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Escambia commissioners approve temporary paratransit purchase order amid rate talks; staff to seek efficiencies
Summary
The board voted to continue paratransit services while staff negotiates lower trip rates and examines Lehi microtransit and fixed-route redesign. Commissioners pressed for clearer hours, ridership data, and cost transparency.
The board unanimously approved a new year purchase order to continue ADA paratransit services while the county continues negotiations with providers over trip rates and operational changes.
Carolyn Crowley, representing transit users and services, told commissioners that service-hour notifications had not been adequately shared with the public and that riders need clearer hours and contact information. She said both Lehi Transit (a microtransit pilot) and ITL (paratransit/ADA provider) serve different rider needs and that some riders use both services.
Interim transit staff said ITL currently operates roughly 03:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., while Flex/Lehi Transit is operating around-the-clock 24/6 coverage to maximize availability countywide. The county reported a one-way contract trip rate in the discussion of about $40.45 and stated the county subsidizes over $1 million beyond federal FDOT/FTA funding. Commissioners urged staff to provide a breakdown of high-frequency users, top destinations (medical and military base trips were flagged), and how to move ambulatory riders onto lower-cost microtransit where appropriate.
Board members debated the trade-offs between cost efficiency and guaranteeing service to transportation-disadvantaged riders. Several commissioners recommended holding a committee-of-the-whole discussion on broader transportation funding and strategy before making long-term commitments.
Why it matters: Paratransit is costly but essential for many residents who require ADA-accessible trips, dialysis and medical transport. The board approved short-term funding while directing staff to pursue rate reductions, better data reporting, and integration between microtransit and paratransit services.
What's next: Staff (transit director/interim manager) said they will continue weekly negotiations, return with recommended rate adjustments and usage breakdowns, and bring broader transit planning (fixed-route study and microtransit rollout) back to the board for committee discussion.
