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Committee hears transit ridership shifts and approves beach shuttle plan funding increase
Summary
Tom Lukens reported February transit operations: fixed routes declined while microtransit rose by about 600 rides and ADA trips increased after snow; staff described a new weekend "tan line" beach shuttle set to run May 23–Aug. 31 with the county paying $18,400 after a $4,000 increase in local match.
Tom Lukens, community development director, told the Muskegon County Transportation Committee that February transit numbers showed fixed-route trips down while microtransit—"go to" service—was up by about 600 rides, a shift Lukens linked to winter weather and passengers' preference for curbside pickup.
"When it snows out, you're not out on those bus stops as much," Lukens said, explaining that weather likely pushed riders to demand microtransit and ADA service. Committee members asked staff about ADA trip counts and were told snow and weather-related mobility limits likely increased demand for door-to-door paratransit rides.
Separately, committee members received an update on a new seasonal beach shuttle the staff is calling the "tan line." A staff speaker said the shuttle will run Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 23 through Aug. 31, operating continuously between the parking lot at Cruising Park Beach and the large lot at Harbor Town Beach so riders can park in either lot and shuttle between the beaches.
The presenter said the city increased its local match by $4,000; as a result the county’s share will be $18,400 instead of $14,400, and that this local funding matches roughly 80% of required federal funds for the line. The speaker said the updated funding arrangement "will be in good shape" for the program to operate this summer.
The transit updates were provided as informational items; no formal committee action was recorded on transit service changes at the meeting. Lukens said March figures for fixed routes would be provided to commissioners when available.
There were routine procedural votes during the meeting: the committee approved the meeting agenda and the March 13 minutes by voice vote at the start of the session.
