DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Riding the bus in Volusia County could become more expensive in the near future.

Votran, the county’s bus transportation service, is considering a rate increase across the board, raising rates for single riders and multi-day passes.

The bus service is planning public meetings starting next month to provide information and hear from the public. They say the rates for a single ride would go up from $1.75 to $2.00.

Other examples include a one-day pass increasing from $3.75 to $4.00, and a seven-day pass going from $13.00 to $15.00.

A full list of proposed costs can be found at the bottom.

Bobbie King, the county’s transit director, says she expects riders to be unhappy with the possible bus rate hikes and understands the challenges many riders face.

“I do expect people to not be happy about any kind of increase and our public is dealing with a lot of expenses as well, which is why we’re asking for a minimal increase,” said King.

King says the rate hikes would be the first in 10 years for the county.

“Our current revenues are about $2.1 million a year in fares and we’re looking to increase that by about $400,000 per year,” said King.

The transit director says around two million riders used their buses last year, and says Votran’s annual budget is $30 million, half of which comes from federal funding and the other half from taxpayer dollars.

Mary Denson and James Byrd, who were waiting at the Transfer Plaza Bus Terminal in Daytona Beach to catch a bus back to Orlando, say bus fares add up quickly.

“It matters if you’re on a fixed income, and you are trying to manage your money the last throughout the month,” said Byrd.

“Everything’s up sky-high. Nobody can afford to live here anymore, so you’re going to have to go get roommates and stuff like that,” said Denson.

The couple says bus transfers with extended times are what’s needed, not rate hikes.

“So, they need to bring back the transfers to help people a little more and increase the time on the transfers so that people can get around better,” said Denson.

Coming up in June and July, the county will hold public hearings to get input about the rate hikes.

The Volusia County Council is expected to make its final decision by August, and if approved, the rate hikes would go into effect in January 2025.

First Public Hearing:

Monday, June 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway.

Proposed Rate Hikes:

1. Base fare for fixed-route service: $2

2. Other fixed-route passes:

A. Day pass: $4

B. Reduced day pass: $2

C. Three-day pass: $8

D. Three-day reduced pass: $4

E. Seven-day pass: $15

F. Seven-day reduced pass: $7

G. 31-day pass: $50

H. 31-day reduced pass: $25