Wind River Transportation Authority warns service cuts after half‑percent tax failure, asks Riverton for $186,148

Wind River Transportation Authority director Tim Nichols told the Riverton City Council on Jan. 7 that WRTA has suspended its recently launched Yellow Line and reduced some services after local funding from a half‑percent sales tax renewal failed in November. Nichols said the tax had supplied more than 40% of the local match WRTA needs to access federal grants, and without it the agency faces a multi‑year shortfall.

Nichols said the agency’s total gap to sustain operations through September 2027 is $558,445.73 and asked Riverton to allocate roughly one‑third of that — $186,148 — toward WRTA’s bridge funding. "The loss of the half percent sales tax funding has placed our public agency and the people we serve in a precarious position," Nichols said. He added that the Community Transportation Association of America has offered technical support and that federal programs WRTA relies on (including the Section 5311 rural formula program) require a local match that WRTA cannot meet without new local funds.

The request, Nichols said, is intended to preserve federal grant eligibility and to avoid permanently losing federal reimbursements to other systems that can provide the required match. "Every dollar in federal grants that we cannot match is a dollar that will leave this community," Nichols said. He told council members that WRTA had already implemented service reductions on Jan. 6, including a temporary suspension of the Yellow Line and removing a low‑use bus stop, and that further cuts could follow if bridge funding is not found.

City staff and council members asked for clarification about the timeline and the degree to which a city contribution would unlock federal dollars. Administrative Services Director Mia Harris asked whether the $186,148 figure is in addition to funds expected through May; Nichols replied that the amount reflects the full bridge needed and that smaller amounts would require commensurate service reductions. He noted operating grants require a larger local match (he cited typical operating‑match percentages) and that WRTA must expend local match dollars before being reimbursed by federal programs.

Several council members expressed support for WRTA’s mission and said they expected the discretionary half‑percent allocation (an item the council voted to add to a future agenda earlier in the meeting) to include consideration of transportation funding. Councilman Mike Bailey said public transit and the airport drive broader economic returns and indicated he would push for a thorough discussion when the item is scheduled.

Nichols urged the council to consider the request as a short‑term bridge rather than a long‑term solution, and encouraged collaborative discussions with Lander and Fremont County. He also said CTAA — the national association for community transportation — offered to assist with redesign options, funding strategies and stakeholder communications. "CTAA's team with an 80% success rate in supporting similar ballot initiatives is also willing to assist in the reevaluation of a future funding initiative," Nichols said.

The council did not vote on funding for WRTA during the Jan. 7 meeting. Nichols’ presentation and the council’s direction set the item for further discussion when the council takes up the optional half‑percent allocation at a future meeting.

For now, WRTA has trimmed schedules, removed at least one stop, and suspended the Yellow Line while it seeks bridge funding and prepares for additional service redesigns.

Ending: The council scheduled discussion of the discretionary half‑percent allocation for a future meeting; Nichols recommended a collaborative approach among Riverton, Lander and Fremont County to stabilize the transit service and preserve federal grant eligibility.