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Skagit Transit proposes downtown Anacortes microtransit pilot, route changes
Summary
Skagit Transit presented a recommended network redesign including elimination of route 409, shortening of route 410, extension of the 40X to Anacortes with Sunday service, and a two-year microtransit pilot focused on downtown Anacortes; funding would rely on a state consolidated grant that may include Climate Commitment Act money.
Skagit Transit officials presented a package of recommended route changes and a proposed two-year microtransit pilot for downtown Anacortes at the April 14 Anacortes City Council meeting. The presentation, delivered by Crystal Stedham, Skagit Transit CEO, and Malia Kuzminski, planning and outreach manager, focused on changes the agency says would increase frequency, span and regional connectivity.
Skagit Transit staff said the proposal responds to more than 600 community survey responses requesting increased frequency, later service, better regional connections and on-demand options. The consultant-recommended short-term changes include eliminating route 409, shortening route 410 so it terminates in downtown Anacortes and serves Island Hospital, eliminating route 513, extending route 301 to March's Point, and expanding 40X service from Skagit Station to Anacortes with added Sunday service.
The proposal also includes a two-year pilot of on-demand microtransit covering a downtown corridor (an area around Commercial and M Avenue). Skagit Transit staff described microtransit as “kinda like Uber with public transit accessible” and said vehicles would be ADA accessible. The agency applied for a state consolidated grant (the application includes multiple funding sources, and staff said the Climate Commitment Act is part of the mix) and expects to learn whether it received funds in May. If the grant is secured, staff said turnkey contractors could deploy vehicles, software and drivers and bring service online in roughly 12 weeks; running the service in-house would require purchasing vehicles and hiring drivers and could take much longer.
Councilmembers asked whether a pilot could proceed without the grant. Crystal Stedham said the agency could begin a smaller pilot downtown by using savings from eliminating the 409, but expansion beyond the core area likely requires outside funding. Staff also discussed payment options (app-based credit card loading, phone reservations, and onboard cash collection) and said student rides would remain free; staff noted microtransit has been used elsewhere to provide pupil transportation and paratransit connections.
Skagit Transit opened a 30-day public comment period that began with the presentation and urged councilmembers and residents to review the 73-page executive analysis on the agency website. No council action was requested at the meeting; councilmembers encouraged outreach to schools, the senior center and ferry users and recommended staff consider additional stops or route extensions noted in public comments.
