on transit. The loss of mobility options can also drive up household transportation costs, increase car dependency and erode the tax base as people and businesses relocate to more accessible areas. MICROTRANSIT AND TECHNOLOGY: NOT A PANACEA While microtransit and other on-demand solutions are gaining attention, they are not a substitute for robust, frequent fixed-route bus service. Agencies consistently report that what riders want most is reliable, frequent service on existing routes — not experimental pilot programs or niche services. Technology can and should be leveraged to improve scheduling, real-time information, and fare collection, but the core of any successful transit system remains a strong network of well-operated bus lines. Funding uncertainty and the need for advocacy Tariffs, inflation and unpredictable federal and state funding streams add further complexity to transit agency budgets, making long-term planning difficult. This uncertainty should not be used as justification for service cuts. Instead, it highlights the urgent need for advocacy and coalition-building among agencies, municipalities and the public to secure sustainable funding models. Agencies must communicate the real-world impacts of service reductions and work with stakeholders to prioritize transit as an essential public good. ELEVATING SERVICE, NOT CUTTING IT Transit agencies know that service cuts are a last resort — one that risks irreversible damage to mobility, equity and economic vitality. The evidence is clear: Improved service levels drive ridership; support changing demographics and deliver farreaching benefits that extend well beyond traditional public transit-dependent populations. As agencies confront fiscal challenges, the focus should be on optimizing operations, advocating for stable funding and delivering the reliable, frequent service that communities need to thrive. Cutting bus service may offer short-term budget relief, but it comes at a steep and lasting cost.The path to a vibrant, resilient transit future lies in elevating service-not reducing it. improving on-time performance and streamlining schedules have seen measurable increases in ridership, often without having to add more vehicles to the road. Better on-time performance means agencies can do more with less. By optimizing schedules and reducing delays, it is possible to maintain or even expand service coverage without incurring the costs of additional buses or operators. This approach is both fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of riders, who value dependability above all else. THE BROADER IMPACT OF SERVICE CUTS Cutting bus service is not just a blow to mobility for lower-income residents, it is a setback for the entire community. Service reductions disproportionately affect shift workers, seniors, students and people with disabilities, but they also undermine economic growth, increase congestion and worsen air quality. In regions facing service cuts, employers in health care, hospitality, and other essential sectors report difficulty retaining workers who can no longer rely 14 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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