Sumter County is looking at eliminating as of Oct. 1 some Sumter County Transit routes in The Villages.
From the county’s point of view, the ridership on the routes is too low and the cost of providing the service is too high.
The service is used for everything from medical appointments to shopping.
You can see the current transit schedule at the link below:
http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2841
Cost per ride per customer varies from 25 cents, 50 cents and $1 “based on age and deviation” across the county.
The Villages “Blue” and “Green” routes have an annual ridership of 2,756 trips. The cost per trip on these routes is $94.43, according to information supplied by County Administrator Bradley Arnold. Cost per trip is defined as the cost for the service per single fare-paying rider.
The Villages “Purple” route has an annual ridership of approximately 685 trips. The cost per trip is $93.65.
The Villages Saturday Route has an annual ridership of approximately 244 trips. The cost per trip is $223.18.
The Villages programs have received grant money, however 50 percent of the costs for operating the service come from county funds.
Sumter County Transit also operates routes in Bushnell, Wildwood, Webster and Center Hill, but the ridership is greater and the costs are lower. Those programs are not being cut.
Transit service will remain available Monday through Friday; however, it will be a call for reservation process for the door-to-door service.
The cost for the trips will be $1 to the rider.
Ride Right LLC won the contract in 2011 to provide transit services for the county. Ride Right will continue to provide the services.
