Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee proposes service changes, demand-response zones and higher local request for FY26
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Summary
The Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee presented a draft FY26 budget and a restructured service plan that adds demand-response zones, increases one-seat rides to shopping areas and asks Auburn for a local share of $592,298 (city share of $1,184,000 split between Lewiston and Auburn).
The Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee (LATC) presented its FY26 draft budget and a proposed restructuring of CityLink service at the March 3 Auburn City Council meeting.
Larry Allen, AVCOG staff who provides staff support to LATC, said LATC's FY26 local share request totals $1,184,000 split evenly between the cities of Lewiston and Auburn (Auburn's share requested in the FY26 budget process is $592,298). Allen said ridership has recovered from pandemic lows and that FY24 boardings exceeded 2019 levels; so far in FY25 ridership is up another 18% year over year.
After issuing a request for proposals, LATC evaluated 12 service scenarios and chose a plan that keeps weekdays and Saturday hours roughly the same while streamlining fixed routes and introducing six demand-response zones in lower-ridership areas. Allen said demand-response vans would operate door-to-door or to a nearby hub and could be booked by phone or a rider app; fares for pre-booked trips would match the existing $1.50 fare while same-day demand-response trips may carry a small premium at LATC's discretion.
The proposed reconfiguration would significantly increase "one-seat" rides (direct trips without transfers) to major shopping destinations: Allen said Lewiston would gain 43 one-seat rides a day to the Walmart area (up from 12), Auburn would gain 32, and service between the two cities would see more direct trips. The plan expands service to several employment areas and park-and-ride locations currently underserved.
Allen described funding as a mix of Federal Transit Administration apportionments (about $1.2 million annually by his account), state operating subsidy (which has varied and was not guaranteed at higher levels), advertising revenue (budgeted conservatively at $65,000), federal CARES/ARPA carryovers and local shares. He said one bidder'RTW management'quoted a proposal about 19.4% higher for FY26 than FY25 and that overall contract costs increased materially.
Councilors asked about fares, passes and capacity. Allen said monthly and punch passes for fixed-route service will remain and LATC will try to make those fare products usable on demand-response as feasible; ADA paratransit remains guaranteed service. He said demand-response first-year ridership is estimated at about 6,800 trips and could grow to 13,000 by year three with outreach and marketing.
Ending: Councilors thanked Allen and asked staff to share materials and follow up on fiscal details; LATC will continue refining the budget and service plan as it proceeds toward contract selection and local budget hearings.
