When the buses announced they would raise their prices, it came as no surprise that the Dolla Vans would follow suit. So now what started out as a one-dollar ride increased to two in 2020 and is now at a painful three dollars. Jomarie Lanza spoke with the president of the association and here's what he told us.
Starting June 1st, the daily commute to work in a Dolla Van will cost passengers $3. Their association says the decision to increase was a tough one to make, but due to the increase in fuel prices they were left with no other choice.
Richard Swift, President, Dalla Van Association
"It was a really really hard decision that we had to make because of the high prices the fuel prices going up and also we have a lot of intruders, lots of vans that are not part of our association so there is a lot of competition out there so we cant provide the service that we used to with this gas price going very high you know."
Reporter
"So is it that you guys just want a subsidy to help you all with the gas?"
Richard Swift, President, Dalla Van Association
"Right, right subsidy would be an excellent thing and very helpful for us at this time. We are planning to take it up to $3 but as soon as the gas come down we will bring it back down so it is not a stable thing where we are planning to have it stay at the $3 but right now it is a must for us because like I said we are taking lick out here you know."
Swift says that before, $125 worth of gas was enough to get around for the day. But now they find themselves having to spend more at the pump, and they're hardly breaking even. With that, all 65 members have agreed to increase their fares.
Paul Nwaobi, Vice President, Dalla Van Association
"But we feeling the pinch when we go to buy gas. Last week I put $50 gas and that did not even serve me up to 3 hours and I didn't even make back that $50 I went back to the gas station but it is because I trust the person at the gas station, and I went back because I went to buy again because that is where I buy gas everyday and he said its not me its not me you know its not because the AB raised theirs its because we are not making it again because of the gas so we have to do what we have to do you cannot come out in the morning hoping to make money and at the end of the day you cant put food on the table. So we are not raising it because we need to try and make ends meet and be able to come back home and make a little bit of profit. Not putting all the money we have into gasoline and then at the end of the day you cant put food on the table how will you feed your family? How will you maintain your vehicle?"
