Transit Committee – September 17, 2024

Asheville Transit Committee Meeting Recap – September 17, 2024

The Asheville Transit Committee convened virtually on September 17, 2024, to discuss the current state and future direction of Asheville’s public transit system. This committee, comprised of citizen volunteers, plays a crucial role in providing community input and ensuring that resident concerns are considered as the City Council makes decisions about public transportation. The meeting focused on addressing funding challenges, exploring potential improvements to service, and planning for the long-term health of Asheville’s transit system.

A significant portion of the meeting centered around a $1.34 million rescission of federal transit funds previously allocated to Buncombe County, which the City of Asheville is seeking to accept. Committee members engaged in a detailed discussion about how best to utilize these funds, weighing short-term needs against long-term planning goals. While staff presented information on a potential mobile fare payment system, the committee expressed reservations about its cost-effectiveness given current ridership levels and prioritized improvements to existing service. Public commenter Elise Marder echoed this sentiment, advocating for increased route frequency as a more impactful use of resources. Concerns were also raised regarding the reliability of routes S4 and N1, particularly delays caused by traffic congestion near Asheville High School.

Throughout the meeting, a recurring theme was the need to improve route frequency on the S3 and S6 routes. Several ridership advocates strongly emphasized this as a top priority, highlighting the importance of more frequent service to meet community needs. The committee discussed exploring a pilot program to increase trips on these routes, but acknowledged potential staffing and operational hurdles. The aging bus fleet was another major concern, with staff noting that half of the current buses have already surpassed 500,000 miles. Discussions centered on the necessity of regular replacements and preventative maintenance to ensure reliable service, with staff indicating a request for funding to purchase four buses instead of the originally planned three will be brought before City Council in October or November.

Community input played a valuable role, with Elise Marder urging the committee to prioritize route frequency over a mobile fare payment system. Joseph Chesler, via email, supported a thorough comparison of mobile fare platforms and encouraged exploration of cost-effective alternatives. Kara shared a firsthand account highlighting the difficulties riders face navigating the system with limited time and unreliable schedules, further emphasizing the need for service improvements. The committee also welcomed new members Katie Mullen (transit apprentice) and Sharise Glenn (safety manager).

Looking ahead, several key action items emerged from the meeting. City Council will vote on accepting the $1.34 million rescission at their September 24th meeting. Staff will continue the process of selecting a consultant to conduct a comprehensive operations assessment, aiming for completion in early 2025. Discussions with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will begin to explore a potential review of the funding formula that has led to decreased federal support for Asheville Transit. Finally, staff committed to engaging with the Transit Committee earlier in the decision-making process, particularly regarding funding allocation. A transit committee retreat is scheduled for November 8th to discuss planning, activities and upcoming retreats.

This meeting underscored the challenges facing Asheville’s transit system while highlighting a shared commitment among committee members, staff, and residents to finding solutions. The decisions made and actions planned will directly impact the accessibility and reliability of public transportation for Asheville residents, making these discussions particularly relevant to anyone who relies on or cares about the future of our city’s transit network.