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County launches 13‑week Saturday on‑demand transit pilot starting Aug. 2; service free, app and call‑in options available
Summary
Los Alamos County will run a 13‑Saturday on‑demand transit pilot beginning Aug. 2 that will cover Los Alamos and White Rock, operate on a same‑day, door‑to‑door model using the ACT MyRide app and call‑in dispatch, and start with three drivers and rotating supervisor/dispatcher coverage; the pilot’s continuation depends on ridership and staffing.
Los Alamos County will operate a 13‑Saturday on‑demand transit pilot beginning Aug. 2, the county’s transit managers told the council on July 20. The pilot will run for 13 Saturdays (12 weeks) and offer free rides across Los Alamos and White Rock, scheduled same day through the county’s ACT MyRide app or by phone to the transit dispatch center.
Deputy Public Works Director Keith Olsen and transit staff said the pilot builds on earlier planning dating to 2019 and uses staffing made available by a scaled Bandelier shuttle arrangement this season. The county will staff the pilot with a rotating supervisor, a dispatcher and three drivers; the county expects to rotate personnel to avoid burnout and will pay overtime as needed for weekend coverage.
Key features and operations
The pilot is door‑to‑door (or curb‑to‑curb), shared‑ride capable and will accept bike racks. Riders can schedule trips the same day using the ACT MyRide/661Ride app or call the transit office beginning at 8:30 a.m. for the first 9:00 a.m. departures; service hours and scheduling windows are designed to capture shopping, appointments and recreational travel. The service is free to riders for the pilot.
Staff emphasized staffing‑contingent continuation: if staffing supports expansion and ridership is sufficient the pilot could be extended or adjusted. The pilot will collect data on trip volumes, unmet requests, peak times and service gaps; staff said they will perform continual evaluation during the pilot and adjust hours or vehicles as demand requires.
Why it matters
The county said the pilot addresses an existing service gap: there is no regular Saturday transit in the county, and the pilot could help people access shopping, medical appointments, recreation and other essential trips on weekends. Staff noted partnerships with local institutions such as the hospital and outreach efforts including flyers, social media and the farmers market.
What’s next
The pilot starts Aug. 2; staff will collect ridership and operational data across the 13 Saturdays, perform an evaluation, and then return to council with recommendations on sustained service, hours and any needed budget adjustments. The county’s transit group is also studying future technologies such as automated vehicles in coordination with regional partners.
