Transit Council reviews service changes for McMinnville's Dial-A-Ride and fixed routes

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners held a formal session on March 13, 2025, where they discussed significant changes to local transit services. The meeting focused on the performance and productivity of various routes, particularly in light of recent service adjustments and budget considerations.

During the session, officials reviewed a summary of transit services, including ridership statistics for fixed routes and dial-a-ride services. They highlighted that Route 3, serving McMinnville, is the highest-performing local route, followed by Route 2. Commuter routes, such as Route 44 to Tigard and Route 22 to Grama Ronde, were also noted for their performance, while Route 44X, which operates limited early morning and late-night trips, was identified as low-performing.

The discussion included the financial implications of maintaining current service levels. The average cost per rider for dial-a-ride services was reported at $24, which is considered average for rural transit systems. The commissioners explored scenarios for reducing service hours from the current 39,000 to as low as 32,000 hours, depending on budget constraints.

Proposed changes include reallocating dial-a-ride services in McMinnville, increasing frequency on local routes, and redesigning low-performing fixed routes. There are plans to restore Saturday service for intercity routes and to eliminate the underperforming Route 44X. Additionally, partnerships with Washington County and Benton County were discussed to enhance service efficiency.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue evaluating transit options to better serve the community while managing costs effectively. The proposed adjustments aim to improve service delivery and ridership experience across Yamhill County's transit network.