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Transit at a crossroads: Yamhill County faces rising operating costs and possible service cuts
Summary
Transit manager Cynthia Thompson told the board the system has secured more than $41 million in state and federal grants but faces rising operating costs and flat local revenue; without new funding staff forecast reduced dial‑a‑ride, possible Saturday service cuts, a service provider RFP and further public outreach on fare policy.
Cynthia Thompson delivered a comprehensive briefing on Yamhill County Transit’s decade‑long modernization and the near‑term funding squeeze confronting operations.
Thompson said the system has received about $41 million in federal and state grants (roughly $50 million when local contributions and other income are included) and that capital modernization — new buses, technology and stop signage — has been completed in large part. "Yamhill County Transit secured over $41 million in federal and state funding…it's a $50 million total counting the county has contributed over the last 10–11 years about $5 million," she said.
But she warned operating costs (labor, fuel, maintenance, insurance) continue to rise while operating revenue remains relatively flat. Without new local funding she projected service reductions that would reduce annual service hours from roughly 35,000 toward 25,000 by January 2027, with early cuts likely to affect general public dial‑a‑ride and Saturday service. Thompson recommended launching a procurement (RFP) for operator services in July and advancing public outreach on a new fare policy in April–May, noting vendor integrations for payment systems can delay revenue collection.
Thompson also reviewed transit investments including a new vehicle maintenance/operations lease facility on Durham Lane, bus stop infrastructure implemented across jurisdictions, improved real‑time rider information, and fleet upgrades that increase ADA access and operational visibility. She emphasized the next phase is sustaining operations: aligning service to revenues, pursuing potential partners to fund long routes, and deciding whether to pursue facility purchase or continue leasing.
The commissioners thanked Thompson for her leadership and noted public outreach and budget timelines will be key in coming weeks as staff prepare service‑adjustment options and the budget committee considers implementation.
