Redwood Coast Transit staff reported a strong ridership rebound in fiscal year 2024–25 at the Oct. 27 board meeting, with systemwide passengers increasing about 27.2% from the prior year to roughly 103,551 trips, according to unaudited performance numbers presented to the board.

Staff noted service hours were essentially steady while productivity improved: systemwide riders per vehicle hour rose to approximately 6.5. Operating cost for the year was reported near $2.06 million and farebox revenue approximately $127,895; the presented figures keep the agency below its historical 10% farebox ratio target.

Joe, a staff member presenting the data, said fuel cost relief helped reduce operating cost growth slightly while labor costs remain elevated. He explained that LCTOP grant reimbursements are used to subsidize free-fare programs and that prior-year timing irregularities affected fare-revenue comparisons.

Route-level results were mixed but generally positive. Route 2 was the system’s highest-performing local route, achieving about 16 riders per hour and a 47% year-over-year ridership increase. Route 1 rose roughly 31% (about 11 riders per hour). Route 300, the afternoon school tripper, again posted one of its best years but is capacity constrained; staff said they will test assigning one of the larger, older Freightliner buses to that run to relieve crowding. Regional Route 20 grew about 20% (productivity up nearly 50%), while Route 199 declined roughly 13.7% from the prior year. Dollaride ridership increased by about 13% though productivity dipped by roughly 10%.

Staff said audited financials will be incorporated into the annual report in a future meeting and recommended continued monitoring of farebox ratios and CTSA-funded programs that affect operating subsidies.