HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 18, 2026 Minutes GREATER ROANOKE TRANSIT COMPANY
May 18, 2026
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Greater Roanoke Transit
Company was called to order by President Joseph L. Cobb on Monday, May 18, 2026, at
12:30 p.m., in the in the HR Learning Center, located in Room 309, Third Floor North,
Noel C. Taylor Municipal B l ilding, 215 Church Avenue,S.W., Roanoke, Virginia, pursuant
to written notification by the Secretary of the Corporation.
PRESENT: Director's Matthew Crookshank, Dwayne D'Ardenne, Karen Michalski-
Karney, Maxwell Dillon, Vivian Sanchez-Jones and President Joseph L. Cobb-6.
ABSENT: Richard Peters, Jr. -1.
Also present were yalmarie Turner, Vice-President of Operations; Laura Carini,
General Counsel; Cecelia F. McCoy, Secretary; Kevin L. Price, General Manager, Valley
Metro; and Ronnie Parker, Assistant General Manager, Valley Metro; Corey Alshouse,
Interim Director of Finance Valley Metro.
President Cobb declared the existence of a quorum.
MINUTES: Without objection by the Board, President Cobb advised 'that the
reading of the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, March 16, 2026, would be
dispensed with and approved as written.
(See copy of Minutes on File in the Secretary's Office.)
REPORTS OF OFFICERS:
GENERAL MANAGER:
MANAGEMENT UPDATE: The General Manager submitted the Management
Update dated May 18, 2026, regarding the following items:
The General.Manager, Mr. Price, briefly advised the. Board that the price of low-
sulfur diesel fuel for transit)operations has nearly doubled over the past 90 days due to
the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He reported that, prior to the conflict, diesel fuel
costs averaged approximately $2.20 per gallon. Currently, GRTC is paying between
$3.85 and $4.00 per gallon. To help mitigate these increased fuel costs, GRTC is
deploying all three electric! buses, reducing engine idle times, and exploring additional
revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities.
With regard to the Walmart transit stop update, Valley Metro has recommended
that Walmart install two large passenger shelters, along with a cart corral and leaning
rails, rather than a single extra-large shelter. Valley Metro believes this configuration will
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better accommodate current passenger activity levels and improve the overall
functionality of the transit stop.
During discussion o l the Walmart transit stop update, Director Michalski-Karney
made a brief inquiry. President Cobb noted that there are still several vacancies on TPAC
and that efforts are underway to identify a candidate from the Vinton area. He advised
that he would follow up with Director Peters regarding a potential appointment. Director
Dillon confirmed that TPAC is specifically seeking a resident of Vinton to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Price gave an update on the April 9, 2026, Transit Passenger Advisory
Committee (TPAC) virtual meeting. Updates on transit bus shelter installs, route detours,
ridership, and miscellaneous follow up items were the topics of discussion.
(See TPAC Meeting Notes from April 9, 2026, in the secretary's office.)
AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT FARE FREE ELECTION DAY
SERVICE FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 21,2026, 2026; TUESDAY, AUGUST-4, 2026; AND
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 FOR ELECTION DAY.
Director D'Ardenne offered the following resolution authorizing Fare Free Election
Day Service for April 21, 2026, August 4, 2026, and November 3, 2026:
"A RESOLUTION ratifying, approving and adopting Fare Free Election Day
Service for Tuesday, April 21, 2026; Tuesday , August 4, 2026; and Election, and
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Greater Transit Company (GRTC) DBA Valley
Metro; and authorizing the General Manager of GRTC to take appropriate action to
implement such Fare Free Election Day Service for Tuesday, April 21,2026, 2026;
Tuesday, August 4, 2026; and on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 for Election Day."
(For full text, see resolution on file in the Secretary's Office.)
Director D'Ardenne moved the adoption of the resolution. The motion was
seconded by Director Sanchez-Jones and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Directors Crookshank, D'Ardenne, Dillon, Michalski-Karney, Sanchez-
Jones and President Cobb 16.
NAYS: None-O. (Director Peters was absent.)
Regarding the GRTC prospective fare increase discussion, Mr. Price advised the
last fare to increase for GRTC fixed route service was in January 2018; the base fare of
$1.50 was increased to $1.75, a 16% increase. Since that time, GRTC's total operating
expenses have increased 33%.
Federal operating assistance has increased 36%; state assistance has increased
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58%, and the local subsidy burden has increased 11% over the same period. Mr. Price
advised staff is currently considering a $.25 or 14% base fare increase, from $1.75 to
$2.00; this would increase GRTC's annual farebox revenue by approximately $181,000.
Mr. Price noted that the proposed change would bring GRTC in line with other
transit systems across the state. Director D'Ardenne inquired about trolley fares. Mr. Price
explained that Carilion has elected to discontinue the trolley service and that staff are
currently evaluating viable alternatives for its future operation. Potential options under
consideration include establishing a fare-free corridor and exploring other innovative
service models. He also suggested soliciting input from TPAC and considering Saturday
service as a potential enhancement.
Ms. Turner advised that the current trolley service will continue through June 30,
2026. President Cobb suggested that the Board reevaluate the process moving forward.
Following additional questions and discussion, Mr. Price provided further financial
information regarding the service, including monthly operating costs and funding
contributions from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the City of Roanoke,
Downtown Roanoke, Inc., and Carilion.
Following extensive conversation regarding trolley service, Director D'Ardenne
made a motion to include the Star Line Trolley in the-proposed passenger fare schedule
and to add an item to June 8, 2026, Public Hearing to receive comment on potential
modification to the Trolley service. The motion was seconded by Director Crookshank
and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Directors Crookshank, D'Ardenne, Dillon, Michalski-Karney, Sanchez-
Jones and President Cobb-b.
NAYS: None-O. (Director Peters was absent.)
GRTC FINANCIAL REPORT:
Mr. Corey Althouse, Interim Finance Director, provided a briefing to the Board on
GRTC's Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position, and the
Statement of Net Position (Assets, Liabilities, and Net Position).
President Cobb also thanked Mr. Alshouse for the financial update.
OTHER BUSINESS:
President Cobb reminded the Board that the TPAC Committee requested a Board
member to attend its next meeting, which will be held virtually on June 11, 2026, at 6:30
p.m. Director Vivian Sanchez-Jones volunteered and agreed to attend on behalf of the
Board.
NEXT MEETING:
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President Cobb announced that the next GRTC Board of Directors meeting would
be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Third Street Station, 307 Salem
Avenue, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24016 for a Public Hearing on the Passenger Fare
Schedule for GRTC and the Star Line Trolley Program.
President Cobb also reminded the next meeting of the Greater Roanoke Transit
Company Board of Directors will be held in the City Council Conference Room, Room
451, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., Roanoke, Virginia on
Monday, June 15 at 1:00 p.'m. and recess for the Stockholder's Meeting in City Council
Chamber. at 1:30 p.m. and will reconvene promptly at 1:45 — 2:00 p.m. to continue the
GRTC Board of Directors meeting.
There being no further business, the President declared the regular meeting
recessed at 1:45 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
qa‘41 —(4)161
ems-
Joseph L. obb Cciouexit
ecelia F. McCoy
President Secretary
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