TRANSPORTATION FUND

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET

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BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

REVENUE CHANGES:

In February 2011, bus fare was increased from $2 ride-all-day to $3 ride-all-day, or $1 per boarding. In FY 15, the $1 per boarding option was eliminated. For FY 24, bus fare was increased to $4 ride-all-day, Bus revenue has been set at the FY 24 adopted level for FY 25 as ridership has not returned to the pre- COVID levels. Projected revenue from bus advertising is $340,000, an increase of $154,000. Tram fare was increased to $4.00 each way seven days a week in FY 20, and was increased to $5 each way in FY 24. Projected tram revenue is $1,500,000 in FY 24, an increase of $120,115. Tram advertising has been estimated at $60,000, an increase of $20,000. A County grant of $80,000 for providing service to the West Ocean City Park and Ride has been included. Federal and State operating grants totaling $709,557 have been estimated. Capital maintenance grants have been included for the purchase of two articulating buses and preventive maintenance on the buses. Prior year non-farebox revenue will be used to cover the local match for both. A General Fund contribution of $1,133,195 has been included towards operations, and a General Fund contribution of $14,900 has been included as a local capital match for the zero-emission bus transition plan.

PERSONNEL CHANGES:

Nineteen full-time employees have been funded in FY 25. Six bus driver positions were converted from part-time to full-time in FY 23. A step increase and a 3% COLA effective January 1, 2025 has been included for all full-time employees. Two seasonal supervisors continue to manage the money room operation. The total number of staff assigned to the money room was reduced from 7.5 employees to 6.5 employees in FY 20, and has been further reduced to 5 in the FY 25 budget. One of these employees is charged to the Parking cost center, while the remaining employees are charged to Transportation. Over 100 seasonal employees are employed by this department. Part-time salaries in the bus division are funded at $1,090,034, a reduction of $15,064 from the FY 24 adopted budget. Wages reflect increases for bus drivers from $18.45/hour to $19.00/hour in 2024 and a seasonal wage of $20.50/hour. Overtime in the Bus division increases $60,000 to better reflect the actual expense from the past three years. Total Tram part-time salaries increase $12,609, but reflect increases for tram drivers from $15.91/hour to $16.39/hour in 2024. Tram conductor positions were reclassified in 2023 and increase from $15.45/hour in 2023 to $15.91/hour in 2024. Other staff in the tram division, such as ticket sellers remain at $15.00/hour. Tram overtime has been budgeted at $30,000. The allowance for Police officers to patrol the buses is funded at $33,000. Budgeted hours for the operation of the medical transport program continue to be included. In Employee benefits, group insurance and worker’s compensation increase, while retirement decreases. Unemployment accounts for $264,000 of the Employee Benefits line item for FY 25.

OPERATIONAL CHANGES:

Contracted Services include building and equipment maintenance, printing, dues, and credit card fees. The annual fees for the bus locator system are included at $54,300. Credit card fees were budgeted at $25,000 for the Tram division, a decrease of $5,000. A bus cleaning service has been included at $30,000 and the Zero-emission bus transition plan has been included at $149,000. Operational Supplies are funded at $75,561. Supply items include oil and diesel exhaust fluid, and general supplies for daily bus operations. A replacement money room coin sorter was funded at $18,000. Energy costs decrease $4,000 for FY 25. Vehicle fuel is a major expense for this department and is budgeted at $487,023. Parts and labor for the bus division have been budgeted at $1,225,300, an increase of $175,300. All bus division parts and labor expenses will be submitted under the FTA/MTA preventive maintenance grant in FY 25. All Intragovernmental allocations increase. The largest increase is in Vehicle Lease as the debt service on the boardwalk tram was interest only until FY 25. The debt service increased $200,276 in FY 25. Vehicle lease in the bus division only covers the amount for vehicle insurance costs. Vehicle Lease in the Administrative and Tram divisions includes an amount for vehicle lease and for vehicle insurance. Capital Outlay includes the purchase of two articulating buses, funded with 90% Federal and State grant funds.