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START reports small ridership gains, warns staffing and housing shortages threaten service
Summary
START reported roughly 10,000 more rides year‑over‑year to just over 1,000,000 but said the system is severely understaffed (14 of 20 positions filled). The airport pilot is down roughly 500 riders year‑to‑date; staff flagged wages and housing as the main retention problems.
Mike Toronto, director of START transit, updated commissioners on ridership and operations at the Feb. 2 meeting.
Ridership and airport pilot
Toronto said START’s ridership rose by about 10,000 trips compared with the previous year to a total just above 1,000,000 rides. However, he reported the airport pilot is down about 500 riders year‑to‑date and that the program is not currently meeting ridership goals. Toronto said START will hold a special board meeting on Feb. 12 to discuss airport service and budget recommendations.
Staffing, wages and housing challenges
The director described acute staffing shortages: START has 14 employees in place out of 20 budgeted positions, and the agency is using overtime to cover service needs. Toronto told commissioners wages and local housing costs are the main barriers to recruitment and retention. He said school district drivers can earn about $34 an hour while START starting wages are roughly $27.50, making it difficult to compete in a high housing‑cost market.
Possible responses and budgeting
Toronto said he has been working with county staff to develop budget scenarios that could increase wages or reallocate bonus programs to provide more month‑to‑month housing support for seasonal workers. Commissioners expressed support for exploring higher wages and housing solutions and asked for further analysis in the upcoming budget cycle.
What’s next: Budget decisions
START will present service change recommendations and a high‑level budget proposal to its board in February, with a potential budget recommendation from the board due in late February.
