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Coast seeks county share for Route 33 and call center as ridership grows but operating funding lags inflation
Summary
Coast, the regional nonprofit transit operator, told the subcommittee Route 33 ridership rose 18% and requested roughly $100,000 from Strafford County to support the route and a regional call center; officials warned capital grants are available but formula operating funds have not kept pace with costs.
Coast, the region’s nonprofit transit operator, asked the General Government Subcommittee for roughly $100,000 to help sustain Route 33 service to the county complex and to support a regional mobility call center.
Michael Williams, Coast’s director of operations, said Route 33 ridership grew 18% from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2025 to more than 28,000 rides, and that the county complex now has Saturday service because of increased demand. He said the organization runs both fixed‑route service (where ridership supports vehicle selection) and growing door‑to‑door services for seniors and riders with disabilities, and that operating support is the program’s main funding challenge.
“Discretionary federal grants have helped us replace buses,” Williams told the committee, “but our operating funding — the formula money that helps pay drivers and day‑to‑day costs — has not kept up with inflation.” He said the region’s formula allocation fell because of census results even though federal formula funding rose nationally; the result is local partners and passengers must cover a larger share of operating costs.
Committee members asked about farebox revenues, paratransit costs and reserves. Williams said fares are intentionally low (the system has not raised the base fare since 2009) and that paratransit comprises roughly 24% of Coast’s budget while representing about 4% of ridership, making it expensive to operate. Coast also explained a portion of its reserves are earmarked for fleet replacement and a facility project and that federal capital grants typically require local matching funds.
Representative Wade asked whether Coast plans to increase frequency or expand routes; Williams said the immediate priority is maintaining current service and that route expansion is constrained by operating funding and driver wages. The subcommittee heard that the requested county contribution would be matched in federal formula funds, which multiply local operating contributions in some grant formulas.
Coast’s request and the broader discussion underscored two county decisions: whether to help stabilize an in‑demand route that connects vulnerable riders to services, and how to weigh one‑time capital needs vs. recurring operating support.
