A proposal that changes the procedure for receiving half-priced bus fare failed to receive any traction at the Ocean City Council level this week.
On Tuesday, Transit Manager Rob Shearman presented the council with a proposal to amend the city’s policy on senior bus passes. While staff want to continue to provide half-priced bus fare to nonresidents ages 60 and older, they recommended eliminating the need to administer a physical pass to do so.
“We have already implemented half-price boarding for anyone who is 65 and older and is or is not a resident because federal stipulations tell us we have to do that,” he told the council this week. “It would be very easy for us to do away with the need of issuing a separate card for anyone who is 60 to 64 years of age, that we can offer that half-price boarding on our buses as well.”
Shearman noted the town’s policies and procedures manual lays out certain provisions for senior bus passes. First, it provides Ocean City residents and property owners ages 60 and older with free bus fare. Second, it provides nonresidents ages 60 and older with half-priced bus fare. Both require those eligible to obtain a bus pass.
“One additional piece of background information that I believe is relevant, is that if you are 65 or older, it is a stipulation of federal transit funding that if you get on a bus in the United States, and that municipal system accepts federal funding, and you say you’re 65 or older, they’re required to give you half price in that situation as well without the need for any kind of a special card,” he added.