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of 11 peer systems in communities in the Southeastern United States of similar size to Sarasota County. Paul did not research whether any of those other systems accept debit and credit card payments, he told the News Leader through a county spokesman so the News Leader looked into that this week. As reported in the News Leader's July 11 issue, SCAT's total operating expenses were the highest in the group. Only three other bus systems surveyed in the evaluation do not allow any payments by debit or credit cards. They are Manatee County Area Transit; Collier Area Transit, based in Naples; and Pasco County Public Transportation. SCAT's total fare collections in 2012 were slightly above the average for the systems, the evaluation showed. SCAT took in $2,323,261, while the average was $2,150,906.91. Those with the highest revenue from fares were Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (SC), which collected $3,815,766 in 2012, and Chatham Area Transit Authority (GA), which had income of $3,458,466. Collier's total was $1,354,270, while Manatee's system took in the second-lowest amount: $1,132,060. Pasco County collected $1,144,207. The WAVE Transit System in Mobile, AL, had the lowest total: $966,516. It accepts credit and debit card payments only at its office, a spokeswoman told the News Leader. The population served by the Charleston sys- tem in 2012 was 510,286, the data shows. For Chatham, it was 265,128; for Sarasota County, 388,474; for Manatee County, 322,833; for Collier, 323,785; and for Pasco, 464,697. % • Gene Burgess and Melonie Burgess, licensed acupuncture physicians • Serving Sarasota since 2008 • Treatment rates are on a sliding scale, from $15-$35; new patients pay a one-time additional fee of $10 AFFORDABLE ACUPUNCTURE FOR EVERYONE 3615 Webber St • Sarasota, FL 34232 (941) 922-4611 SarasotaCommunityAcupuncture.com Open Tuesday through Saturday Our Mission To provide our community with high quality and affordable acupuncture and herbal medicine and to create a treatment space that connects people and builds community. Click for larger map and driving directions Click To Schedule An Appointment Online MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE $5 OFF THE NEW PATIENT FEE Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 24