Georgetown public transportation programs could see increased costs, reduced hours

Georgetown officials are considering changes to public transportation programs rideGTX and GoGeo to address a budget shortfall.

The options

During a Feb. 10 City Council workshop, staff and council members discussed options to adjust the rideGTX and GoGeo programs, including:

Reducing rideGTX service hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m.-10 p.m.Increasing rideGTX fares from $4 to $6Capping the rideGTX program when its funding runs outThe city is also exploring moving to a single transit program for fiscal year 2027-28 by combining GoGeo and rideGTX.

The cause

Georgetown currently provides two transit programs. GoGeo offers services for residents age 65 and older, as well as limited services for those with a disability for $2 per trip through CapMetro. It is available Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

The rideGTX program launched in 2025 and provides users 10 vouchers per month for 24/7 rideshare services. Riders pay the first $4 of the trip, and the city subsidizes the next $10. The user pays any amount after the subsidy.

RideGTX does not limit trips for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

The city saw a steady increase in activity for the rideGTX program in its inaugural year, with over 2,000 total trips in December, Georgetown Transportation Coordinator Lua Saluone said at the meeting. City staff reported a projected funding shortfall of approximately $70,000 for the rideGTX program for the remainder of the fiscal year if operations continue at this pace.

What they’re saying

Council members preferred reducing the hours of the program rather than cutting it completely, with the possibility to allow later hours on the weekends.

“I prefer to see if it grows instead of retracting back,” District 5 council member Kevin Pitts said.

If the programs are consolidated, and GoGeo users will be capped to 10 ride vouchers, a concern from council members is the impact of residents who require accessible transportation services for doctor appointments and work.

“If you have somebody that’s depending upon this paratransit transportation to get them to a job and it was only going to be for 10 times a month, can we have a qualification for a waiver?” District 3 council member Ben Butler said.

What’s next

Council members directed city staff to return with a plan that will combine the programs but allow flexibility in hours and accessibility services.

“I like the idea of trying the rideGTX program for both services,” District 1 council member Amanda Parr said. “But again, I want to be sure that we have that continuity of service.”

City staff estimated it would take six to eight months to fully transition GoGeo users to rideGTX after the plan is approved.