A significant portion of the meeting centered on the impact of fare increases on ridership trends. Members noted that fare adjustments implemented in May and August 2023 had led to revenue increases, but ridership had generally decreased. One member raised the question of how long it might take to establish a clear trend following these fare adjustments.

Despite the fare hikes, some positive trends in ridership were observed. These improvements were attributed to operational enhancements and the performance of a new manager at the third-party contractor. The committee considered whether strategically utilizing the additional revenue from fare increases to lower rates might further enhance ridership.

Another issue discussed was the ongoing software problems with RouteMatch, the dispatch software, which had been experiencing disconnection issues since July. The speaker described the situation as a “very big problem,” highlighting the manual dispatching that had become necessary due to the software’s unreliability. There were discussions about reviewing the existing contract with the software provider, given the persistent difficulties.

Despite these software challenges, the contractor was commended for making notable operational improvements. Call volume metrics were reported to be high, and planned maintenance on buses was said to be up-to-date. Complaints regarding driver behavior had also been addressed more swiftly, leading to positive changes in customer service experiences. The committee acknowledged that while operational improvements were evident, issues with data entry and training persisted, exacerbated by the ongoing software problems. Staff was engaged in ensuring that necessary training was provided to address these gaps.

The committee also delved into the financials, with a report indicating a surplus of approximately $53,000 as of the end of August. However, it was noted that this figure could be misleading due to the timing of state and federal grant payments and delayed invoicing from third-party contractors. Questions were raised about anticipated state funding for the upcoming year, which would be addressed later in the staff report.

Concerns were raised about the necessity of maintaining the current number of buses given the declining ridership. One member questioned, “do we really need as many buses as we have?” This prompted a discussion about analyzing the fleet’s size relative to demand. It was acknowledged that more vehicles translate to increased maintenance and operational costs, and the aim is to ensure a “right-sized fleet” to meet community needs without overextending resources.

The topic of replacing older buses was also raised, with a member asking if they had exceeded their recommended mileage. The upcoming solicitation for bus orders was noted, with discussions about potentially including accessible vans in this procurement process. This shift is being considered due to the rising costs associated with full-sized buses and the Minnesota Office of Transportation allowing for more economical options. It was mentioned that the turnaround time for acquiring vans might be quicker than for buses.

In new business, the committee discussed the sale of bus 114, a 2013 diesel bus that had exceeded its useful life of 150,000 miles, clocking over 250,000 miles instead. Staff expressed readiness to dispose of this bus now that a new bus had entered service. The disposal process had been lengthy, but staff sought authorization from the council for the sale of bus 114. It was noted that this would not be the final diesel bus in the fleet, as there were potentially one or two remaining, and the transition to gas-powered buses was ongoing.

During the public forum, there were no comments from attendees, and the meeting transitioned to staff reports. A staff member provided a recap of ridership trends over the past year, noting significant declines likely tied to fare increases and changes in service implemented by the county. The staff member emphasized the need for a more extended period of comparison to establish reliable data due to the changes in service design. A comparison of operating policies was also provided, highlighting updates such as allowing six bags on the bus instead of four. The updated rider guide was shared to reflect these changes.

Additionally, the committee discussed marketing initiatives to bolster ridership, with plans to finalize a radio advertisement as the holiday season approached. Concerns were also raised regarding the current facility for the third-party contractor, which involved an annual rental expense of $80,000. Discussions hinted at exploring the feasibility of constructing a new facility, which could ultimately result in cost savings. The prospect of utilizing grants for such a facility was mentioned, along with considerations about the long-term availability of the current rental arrangement.