Lextran plans to launch new microtransit pilot this fall

During May 12th's Council Work Session, Lextran presented its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes funding for a microtransit program it wants to pilot on Lexington's northwest side this fall.

Fred Combs, Lextran's general manager, shared a balanced budget of $39.3 million and a capital plan of $9.3 million. Lextran's board of directors recently authorized negotiations for a $737,964 contract for the pilot, which will play out over 12 months and serve residents in the Versailles Road and Newtown Pike area this fall.

The effort is funded in large part by money from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and the project has been a priority of At-Large Councilmember Chuck Ellinger and BUILD, an interfaith advocacy group.

During the meeting, Ellinger successfully motioned to advance Lextran's proposed budget to the full Council for a first and second reading. Its approval this month would set the microtransit pilot up for a launch sometime this fall, though an exact date hasn't been finalized.

As defined by the Federal Transit Administration, microtransit is a tech-enabled service that uses multi-passenger vehicles – such as shuttles or vans – to provide on-demand services. The routes aren't fixed, but are generated based on rider demand within a designated service area. There are several types of microtransit service models, including first/last mile connections to fixed routes and point-to-point service within a specific zone, among others.

In recent years, BUILD has been advocating for microtransit as a way to fill existing transit service gaps for people who live too far away from a bus stop or who can't affordable private microtransit services like Uber and Lyft.

A previous 2025 microtransit feasibility evaluated several potential areas to roll out microtransit across Lexington, with the northwest zone identified as the top candidate for a pilot project.

Combs said the service will be available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m every day to start, though those hours could be subject to change given the program is a trial run. Riders can use the service to travel within the zone or to a fixed transit route they can then take.

Combs added that Lextran has decided to use its own vehicles rather than a contractor's to save money. Other expenses outside the contract include fuel costs and hiring a mobility manager. Combs said the overall goal is to "deliver the project using as much LFUCG dollars for operations as possible.”

"We feel like that is the best and most effective use of taxpayer dollars," Combs told the Council.