Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Skagit Transit outlines network changes and downtown microtransit pilot for Anacortes
Summary
Skagit Transit presented a recommended rework of local and regional routes in Anacortes, including elimination of route 409, shortening of route 410, extension of the 40X and a two-year downtown microtransit pilot funded by a pending consolidated grant.
Skagit Transit presented proposed route changes and a two-year microtransit pilot for Anacortes during the city council meeting on April 14, 2025. Crystal Stedham, chief executive officer of Skagit Transit, said the recommendations focus on streamlined, more frequent service and a new on-demand option for downtown.
The plan would eliminate the circular 409 route, shorten the 410 so it terminates in downtown Anacortes and extend the 40X to provide a one-seat trip from Mount Vernon to Anacortes Skagit Station and downtown Anacortes. The agency proposed a two-year pilot of microtransit — an on-demand, point-to-point service within a defined zone — focused initially on the downtown corridor around Commercial and M avenues.
"For those of you that are not familiar with micro transit, we kind of call it it's kind of like Uber with public transit accessible, ADA accessible vehicles," Stedham said. She told council the consultant recommended the downtown pilot because of local density and pedestrian constraints and that the agency received more than 600 community survey responses systemwide.
Skagit Transit applied for a consolidated grant that includes multiple funding sources, and Stedham said the agency "scored very well" on that application; she said the state budget process means final award notification is likely in May. If the grant is awarded and the agency contracts a turnkey provider, Stedham said service could begin within about 12 weeks; running the service in-house would require buying vehicles and hiring drivers and would likely take much longer.
Councilmembers asked how microtransit would operate and how fares would be collected. Stedham and Malia Kuzminski, Skagit Transitplanning and outreach manager, said the service would support an app with stored payment and a phone-in option for riders without smartphones. Kuzminski said many agencies operate ADA-accessible Ford Transit or Dodge ProMaster vans for similar pilots and that contractors typically operate agency-branded vehicles under contract.
Council members also raised questions about coverage for schools and the senior center. Stedham said the 410 would continue to serve the high school and middle school in the recommended network and that demand-response (on-demand) service would fill some stops that are no longer on fixed routes. She encouraged school and senior center staff to review the full executive report and provide feedback to Skagit Transit during the 30-day public comment period that started the week of the meeting.
The presentation emphasized short-term changes (route consolidations, a reduced 410 footprint, and the downtown microtransit pilot), midterm goals (30-minute weekday frequency on core routes, 60-minute Sunday frequency), and longer-term aims (expanded night service and broader microtransit if the pilot succeeds). Stedham said other recommended investments include improved bus stops and ADA transition work, fleet replacement and integrated regional connections.
Next steps include a 30-day public comment period and notification of the grant decision, likely in May. Skagit Transit posted the consultant executive report and public materials on its website and asked the council and community to submit comments while the pilot parameters are finalized.
