PUBLIC TRANSIT

Since 1999, the Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) system has grown from a new transit service offering paratransit to the current mix of fixed-route and demand-responsive services serving over 32,000 riders per month, with an annual operating budget of $1.3 million.

Before 1999, only private transportation companies operated any type of transit service in Yuma County, with taxis serving the urbanized areas and private van services providing transportation between San Luis and Yuma. Paratransit in Yuma County began in february 1999. when the Saguaro Foundation began operating a public dial-a-ride system funded by YMPO. YCAT's fixed-route service began in 2000 with service between San Luis and Yuma. YCAT service between Yuma and Foothills was initiated in 2001, but the ridership was not considered high enough to justify the cost, and the system was shortened to terminate at Arizona Western College. After financial and operating difficulties in 2003 nearly caused the fixed-route transit to shutdown, the city of Yuma and consortium of local groups contributed additional funding to the system, YMPO selected a new operating contractor, and service survived. Two routes were added to the system in 2004, and an additional route to Wellton initiated service in January 2006. A total of six routes now operate Monday through Saturday.

Both demand-response and fixed-route service is administered and funded by the YMPO, and operated by a private contractor, Yuma Transit LLC. YMPO owns all vehicles for fixed-route and demand-response service as well as the 14th Street and Atlantic Avenue maintenance facility. (Yuma Transit LLC resides in and operates the maintenance center.)