SLO Transit performance: ridership up, costs down
Summary
Ridership is up every month this year and on pace for about 750,000 riders — the fourth straight year of double-digit growth. Cal Poly riders account for about two-thirds of trips, and the system should return to pre-pandemic levels in roughly two years.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 6, 2026.
Impact analysis
System-wide operating cost per passenger trip fell from $7.70 to $6.44 year over year.
Riders benefit from a recovering, better-used transit system.
Riders who depended on Cal Poly's Poly Time service lose that option.
Mentions & discussions (6)
City Council
A resident flagged missed buses and unanswered calls under the new transit vendor; staff acknowledged the issues, the Cal Poly schedule mismatch, and promised follow-up with the operator.
Mass Transportation Committee
SLO Transit ridership grew about 9% last fiscal year, and overall operating cost per trip dropped from $7.70 to $6.44. But Routes 1B and 2B underperform the minimum standards, and staff is now committed to reviewing underperforming routes — possibly realigning them — with results possible through the long-range transit plan.
Mass Transportation Committee
SLO Transit has a new operations and maintenance contractor, MV Transportation, and recently launched Tap2Ride contactless fare payment. Staff also reported on app usage and the end of Cal Poly's Poly Time shuttle service, which may affect how some riders plan trips.
Mass Transportation Committee
The committee got its regular update on how SLO Transit is performing and shared comments. It's the routine pulse-check on local bus service — ridership, routes, and operations.
Mass Transportation Committee
Ridership is up every month this year and on pace for about 750,000 riders — the fourth straight year of double-digit growth. Cal Poly riders account for about two-thirds of trips, and the system should return to pre-pandemic levels in roughly two years.
Mass Transportation Committee
Alex Fuchs was scheduled to update the committee on progress implementing the Transit Innovation Study and the Short-Range Transit Plan — the roadmap for how SLO Transit improves service.
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