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Transit budget trims part‑time positions, seeks funds for fleet repairs and a microtransit study
Summary
Richmond Transit reported a 2026 budget that reduces part‑time driver payroll, keeps full‑time headcount near current levels, requests additional fleet‑maintenance funds for aging transmissions, and seeks a professional-services contract to study microtransit options to fill service gaps.
Transit staff told the Committee that the 2026 transit budget reduces part‑time salaries (from $58,000 to $23,000 projected) because the department historically has not filled those positions. Staff said they currently operate 11 full‑time drivers (rising to 14 during the year) and that all drivers are unionized full‑time employees. Transit explained it runs a 12‑hour service day and that overtime spikes when multiple drivers call out; the budget requests a $15,000 increase in overtime to account for coverage volatility.
Fleet maintenance is a focus. Staff asked for higher fleet-repair and parts funding because several buses are near end-of-life and a typical transmission repair parts cost is about $8,000; staff prefer repairing critical components to buying replacement buses until larger capital funding is available. Transit also requested additional contractual funds to pay a mechanic whose higher hourly rate was cited as cost-effective compared with external repair providers.
A $41,000 professional-services line was requested to fund an initial microtransit study to evaluate on‑demand supplemental services to fill gaps in the current fixed-route network. Staff said grant money might be available for such a study but recommended budgeting a mid‑tier consultant engagement to assess feasibility and design options.
Ending: Transit staff will pursue the microtransit study procurement, continue to seek capital funds for replacement buses, and manage overtime and parts spending to prolong fleet life while limiting service disruptions.
