Asheville Candidates Debate Future Transit Funding
Six council hopefuls address potential sales tax increases to support declining bus ridership in Asheville.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in City Hall
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Asheville City Council candidates discussed transit funding strategies during an October 2026 campaign forum. The debate follows the city's withdrawal of a controversial modernization proposal in August 2025.
Why it matters
Candidates are prioritizing transit revenue to replace over half of the current bus fleet while managing declining ridership. The outcome of the election will determine how the city attempts to balance service levels with fiscal constraints.
The city commissioned a $300,000 transit modernization study in March 2025. Candidates have proposed a quarter-cent sales tax to bridge the gap between the current $13 million budget and the $20 million in required funding.
The details
The withdrawn 2025 proposal aimed to reduce wait times but faced pushback over plans to eliminate 90-minute routes in areas like Kenilworth and Beaverdam. Candidates now seek to secure additional revenue without cutting existing service coverage.
Timeline
Weekly ridership reached 6,433 in 2019.
A transit modernization study was commissioned in March 2025.
A restructuring proposal was presented in June 2025.
City officials withdrew the transit proposal on August 25, 2025.
Candidates debated transit issues at an October 2026 campaign forum.
Political Context
The current debate marks a departure from the failed 2025 transit restructuring proposal. Critics and some residents have pushed back against previous efforts to eliminate specific routes, forcing candidates to seek alternative funding models like new sales taxes.
The push for a quarter-cent sales tax to support the $20 million funding goal would directly increase the tax burden on Asheville shoppers. Residents should prepare for potential adjustments to transit availability depending on which candidate's funding strategy prevails.
The takeaway
Reliable public transit in Asheville currently hinges on balancing a aging bus fleet with significant revenue shortfalls. Voters should examine how proposed tax increases compare to the service levels promised by each council candidate.
Further reading
For more on local governance, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHQR.
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize maintaining all existing bus routes over increasing service frequency?
