Takata staff report paperwork errors depressed ridership and fuel numbers; MDOT rep introduced
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Summary
Staff told the Takata board that apparent drops in ridership and fuel use are the result of delayed paperwork; staff expect corrected reports by January. The board also introduced a new MDOT representative and discussed facility upgrades.
Takata staff told trustees that a paperwork backlog caused reported ridership and fuel numbers to appear artificially low and that the issue requires correcting historical driver reports to reconcile counts.
The director said passenger counts looked like a “huge jump” drop due to missing paperwork and that fares data—handled by accounting—was not yet available. Nick, a staff member, explained that correcting the error requires going back date-by-date to reconcile driver entries and that staff expect updated, corrected reports by the January meeting.
The board also introduced Alex, a new Michigan Department of Transportation representative for the region, who said he has three years with MDOT overseeing public transit in nearby counties and recently moved into the area. Board members discussed flexing the Benton Harbor High School blue route pending final approval from Dr. Griffin, who was described as favorably inclined but not yet ready to sign off.
Other operations notes: staff reported they are pursuing automatic garage door installations for the bus garage to open and close as buses approach and hoped the work would occur before the next board meeting. Trustees thanked current Takata staff and drivers for their service during the transition to the new management arrangement.
What comes next: Staff will correct and circulate updated ridership and fuel reports and present implementation timelines for route changes and garage upgrades at upcoming meetings.