Dover, NH – Ridership on COAST’s fixed route and advance reservation demand response services grew by 7.6% over their past fiscal year (October 2021 – September 2022). This despite providing significantly less fixed route service due to ongoing service suspensions implemented earlier in 2022. This demonstrates that despite reduced service options demand is increasing. Luckily the tide has been turning for COAST and they have incrementally been lifting suspensions through the fall.

During the final quarter of FY22, COAST’s average weekday fixed route ridership was at its highest level since March 2020. This is a key ridership measure that has thus far continued into the first part of FY23. Over the past year fixed route ridership grew by 6.6%. It is hoped that when service suspensions are lifted, which has slowly been happening through the fall, ridership will grow proportionately but that may also take some time.

Ridership on COAST’s demand response services, generally targeted to older adults and individuals living with disabilities, grew 21.4% over the previous year and has been hovering just below or at pre-pandemic ridership levels over the past few months. Prior to 2020, these services had been seeing the strongest ridership growth and it appears that trend is beginning again.

COAST’s recently approved FY23 operating budget was developed with the goals of rebuilding their workforce and resuming more suspended services. The budget included notable wage increases that should significantly increase COAST’s competitiveness in the highly competitive job market for bus operators, including the addition of a second shift pay differential.

“With significant improvements to bus operator wages and benefits, COAST expects to be able to rebuild our workforce on the timeline we have established. We have already seen a significant uptick in applicants through referrals from our own employees.” commented Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director. “At this point we are planning on lifting more service suspensions in mid-January as in the last few weeks we have successfully hired and are now training a number of new staff.”

In other COAST news –

With the passage of COAST’s FY23 operating budget the very successful and well-received free transfer pilot program was extended again. This time through September 30, 2023.

Riders can now follow COAST buses in real-time on the Passio GO! app. The Passio GO! app can be downloaded from free from the Google Play or App Store. More information is available at https://coastbus.org/PassioGO .

Purchasing bus tickets to donate to area non-profit agencies for the holidays? As part of the COAST Cares program, COAST will match individual contributions this holiday season, doubling the impact of these generous gifts. Simple actions with meaningful impacts can go a long way to helping those in need, especially in today’s economy. Nichols commented, “we have done this for years, and always to the surprise of those who are generously donating these tickets to area nonprofits.”

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) has provided public transit service to the Seacoast New Hampshire region since 1982. COAST is a non-profit agency, operating a regional public transit system that relies primarily on federal and local government support to operate. COAST is governed by a board of directors representing the communities served, two regional planning commissions, and many local and state agencies. COAST’s vision is to be an innovative leader in providing a broad range of public transportation services, connecting, and coordinating a robust network of transportation options for everyone.

Photo Credit: Erin Thomas