SALINAS >> After reviewing a complaint about Monterey-Salinas Transit, the 2022 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury found the public transportation agency fulfills its mandate to provide for the transportation needs of county residents “in the most cost-effective, safe, innovative and environmentally safe manner possible.”
The complaint said MST vehicles were observed with few, if any, riders and that the buses were fuel-inefficient and a waste of public money.
But the Civil Grand Jury determined Monterey-Salinas Transit’s routes, fleet, schedules, bus stops, and fares are determined based on ample and accurate data, while its 2022 finances were audited by the independent firm of Eide Bailey.
The Civil Grand Jury report said that it “did not find misuse of public funding related to the issue of empty buses.”
The Monterey-Salinas Transit District was created by state law and formed in July 2010. The district succeeded the MST Joint Powers Agency which was formed in 1981 when the city of Salinas joined the Monterey Peninsula Transit Joint Owners Agency that was created in 1972. Monterey-Salinas Transit is currently celebrating 50 years of service to Monterey County.
The agency’s routes, schedules and bus sizes are determined by ridership data collected electronically on every bus in operation, according to the Civil Grand Jury report. People who regularly take the bus may be those unable to drive, college students, commuters, tourists or individuals who see the environmental benefits of taking public transportation. Safety concerns also contribute to where routes and bus stops exist.
MST secures several government grants through the Transportation Agency for Monterey County which serves as the county’s regional transportation planning agency and is a state-designated agency responsible for planning and financial programming of transportation projects. Part of TAMC’s mission is the investigation of new sources of transportation revenue, of which recipients such as MST are required by law to report on how the funds are spent.
Both MST and TAMC have governing boards consisting of county and city officials and appointees, with several individuals serving on both boards which furthers cooperation and communication. Regula public meetings are held and provide oversight into agency priorities and the expenditure of funds. Agendas, minutes and support documents are posted on the websites of both agencies.
Last December, Monterey-Salinas Transit introduced the Better Bus Network instituting multiple changes in routes, stops, fares and schedules. Its first all-electric buses were also recently introduced and it now operates four electric buses and one electric trolley. MST’s 2022 Annual Report was issued in March and can be viewed at https://mst.org/2022-annual-report/.
According to the Civil Grand Jury report, MST is funded and mandated by law to provide transportation throughout Monterey County. The report found individuals who depend on public transportation and use it regularly understand the routes, schedules, stops and fares and are also more aware of how to lodge a complaint or make positive comments. Others who may never ride an MST bus, however, might not know anything about these procedures.
The Civil Grand Jury says it “applauds the innovative, data-driven decisions of Monterey-Salinas Transit’s experienced administrative leadership.” It does recommend that MST increase public service awareness regarding ridership levels and available services and enhance opportunities for its board members, employees, and subcontractors to acknowledge and respond to all comments and complaints by the end of September, and to develop strategies to work with local and state entities to expand the infrastructure needed to keep electric vehicles adequately viable by the end of December.
The Monterey-Salinas Transit District Board of Directors has 90 days to respond to the report.
To view this and other 2022 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury reports, go to https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/participate-get-involved/civil-grand-jury/reports
