Residents of Martin County, Florida, who relied on MARTY buses to get to work, school, and medical appointments abruptly lost that option when the system's operator shut down all service effective October 8.
The company cited rising insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs as reasons it could not continue providing the service, CBS12 reported.
Here's what to know
According to CBS12, the MARTY bus network provided roughly 156,000 fixed-route rides a year, with thousands of additional riders also relying on paratransit services.
Martin County Transit LLC, the company operating MARTY, said the contract became financially unsustainable because costs rose far more than it expected when it submitted the winning bid.
County officials said they were caught off guard by the sudden service shutdown.
"Two weeks ago, the vendor provided a 180-day notice that they were going to terminate," said Jim Gordon, Martin County Public Works Director, according to CBS12. "We were not given advance notice that they were going to cancel services today and going forward."
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Karen Deigl, CEO of Martin County Transit LLC, told CBS12 the company was operating MARTY at a loss of roughly $70,000 each month. When the news outlet requested additional information, the company would not provide a fuller explanation of the calculation.
MARTY serves as a daily transportation link for many riders across the county, and its abrupt disappearance has left residents scrambling to make essential trips.
More background
George Stokus, Assistant County Administrator, said county leaders recognize the severe disruption the loss of service has caused to people's lives.
"Some of my own acquaintances in the community ride the bus, and they were upset because they couldn't get to IRSC or to their doctor appointments," Stokus said, per CBS12. "So we understand the pain that they feel."
Thousands of MARTY riders also use paratransit services, including older adults and residents with disabilities.
What's being done?
County officials and local groups have been rushing to fill the service gap. United Way of Martin County is providing transportation help through its Lyft partnership program for eligible residents traveling within Martin County.
The program may also help qualifying residents get to certain medical destinations outside the county, including the VA hospital in West Palm Beach and Cleveland Clinic in Port St. Lucie, per CBS12.
County officials said they are trying to line up another transit operator and restore service as quickly as possible.
For those looking to help, United Way is also accepting donations to continue transportation assistance for affected residents.
Residents who need ride help can call 772-283-4800 to ask about eligibility and available support. For people who depended on MARTY every day, that may be one of the only immediate alternatives.
Carol Houwaart-Diez, CEO of United Way of Martin County, said the emergency response focuses on preserving access to basic needs.
"This is important for people to be able to get to the doctors, to get to wherever they need to go. So we want to be there and help our community," she said, according to CBS12.
Where can I learn more?
Transit agencies elsewhere face similar cost pressures and service changes. These stories look at electric bus savings, fleet upgrades, driverless service in Barcelona, Toronto's trolleybus debate, and Ebusco's new low-energy model.
• School districts found lifetime savings of electric buses can top six figures per vehicle.
• In British Columbia, BC Transit is making fleet and infrastructure upgrades for growing communities.
• In Toronto, residents are revisiting a century-old transit system once built to dodge traffic.
• Ebusco has begun serial production of an extremely low-energy bus aimed at cutting costs.
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