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County STS awarded three replacement vehicles; staff outlines paratransit, ADA and microtransit plans
Summary
STS staff reported an FY26 award of three replacement vehicles but no fleet-expansion funds; staff said the agency will keep older buses in service longer, pursue one or two transit vans for paratransit, review ADA policies, and study future microtransit options.
Rowena Bosio, chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, opened discussion as STS staff reported on fleet and service changes for fiscal year 2026. A staff member said the agency "was awarded 3 new vehicles. However, we were not awarded our vehicle expansion," and that the county will keep buses slated for retirement in service longer to meet operational needs.
The staff member said one of three replacement buses is awaiting a camera install and that a non-CDL vehicle is expected by the end of the month. Staff noted they requested three additional vehicles to expand the fleet but did not receive expansion capital; "we can't use operating as capital," the staff member said, describing limits on using operating grants to buy vehicles.
Ron Burpos, identified in the meeting as the new STS supervisor, said the agency is considering buying "1, maybe 2 transit vans" that would be "100% paratransit" and that those smaller vehicles could later be repurposed if the agency moves toward microtransit. Burpos described microtransit as a longer-term option requiring additional resources, software and staff capacity and said it is "a few years off." He said transit vans would help prepare STS for that future model.
On paratransit and ADA compliance, staff said they are reviewing "our ADA, American Disabilities Act, policies and procedures" and will revamp the appeals process and documentation to bring the program into compliance. Staff stressed this will be a work in progress with significant outreach and transparency before changes are finalized.
Discussion included operational considerations: staff said transit vans would be used for paratransit (SDAP/ADA services were discussed) and that federal regulation limits charging for ADA paratransit if fixed-route service is fare-free. Committee members asked about service roles for vans and the timeline to implement microtransit; staff emphasized funding, software, and IT support would be required and that microtransit would first be pilotable after foundational investments.
The committee did not take formal action on fleet acquisition or service model adoption at the meeting; staff said they will include fleet and service needs in ongoing planning and grant applications and will retain the current buses as an interim measure.
