Lee County and the City of Sanford met today to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement a microtransit pilot program that will provide on-demand transportation within a designated service area.
Increasing transportation options for residents has long been a priority for Sanford City Council. A feasibility study conducted in partnership with the N.C. Department of Transportation in 2021 and 2022 showed that microtransit could be a successful solution to improve mobility options across sectors.
Lee County Commission Chair Kirk Smith and Sanford Mayor Rebecca Salmon sign an MOU establishing COLTS as the microtransit service provider for the City of Sanford.
“A consistent goal of our Strategic Framework has been to improve access for those who live in our community,” says Mayor Rebecca Salmon. “This pilot project is an opportunity to provide an affordable transportation option in a collaborative and sustainable way.”
Expected to kick off in fall of 2025, the microtransit pilot project will allow people to schedule rides through an app or by phone any day of the week, allowing for greater access across the service area, including for employment, education, healthcare, and shopping. ADA-compliant vehicles will be available for individuals with mobility impairments.
This initiative is funded through the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Mobility for Everyone, Everywhere in NC (MEE NC) Grant, which seeks to expand high quality, on-demand transit services in rural low-income communities through micro mobility services.
One of only 11 cities chosen for the project, the City will receive $3.4 million over three years to help offset the costs associated with providing microtransit services to riders. The pilot service area was established based on results of the feasibility study.
The MOU signed today establishes the County of Lee Transit System (COLTS) as the service provider for the City of Sanford. This City-County partnership is the first of its kind in North Carolina. Through the arrangement, COLTS will continue to provide para-transit services while also operating the microtransit service.
Sanford Mayor Rebecca Salmon and Lee County Commission Chair Kirk Smith with members of the Sanford City Council, Lee County Commissioners, and the Microtransit Advisory Board.
Kirk Smith, Chairman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners, expressed appreciation for this project citing, “The number one challenge for our citizens reentering the workforce, accessing mental, behavioral health, or substance abuse treatment, is the lack of transportation. The microtransit project we are about to undertake will help eliminate this barrier to treatment or employment by providing reliable transportation and overcoming this critical need.”
“This pilot program provides the flexibility to create the right program for the Sanford community,” notes Salmon. “It also lays the foundation for future funding to help with the costs of potentially expanding the service.”
Throughout the duration of the MEE NC program, a Microtransit Advisory Board (MAB) will provide guidance and knowledge of transportation difficulties faced by residents and visitors. The MAB is comprised of representatives from the education, workforce, tourism, and non-profit sectors whose clients need transportation options.
With the official MOU signing and with oversight by Sanford City Council, the MAB will help develop a unique brand for the microtransit service, finalize the project zones and operational details, and set a launch date.
More information on the City/County microtransit service, as well as employment opportunities for Transit Operators and Dispatch staff, will be made available in the coming months.
Follow the microtransit pilot project on our projects hub here.