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Perry officials seek answers after regional transit provider cuts service in Perry
Summary
City staff told the council that Herta/HRDA has reduced service to Perry and that HRDA is requesting $2 per capita (about $16,000) from the city; Council asked staff to obtain data from Herta on why Perry was singled out and whether per-capita payments would restore service days.
Perry City leaders pressed staff on May 26 after a regional transit provider announced service reductions that will leave Perry with fewer service days.
City Administrator (City administrator) told the council that Herta announced reduced service in Perry, Knoxville and Indianola and that HRDA has requested $2 per capita from Perry, "which would be just under $16,000." He said only 9 of 87 cities in HRDA's service territory currently provide funding and that, among Dallas County communities, Perry would be the only one affected by the cuts.
Council members asked whether the $2-per-capita contribution would restore lost service days and whether alternative funding levels could buy more frequent service. The administrator said he did not know definitively if $2 per capita would restore five days of service but that he "assume[d] that would bump us up to 5 days," and pledged to seek clarification and the data Herta used to choose service reductions.
The administrator described a decline in service frequency over recent years: from five days a week prior to July 1, 2025, down to four days, and then the current reduced schedule (to Mondays and Fridays in the affected communities). Council members noted city budget constraints and the difficulty of adding a recurring expense.
Next steps: staff said they will request more detailed explanations from Herta about decision‑making and funding matrices, compile questions from council members ("Email me your list. We'll compare lists"), and report back with specifics before any council funding decision.
Why it matters: Perry residents who rely on HRDA/Herta service could see reduced mobility unless the city decides to provide ongoing funding or Herta reverses the change. The city's next steps will determine whether service frequency can be restored and at what local cost.
