Shreveport City Council heard SporTran’s 2027 budget proposal Monday, a plan that totals just under $21 million – roughly a 6.6% rise over the prior year – and includes several service expansions that could affect daily commuters.
According to KTBS, CEO Dinero’ Washington told council members the budget increase is driven primarily by labor costs tied to collective‑bargaining agreements for both fixed‑route and on‑demand services, as well as higher fringe‑benefit expenses. He also noted that insurance premiums have climbed because the agency’s bus fleet replacement value rose from about $18 million to $42 million.
One of the most visible changes is the planned expansion of service into Bossier City. Washington said Bossier City’s financial contribution to SporTran has grown from $900,000 to $1.5 million, reflecting the agency’s intent to restore night and weekend routes there. A new transfer facility is also under discussion, with a follow‑up meeting scheduled for Wednesday to explore construction options in Bossier City.
In addition to local service upgrades, SporTran highlighted ongoing projects that could bring federal dollars to the region. The agency is courting an $8 million direct‑spending grant championed by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy to build an ADA Resource Center in the Martin Luther King Jr. community near Cherokee Park, with construction hoped to begin in the first quarter of the year.
Washington also disclosed that SporTran is pursuing $175 million in federal funding, a request he plans to advance during an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. Council members responded positively, praising the agency’s zero‑fare service – a benefit they said is especially valuable as gas prices continue to rise.
While councilors lauded the budget’s goals, they raised questions about security at the proposed Bossier City transit facility, indicating that safety considerations will be part of the ongoing dialogue.
What’s next: A Wednesday meeting will address the design and funding of the Bossier City transfer hub. SporTran’s CEO will travel to Washington, D.C., to discuss the $175 million federal request, and the agency aims to break ground on the ADA Resource Center in the first quarter if the $8 million grant is secured.
Sources: ktbs.com
