Warren County's transit service has undergone significant changes since the introduction of Valley Transport as the new operator at the beginning of the year. During a recent government meeting, Suzanne Mason, director of the county's transit service, provided an update on the transition and the improvements made to the program.

Valley Transport was selected after a thorough review process that included a request for proposals (RFP) and interviews conducted by a transit advisory committee. The committee, composed of representatives from various agencies, recommended Valley Transport, which has since been operating the service.

Mohan, the Chief Financial Officer of Valley Transport, highlighted the importance of the transit service for residents, particularly for the elderly and disabled, who make up over half of the ridership. He emphasized that the service is crucial for those who rely on it for affordable transportation options.

Since taking over, Valley Transport has implemented several technological advancements, including a proprietary app called Trip Wizard, which optimizes routes using Google Maps data. This shift from a manual, paper-based system to a digital platform has resulted in a notable increase in ridership. In January, the service recorded approximately 33,100 trips per month, which surged to 4,443 trips in February—a 32% increase. By August, ridership had reached 5,778 trips, marking a 70% increase compared to earlier months.

Looking ahead, Valley Transport plans to expand its fleet with the addition of four new vehicles to accommodate growing demand. They are also exploring a cashless payment system to streamline the ticketing process.

The initial budget for operating the transit service in Warren County was set at $1.4 million, with ongoing efforts to track ridership data and improve service efficiency. Valley Transport aims to enhance the overall experience for users while ensuring that the transit service remains a vital resource for the community.