Grant Transit Authority outlines expansion, zero-emission plan and facility upgrades

Eric Loomis, general manager of the Grant Transit Authority, presented the agency's 2024 service and 2025 plans to the Ephrata City Council, describing recent ridership, revenue and capital projects and outlining a multi-year transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Loomis said the agency's mission is "We're connecting people with life," citing trips for jobs, medical appointments, school and shopping. He reported the agency provided about 37,000 fixed-route rides in 2024 and recorded operating revenue of $15,672,800 for the last year. Loomis told the council the agency's service area covers the county and connects hubs including Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy and Soap Lake.

The presentation said local voter-approved taxes provide the majority of operating revenue (about two-thirds), supplemented by state and federal grants including funds earmarked for paratransit and special-needs service. On the capital side, Loomis said the agency budgeted about $10.5 million for facilities and vehicle purchases in the current cycle, with a new maintenance facility under construction that will add vehicle capacity and electric charging infrastructure and is expected to be completed in October.

Loomis summarized fleet and fuel options under the agency's 2023 zero-emission transition plan, noting the present mix includes diesel, gasoline and propane and that the authority currently has four battery-electric buses in revenue service and two more undergoing final work. He cautioned that electric vehicle rollouts nationally have encountered software and charging-communication issues and said the agency is evaluating electric and hydrogen scenarios. "I don't see us being on the bleeding edge or cutting edge of these technologies, but we do plan on moving in a direction that makes sense for Grant Transit Authority given our colder weather," Loomis said.

He showed how new planning software (Remix) and a live vehicle-tracking map let staff test route changes, estimate costs and present proposed service changes to the public. Loomis said current DART-demand-response services make up about 3% of ridership but 27% of vehicle miles, reflecting long county distances and lower passenger density; board discussion at an upcoming retreat will explore pilot expansions of some rural runs and adjustments to fixed routes.

Council members asked about the effect of a zero-fare policy on ridership and whether students use transit. Loomis said ridership rose after fares were waived and estimated a "between about a 10% at least" bump, adding that college students use transit in some corridors and the agency aims to coordinate schedules to better serve school and college riders. When asked about operator recruitment and training, Loomis described a paid CDL training program and in-house operator trainer; he also noted grants require documented maintenance schedules for grant-funded vehicles.

Loomis emphasized a need for performance measures and marketing capacity; he said the agency lacks a dedicated marketing position and will seek interns and outreach help to explain zero-fare service and new tools to residents. He also called out grant-seeking and federal/state administrative routing through the Washington State DOT as ongoing constraints for a rural system.

The council did not take formal action during the presentation; the session concluded with council thanks and a note that staff will present more at a board retreat in April.