Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves temporary paratransit purchase order, moves forward with microtransit study
Summary
The Escambia County commission approved a purchase order to continue ADA paratransit service while negotiations continue on trip rates, and authorized a $174,000 fixed-route / microtransit study to evaluate countywide Lehi Transit expansion and integrate paratransit. Commissioners asked for utilization data, top ridership origins and costs.
The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to continue a purchase order for ADA paratransit services while staff negotiates ongoing contract terms and explores cost efficiencies.
Public commenters and advocates urged clearer public communication about service hours and distinctions between Lehi Transit (microtransit) and contracted ADA providers. Carolyn Crowley, an advocate for transit users, asked the county to publish clear guidance for riders identifying hours, phone numbers and which service to call. County staff said ITL (paratransit contractor) currently operates roughly 03:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Flex (fixed-route/microtransit) operates 24/6 to cover the county. Staff reported the county subsidizes paratransit beyond FDOT and FTA funds and estimated county subsidy is “well over $1,000,000.”
Commissioners asked for usage breakdowns by frequent users and top trip locations; transit staff said software can produce frequent-user reports and confirmed many top destinations are military base and dialysis centers. The one-way paratransit per-trip rate under discussion was noted as approximately $40.57; commissioners emphasized the need to preserve medically necessary trips while expanding cost-effective Flex or microtransit options where appropriate.
Separately, the board approved a $174,000 study to redesign fixed routes and evaluate microtransit countywide with a commitment to community engagement. Some commissioners expressed fatigue with repeated studies and urged building on past work; staff said outreach is included and the study will examine integrating microtransit, fixed routes, ADA/paratransit and accessibility concerns.
Both the paratransit purchase order and the fixed-route/microtransit study were advanced by motion and passed unanimously, with follow-up deliverables requested from staff on utilization data, rate negotiations and community engagement plans.
