Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MetroRide secures federal grants for buses, adds service to Northern Valley Industries route
Summary
Interim MetroRide director said federal grants will buy 10 new Gillig buses and replace paratransit vehicles; staff added a route to Northern Valley Industries without increasing labor costs and expects maintenance savings after new buses arrive
MetroRide Interim Director Ron Schenke told the Finance Committee Sept. 30 that the transit system secured grants for 10 new Gillig buses and expects maintenance savings and lower operating costs after the vehicles arrive, and that staff recently added a weekday connection to Northern Valley Industries without adding labor costs.
Schenke said the 10 Gillig buses are grant funded and will reduce the number of vehicles past their useful life; he added that paratransit vehicles were replaced with a 100%‑funded grant this year. He said the agency is pursuing a technology upgrade grant (also 100% funded) to provide real‑time bus tracking for passengers.
Separately, the committee heard that MetroRide added a new trip to serve Northern Valley Industries by inserting the run into an existing schedule so the new service required no additional driver labor in the morning and only minimal fuel costs for the out‑and‑back segment. The interim director said ridership on that run has averaged 16 passengers each one‑way trip and that the service supports workforce access for the facility.
Schenke said the agency has been carrying vacancies in management and has used experienced staff and part‑time drivers where feasible; he cautioned that sustained under‑staffing could pose operational risks if vacancies grow.
No committee action was required; the presentation was informational and part of the department budget briefing.
