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Valley Regional Transit outlines Star service options and requests local support
Summary
Valley Regional Transit CEO Elaine Clegg told the Star City Council the city lacks fixed-route service, outlined demand-response and potential Highway 44 fixed-route plans, and urged voluntary local contributions and legislative authority to secure stable funding for expanded service.
Elaine Clegg, chief executive of Valley Regional Transit, told the Star City Council on Nov. 18 that the agency currently provides demand-response service in Star but no fixed-route buses, and that expanding service will require both funding and new partnerships.
"Transit really is a road to independence and affordability for a lot of people," Clegg said, describing regional ridership and the economic return on investment VRT estimates for every dollar spent. She said VRT moved about 1,000,000 trips last year across the valley and that other peer regions move far more, arguing that Star could benefit from links to Highway 44 service if funding and local support are secured.
Clegg described VRT's existing Beyond Access demand-response service for older adults and people with disabilities and noted that without a fixed route in Star the city does not receive certain ADA-complementary services. She asked the council to consider voluntary contributions to support Beyond Access and other local pieces of a coordinated plan: "If you're able to voluntarily contribute... it gives me the standing to go back to my staff and say, now we need to spend some time there."
She also discussed longer-range options including an express route on Highway 16, a potential Highway 44 fixed-route that could connect Star to employment centers, and regional rail and Amtrak corridor planning. Clegg noted funding challenges: local funds for VRT are currently voluntary contributions and the agency is exploring legislation that would allow a levy authority to provide stable local funds, acknowledging political headwinds but saying the idea needs public discussion.
Clegg outlined non-tax alternatives she and the board are pursuing, such as increased advertising revenues, public-private partnerships, sponsorships and developer agreements that provide capital or per-household fees in new residential projects. She said VRT is also pursuing feasibility studies for infrastructure bank bonds and joint developments that could generate revenue for operations.
Council members asked about regional connections, rights-of-way and whether Star might serve as a hub; Clegg said she would welcome coordination on data, planning and voluntary contributions and that she hopes to see service improvements within five years if legislative and local support aligns.
The presentation concluded with an invitation for further conversation and a reminder that implementing fixed-route service would also require complementary local planning and funding commitments.
