# Lextran Proposes Microtransit Pilot for Northwest Lexington  
**Published:** 2026-05-13T21:22:10.000Z  
**Source:** [CivicLex](https://news.civiclex.org/lextran-plans-to-launch-new-microtransit-pilot-this-fall/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/lextran-proposes-microtransit-pilot-for-northwest-lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lextran's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which [includes funding for a microtransit program pilot](https://news.civiclex.org/lextran-plans-to-launch-new-microtransit-pilot-this-fall/), advanced toward full City Council approval during a May 12 work session, potentially clearing the way for the service to launch this fall on Lexington's northwest side.

The transit authority's $39.3 million budget and $9.3 million capital plan feature a $737,964 contract for the 12-month pilot program in the Versailles Road and Newtown Pike area. [Lextran General Manager Fred Combs](https://lextran.com/) emphasized the city's fiscal responsibility in designing the project.

"We feel like that is the best and most effective use of taxpayer dollars," Combs told the council, noting that Lextran will operate its own vehicles rather than hiring a contractor to maximize local government spending.

Microtransit is [a tech-enabled service using multi-passenger vehicles such as shuttles or vans to provide on-demand services within a designated area](https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/shared-mobility-definitions), with routes generated based on rider demand rather than fixed schedules.

The pilot will run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, though those hours could change during the trial period. Residents can use the service to travel within the zone or connect to fixed transit routes. Additional costs beyond the contract include fuel and a dedicated mobility manager position.

The effort stems from [BUILD](https://www.buildlex.org/), an interfaith advocacy coalition of 26 congregations that [has advocated for microtransit to fill existing transit service gaps](https://civiclex.org/weekly-posts/a-proposal-for-microtransit-in-lexington) for residents living too far from bus stops or unable to afford private rideshare services. At-Large Councilmember Chuck Ellinger brought the motion to advance Lextran's budget to the full council for consideration.

A [2025 feasibility study evaluated several potential areas](https://lextran.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Lextran-Microtransit-Feasibility-Study-Exec-Summary-Final-Report1.02.pdf) for the pilot, with the northwest zone identified as the top candidate due to its employment centers, medical facilities, and existing paratransit demand.

If the council approves the budget this month, Lexington will join other cities testing microtransit as a potential solution to transportation gaps, with [nearly half of Lexington residents not living within walking distance to a bus stop](https://thedartcenter.org/lexington/) according to BUILD research.

## Sources

- [CivicLex](https://news.civiclex.org/lextran-plans-to-launch-new-microtransit-pilot-this-fall/)
- [Federal Transit Administration definition of microtransit](https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/shared-mobility-definitions)
- [BUILD's advocacy for transit improvements in Lexington](https://www.buildlex.org/)
- [Lextran's 2025 microtransit feasibility study](https://lextran.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Lextran-Microtransit-Feasibility-Study-Exec-Summary-Final-Report1.02.pdf)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from CivicLex, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://news.civiclex.org/lextran-plans-to-launch-new-microtransit-pilot-this-fall/.