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Curry County approves temporary cuts to public transit as federal grants are delayed
Summary
The Curry County Board of Commissioners approved a temporary service-reduction plan for Curry Public Transit after managers said federal FTA Section 5310 and 5311 and some state funds will not be available for months, creating a roughly 42% funding shortfall.
The Curry County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 3 voted to adopt a temporary amended service-reduction plan for Curry Public Transit after managers said a delay in federal and state grant approvals left the system facing a roughly 42% funding shortfall.
Curry Public Transit manager Katherine Bernhardt told the commissioners during a public hearing that federal grants—identified in her presentation as FTA Section 5310 and Section 5311 awards—were approved as of July 1 but would not be available for drawdown until possibly March 2026. “I am absolutely heartbroken that this has come to this to cut services,” Bernhardt said. She said the delayed funds create about a $109,000-per-quarter deficit and left the nonprofit provider with “basically no choice” but to reduce service temporarily.
The transit manager proposed pausing Saturday service for Brookings and the Coastal Express, shortening Dial‑A‑Ride hours in Brookings from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., reducing Gold Beach Dial‑A‑Ride from four days per week to three, and trimming dispatch hours by roughly 90 minutes per day. Bernhardt also said two salaried employees volunteered a 75% payroll deferral and part‑time drivers would take smaller cuts.
Jennifer Boardman of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Public Transportation Division told the commissioners a compliance review last winter left a few unresolved findings and recommended a board workshop on transit funding and grant types. Boardman said the federal approval process is slower this year because Regional FTA staff numbers were reduced, and state STIF funds were lower than expected, both of which contributed to the shortfall.
Commissioners and transit staff discussed short‑term options and agreed to schedule a workshop. The board then voted to adopt the amended service‑reduction plan as presented. Commissioner Coker voted “Aye,” Commissioner Hollinger “Yes,” and the third commissioner also voted to approve the plan.
Why it matters: Bernhardt said about 95% of Brookings riders are elderly or people with disabilities and roughly 15% of Coastal Express riders are veterans. She said the transit system provides critical access to medical appointments and regional services and that losing service would affect people’s ability to participate in the local economy. Boardman warned that vehicles left idle more than 90 days can create state compliance issues and encouraged the county to pursue vehicle disposition to support future purchases.
Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to meet quickly with transit leadership and the advisory committee to explore bridge funding, a workshop on grant mechanics, and other short‑term measures to restore service when grants are available.
