Coast Transit Authority seeks higher subsidy, warns fare increases reduce ridership; council asks for route study for East Biloxi

Coast Transit Authority (CTA) representatives told the Biloxi City Council the regional transit agency is operating under fiscal pressure and that fare increases can depress ridership, which in turn reduces federal formula grant funding that depends on passenger counts. Why it matters: CTA provides bus service and ADA curb-to-curb trips across the region; council members questioned how the authority can better serve low-income neighborhoods in East Biloxi while remaining financially sustainable. CTA leadership said operating a fixed-route bus costs about $82 per service revenue hour and that…