Senior commission presses borough on Van Tran limits as ridership climbs

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Senior Citizens Advisory Commission spent the bulk of its Oct. 6 meeting focused on improving senior transportation after staff reported rising Van Tran usage and persistent service gaps.

Transportation staff told the commission the last quarter (July 1–end of September) saw “just over 6,000 rides in that time on Van Tran,” with roughly 5,500 trips classified as medically qualified “A” trips and about 310 trips in the age-based “C” category. The staff member said the borough is testing a grant-funded payment app but will keep non-app options for riders who prefer them.

Commissioners and residents pressed for better service outside city limits, pointing to places such as Goldstream and Chena Ridge. “I live on Farmer’s Loop… I am within half a mile of a bus stop, but it’s on a hillside, and the Van Tran can’t get up that hill,” said resident Theresa, noting vans are not four‑wheel drive and citing safety and access problems. Transportation staff confirmed the paratransit service is generally limited to locations within three‑quarters of a mile of a fixed bus stop and said expanding the service area is constrained by funding and by how paratransit and fixed‑route services are tied together.

Fare structure and pass options were clarified later in the meeting: staff confirmed the Van Tran age threshold is 60 and that a 10‑ride punch pass costs $20 (equivalent to $2 per ride). Commissioners discussed payment ease for seniors and asked staff to explore a monthly pass or punch‑card option if funding rules allow.

Panel members also discussed alternatives to expand access. Commissioner Denise Daniello suggested asking corporate sponsors and pursuing grants; Brian Charlton, recreation superintendent, pointed to a recent borough sponsorship policy that provides guidelines but limits some options. Commissioners and members of the public raised volunteer and nonprofit models—including legacy programs such as Love Inc. and Helping Hands—as possible complements to borough transit, though participants said those groups have had staffing and sustainability challenges.

Commissioners asked staff to check which entity currently administers federal transit grants referenced in the senior transportation report; staff said the borough receives Section 5307 operating funds directly and will investigate who administers Section 5310 grant programs for coordinated senior transportation funding.

With Open Meetings Act constraints in mind, commissioners agreed that appointing a single commissioner as a point of contact to follow up with the mayor’s office and transit staff was the practical next step. Commissioner Barbara Tarquin volunteered to pursue follow-up and report back to the commission at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will supply additional fare and eligibility details before the commission’s next meeting, and Commissioner Tarquin will coordinate follow-up with the mayor’s office and transit staff.