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SunTran reports ridership growth, secures $16.2M FTA grant for electrification
Summary
SunTran staff told the council the 2025 Transit Development Plan annual progress report shows ridership up more than 25% since 2022, on-time performance improved to about 88%, and SunTran secured a $16.2 million FTA grant intended for electric buses and a maintenance facility.
Tom Duncan, SunTran transit administrator for the City of Ocala, presented the SunTran 2025 Transit Development Plan (TDP) annual progress report during the Feb. 18 council meeting.
Duncan said ridership has risen “by just over 25% compared to our benchmark in 2022,” and that on-time performance improved from a low of 64% to about 88% after operational changes. He described measures to address delays including an AVL software upgrade for route optimization, enhanced driver training focused on schedule adherence and traffic navigation, and a revised transit guide and app schedules to improve rider communication.
Duncan told the council SunTran secured a $16,200,000 Federal Transit Administration emissions grant that the agency plans to use for electric buses and a maintenance facility. He also noted roughly $229,000 in FDOT public service grant funding to support the planned downtown circulator and additional pending FDOT and federal funding sources that staff are tracking.
Planned capital improvements highlighted in the report include transit facility renovations, bus shelter upgrades (an initial procurement of roughly 15 shelters), a downtown transfer station with restroom and kiosk facilities, and a proposed downtown circulator route with an anticipated 30-minute loop and 15-minute headways.
Duncan said staff are conducting biweekly reviews of on-time performance and that the FY2025 goal is to sustain at least 80% on-time performance. He also said SunTran will align with recent changes to Florida TDP regulations that require expanded reporting, peer benchmarking and increased documentation of low-emission strategies and accessibility efforts for underserved populations.
The presentation concluded with staff noting continuing coordination on projects listed in the Marion TPO plan and that procurement and construction steps for the downtown transfer station and shelters will proceed as contracts are awarded.
