Mass Transit

To provide efficient, responsive services that enhance the quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.

The Mass Transit Department serves as Escambia County’s public transportation system, encompassing both Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) and Escambia County Community Transportation (ECCT). Escambia County is designated as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. In this role, the County contracts with ECCT to provide Complementary Paratransit Service in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Transportation Disadvantaged Plan.

Mass Transit operations are subsidized by a four-cent local gas tax and passenger fares. Additional operating and capital funding, through formulary and competitive grant programs, is provided through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, and other agencies.

ECAT operates daily fixed routes, shuttles, and commuter services, including the Non-Urbanized Area Transportation Program. Additionally, ECAT provides ADA-compliant complementary paratransit, supports the Transportation Disadvantaged Program, and offers On-Demand services to address transit needs in underserved or unserved areas.

In an effort for enhanced community outreach and feedback to ECAT, the Mass Transit Advisory Committee (MTAC) was reestablished in 2025. MTAC reviews proposed operating and capital budgets, transit policies, and serves as a forum for public input and recommendations on ECAT services.

Through an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Pensacola, Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) operates a Monday jury duty shuttle service and is responsible for managing and maintaining all bus stops within city limits, in addition to those throughout unincorporated Escambia County.

The objectives of the Mass Transit Department are to:

• Improve the efficiency, reliability, and accessibility of transit services to meet current and future demand across Escambia County, ensuring a positive experience for both existing and potential riders.
• Maintain, upgrade, and expand transit vehicles, facilities, passenger amenities, and bus stops to meet the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and rider comfort.
• Implement a strategic marketing, communications, and media outreach program to improve and encourage the public image of transit, increase ridership awareness, and ensure timely, accurate distribution of service and route information.
• Actively engage in community planning efforts and local initiatives to align transit services with the evolving needs of residents, businesses, and regional stakeholders.
• Prioritize and continuously improve safety measures and security protocols across all transit services, infrastructure, and facilities.
• Maintain strong financial stewardship of public funds while aggressively pursuing additional local, state, and federal funding opportunities to support system growth, maintenance, and modernization.
• Promote coordinated transportation planning and service delivery in collaboration with neighboring counties and within the broader Pensacola Urbanized Area to address shared mobility and connectivity needs.
• Focus on the transit-dependent population: Prioritize services that serve community members who rely on public transportation for mobility.
• Implement technology, such as the Passio and RideCo mobile app and other data analysis tools, to optimize operations and improve the rider experience.
• Sustain and maintain the completion of projects designed to improve accessibility, such as upgrading bus stops and implementing travel training for passengers with disabilities.
• Enhance the level of coordination and communication with municipal planning staff and other community stakeholders.

The overarching goal of the Mass Transit Department is to operate a safe, reliable, and accessible public transportation system that effectively meets the current and future mobility needs of Escambia County and neighboring areas of the panhandle. Through continuous community engagement, the department aims to stimulate economic progress, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen neighborhoods by connecting residents, visitors, tourists, and businesses with essential services, events, and opportunities.

Service Delivery & System Efficiency

• Deliver high-quality, cost-effective transit services that operate in a fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable manner.
• Optimize route design through data-driven planning to improve system performance, reduce redundancy, and align with rider demand.
• Implement a comprehensive operational analysis to deploy service improvements, eliminate inefficiencies, and explore opportunities to serve unmet transportation needs.

Organizational Development & Workforce Enhancement

• Implement departmental reorganization to better align staff roles, increase operational efficiency, and support long-term service goals.
• Establish a training and apprenticeship program, including support for CDL licensing, to strengthen workforce readiness.
• Enhance employee engagement and morale through recognition initiatives like the Employee of the Month program and regular team building activities. 
• Improve recruitment and retention strategies to attract and maintain a qualified, mission-driven workforce.

Community Engagement & Education

• Expand public outreach and education efforts to inform the community and key stakeholders of transit services, benefits, and available options. 
• Educate local agencies and community partners on how to effectively utilize transit resources to support their clients and constituents.
• Promote transportation literacy through training programs that help residents understand and access available mobility options.
• Build and direct the Mass Transit Advisory Committee (MTAC) to foster greater public participation in the transit planning process, as well as usage of the mobility options. 

Safety, Security, & Customer Experience

• Maintain a strong focus on passenger and employee safety by enforcing a clear and consistent code of conduct across all transit services. 
• Reduce travel-related injuries through safety-focused operational practices and infrastructure improvements. 
• Upgrade vehicle and facility security systems, including enhanced audio/visual surveillance, perimeter security, and data storage capabilities. 
• Continue to improve comfort and accessibility at all customer touchpoints, including bus stops, shelters, and onboard environments.

Technology, Infrastructure, & Sustainability

• Invest in modern, accessible, and energy-efficient infrastructure, including transitioning older fleet vehicles to low-to-no-emission models.
• Maintain and expand capital assets to ensure all vehicles, facilities, and passenger amenities meet high standards of safety and comfort. 
• Upgrade the ECAT page of the MyEscambia website to be more user-friendly, accessible, interactive, and informative for the public.
• Enhance performance and accessibility of Mass Transit Department mobility apps, such as Passio and RideCo.

Regional Coordination & Environmental Impact

• Support regional mobility by collaborating with surrounding counties and the broader Pensacola Urbanized Area to address shared transportation needs.
• Reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by promoting alternative transportation modes and increasing the use of public transit. 

Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) has secured significant funding and advanced major initiatives in recent months, including approval of its 16.1 million FY24/25 Operating and Capital Budget. These budget accomplishments are driving investment in fleet modernization, infrastructure projects, and service improvement for riders.

