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Ogemaw County transit director proposes cutting last service hour after data shows minimal evening ridership
Summary
Transit Director Tony Deb presented data showing very low ridership between 6 and 7 p.m. and proposed eliminating that hour to reallocate service to busier daytime periods; commissioners asked for a written cost‑savings and equity analysis and requested data back next week.
Ogemaw County’s transit director urged commissioners to consider cutting the system’s final hour of nightly service after an analysis showed substantially lower ridership during that hour than during the daytime.
Tony Deb, identified in the meeting as Transit Director, told commissioners that from January through December 2024 the system recorded 127 passenger trips between 6 and 7 p.m., compared with far higher ridership earlier in the day; he proposed eliminating the 6–7 p.m. run and reallocating that driver time to peak daytime routes. "The trend is like that the entire time," Tony said, arguing the transit system must run efficiently without a dedicated millage.
Commissioners and committee members pressed for more detail. Several said they support using data to guide service changes but warned that eliminating the hour would affect riders who depend on evening service. Commissioner Sirbrook noted the county still has about 127 individuals who rely on the 6–7 p.m. run and suggested maintaining at least one bus for those trips; Commissioner Mayhew asked whether fewer buses (rather than no buses) could serve the timeframe. Another commissioner asked for written estimates of any cost savings and an operational plan showing whether shifting schedules would increase wages, overtime or fuel costs.
Tony said the transit committee had discussed a July 1 target start if the board approved the change and that staff would provide at least 30 days’ notice to riders. He also said reallocating existing driver hours (starting shifts earlier) could meet daytime demand without increasing total driver hours. Commissioners asked the director to email the data and to return next week with a written cost/benefit and operational plan before any final decision.
What happened: a policy proposal was presented (eliminate 6–7 p.m. service and reallocate coverage), commissioners asked for supporting documentation and a schedule showing how the change would affect riders and costs, and no final action was taken at the meeting.
Why it matters: Transit changes affect mobility for low‑income and transit‑dependent residents; commissioners emphasized balancing fiscal constraints with maintaining access for those with limited alternatives.
Next steps: Transit staff to email the complete ridership dataset and an operational cost/impact analysis to commissioners and return with a written proposal at the next meeting.
