The Manistee County Transportation Inc. Board of Directors gathered for its quarterly meeting on Oct. 27 to discuss public transportation needs, upcoming operational plans, and ongoing challenges facing the service area, as Mass Transit reported. The public transit agency has supported the local Dial-A-Ride service since 1975, providing critical transit options across the region. At present, the agency is balancing expanding passenger demand against shortages in both available vehicles and qualified driving staff.
Board members and leadership reviewed transit performance figures from the previous year during the session. Overall system metrics show that 125,405 riders utilized the transit service over the course of the year, with agency vehicles covering 592,783 total miles. The regular Dial-A-Ride routes provide general transportation coverage throughout Manistee County. Beyond its standard countywide routes, the organization plays a vital role in regional healthcare access by providing free daily transportation for cancer patients traveling to Traverse City to receive medical care at Munson Medical Center and the Cowell Cancer Center.
Despite the high demand for trips, service expansion remains limited by staffing constraints. General Manager Julie Stec stated that the agency is actively hiring new personnel and needs to add at least two more drivers before it can expand its transit offerings. The push to recruit new drivers follows recent staff transitions, as long-serving members of the driving team have retired from their positions after decades of service to the agency and its passengers.
Among those retiring from the transit agency are drivers Joe Fisk and Richard Morehouse. Stec praised Fisk for handling every type of run assigned to him with steady professionalism throughout his career. Morehouse joined the organization in September 2006 and established a strong rapport with daily riders, who affectionately called him Mr. Richard and enjoyed his sense of humor on their routes. Stec expressed appreciation for their work, stating that co-workers and passengers alike praise their dedication, wish them well in retirement, and will miss their presence on the roads.
Equipment availability has created additional operational hurdles alongside the staffing shortage. The agency recently experienced the loss of one bus, which became unusable and was taken out of service. To restore and improve vehicle capacity, the transportation agency is currently awaiting final authorization from the Michigan Department of Transportation before it can place an official order for four replacement buses to join the active fleet.
To streamline ride scheduling and enhance communication for passengers, the agency is continuing to roll out a new software system for drivers and riders. Initially announced in February, the ongoing software upgrade is being tested in gradual phases. Once fully deployed, the technology will allow riders to monitor bus locations in real time and schedule trip reservations via text message or a dedicated app, complete with estimated arrival times for planned pickups.
Stec explained that two remaining phases must be completed before the software rollout is finished across the organization. The next step in the implementation plan involves a web portal designed for online ride bookings, which is scheduled for testing with a small group of users this month. Following the completion of the web portal testing phase, a dedicated rider app is planned for release in a later phase of the project.
While the agency moves forward with digital software upgrades and online booking options, traditional phone access will remain fully available for passengers who prefer standard reservation methods. Stec confirmed that riders will still be able to book rides by telephone by calling the agency directly at 231-723-6525, extension 1. Additional details about transit services, reservation guidelines, and open employment opportunities for prospective drivers are available directly through Manistee County Transportation Inc.