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🚌 Proposed airport-to-county bus pilot program delayed — Okaloosa County Commissioners tabled a 90-day transit proposal citing funding and technology concerns.
💰 Commissioners questioned general fund use — Some officials opposed using taxpayer money for a program viewed as tourist-focused.
📱 Technology, jail access raised as issues — Commissioners called for mobile payment options and transit solutions for individuals released from the jail.
SHALIMAR — Plans for a 90-day public transit pilot program connecting Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to northern and southern Okaloosa County were put on hold on June 10, as several members of the Okaloosa County Commission raised several key concerns.
Through the already established EC Rider service, the proposed pilot program was originally scheduled to begin on July 1.
If approved, the program aimed to link tourism hubs with the airport via two new bus routes. This idea was already unanimously approved by the Transportation Cooperative Board in May.
The County plans to fund the nearly $76,000 project through a combination of airport sponsorships, tourism advertising, and general fund support.
However, several commissioners pushed back on using general taxpayer dollars to support a program that many viewed as primarily serving tourists.
“I would feel differently about this being… an additional tax… if this were something that were fielded by tourism exclusively,” said Commissioner Sherri Cox. “I just don’t see… the overwhelming benefit that it provides every taxpayer as a whole.”
Cox also expressed concern about the County stepping into a space typically occupied by the private sector.
“Giving the option of free is always going to be more attractive… but the flip side of that is that I’m not super excited about the county… taking on the perceived liability for… getting people to and from the airport,” she said.
Okaloosa County Transit Director Tyrone Parker responded that the service is not intended to compete with ride-share or car rental companies.
“By no means do we want to compete with any private entity out there… We visualize it as a different segment,” Parker said. “We want to make certain… that we are an option to consider for tourism as well as potential employees that may be at the airport.”
Another central issue was access to transit for individuals released from the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview. Commissioner Paul Mixon said it was unfair to expand services to tourists without first resolving how people get home from jail after release.
“We’re shifting a problem… when maybe they have somewhere to live [down south], but they just don’t have the contacts to get back,” Mixon said. “I would not be a fan or a proponent of expanding any services until we can resolve how we handle that.”
Parker informed the board that a solution is already underway. Starting June 30, an existing express route will be modified to stop near the jail at 2:10 p.m. and 6:10 p.m., matching common release times.
“We will be able to pick up those that are released from the jail… and take them to… Crestview or to the southern part of the County,” Parker said.
Technology was another sticking point. Commissioners expressed skepticism about launching the program without mobile and card-based payment options onboard.
“I don’t think it’s reasonable to think that we’ll get enough traffic… from people who are willing to go online and pre-buy a bus pass,” said Commissioner Trey Goodwin. “I think you’ve got to get it as simple as they can do Apple Tap Pay and swipe their card.”
Parker confirmed the technology is already installed on buses, and a pending project with the County’s IT department is expected to make it functional this fiscal year.
Ultimately, Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who originally motioned for approval, agreed to postpone the vote, citing the board’s concerns.
“Maybe we should table this… I like your idea, the homework list,” Ketchel said, addressing Mixon. “Maybe with the success with it… and some of the other tweaks that we talked about here, it may be more successful.”
The board tabled the proposal without setting a date for reconsideration, although some commissioners suggested it could be revisited in early 2026, ahead of the next summer tourism season.
Pro Communi Bono
