In January 2026, the Putnam County Department of Planning, Development and Public Transportation began a comprehensive, countywide study of the County’s public transit system. With the assistance of LaBella Associates, the study will evaluate existing transit services and identify future needs.

The study will begin with an in-depth demographic survey of current ridership and major stakeholders in order to better understand the transit needs of the County. The study will also include a system-wide analysis of its current services including the fixed-route network (PART), ADA paratransit service, and demand-response Microtransit Pilot Program (Putnam On-demand). This analysis will review current alignments, bus route frequencies, service spans, stop locations and on-call options and their various strengths and weaknesses. The study will also develop a set of recommendations for potential service changes, including adjustments to route alignment, frequency, and service span. More substantial changes—such as route elimination, consolidation, separation into additional routes, or replacement with alternative service models like demand-response microtransit—may also be considered. These recommendations will aim to increase ridership and maximize coordination among services. The study will also examine areas of the County not presently served by public transit and include an analysis of potential service expansions.

Finally, the study will examine ways to improve service through enhanced rider amenities, such as bus shelters and signage. It will also explore opportunities to increase Putnam County’s use of current and emerging transit technologies, including enhanced trip planning tools, live bus tracking, and contactless/cashless fare payment. The study is scheduled for completion in June 2026.