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El Metro study proposes phased microtransit pilot to replace low‑performing routes; no council action taken
Summary
A consultant study presented options for on‑demand, zone‑based microtransit to complement Laredo's fixed‑route system and a late‑night citywide service. The El Metro board and MPO were asked to review feasibility; council took no formal action at the meeting.
Consultants from the Goodman Corporation delivered a detailed feasibility study on Monday recommending El Metro pilot a zone‑based microtransit service to replace several low‑performing circulator routes and to provide late‑night coverage.
The study proposed five pilot zones based on low‑ridership fixed routes and land‑use factors. Consultants recommended a two‑phase rollout beginning with limited north and west zones, using small, ADA‑accessible vehicles and technology that permits app and phone booking. Estimated first‑year operating costs for full‑system zones ranged from about $1 million for smaller areas to more than $3 million for the largest southern zone; a citywide late‑night service was projected near $2 million annually for the first year under a 30‑minute wait model.
Goodman and Hendrickson Transportation Group presenters told council the microtransit model can improve rider experience, create shared trips and — if deployed strategically — allow El Metro to reduce some low‑performing fixed routes while maintaining coverage. Hendrickson’s Raymond Suarez said comparable deployments typically take about six months from authorization to operation and tend to produce customer satisfaction and ridership gains once riders adopt the service.
Council members and staff discussed operational considerations: technology for bookings and fare integration, how to avoid double fares when riders transfer between modes, wheelchair access, operator staffing and potential capital needs. The consultants stressed multiple booking channels (app, phone, web) so unbanked or cross‑border riders are not excluded.
No action was required by the council; staff and the MPO will review the report and return with recommendations. Several council members said they want the MPO and El Metro to develop a phased pilot that avoids undermining higher‑performing fixed routes, and to explore funding and union considerations for vehicle types and drivers.
