Lafayette has city bus service Monday-Saturday. And it continues until 10 p.m. Alexandria has the same city bus service. Why does Lake Charles have a shorter daily schedule and no Saturday schedule?

The city spends $3,073,749 on its transit system, which comprises five fixed bus routes and two para transit buses, said Mister Edwards, public works director.

The Federal Transit Administration covers 80 percent of the costs, and the city covers the remaining 20 percent, he said.

Al Hoover, the city’s transit manager, said it would cost about $360,000 to expand service to Saturdays and extend running hours to 10 p.m., along with about $374,000 to cover the costs of extended bus maintenance hours.

Annual ridership has risen over the last year — from 240,732 to 256,001 passengers — but the city would need to have an independent service assessment done to see if the transit system qualifies for more funding, Hoover said.

Edwards said officials will survey the system in the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, to gauge demand for extended hours and added routes.

Revenue, expenses

Transit revenue collected each year since 2006, according to the city’s fiscal year 2015 financial report, released in April by the state Legislative Auditor’s Office:

2006 — $62,086.

2007 — $80,615.

2008 — $83,792.

2009 — $62,810.

2010 — $81,418.

2011 — $98,804.

2012 — $115,597.

2013 — $111,750.

2014 — $189,754.

2015 — $184,332.

Transit system expenses for the same years, according to the report:

2006 — $1,662,242.

2007 — $1,996,952.

2008 — $2,540,820.

2009 — $2,359,228.

2010 — $2,038,547.

2011 — $2,215,223.

2012 — $2,298,862.

2013 — $2,354,540.

2014 — $2,714,383.

2015 — $2,917,813.

For more information, call 491-1253.

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Online: www.cityoflakecharles.com/transit; www.lla.la.gov.

Roundabout work to end within month

When are they going to finish the roundabout at Holly Hill and Prien Lake Road? It was to supposed to be finished in May.

Deidra Druilhet, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation and Development, said the roundabout should be completed “within the next month, weather conditions permitting.”

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Online: www.dotd.la.gov.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.