Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit Unmet Needs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MCOG finds public testimony includes unmet transit needs; late-night service proposed
Summary
Following public testimony, MCOG found the record included unmet transit needs and forwarded the list to MTA and the SSTAC for analysis; speakers urged a late-night bus connecting Ukiah, Redwood Valley and Willits and recommended bus pullouts and a transit mall to improve safety and accessibility.
The Mendocino Council of Governments on Feb. 2 held its annual public hearing on unmet transit needs for fiscal year 2026–27 and voted that the testimony presented does include unmet transit needs that warrant referral for further analysis.
Miss Barrett (staff) reviewed the process and the definition of an unmet transit need under the Transit Development Act, including criteria for whether a need is “reasonable to meet.” Public commenters urged additional late-night transit service connecting Ukiah, Redwood Valley and Willits to reduce impaired driving and improve access. Jared Sonula, who said he works with a DUI program, proposed a late-night bus loop that could run at midnight and again at 2 a.m., and suggested that revenue from misdemeanor DUI fines or contributions from establishments that profit from alcohol could help subsidize service.
Other commenters advocated for a dedicated public transit mall, and for bus pullouts so buses do not block traffic lanes when boarding. Staff said comments made at the hearing will be added to the unmet needs list and forwarded to the Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) and the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) for operational feasibility analysis and a recommendation on whether needs are reasonable to meet.
A motion to find that the testimony did include unmet transit needs passed unanimously on a roll-call vote; staff will revise the list in the packet to include items raised at the hearing and return recommendations after further analysis.
