Monthly ridership on Grand Rapids’ DASH service declined 63%, from nearly 46,500 riders in April to just over 17,000 riders in May. That’s according to data shared at a recent Mobile GR Commission meeting.
A pilot program launched in May dispatched shuttles covering smaller, more targeted routes, designed to offset an additional $7.1 million in projected capital and operating costs through 2031.
“The first month’s data is not going to be reflective in two months almost certainly.”
Max Gilles is Mobile GR’s Strategic Initiatives Manager. He says he partly attributes the drop to the new consolidated routes and a reduction in service hours, which dropped from 631 hours per week to 315 hours per week. He also said the DASH usually sees a seasonal dip in ridership in May.
“In May, there was a lot fewer special events. We have a lot more cultural events happening in the summer, other things that the DASH is more active for.”
Gilles said he expects ridership numbers to climb over the summer.
DASH is funded by the city’s parking fund revenue, which is projected at just over $25 million for this year.
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