WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County’s community transit service, Chesco Connect, completed more than 141,000 trips during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, averaging 556 rides per day and traveling nearly 1.8 million miles, according to the county’s newly released annual report.
Now in its second full year, the service has seen steady ridership growth, with July 2025 trips topping 12,300—up from 11,600 in July 2024. Officials attribute the increase to enhanced staffing, improved routing, and a strong focus on service reliability.
“Chesco Connect is more than just a ride—it’s a vital link to health, employment, and community life,” said Chester County CEO David Byerman. “This service empowers individuals—especially seniors and people with disabilities—by providing dependable access to essential destinations like medical appointments, jobs, senior centers, and grocery stores.”
Performance metrics show that on-time arrivals averaged 88% in 2024–2025, with 89% of trips completed in under an hour. Since January, that figure has improved to 93%, a result of “expanded driver hiring and more efficient routing systems,” said Pat Bokovitz, Director of Chester County’s Department of Human Services.
The service also remains a lifeline for vulnerable populations, including dialysis patients. Over the past year, 143 individuals received more than 23,200 trips for dialysis treatment. Seniors accounted for 56% of those enrolled in the county’s shared ride program, while 27% participated in the Medical Assistance Transportation Program.
“Our on-time performance improvements show the real value of investing in staff and technology,” said Gene Suski, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Transit. “We are committed to providing a transit service that meets the growing transportation needs of Chester County residents, and will do that by recruiting more drivers and more call center staff, and improving the dispatch and routing technology.”
Chesco Connect’s call center answered more than 72,700 calls last year, underscoring the rising demand. To bolster operations, the county has partnered with the Chester County OIC to provide driver training, with two classes already graduated and a third set to begin this month.
Chesco Connect operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering countywide transportation for authorized purposes. Life-sustaining dialysis trips are available Saturdays and during extended weekday hours.
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