Committee backs phased change to transit taxi hours, plans public notice and hearing for Jan. 1, 2026 start

The Finance, Budget & Personnel Committee voted to change the advertised operating hours for Marshfield Transit taxi service and directed staff to begin the public-notice and hearing process needed to implement the changes, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

Jordan Munger, the transit presenter, summarized vendor-provided ride data and hour-by-hour dispatch totals and recommended a cautious change in service hours to better match ridership. “A time frame that I'm targeting is really 11 to midnight, Sundays through Thursdays, and then the 2 to 3 a.m. crowd on, Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings,” Munger said during the packet discussion. Later Munger clarified his recommended service window as 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekend days.

Munger noted the vendor could accommodate schedule changes but that altering service hours would likely reduce some rides as patrons adjust. He also summarized the public-notice requirements: a Class 1 notice published 21–30 days prior to the public hearing, one insertion in a local newspaper, posting in three public buildings and in one public building plus the transit office or website.

Committee members suggested additional outreach. Committee member Mike recommended robust communications and said the required public notices might not reach all riders; another member suggested consultation with local bar owners about late-night patrons’ needs.

The committee moved and seconded a motion to adopt Munger’s suggested hours and set the change to take effect Jan. 1, 2026; members instructed staff to schedule the public hearing, work with communications, and notify local businesses. The motion passed on committee voice vote.

Staff said any final change would require the formal public hearing and Council approval in addition to updating the service provider contract beginning in the new year.