are "environmentally friendly" If so, please consider the amount of fuel use and pollutants, per mile, per rider, on all the empty, or nearly empty CAT buses we all see every day. What does it cost, per rider, in dollars and pollutants, to take two riders from Seneca to Clemson on one of those fuel hogs?
June 17, 2008
1 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Yes thihjh76 - I hear you! But - I am hoping in the long run that there are more riders in the future to make this "form" of transport more efficient both in ridership and in future types of fuel used. Again - taxes I and others have paid (other than gasoline taxes) should allow me and other potential "mass transit" users free use. I have ridden a transit system in Denver, Colorado - that took folks all over Denver without charge - it was very much used - of course it is a major metropolitan area with thousands of more potential users - and I'm not really saying that a "free ride" is the only answer - but it shouldn't be prohibitive for riders with limited incomes. thanks for the constructive feedback!