Thursday, October 1, 2026
Intercity Transit recently highlighted the success of several programs designed to help seniors and people with disabilities navigate public transit in a recent yearly udpate.
Kevin Karkoski, the Manager for Intercity Transit's Dial-A-Lift program, shared an update about the program, as well as information about the Travel Trainer and Bus Buddy programs. His presentation to the Intercity Transit Authority at a meeting on Aug. 19. focused on the agency's results for 2025.
Dial-A-Lift is an American with Disabilities Act mandated, shared ride service provided to individuals whose disability or health condition prevents them from using a fixed-route bus.
The service only applies to trips within three-fourths of a mile where fixed-routed buses travel. The schedule of the service also aligns with the schedule of fixed-route buses.
In 2025, the service supported 2,017 clients with 143,702 trips, representing a 7 percent rise over 2024.
General Manager Emily Bergkamp noted last year’s ridership indicates a steady recovery for the service even as it remains below pre-pandemic peaks.
On time pickups reached 99 percent within the designated 30-minute window, which Karkoski said was made possible due to a scheduling software introduced in 2023.
Riders may only qualify for the service if they cannot independently ride a bus or if a bus ramp cannot be safely deployed at their destination.
The agency reviews every application before granting individual access to the service. In 2025, the agency processed 836 completed applications and approved 93 percent.
More than half were approved for unconditional use, with 312 of the applications requesting recertification, which is required every three years. Riders with unconditional approval can use the service anywhere within the service area.
The remainder of the approved applications were given on a conditional or temporary basis. People with conditional eligibility are individuals who only need help with specific routes or conditions.
Staff conducted 475 assessments to determine the eligibility of an applicant. The assessments only included interviews most of the time, but sometimes called for actual bus rides and physical walking assessments.
Karkoski noted assessments were not repeated during recertifications, which focused on confirming contact and address information.
He also mentioned the coverage area of the service was expanded in 2025 up to Lilly Road and Sleater Kinney Road, as well as toward Henderson Boulevard between Yelm Highway and Old Highway 99, which represents the biggest expansion for the service in years.
Six residents in the Henderson Boulevard area were enrolled into the program as a result of the expansion.
The Travel Trainer program provides training to people in need to help them learn routes and schedules, as well as teach them how to plan their travels.
Training is also offered on mobility devices, so riders can practice boarding and exiting on a bus in a controlled environment. In 2025, the agency’s two dedicated trainers delivered 283 training sessions.
The agency partners with nonprofit Catholic Community Services of Western Washington for the Bus Buddy program, which connects seniors and individuals with disabilities to volunteer bus companions.
In 2025, volunteers completed 2,100 hours of service toward a 3,600 hour goal. The program also matched 145 people with a bus buddy for specific trips.
Volunteers also helped with 12 group trips around and outside of Thurston County.
Karkoski said a longtime coordinator of the program retired in August 2025 after nearly 11 years of service. Janina Robbins, the program’s founder, has since taken over the role.
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LindaD
That's all interesting, but the report includes no costs for each of these services. It seems like a rather large oversight.
Thursday, September 3 Report this
36098501
There is no question that Intercity Transit’s Demand Response program is a fantastic and important service. It provides transportation to people who may otherwise have few options, and helping those in need is something our community should value and support.
But a complete discussion should include more than the subjective benefits IT, the Board and the Council typically focus on. This is common with many programs the City is involved with, but at least IT is required to provide the financial data of its programs to the US Department of Transportation - even if it is a year behind. 2024 is the most current national data available.
It can be found here.
https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/transit_agency_profile_doc/2024/00019.pdf
Previous Jolt Article on Intercity Transit
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/intercity-transit-to-reimagine-its-bus-network,19165?
There are substantial and growing costs, and those costs are ultimately borne by the public through taxpayer dollars.
Federal Transit Administration data show that Demand Response operating expenses have increased dramatically:
Year Demand Response Operating Cost
| 2013 | $7.23 million
| 2014 | $7.78 million
| 2015 | $8.05 million
| 2016 | $8.62 million
| 2017 | $9.72 million
| 2018 | $10.16 million
| 2020 | $15.84 million
| 2021 | $14.37 million
| 2022 | $15.61 million
| 2023 | $18.11 million
| 2024 | $17.23 million
The cost per passenger ride tells an even more striking story: $51.57 in 2019 versus $124.82 in 2024—approximately $250 for a roundtrip ride.
These are operating costs only. They don't include capital investments such as buses, facilities and other infrastructure that are made each year to keep the program running.
Intercity Transit's audited financial statements for 2024 also show $253.9 million in cash reserves at year-end. That cash. In millions.
None of this diminishes the value of the service. But these are public resources, and taxpayers deserve an honest discussion of both the benefits and the costs, including whether current spending levels are sustainable and producing the greatest possible public benefit.
Thursday, September 3 Report this