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City manager says Concord–Laconia commuter bus route suspended due to low ridership

Laconia City Council · January 13, 2026

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Summary

City Manager Kurt reported late receipt of a press release that the Concord–Laconia commuter bus route will be suspended effective Jan. 30, 2026, citing low ridership and financial constraints; staff said they received the press release late in the day and will provide updates as available.

City Manager Kurt told the council that he received a press release that the Concord–Laconia commuter bus route, operated by the Community Action Program for Belknap and Merrimack Counties, will be suspended starting Jan. 30, 2026. He said the agency cited low ridership and financial constraints and that the city had only just received the press release late in the afternoon.

Kurt said he did not have further operational detail but would share any updates with the council as they become available. Councilors said the route had originally been promoted by area businesses to connect workers and that the suspension could affect employees who relied on the service. Kurt said staff had discussed potential earlier route changes and had been in contact with the operator as recently as a few months ago but that the press release indicated service would cease.

Next steps: the city manager said he would notify the council if he receives more information from the operator and would track any potential replacement options or regional responses.