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Commissioners press for updated surveys, employer shuttles and frequency-focused options to protect ridership
Summary
Commissioners emphasized that preserving ridership depends on frequency and targeted outreach; they recommended exploring employer shuttles, microtransit pilots and CCRPC-funded regional flow studies rather than assuming current pre-pandemic surveys remain accurate.
Commissioners questioned whether GMT’s existing outreach and the county’s pre-pandemic studies still reflect current travel patterns and urged targeted outreach and employer partnerships to maintain ridership.
Donna (commissioner) said steady ridership often depends on employer-based incentives and asked whether the city or GMT could undertake a localized market study. "Steady ridership is often employer based and because they can incentivize it too," Donna said. Paul acknowledged GMT has been doing outreach this summer and that the regional CCRPC has funded additional flow and survey work for the fiscal year, but told the commission the city itself has not yet done a community-specific market survey tied to the VHB alternatives.
Commissioners raised microtransit and variable-frequency options as ways to preserve critical peak service even if some midday or off-peak trips are cut. A common theme was caution about cutting low-frequency routes that take years to rebuild: "When you cut it away, people ... their habits switch, and it can take a long time," one commissioner warned. The commission directed staff to continue coordination with GMT and the CCRPC and to consider recommending targeted local outreach or pilot programs.
