TYLER, Texas — The city of Tyler is exploring new options to keep transit rates affordable, instead of doubling them.
On Wednesday, the city council members heard a presentation from Transit Manager Russ Jackson regarding those options, including making bus routes more efficient and implementing a micro transit operation for routes that are underutilized. They’re thinking about cutting an hour off the route.
Based on the presentation, there could also be an increased rate up to 50 cents for the fixed route, one way.
The most efficient proposal of all is Tyler Transit is working on implementing a new app that lets customers know about routes and timings.
"Signage has got to get out there to let people know that certain routes will be closed, but they'll have an app to go to," Jackson said. "They'll be able to go or just phone call and say, 'I'm here.' The app is more of what we're wanting to direct because it guarantees somebody will be there."
This presentation comes after the city of Tyler 2023-24 budget proposed doubling the cost to ride and discontinuing all Saturday services, except for Paratransit medical services. Several residents have voice opposition to the rate and schedule during council meetings and public input gatherings.
Jackson said the presentation was an effort to give less "drastic" plans for a softer approach to changing the transit system. He added that transit officials would like to reduce underutilized routes on Saturday and use the app for riders to call for a bus.
Through the micro transit operation, Jackson explained if routes are shut down, the bus stops will still be there and riders can use the app to notify a driver what stop they can be picked up at.
"They'll stage in different areas based upon certain times of the day and the week, and then they'll be able to go pick that customer up," Jackson said. "The thing about micro transit, that what we're seeing a study of is, it can actually cut time down for the customer. So it's an actual improvement. But then we're also not just driving in circles with a bus."
He added the major goal is to not hurt ridership because if the number of riders goes on, the chances for receiving grants could decrease.
"Our whole goal was to improve service. That's some of the things that you're going to see start rolling out here soon, we do have a bus app to track the bus. We're gonna probably start putting it out there for people to beta test for us and see how they like it," Jackson said.
City officials hope to make this proposal official by the next city council meeting.