The mayor and council discussed an amendment to the contract with We Drive You Inc. to add pilot hours to Princeton's municipal bus service and authorize an additional $7,500 for 2025. Staff said the funds would support a short-term pilot to test an interim schedule and to evaluate whether demand warranted a larger service increase. Councilors and staff described the request as authorizing money for a pilot rather than approving a final schedule.

Why it matters: Several residents who rely on the municipal bus said the proposed schedule represented a significant reduction in service for seniors who use the bus for errands, YMCA classes and other afternoon activities. One resident, Lisa Wu, presented a petition with more than 20 signatures and told the council she had calculated the proposed change as a roughly 40% cut in scheduled hours at several stops and an end time near 4 p.m. that would exclude many evening activities.

Key discussion points: Staff told the council they were still finalizing the pilot schedule and would coordinate with residents and the service provider to minimize negative impacts. Jim (transit staff) said he would meet the following day with the bus service provider to adjust routing and create a late-evening run. Councilmember Layton and others pressed for assurance that no vulnerable residents living in affordable units such as Elm Court would lose service.

Council action: After discussion and public comment from two residents directly affected by the service proposal, a motion to table the authorization passed. The council voted to table to allow staff additional time to present a final schedule and to ensure that no existing stops or riders would be left without service before authorizing expense.

Clarifying details: Staff said the authorization under consideration was to support a short-term pilot and did not represent a final service pattern. Residents reported the currently circulated draft would shorten service days and reduce afternoon/evening connectivity; staff said they would return with a revised schedule and said they intended to add some late runs to address concerns.

Next steps: The council asked staff to return with a proposed schedule that accommodates existing riders, to coordinate directly with petitioners and residents, and to provide clearer estimates of pilot operating costs before the council considers an appropriation or contract amendment.