Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Putnam County transit provider urges county support for state funding to restore fixed routes
Summary
A regional transit representative told the Putnam County Board that ridership dropped from 2,042 unduplicated passengers in 2023 to 670 after the system converted to demand-response service, and asked the commission to support a state appropriation request of about $1.293 million and a smaller $50,000 ask to restore in‑county flex routes.
A representative for Putnam County’s public transportation service told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that ridership fell sharply after the county’s fixed-route service shut down and the provider moved to a primarily demand‑response model.
"In 2023 when the service shut down, we were serving 2,042, unduplicated passengers," the speaker said. "At this point, with the demand response, dialer, and type service that we're doing, it's down to 670. So the impact on Putnam County has been substantial." (Transcript excerpt)
The presenter described the historic system as a coordinated model that used multiple funding streams — Medicaid, Medicaid waiver (MedWaiver), Council on Aging, Veterans Affairs and Head Start — to sustain fixed routes. He urged the commission to support a legislative change he called an "enforceable chapter 4 27" to improve rural transit coordination and said that, with that legal framework, "there is still sufficient funding outside of Medicaid to probably bring the routes back without any further state investment." (Transcript excerpt)
He asked the board to support a state appropriation request of about $1.293 million and said a smaller ask (described in the meeting as $50,000) would be used to bring back in‑county flex routes that had been free to riders during COVID and until 2023. "It would be for bringing back the in county flex routes," he said. "They were free after or during COVID, and up until '23 when they shut down. Prior to 2021, they were a dollar 1 way trip." (Transcript excerpts)
Commissioners pressed the presenter on how the transit operator could demonstrate local initiatives or matches to improve chances for funding in Tallahassee. Commissioner Alexander suggested the provider pursue local matches and partnerships, including revisiting fare levels and seeking letters of support from the city commission as well as the county. Commissioner Harvey asked whether the appropriation request should be routed through the county; the presenter said it could be "channeled through you." (Transcript excerpts)
Board members and public commenters offered nonbinding ideas for expanding earned revenue and outreach: seek contracts with local hospitals, social‑service agencies and home‑health providers, use social media and physician referrals to raise awareness, and place signs at key pickup points. A county commissioner summarized the challenge: about half the prior ridership had been walk‑on general public riders reached by word‑of‑mouth, while the other half came through agency referrals.
No formal county appropriation was made at the meeting. Commissioners indicated they would provide a letter of support for the legislative appropriation request and suggested the provider pursue local matches and partner contracts to strengthen the Tallahassee request.
Why it matters: Rural fixed‑route transit often relies on pooled human‑services and grant funding. Restoring those routes affects older residents, Medicaid customers and other riders who lack alternatives.
