CityLink seeks fare increases, cites driver pay boost and Title VI equity review

Assistant General Manager Amanda Courtney and Don Green, director of transportation services, briefed the board on CityLink operations, ADA trips and a proposed two-step fare increase intended to stabilize service and staffing.

Courtney provided ADA trip numbers and operational updates, saying the CityLink ADA paratransit trips were 2,561 in July and 2,411 in August (a correction she noted during the meeting). She described ongoing shortages of computers and phones that limited service functions, and said the self‑serve Ecolane portal had been disabled in May and would remain offline until the agency is fully equipped.

Green said the city council approved about $743,000 in additional funding for CityLink in fiscal 2026, primarily for salary increases to become more competitive and retain drivers. "All of that is focused on salary or pay increases for our CityLink staff, really focused on the drivers," Green said.

To address persistent operating shortfalls, Green presented a staff recommendation to raise fares over two years. If approved by council, the first half of the increases would take effect Nov. 3, 2025 (a 75¢ increase in many fare categories) and the second half Oct. 1, 2026. Green said fares had not risen since Jan. 1, 2017 and that federal (Federal Transit Administration) and state (TxDOT) grant levels are relatively fixed, so the system must increase local revenue to cover rising operating costs.

Green described an outreach schedule: a public comment and survey period that will end Sept. 19, followed by a Title VI equity analysis from Sept. 22–Oct. 3, and then a first-reading ordinance to city council on Oct. 9 and a public hearing/second reading on Oct. 23 before a final vote. He said the ordinance process requires two readings and public input at council meetings.

Board members and public commenters raised concerns about riders who currently receive a monthly pass described in the meeting as "DIB" (term used in the transcript but not defined in the record). Green and Courtney said operators carry ticket books and that, if the monthly option is eliminated, riders could purchase ticket books from operators or use cash; Courtney said she would ensure operators carry ticket books consistently.

Riley Rodriguez, a member of the public, urged the board and officials to avoid shifting costs to riders. "I do oppose the idea of raising the price of fare for the riders because it feels like shifting the the burden onto people in our community that depend on an affordable, dependable, service to get the doctor to the doctor and to work," Rodriguez said.

Staff also said a cyberattack earlier in the year diverted IT resources and slowed plans to add credit/debit card payment capability; Courtney and Green said that rollout may take additional years and depends on finance and IT capacity and grant funding for farebox equipment.

CityLink staff agreed to provide the board with a clearer breakdown of grant revenue, projected fare revenue under the proposed increases and the general fund contribution so the board can help educate the disability community about the changes and outreach schedule.