Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CHQ Transit reports ridership uptick, hub plan faces funding gap
Summary
CHQ Transit reported ridership rose about 2,000 trips from 2023 to 2024 but said several lost contract and service factors offset larger gains. County staff reported available capital for the CHQ transit hub totaling roughly $1.02 million to date, about $331,000 spent, and a conceptual new‑building price that exceeded available funds.
CHQ Transit staff told the Chautauqua County Public Facilities Committee on May 19 that ridership is recovering from the COVID era but that several operational changes in 2024 reduced the agency’s net gains.
Michelle, a CHQ Transit ridership presenter, told the committee that ridership rose by about 2,000 trips from 2023 to 2024, but the system lost trips for several reasons: Jamestown Public Schools stopped buying student tickets (about 1,700 trips lost), a Dunkirk city route reduced service because of driver shortages (about 1,900 trips), and managed‑care and medical non‑emergency contractors took over some Medicaid trips (about 1,100 trips). Michelle said that, absent those losses, ridership gains for 2024 could have been about 6,700 trips.
CHQ Transit also highlighted a growing demand for trolley rentals; staff reported roughly $22,000 in revenue from trolley rentals for weddings and events in the prior year and said summer demand requires dedicated management.
On the CHQ hub project, county staff provided a funding summary: state accelerated transit capital grant funding identified at $765,612, ARPA funding of $100,000, and a county contribution of $155,258, for roughly $1,020,870 in total funding available so far. Presenters said about $331,341.19 has been spent to date on acquisition and early work and that total expenditures shown in handouts reached $489,597.99 when earlier demo and related costs were included. Committee presenters reported a remaining cash balance in the several‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar range (about $533,000) and that a new building concept returned a price estimate substantially above funds on hand; presenters discussed a conceptual new‑building cost in the multi‑million‑dollar range (presenters cited roughly $8.8 million for a new building footprint) and noted an outstanding bid process and additional possible 2025 grant funding.
Tim Carr and county staff said a construction bid was outstanding and under review; they also said additional state accelerated transit capital funding ($127,067) and a potential 2025 award (~$125,000) might be available but are not guaranteed. Staff said the project began in 2018 and that the county paused construction when the condition of the existing building made renovation unaffordable; they removed the existing structure and are considering alternatives including prefab options.
Committee members asked about ridership projections and whether advertising and outreach were generating riders; presenters said targeted advertising, outreach to senior housing, and commercial advertising were showing anecdotal returns. No committee action was taken; the hub update and ridership numbers were provided for committee information.
Ending: Staff recommended continuing to pursue available state capital and ARPA funding, finalize bids and options for the hub, and return to the committee with refined cost estimates and a recommended next step. No binding decisions were made at the meeting.
