Humboldt Transit Authority officials reviewed how Measure O transit funds will be used, including bus replacements, service expansions and on‑demand improvements, at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Humboldt County Association of Governments Policy Advisory Committee.

HTA plans to use Measure O money to replace two aging 40‑foot buses. HTA reported the replacement cost is “to the tune of $1,500,000,” and described those vehicles as short‑term, stopgap purchases while the agency transitions most of its fleet to zero‑emission hydrogen buses designed for rural range and grade needs.

Supervisor and PAC member Arroyo, who presented the update, described several other Measure O priorities: integrating dial‑a‑ride vehicles and drivers into HTA’s operations to improve responsiveness; increasing early‑morning and late‑evening service on Regional Transit System (RTS) routes to serve commuters; continuing the Route 101 service to fill a prior gap between Benbow and Willett (previously served intermittently, including by Greyhound); and continuing and expanding the Southern Humboldt Intercity service. The Southern Humboldt expansion was presented as an increase in service hours and operating cost, and a line in the presentation identified a total figure of $3,600,000 associated with the expansion and related ongoing operations.

Arroyo said HTA is working on the North State Express concept—a multi‑agency effort to improve cross‑region connections—and reported that coordinating schedules with partner operators will reduce some long westbound travel times from about eight hours to roughly four hours on key routes.

On fleet technology, Arroyo and staff emphasized range and grade as drivers for choosing hydrogen buses in a sparsely populated rural county. “The hydrogen [bus] being a solution for a rural community that has those longer range needs,” Arroyo said, adding the agency tested a specially designed hydrogen bus model that she said “overperformed the even anticipated performance” on local routes. Presenters said the hydrogen buses have larger tanks and were designed with the county’s steep grades and long intercity distances in mind. HTA staff noted the agency expects most future fleet additions to be zero‑emission hydrogen vehicles but described the immediate replacement of some over‑age diesel buses as a near‑term necessity.

Staff also said HTA will add vehicles and drivers to improve dial‑a‑ride/on‑demand responsiveness and expand operational hours. The presentation noted significant student ridership on the Willow Creek–Arcata corridor, including high school students who rely on public transit for daily commutes.

No public comment was offered during the presentation. PAC members asked clarifying questions on fleet replacement strategy, the capital plan for retiring older buses, and the potential for later video screening of HTA’s hydrogen bus demonstration. PAC members expressed general support for the described priorities and for the agency’s move to hydrogen where operationally appropriate.

The presentation was informational; no PAC action or vote was recorded on the Measure O work plan during the meeting.

The HTA presentation materials and the countywide transit plan referenced at the meeting will be available from HCOG staff on request.