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Moab council reviews third season of pilot transit service as on‑demand ridership outpaces fixed route
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Summary
City staff reviewed two years of data for the Moab Area Transit pilot—on‑demand microtransit and a shortened fixed route—showing higher per‑hour use of on‑demand service. Councilmembers discussed outreach, hours, vehicle counts and longer‑term funding as the five‑year pilot enters year three.
Moab City Council heard a presentation Feb. 11 from city staff on ridership trends and operational changes for the Moab Area Transit pilot, which combines an on‑demand microtransit service and an 18‑stop fixed route operated by Downtowner.
City transit staff said the pilot began in 2018 with UDOT hotspot funds and launched its first full season in March 2023. Staff said the program is entering its third season under a five‑year pilot and that recent changes—adding bike racks, shifting morning hours and shortening the fixed route—appear to have altered usage and loop times.
Alexi, who presented the analysis for city staff, said the program currently has 2,906 unique rider accounts and an average satisfaction rating of about 4.9 out of 5. Staff reported that on‑demand service carries more riders per revenue hour—roughly seven passengers per hour—while the shortened fixed route rose from about 1.4 to about 2.3 passengers per revenue hour after the route was shortened and the Utah State University stop was moved to on‑demand service. Staff also said the fixed route now runs about 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during peak season while on‑demand service operates Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in off‑peak months and shifts to start at 8 a.m. during the peak season.
The presentation included a map of fixed‑route stops and an on‑demand heat map that highlighted pickup requests near hotels, the hospital and the KOA campground. Staff said moving the USU stop to on‑demand service shortened loop times and likely contributed to increased fixed‑route productivity, while the on‑demand program remained the more heavily used service overall.
Councilmembers asked staff to pursue a mix of short‑term operational changes and longer‑term funding work. Councilmember Jason noted council interest in whether off‑peak start times create a morning spike in requests and asked staff to check the data; Alexi said she would follow up. Councilmember Luke urged further outreach to hotels and downtown businesses to advertise the fixed route rather than discontinuing it. Councilmember Colin asked about vehicle allocations; staff said the provider typically runs two vans on on‑demand service and one on the fixed route, though that may vary by day.
On funding, staff reminded the council that the pilot is a five‑year program now entering year three and that staff is beginning the budget process for future funding. Councilmembers discussed a state transit sales tax (a quarter‑percent option) as a potential source but said it would require negotiations with Grand County because the county currently receives the transit tax revenue. Staff also reported the county had budgeted $50,000 in support in the past but that money had not been received last year; staff said they would follow up.
Councilmembers and staff raised other operational points for follow‑up: clearer signage and outreach to encourage fixed‑route use, investigation of off‑season hours such as 8 a.m.–6 p.m. to accommodate workers, consideration of replacing aging vans with hybrid or electric vehicles when feasible, and outreach to hotels and businesses as part of nonmotorized and visitor programs. Staff said they would check on reported counts, on‑demand surge timing at 9 a.m., status of county contributions and how much of the previously requested advertising and signage was implemented.
The council did not take a formal vote on new transit service hours or funding at the meeting; members directed staff to continue analysis and report back during budget work and future agenda items.
