Commissioners debate route cuts, staffing and on-demand options as Manatee transit faces operator shortage

Manatee County transit staff told commissioners the system faces a persistent operator shortage and presented a service-optimization plan that would shrink or eliminate several lower‑productivity routes and reduce frequency on others. Commissioners asked staff to return with detailed cost-per-route figures, recruitment and retention proposals, and alternative service models that focus on high‑ridership corridors and on-demand last‑mile options.

Chad Butso, Public Works, introduced the presentation and said the board would hear the operational details from Kevin Hoyt, Transit Division manager. "Today's objective is the just to provide you guys the current state of transit itself and the ... challenges we face with, you know, our staffing issues, especially with our operators," Hoyt said.

Why it matters

The transit system has grown ridership in recent years (county staff reported near 2 million annual rides in fiscal 2023–24), but staffing losses are forcing daily service reductions. Commissioners said the county must balance maintaining frequent, reliable service on core corridors with replacing…