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Transit ridership edges up despite fare increase; agency audits and vehicle auctions affected April costs
Summary
Committee members reviewed a transit ridership report that shows ridership rebounding after a fare increase, with increases among elderly riders; April operating costs were higher due to billing hours, an annual audit and vehicle auction preparation.
Committee members discussed a transit ridership report showing ridership increases in some categories following a fare increase.
A supervisor asked whether ridership declines were expected after the fare rise and noted ridership had begun to rebound: “Like I said, I was kinda curious, if because because we raised the rates. Right? We thought it would drop off, but we weren't sure. Now seeing them come back up, I'm wondering if if some of the adults are riding more, if that's helping our, you know, our our cash flow, I guess,” the supervisor said.
A transit staff member said the increase appears driven in part by elderly riders and that agency passes and agency fares were roughly consistent with last year. The staff member also said April costs were higher because of increased billed hours, costs associated with the annual audit, and work to prepare vehicles for auction.
A committee member noted an upper‑right spreadsheet figure indicating the number of distinct fare account holders (519–605, per the speaker’s readout) was not increasing at the same rate as ridership, suggesting advertising or other revenue streams could help. No policy changes were proposed during the discussion.
The committee closed the item after a brief exchange of questions and said the transit report will remain under review.
