Transit commission hears funding delays, ridership update and residents’ complaints about missing stops; minutes approved

Commission staff updated the Bullhead Area Transit Commission on Feb. 3 about funding delays with ADOT’s eGrants system, ridership trends, a transit collision on Dec. 30, 2024, and facility planning; several residents urged restoration or addition of bus stops at major local destinations.

Staff said reimbursements that transit usually submits monthly have been delayed because ADOT was overhauling its eGrants system. “For as long as that takes, we're unable to actually process those reimbursements,” staff told the commission, and staff said it has submitted grant paperwork through May and June for the prior city fiscal year but cannot submit additional months until ADOT’s system allows it. Staff said ADOT has requested an extension from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the affected grant program so agencies statewide are not penalized for the delays.

Financial and operations update: staff reported calendar-year 2024 ridership of about 142,000 trips, compared with a previous peak near 180,000 trips. Ridership declined during the COVID period to roughly 100,000 trips and has been steadily recovering. Staff said, based on historic percent increases since COVID, they project roughly 150,000 trips in the coming city fiscal year if current trends continue. On service planning, staff said an MPO-funded short-range transit plan was submitted for a planning grant and that, if awarded, staff and the commission will work with a consultant to identify service expansions or route changes.

Accident report: staff briefed the commission on a Dec. 30, 2024 collision in which “a transit driver had a medical episode and drove through a barricade, then struck several park construction vehicles when finally ending with a large dump truck.” The driver and two passengers were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Staff said they are awaiting the insurance and vehicle-disposition determinations and that the public-information officer’s press release was the source of the summary.

Public comments: multiple residents urged changes to stops and routing. A frequent commenter asked that the bus stop near Rio Grande and the DMV be reinstated, saying restoring that stop would cut walking distance and help riders who must use city services. Another resident said the hospital and some Miracle Mile stops effectively receive no service, forcing riders to transfer and pay an extra fare. One commenter demanded more information about the Dec. 30 crash and criticized city communications about the incident; staff said the text in the meeting came from a press release by the city’s PIO, Mackenzie Covert.

Facility planning: staff said the transit facility design is delayed but near completion of furnishings and fixtures; once final architectural plans and NEPA environmental clearance are complete, staff will pursue federal capital grants for construction. Staff said the project aims to be shovel-ready but cautioned that federal grant timelines and application windows determine construction timing.

Action taken: the commission voted to approve the minutes of the Nov. 4 meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made and seconded and was approved (recorded as three ayes in the meeting transcript). No other formal policy actions were recorded during the meeting.

Why it matters: ADOT system delays affect cash flow for operations; ridership levels and an upcoming short-range plan will shape future service changes; the Dec. 30 crash and public requests for added stops speak to rider safety and access concerns that the commission and staff said they will continue to address.

Staff said they will update the commission at the next meeting if the MPO planning grant is awarded and when ADOT’s eGrants availability allows the agency to resume back-billing reimbursements.