Carroll County transit reports slight ridership dip; board approves part‑time driver hire

Sonia Turboich, Carroll County transit director, told the board the system logged 35,135 service miles and 1,848 passenger trips in May, a 3.44% decline in passenger trips from the prior period, and reported 98 declined rides in her monthly report.

Turboich said the declines in service were driven by a shortage of drivers and by being down an additional bus. She told commissioners the county has ordered two new vans that are awaiting delivery and that staff will begin using a new operating‑system report to provide more detailed monthly statistics.

Turboich recommended hiring Nicole Chris as a part‑time van/bus driver. The board moved and seconded the hire motion, which specified $12 per hour for van work and $13 per hour for bus work, contingent on passing pre‑employment exams. The motion carried on a voice vote when board members answered "I."

A commissioner later asked about the declined rides and Turboich reiterated the shortfall in drivers and the out‑of‑service bus as the primary causes. The transcript contains a minor discrepancy: the initial report lists 98 declined rides while a later question references 96 declined rides; county staff should confirm the final count.

The meeting record shows the transit office will start using the operating system report for future monthly updates and is awaiting delivery of the two new vans, which the director said should reduce declined rides once in service.