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Board authorizes FTA grant applications, five‑year micro‑transit contract and beach shuttle; approves bus‑stop assessment
Summary
The board authorized MATS staff to publish FTA FY2026 grant notices and submit applications, approved a recommended five‑year micro‑transit contract (approx. $6.7M) contingent on legal review, approved a summer Pere Marquette Beach shuttle ($48,800) including complimentary ADA service, and authorized a $96,800 assessment of 300+ bus stops with most costs federally/state funded.
The Muskegon County Board approved multiple transportation items grouped under the Transportation Committee, moving the county forward on federal funding applications, a recommended five‑year micro‑transit contract, a summer beach shuttle, and a systemwide bus‑stop assessment.
Commissioner McWhitten presented TR260407 and asked the board to authorize Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS) to publish public notice and submit FY2026 Federal Transit Administration grant applications, allow staff to execute electronic grant applications, and permit the county administrator to sign project authorizations for necessary state matches. Bob Lukens, Community Development Director, described the routine federal/state funding formula, saying the application includes operating reimbursement and preventive maintenance amounts and explaining that those funds are part of carried‑over FY23/FY25 federal allocations.
On TR260408, the board considered awarding RFP 262016 for a five‑year micro‑transit turnkey demand‑response service (the county’s "Go To" program) to RiverNorth Transit LLC with Via as a service partner, contingent on corporate counsel review. Lukens explained that five proposals were received, procurement policies were followed, and staff recommended the award. "The cost for the 5 year contract is approximately $6,700,000 over the 5 year course of the contract," he said. The contract would begin April 27 to avoid service interruption and includes software‑as‑a‑service for scheduling and ADA integration.
The board also approved a proposed Pere Marquette Beach shuttle in partnership with the City of Muskegon for weekends May 22 through Sept. 6 at an estimated county cost of $48,800, which includes complimentary ADA service. Commissioners asked about potential additional service for special events (Lukens said soccer in the sand on July 25–26 could add service at roughly $1,400 for two days) and about which party would cover stops and improvements; staff said the city is participating in stop improvements and cost sharing.
Finally, the board authorized an assessment program (approximately $96,800 plus up to $5,000 reimbursable field expenses) for Progressive AE to document more than 300 bus stops systemwide and produce an ADA‑focused assessment. Lukens said federal requirements make even small changes to stops a multistep process requiring NEPA reviews, equitable placement analyses and potential easement work; the study is expected to be about 80% federally/state funded with up to a $20,000 local share from MATS reserves. The motion passed on roll call with at least one 'no' vote recorded.
These measures aim to secure grant funding, preserve continuous transit service, expand ADA compliance, and prepare the county to make prioritized improvements to bus stops over time.
