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Alma transit reports ridership decline after contract changes; staff proposes dispatch-hours change and pilot safety cameras
Summary
Alma Transit reported a sizeable ridership decline tied to contract changes with a large partner and proposed shifting dispatch staff to road service by closing the dispatch phone line after 6 p.m.; transit staff also described a newly green-lighted infrared-camera pilot for buses.
Alma Transit staff presented a report at the May 13, 2025, Alma City Commission meeting detailing ridership figures, contract changes with a partner provider, and several proposed operational adjustments.
Ridership and contract changes: Transit staff said ridership has declined compared with recent years after the city changed its agreement with a large partner agency, Gresham Integrated Health. Previously the partner purchased an unlimited-use pass and paid a large flat fee; under the revised arrangement the partner now purchases rides on a per-ride basis and provides a weekly eligibility list for riders. Staff said that change, plus prior abuse of unlimited cards (riders selling cards), accounted for a drop of roughly 9,000 riders over a two-year period in the reporting window.
Operational proposals: Transit staff reported that roughly 20–24% of bookings are now completed via the new online/mobile booking app; staff proposed closing the phone-dispatch center at 6 p.m. and reallocating that staff to on-road driver duties to improve efficiency. Under the proposal, riders would still be able to book through the app and staff would publish recorded messages and education materials explaining the change. Staff said they would not implement the change until mid-summer and that they expect outreach and education to be required. Commissioners and staff discussed practical issues such as last-minute bookings and safety/insurance concerns; staff said after-hours last-minute bookings would not be possible on the app and that dispatch could still try to accommodate urgent requests earlier in the evening.
Safety and technology pilots: Staff said an infrared-camera pilot for buses—intended to improve detection of pedestrians, deer and motorcycles—has been green-lighted after a pause while state administrative changes occurred. Staff also said the agency is pursuing vehicle-camera technology and other safety-related upgrades. Staff noted that the city’s PCTrans software (used since 2017) generated historical ridership reports, and that staff identified a likely data discrepancy in the raw spreadsheet that will be corrected.
Other operational items: Staff said an earlier contract with Gresham had included a large flat payment (reported previously as around $100,000), which staff said is now replaced by per-ride billing plus an administrative fee; staff said the partner now pays an 11% administrative fee in addition to per-ride charges. Transit staff also said the new software has reduced call volume, allowing reallocation of staff time.
Why it matters: The changes affect transit availability for riders dependent on the service and the agency’s finances. Staff argued the proposed dispatch-hour adjustments would increase efficiency and preserve service with shrinking state and federal transit funding.
Ending note: Staff said they will provide additional data corrections, will coordinate public education if dispatch-hours change is implemented, and will continue to pursue the infrared-camera pilot and other safety upgrades.
