YCAT missing out on federal funds
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma County’s bus system, YCAT, is running into money problems that could affect the service people rely on.
YCAT buses are getting busier, but the system keeps losing federal funding because local cities and the county aren’t contributing enough.
Transit Director Shelly Kreger says, “Our local funding is just still not enough. The fares that the riders pay only comes up with about 7% of local match, and local match is cash from the community. So we can match our grants.”
Ridership has bounced back since COVID, but because of the funding gap, YCAT has to send back three to five million dollars in federal money each year. Kreger says more funding would mean better service.
“Better funding would be better service, instead of hour headways, we could probably do half hour headways. And we could also buy more vehicles if needed and provide service in areas that we have not been able to provide service,” she explained.
As Yuma grows, they hope more local businesses will help support the buses so people can keep getting to work, school, and appointments.
Rider Carla Fernandez says YCAT is essential for her.
“In this economy, it’s more difficult to even buy one pump of gas, it’s too much,” she said.
She depends on the bus to get to school saying, “I would have to probably make a lot of adjustments just so I could be able to attend school. Either that, or I would have to probably more than likely, maybe drop out if I’m not able to make those adjustments.”
For now, YCAT keeps running, but it needs more support to keep improving service and serving the community.