Kent County narrows DCT funding to preserve mobility-on-demand service on Route 4

County staff presented three funding scenarios for Dorchester County Transit (DCT) service that affects Kent County’s Route 4: a full-request option at $157,000, a reduced option at $110,000, and a level-fund option (the current budget baseline at about $92,000). Commissioners instructed staff to adopt the reduced $110,000 option, which reduces fixed Route 4 runs from six to four per day while keeping the current level of mobility-on-demand (door-to-door) service that serves Chestertown and county residents.

Staff said the highest-cost option would fund six fixed runs and retain mobility-on-demand but would cost roughly $157,000; the reduced $110,000 option preserves mobility-on-demand and reduces fixed-route frequency to four daily runs. Under the level-fund baseline in the budget, Route 4 would run four times per day with limited mobility-on-demand focused on Chestertown and a lower number of runs overall.

Presenters told commissioners that mobility-on-demand is the most cost-effective way to serve the dispersed, rural population outside denser centers such as Chestertown. A commissioner speaking in the session said, “the mobility on demand is where we’re getting the bang for the buck,” and another commissioner indicated they would “bring the second option” into the budget.

Commissioners also discussed local contributions: the Rock Hall business association had previously received county support for local transit and county commissioners encouraged the town to contribute additional funds if it wanted expanded service within Rock Hall. Staff said the budget will be updated to reflect the selected option for presentation at the public hearing.