RIDERSHIP TRENDS
SAM provided 6,565 rides in June. May and June ridership are equal to that of one year ago. In looking at ridership patterns, it appears the fixed route services are recovering at a faster rate than the dial-a-ride programs. SAM rides, our local in-town dial-a-ride service, remains very low with 653 rides in June 2022 as compared to 1,045 in June 2019 pre COVID. This is partially due to COVID and partially due to driver shortages.
CONTRACT UPDATE
The wage increases approved by Council in May went into effect June 1, 2022. With the increase in wages, MV has been able to recruit, hire and train 5 new drivers. However, due to the stress of the driver shortage and contract negotiations, the General Manager resigned. SAM staff were quick to recommend an interim General Manager, Alan McQuire-Nash who has been a driver and dispatcher with SAM since 2015. He is doing a spectacular job as the Interim General Manager. Unfortunately he is also a business owner so he is not able to fill the position permanently. MV has stated that they will actively recruit a new GM upon the negotiation of a new contract. Alan has agreed to keep us moving in the right direction as Interim until a new contract is in place or a new contractor.
During the contract negotiation approval, Council was made aware of an increase in contract rates. SAM did apply for a grant through the COVID CARES ACT NEEDS BASED grant process and was awarded $285,000 to cover the increase in costs. SAM was also awarded funding to install driver shields in 3 large buses.
