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Ride Solutions resumes limited city service; voucher program under consideration
Summary
Ride Solutions resumed a reduced City Boss service in Palatka after a local appropriation and is exploring vouchers, pass donations and fare adjustments; commissioners encouraged outreach and partnerships to increase access for residents.
Ride Solutions updated the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners on May 13 about transit service resumed in parts of Palatka and ongoing work to expand and fund local routes.
Service status: Marie Carmen Beltran, director of operations for Ride Solutions, said the agency resumed a partial City Boss route two days a week for four hours per day after a small appropriation from the city of Palatka. Beltran said the first month reached about 50% of prior capacity and that Crescent City has asked about resuming intercity service along State Road 17.
Fare and voucher work: Beltran said the program has no formal voucher program yet; regular local fares are $1 per trip. Commissioners and Ride Solutions staff discussed pre‑purchasing passes for individuals (organizations can buy $1 passes to distribute), discounting passes for partner organizations, and the possibility of raising fares to $2 if and when expanded service resumes. Commissioner Harvey said his church would be willing to sponsor passes for residents in need.
Outreach and technology: commissioners urged Ride Solutions to improve public information about pick‑up and drop‑off locations, suggesting a QR code or a printed schedule at stops, and to add a direct link from the county website; staff agreed to provide scheduled ridership reports to the board periodically.
Next steps: Ride Solutions will continue to pursue state appropriations for route redesigns, explore voucher and pass donation programs with local partners, and return to the board with ridership updates and outreach plans.
