North County Bus Ridership Takes Back Seat During War

The deployment of Camp Pendleton Marines and the recession have caused a projected 700,000 drop in ridership for the North County Transit District this fiscal year.

The district’s finance director, Dennis Shives, said Friday that the district had earlier confidently predicted a 5% ridership increase that would have netted a total of 11.4 million passengers this year.

However, the sluggish economy and the deployment of 21,000 Marines--plus the departure of military dependents who moved from the area--dashed growth predictions and cost the district about $360,000 in lost fares, Shives said.

Lower expenses in other operational areas have offset the loss, he said, but it is not known whether the dwindling ridership will prompt a fare increase. On May 23, the district’s board of directors will meet for its annual fare review.

The district has 150 buses for 30 routes in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. It carries an average of 25,000 riders a day and is financially supported by fares and federal, state and local subsidies.

On routes between Oceanside and Camp Pendleton, ridership has dropped 20%, the district said.

“We can only attribute that to the slowing economy and recessionary factors,” Shives said.

The bulk of Camp Pendleton Marines shipped out in August, but additional troops left in mid-November. Since the Gulf War ended in late February, virtually all of the Marines have returned to base.

Their return has buoyed the district’s hope that ridership will rise this month and next, somewhat easing the predicted 700,000 decline for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

“We’re real optimistic it’s back,” Shives said.