Morrow County transit director reports ridership gains, new real‑time tracking, and funding caution

The Morrow County transit director reported to the Board of Commissioners that ridership increased this quarter after the launch and promotion of fixed-route service, demand-response trips have been scheduled more efficiently, and the system has begun publishing real-time vehicle locations.

The director said demand-response service delivered nearly as many rides as prior periods while using about “50% less resources,” and that fixed-route service exceeded initial expectations: “Since the changes, you know, over a thousand,” he said, referring to recent fixed-route riders. Overall ridership across demand-response and fixed route rose from 619 in an earlier quarter to almost 1,500 during the most recent quarter.

Boardman’s circular fixed route was the most-used route, the director said, and summer youth programs created a notable ridership spike: the system recorded a daily single‑day high of 62 rides on May 30 and then 83 rides on July 7 as summer youth trips increased demand.

Operational highlights and partnerships: the transit program ran a two‑week test route to Boardman’s West Glen area (one rider during the test), and regional partners such as Eregan Parks and Rec used the fixed route to transport up to 20 youths daily to Hermiston swim activities (the county added a second bus to accommodate the loads). The Port of Morrow has offered bus shelters to the county; Boardman and Eregan are installing stop infrastructure.

The director reported a recent compliance review by ODOT and the state compliance reviewers and said inspectors left “exceptionally satisfied” with the county’s progress compared with prior reviews; staff expect four findings in the preliminary report that should be resolved once new financial software is fully implemented.

Equipment and interagency moves: the county plans to transfer an underused large bus to the City of Pendleton to help that agency while recovering replacement-credit and proceeds. The director said donated surplus vehicles are being transferred to neighborhood centers and other community partners.

Technology: the county has deployed iTransit Northwest for real-time vehicle tracking; schedules and live bus locations will be published to the public soon after staff verify map data.

Budget note: the director warned the board that the program started a new fiscal period with about $600,000 less funding than previously expected for future years and said staff will monitor quarterly spending closely; he signaled that service reductions may be needed if reserves fall short.

Next steps: finalize real‑time tracking publication, continue partnership work for shelters and vehicle transfers, monitor ODOT findings and financial software updates, and review potential service changes if budget projections decline.