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Politics & Government

Ocean Ride Bus Program At Risk as Casino Tax Revenue Declines

Casino tax dollars fund transportation system; funding fell to $1.8 million in FY2012

Ocean County’s transportation program for senior citizens is taking another hit from the downturn in casino gambling in Atlantic City, according to Freeholder Gerry Little.

Citing the toll of the recession and competition from casinos in Delaware and Pennsylvania, Little said aid to the county system will drop to $1.9 million for fiscal 2012, compared with $2.8 million in fiscal 2008.

“There are 24 other casinos within a tank of gas of Atlantic City. Casino revenues in Atlantic City have dropped for 33 months in a row,’’ Little said.

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Long a funding mainstay of the county’s Ocean Ride transportation for senior citizens, Little said the shrinking casino revenue fund has meant cutbacks in some services, like a freeze on dialysis transportation, fares replacing what used to be voluntary contributions, and reductions in mini-grants the county gives to non-profit groups for transportation programs.

The county bus fares make Ocean Ride still the cheapest form of public transportation for the elderly when compared with taxi or ambulance services, Little insisted.

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He said the positions of 13 county drivers have been eliminated but fuel, repair, and parts costs continue to rise. The county share of the casino revenue fund this year stands where it was in 2005.

“We’re going to face more reductions in state funding in the years ahead,’’ he predicted as the freeholders agreed to apply for the $1.91 million available for the next fiscal year.

Ocean Ride buses serve residents in Manchester, Whiting and Lakehurst, making stops in each of the areas.

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