Preliminary transit study finds coverage gaps, rising demand-response use in Fremont County
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Summary
An initial intake briefing on a USDA-funded transit study said fixed-route coverage broadly reaches many populated block groups but has grown less effective over time; demand-response ridership rose and WRTA showed an 11% ridership increase year-to-date versus the prior year. The study will examine workforce connections, coverage gaps and options for multimodal access.
Riverton — Council received an initial presentation Feb. 17 on a USDA-funded transit planning study for Wind River Transportation Authority and Fremont County coordinated by CTAA (Community Transportation Association of America). The briefing, delivered by FCAG/municipal staff, summarized early data on rider patterns, coverage and ridership trends.
Staff said the study team produced a transit-propensity map highlighting population and housing density, and an initial in/outflow assessment showed about 3,134 people commute into Fremont County for work daily while 3,700 commute out; about 12,318 people live and work within the county. Early ridership findings indicated a sustained year-over-year decline in fixed-route ridership (a cited 41% decline in one comparative measure) while demand-response service has increased, reflecting national trends toward convenience-based trips. Using partial reporting for the current federal fiscal year, WRTA data showed an 11% increase in ridership over the entirety of federal fiscal year 25 for the comparable months presented.
A brief rider survey (fewer than 40 responses) suggested a substantial portion of WRTA riders identified as unemployed or part-time employed; the sample also showed a primary ridership age bracket between 45 and 64 and many respondents reporting annual incomes under $15,000 — though staff cautioned the small sample size limits statistical confidence. The study team intends to incorporate employer outreach and a strategic plan comparison to refine recommended service adjustments and identify where demand response can fill headway/distance gaps in fixed-route service.
Council members asked about rider demographics and next steps; staff noted CTAA principals will be on site for further intake and stakeholder meetings and encouraged council and the public to attend a forthcoming work session and open meetings to review initial maps and ridership data.
