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Portales says federal PATS transit funding likely to double; city aims to boost ridership 200%
Summary
City manager reported a possible increase in federal PATS program funding to about $107,000 for FY2027 (roughly double FY2026) and said the city plans hires and outreach to raise ridership by 200%, expanding the small paratransit program.
City manager told the council that federal support for the city’s PATS transit program is expected to rise to approximately $107,000 in the FY2027 federal calendar, roughly double the FY2026 award of $56,000. “They're gonna fund us at a $107,000, which is roughly twice, what they did,” the manager said while describing recent grant developments.
Staff outlined plans to use additional funds to increase program oversight and operations, including hiring for a program oversight position and another driver. The manager said the city’s internal goal is to increase ridership by 200 percent (from small absolute numbers) and cited that even modest increases—moving to an average of several riders per day—would make the program more sustainable. Staff cautioned that federal requirements and memoranda of understanding will guide allowable uses of funds and that further work is required on reimbursables and administrative paperwork.
Councilors welcomed the prospect of increased funding and emphasized the need to coordinate recruitment and outreach—especially to senior and mobility‑limited populations—so that service adjustments meet community needs.
