How can Asheville improve its public bus system? $300K study proposed

ASHEVILLE – Funding initially slated for a regional transit master plan, in partnership with Buncombe County, will likely be redirected to a “city specific” study, says the city’s transportation department.

The city allocated $300,000 as part of its fiscal year 2024 budget to evaluate “service options, financial resources, fleet and capital needs, connectivity opportunities, and potential governance models.” The budget document said Buncombe County would provide matching funds. But the county “did not choose to participate and provide funding, so the study did not take place,” said Amber Wagner, the city’s transit planning manager.

There’s been “a lot of conversation” around the use of that $300,000, left in limbo, said Assistant City Manager Rachel Wood at an April 18 City Council briefing. Rather than use it directly for bus route extensions, staff recommends it be reallocated to fund a Comprehensive Operations and Financial Assessment, focusing on “post-COVID” changes in travel patterns and demographics.

Current Challenges and Background

Its most recent transit master plan, a 10-year outlook adopted in 2018, did not include a funding strategy for expansion. A 25% service increase, representing only some of the Year 1 recommendations, was implemented in January 2020, on the cusp of the pandemic. Asheville Rides Transit has 18 bus routes, extending out the city’s arteries north, south, west, and east.

The pandemic triggered a “significant slowdown” for the system, said interim Transportation Director Jessica Morriss, and exacerbated challenges around driver shortages. Mirroring nationwide trends, ridership numbers plummeted.

Ridership Trends and Financial Challenges

While ridership has begun to see an uptick, the system is “operating at a deficit.” For the last two years, the city has used federal COVID relief funds to help fill the gap, and its budget has historically been subsidized with money from the general and parking funds.

Ridership numbers:

• Fiscal year 2021: 1.35 million
• Fiscal year 2022: 1.32 million
• Fiscal year 2023: 1.38 million
• Fiscal year 2024 (projected): 1.58 million

The city’s share of annual Federal Transit Administration non-competitive formula grant funding has decreased over the years due to changes to the allocation formula made by the Metropolitan Planning Organization in 2015, dipping 19% from 2015-2023.

Improvement Recommendations

Additional revenue is needed to maintain services at existing levels, while funding is also needed for fleet purchases and facility improvement. The recommended Comprehensive Operational and Financial Assessment, or COA, would evaluate current transit performance, identify operational improvements and efficiencies, and assess needs for future Transit Master Plan recommendations and other possibilities.

It represents a “scope-change,” shifting focus from a joint planning effort with Buncombe County to city specific needs and ART improvements. Objectives could include exploring better use of electric and other types of fleet vehicles in ART service and evaluate the transit system’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

Next Steps and Future Plans

Over the next several months, staff will draft solicitations for the transit operations contract and the COA. Contracts for these services would require City Council approval. Another presentation is scheduled for the May 9 City Council briefing to discuss transit facility needs.