City Council Work Session

AGENDA City of Williamsburg City Council Work Session Monday, January 5, 2026 The City Council Work Session will be held Monday, January 5, 2026 p.m. in the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary Street commencing at 4:00 PM. Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ITEMS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2026 A. Council Preview B. Public Comment 4. BACKGROUND PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION A. Presentation of a Williamsburg Area Transit Authority Update - Matthew 2 - 10 Scalia, WATA Executive Director 5. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS 6. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS January 6 January 14 Board of Zoning Appeals Planning Commission 4:00 p.m., Stryker Center 3:30 p.m., Stryker Center January 8 January 21 City Council Economic Development Authority 2:00 p.m., Stryker Center 3:00 p.m., Stryker Center January 12 January 26 City Council - Special Called Meeting Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee 9:00 a.m., Stryker Center 7:00 p.m., Stryker Center January 13 January 27 Architectural Review Board Architectural Review Board 6:30 p.m., Stryker Center 6:30 p.m., Stryker Center January 14 Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority 3:00 p.m., Stryker Center 7. OPEN FORUM 8. CLOSED SESSION 9. ADJOURNMENT The City Council invites public comment on any subject during "Open Forum." To speak, fill out a Speaker's Card (available at the door) and give it to the Clerk of Council. Please direct all comments to the Chair, limited to 5 minutes. Thank you.  City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary Related Goal Staff Contact Innovating a Modern City Andrew Trivette, City Manager Agenda Item Wording Presentation of a Williamsburg Area Transit Authority Update - Matthew Scalia, WATA Executive Director Background Information Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) is the successor of James City County Transit (JCCT) and Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT). JCCT began in 1977 as a James City County and Virginia Social Services transportation system, which used flexible routes to serve those most in need of transportation. The service grew into a public transportation system serving multiple jurisdictions, and the organization was renamed Williamsburg Area Transport to better reflect the system's regional focus. In 2006, the Virginia General Assembly granted the region's local governments, the College of William & Mary, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation permission to form a Regional Transit Authority, which included James City County (JCC), York County (YC), and the City of Williamsburg, and WAT's name was changed to Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA). Today, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) provides a transportation system to citizens and visitors of James City County, the City of Williamsburg, and York County. WATA operates 12 fixed routes. WATA Executive Director Matthew Scalia will present an update on WATA operations, projects, and ridership to the City Council. Previous Relevant Action None Staff Recommendation None Attachments WATA Presentation Page 2 of 9  Agenda 1. WATA’s FY25 Performance and Numbers 2. Transit Strategic Plan Review 3. Customer Experience Improvements • Mobile Ticketing Page 3 of 9 • Bus Stop Improvements 4. Construction Updates 5. Other Initiatives / Questions  WATA by the Numbers FY25 Operations FY 25 Operating Budget $9,835,599 1,532,452 1,228,725 Fixed Route Rides Revenue Miles Driven 16,221 80,057 Paratransit Rides Revenue Hours in Operation Page 4 of 9 Operators & Fleet Operators • 20 Clean Diesel 100% • 9 Compressed Natural Gas 61/61 • 2 Trolley Buses • 7 Paratransit Buses Partnerships: William & Mary Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Who We Serve Population Jobs Square Miles Routes Bus Stops Supported Reached Covered James City County 81,100 36,300 75 12 288 Williamsburg York County Phase 1 (2026) • Some rerouting around WATA North Transit Center • Increased frequency on Routes 1 & 2 to 30 min all day Page 5 of 9 Phase 2 (2028) • Increased frequency on Routes 3 & 7 to 30 min all day • Increased frequency on Route 11 to 60 min all day • Rerouting of Routes 3 & 11 with extension to Yorktown Courthouse Phase 3 (2030) • Increased frequency on Route 12 to 15 min  Mobile Ticketing • Tickets purchased through the trip planning app, Transit • Coming soon! • In-store mobile ticket purchasing Page 6 of 9 • Fare-capping  City of Williamsburg’s Planned Bus Stop Improvements 1. Nine planned improvements 2. Reposition of a stop into Highland Park 3. Simultaneous improvements by JCC and YC Page 7 of 9 4. Goal of bench and shelter where feasible and practical 5. Greater and faster progress together!  Construction Projects Operations & Maintenance Facility WATA North Transit Center • Re-open Spring 2027 • August 2026 completion • $25M Project Cost • $11M Project Cost • New administrative and operator space, • Dedicated transfer point for passengers, expanded maintenance bays, new bus wash facility bathrooms, waiting area, safety Page 8 of 9 Use of multiple funding sources to minimize local fund match 7  Questions? Page 9 of 9 Greater Williamsburg Transportation Assistance Fund