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COAST seeks county support as ridership rebounds; agency warns of projected operating deficit
Summary
Regional transit agency COAST asked Strafford County for roughly $88,500 to support Route 33 and ADA paratransit services after a year of strong ridership gains; COAST reported growing reserves from prior federal relief but a projected operating deficit this year of about $350,000.
Rad Nichols, executive director of COAST, presented the agency's FY2025 request and performance data to the subcommittee. Nichols said system ridership increased sharply as the agency recovered from pandemic-era service suspensions.
"Ridership overall was up almost 29% across the system," Nichols said, and he highlighted a record year on Route 33, which links downtown to the county complex and saw a 44.4% year-over-year increase on that route.
COAST requested approximately $88,500 for county-supported fixed-route and paratransit services and an additional $8,000 to support regional coordination efforts. Nichols described nearly $3.2 million in agency reserves built from prior federal emergency relief, noted a projected operating deficit of about $350,000 for the current fiscal year, and outlined the agency's role in connecting residents to jobs, health care and social services.
Committee members asked about fare collection, electronic payment options, and coverage versus frequency decisions. Nichols said the agency is focusing on coverage—ensuring access for as many riders as possible—because current funding does not allow the higher-frequency model that typically generates larger ridership increases.
Members noted the importance of the service for seniors, people on probation and others who rely on transit to reach courts, medical appointments and jobs. The subcommittee did not finalize funding but asked staff to follow up with details on fare modernization and specific route support.
