Winchester's City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee convened on May 29, 2025, to address pressing issues surrounding the city's transit services, particularly the WinReady on-demand service and the loop route. The meeting highlighted the growing demand for public transportation and proposed strategic adjustments to better serve the community.

Transit Operations Manager Kevin Johnson reported that since the launch of WinReady, ridership has surged, leading to challenges in meeting demand. The service, which allows riders to request pickups close to their location, has seen a significant increase in requests, with many unable to be accommodated due to full buses. Currently, WinReady operates six buses during peak hours, but the city anticipates that adding three more could increase monthly ridership capacity from 7,000 to 10,000.

To address the issue without straining the budget, the committee proposed reallocating resources from the loop route, which has experienced a decline in ridership. By utilizing two buses from the loop route for WinReady, the city could save approximately $43,000 annually. This would allow for the addition of an extra bus during peak times, enhancing service availability for WinReady users.

Additionally, the committee discussed potential changes to the Laurel Ridge Community College route, which has seen low ridership, particularly on Fridays and during the summer months. A proposal was made to operate the route Monday through Thursday and suspend service during the summer session, allowing those resources to support WinReady.

Public feedback has been a crucial part of this process, with many loop route users expressing concerns about the potential elimination of their service. The committee acknowledged the importance of maintaining reliable transportation options and is considering several alternatives, including keeping one bus on the loop route while reallocating the second to WinReady.

The committee emphasized the need for effective communication with riders regarding any changes, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed well in advance. If approved, the proposed changes would take effect on July 1, 2025.

As Winchester continues to adapt its transit services to meet community needs, these discussions reflect a commitment to enhancing public transportation while balancing budgetary constraints. The council's decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the future of transit in the city.