News

Aug

2024

City of San Luis contributes to Amberly's Place

SAN LUIS, Ariz. – The San Luis City Council approved a contribution of $137,816 to the Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority, which operates the YCAT transportation system.

The funds were approved as part of the intergovernmental agreement which San Luis participates in, along with eight other entities. The YCAT service maintains public transportation services in the communities.

Mayor Nieves Riedel emphasized the beneficial impact of contributing to the agency.

“In San Luis, there are two segments of the community that are vulnerable and need public transportation more – students and the elderly – people who either do not have the blessing of owning a car or cannot drive one,” said the mayor.

Shelly Kreger, YCAT transit director, reported that from July 1, 2023, to June 30, the number of fixed-route users was 415,786 and 7,182 for paratransit.

The Yellow Route, which serves the south of the county to Yuma and vice versa, accounts for 59.1% of total passengers.

Kreger explained that the highest cost in the YCAT system is the operations contract, as it involves hiring a third party manage transit operations, which in turn hires drivers, general services personnel, dispatchers and mechanics, as well as the actual operation of routes and paratransit.

This fiscal year, this cost amounts to about $4.4 million.

“It is imperative that we continue to receive funding from local entities until a more dedicated revenue source, such as a tax, is established. Communities thrive when there is public transportation. Just think about what would happen to our community if transportation disappeared. It would be devastating,” Kreger noted.

Revenue from YCAT fares covers only 7% of operating costs. “This is consistent across the industry, and that is why we rely so much on contributions from local entities and federal funding,” added Kreger.

Riedel stated that San Luis’s contribution to YCAT through YCIPTA is not comparable to the benefits the community receives from the agency.

“We fall short with this agency. The services they provide, the benefits the community receives, are much greater than what we are paying or what users pay in fares,” she reiterated.

The council also approved funds for other agencies through contractual services with the following: Ramirez Advisors International, which serves the city as a consultant on governmental and border issues, for $96,500; Yuma Community Food Bank, which distributes food to low-income residents, with $40,000; to the economic development organization 4FrontEd, with $17,167; and Amberly’s Place, a domestic violence victim services organization, with $50,000.