Franklin Transit projects ridership growth, warns city subsidy will rise as pandemic funds run out

Debbie, a presenter for the Franklin Transit Authority, told the Budget Finance Committee that Franklin Transit ridership is “trending up” with an estimated 10% increase from the prior year and an estimated 92,400 passenger trips in the coming year. The system operates six days a week with fixed-route service and a curb-to-curb microtransit service called TOD (Transit On Demand).

The Transit Authority highlighted growing demand for TOD, saying TMA (the contracted operator) has increased capacity and coverage after reaching service capacity and turning riders away this year. “We increased our capacity to meet that need,” Debbie said. The authority also noted an expanding partnership with Williamson County high schools — Franklin High School and Centennial — that uses TOD to transport students with special needs to work, school and community activities.

Debbie said TMA procured four vehicles in the past six months to replace pandemic-era shortfalls in vehicle deliveries and that a citywide transit vision plan is underway; the Authority has procured consulting services to prepare that study. Officials said the previously discussed microtransit pilot has been delayed until the transit vision plan is complete and that the funds set aside for that project remain with Franklin Transit pending the Authority’s recommendation.

On finances, the presentation said federal and state grants provide a substantial portion of Transit revenue (the presenter said TMA secured about 62% of revenue dollars in grants). The transit budget was described as effectively level from an expense standpoint; however, committee materials showed a roughly $4 million transit fund and noted the city subsidy will rise because pandemic-related CARES Act and American Recovery Act funds that subsidized transit over the past five years will be exhausted on June 30. “Those funds at the end of this fiscal year, June 30, will be depleted,” Debbie said.

Committee members and city staff framed the transit study as complementary to the planning department’s downtown parking and mobility work. City staff also noted that a portion of planning dollars for the transit vision plan will carry a 10% city match but that grant funds would cover the remainder.

The presentation closed with officials saying they expect inflationary pressure on wages, maintenance, parts and insurance but are budgeting conservatively for those increases while maintaining fixed-route service levels.

Ending: The committee did not take a formal vote on transit funding at this meeting. Staff signaled follow-up work on the transit vision plan, and officials said they will return with recommendations when consultants complete the study.