Those taking day trips through Arlington’s 55+ travel program could see significantly higher costs kick in later this year.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has proposed increasing fees for the excursions to pay for higher transportation costs.
Currently, trip costs range from $10 to $120, depending on destination and amenities. The budget proposal calls for increasing the range to between $22 and $250.
“We went to ensure that the senior travel program, even though it’s a nice program to have, that those travel costs are covered,” Department of Parks and Recreation director Jane Rudolph said at a recent budget briefing to members of the Park and Recreation Commission and Sports Commission.
The travel program provides an average of roughly a dozen outings per month. To participate, individuals must have signed up for the county’s 55+ pass, although exceptions are made for first-time travelers so they can get a sense of the offerings.
The higher costs, which would take effect July 1 if implemented by County Board members later this month, were already being considered before the U.S.-Iran conflict sent oil prices spiking.
Those fees are for county residents. Non-residents can participate but pay surcharges.
Don Hesse, who heads the parks department’s Senior Adult Council, told ARLnow that the panel had heard from staff that travel fees “do not come close to covering current travel costs and that significant increases were necessary to close some of the gap.”
“It is currently too early to know what might happen, but we certainly want to see the travel program continue,” he said, adding that subsidies for low-income residents might be used to offset the cost impact.
Among upcoming trips and their costs to county residents:
- A performance of “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg (April 22, $111)
- Visiting the Flower Mart at Washington National Cathedral (May 1, $19)
- A tour of the U.S. Supreme Court (May 4, $12)
- A trip to Arundel Mills and Maryland Live Casino (May 29, $14)
Prior to Covid, there was informal consideration of expanding the senior-travel program to multi-night journeys, perhaps even international trips. Post-pandemic, the idea seems not to have been resurrected.
Photo via Centre for Ageing Better/Unsplash