Ensured capable staff were available to lead the agency and to deploy the best possible service and provide an effective culture change.

Reviewed and revised ECAT job classifications to be reflective of industry standards to be able to hire and retain agency leadership.

New Operations Program Manager appointed during the fiscal year.

New Maintenance Manager appointed during this fiscal year.

New Finance Manager appointed during this fiscal year.

Actively recruited for a new Safety Program Manager during the fiscal year and will continue into the new fiscal year.

Developed and created two (2) Safety & Training Specialists positions. ECAT appointed 1 of the Safety & Training Specialist positions and is actively recruiting for the remaining position.

Actively recruited 7 Dispatchers (through temporary labor services) for the MicroTransit Pilot Program.

Actively recruited 29 MicroTransit Drivers (through temporary labor services) for the MicroTransit Pilot Program.

Continued to develop a partnership with American Transit Training and Apprenticeship Innovators Network (ATTAIN) to establish an apprenticeship program.

Continued the Student Transit Empowerment Program (STEP). This program offers free bus rides for students, allowing them to ride public transit to take advantage of various programs offered within the community and educating them on public transportation.

Provided an effective and efficient transit service in a fiscally responsible and environmentally friendly manner.

Monitored service quality and maintained performance standards benchmarked by FTA, FDOT, and the MTAC.

Continued upgrades to fixed-route operational and maintenance software for scheduling, run-cutting, performance dashboard and other operational efficiencies.

Began gathering data from this system and performing operational analytics to make recommendations to increase operational efficiency.

Purchased and received nine small buses for the MicroTransit Pilot Program service to better manage fixed route services.

Purchased and received thirteen (replacement or additional) ADA vehicles for use during Paratransit Services within the MicroTransit Pilot Program.

Obtained 2 additional FlexTransit service vehicles through FDOT, previously owned by JTrans in Marianna, FL.

Launched the Micro-transit Pilot Program Expansion: A Service Development grant, awarded in August 2024, will now fund the purchase of vehicles and system hardware, as well as cover operational expenses for the pilot micro-transit service. This on-demand model is designed to enhance flexibility for riders.

Expanded the MicroTransit Pilot Program to accommodate the needs of riders following the reduction of hours initiated by current ECCT Service Provider.

Increased mobility for our citizens by conducting assessments to find the best transportation solutions for our citizens and providing training on transportation options available.

Department Management continues to schedule all staff meetings, which increases the consistent flow of county and departmental information to all employees.

Updated telephone monitoring and recording system to enable call transcription, analysis, and compliance.

Upgraded and enhanced radio repeater and replacement radios to improve radio communications services between Dispatch, Bus Operators, MicroTransit Operators and Safety.

Maintained a dedicated area within the facility to provide training opportunities for staff. This area is equipped with tools and resources to maximize training time and opportunities.

Maintained and reviewed all policies and procedures to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with all required agencies.

Finalized several Standard Operating Procedures to educate staff and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and transit standards.

Fleet Maintenance Manager served as the Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Florida Transit Maintenance Consortium (FTMC). This group contributes to the insight, direction and guidance in identifying specific needs for the Florida Transit Safety Operations Network. This provided ECAT with information and input on innovative transit programs available across the state.

Implemented suggestions and recommendations from the Comprehensive Operating Analysis (COA) of all Fixed Route Services. The primary tasks of the COA included Data Collection and Market Assessment, Line-by-Line (Route-by-Route) Analysis and Route Profiles, and Service Plan Development.  This COA was completed to focus on where improvements can be made in the productivity and efficiency of transit operations.

Mass Transit secured grant funding to begin the process of replacing some of the older diesel fuel buses with electric buses, and to provide additional upgrades for the pending new Mass Transit Facility.

Mass Transit began the process of renovating bus shelters throughout LMI areas within the County. Solicitation and selection of contractor for environmental review was completed. The solicitation of a consulting firm for CDBG-DR reporting was posted and contract award will take place in the new fiscal year.

Mass Transit completed and installed the order of newly branded bus stop signs to replace all bus stop signage within the county.

Escambia County Area Transit was re-nominated by peer transit agencies across the state to become a voting member of the Florida Public

Transportation Association (FPTA) to assist in improving the voices and representation in the Association to include better addressing the needs of all transit systems (including rural and urban bus systems, and rail systems) and be more inclusive of other modes of service.

The Department continued to initiate a Safety Stand Down to provide Safety awareness and in-service training for all department staff.

Provided multiple rider outreach/engagement opportunities to provide ridership education and appreciation.

Successfully completed the FDOT Triennial Review Process and received many commendations related to Mass Transit operations.

Provided emergency transportation services to assist in evacuating flooded areas in the county and allowed route access to individuals participating in Escambia County’s Homeless Point in Time Count (PIT).

Maintained partnership with multiple agencies through the Circuit 1 Human Trafficking Task Force in an effort to combat and reduce human trafficking statistics within Escambia County.

ECAT - Fixed Route

ECCT - Demand Response*

*Note-Demand Response Fiscal Year is July 1 - June 30

Other Major Items Funded in FY 2026 Will Be Determined Through Grant Capital Funding

Mass Transit has reviewed the recommendations of the Comprehensive Operating Analysis (COA) and will begin the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for a route redesign. The route redesign will enhance the agency's overall efficiency, ensuring that services are better aligned with current travel patterns and the evolving needs of the community.

For additional information please see our interactive reports here

Bus Route Operations

Mass Transit Maintenance

Paratransit

Microtransit

Mass Transit Administration