Assembly questions equity of $750,000 transit contribution as rural members press for data

Several assembly members raised concerns April 9 that the borough’s $750,000 transit contribution disproportionately benefits urbanized routes and provides limited direct service to some rural districts.

Assemblymember (Bowles) questioned whether District 1 residents were effectively paying for Valley Transit service that does not reach large parts of the district. The assembly member said many constituents in his district do not see buses locally and asked whether the borough should reconsider contributing to a service that primarily runs in urbanized areas.

Borough Manager Mike Brown responded that the FY27 transit contribution remains $750,000 but will cover a 12‑month period (previously budgeted as nine months) and that the borough’s $750,000 helps buy about $2.25 million in total federal and local transit service. "Our 750 buys 2.25 million total services for the community," Brown said, adding that some may perceive a funding reduction because of the accounting change from nine to 12 months but that the level of borough support is unchanged.

Brown and other members acknowledged the urban/rural tension and noted demand‑response service exists for areas outside fixed routes. Assembly members called for more district‑level information about ridership origins and usage; the manager offered to invite Valley Transit (and its executive director) to a follow‑up meeting and to provide ridership and route origin data so the assembly can assess equity and service value before deliberations.

The exchange did not result in a change to the proposed contribution; staff said detailed ridership data and a fuller analysis would be provided in follow‑up briefings and during the public hearings on the budget.