Council backs microtransit study to replace Dial‑A‑Ride and reconfigure fixed routes

The Madera City Council on April 5 unanimously approved staff recommendations from a microtransit feasibility study aimed at retooling the city’s transit network.

Finance Director Mike Lima presented FlexLinks’ final report, recommending elimination of the blue and green fixed routes, reconfiguration of the purple and orange routes (including increasing orange service from 60‑minute to 30‑minute headways), and replacing Dial‑A‑Ride with a microtransit, on‑demand service covering areas not served by the two remaining fixed routes. Lima said the study also proposes a pilot Fresno connector to link Madera riders to Fresno’s transit system for medical and personal trips.

"Nothing is gonna change tomorrow," Lima cautioned, describing the action as authorization for staff to begin implementation steps: issue an RFP for an operator, award a contract, adopt a fare policy, finalize the system configuration and marketing plan. He noted the current operator contract with MV Transportation expires 06/30/2027 (with a one‑year extension option to 06/30/2028), making that date the target for having a system ready to operate.

The study’s financial modeling estimated potential annual savings of about $72,000 once fully implemented, though Lima said actual savings depend on choices made during implementation. Council members had no substantive objections and voted to adopt the study recommendations, with staff to return with procurement documents, fare policy proposals and implementation timelines for future council approvals.

Implementation steps listed by staff include developing the operator RFP, awarding a contract, creating a fare policy, refining service area boundaries for microtransit, and running a pilot evaluation for the Fresno connector. Council approval today authorized staff to begin those next steps; any contract awards and fare changes will require subsequent council votes.