Marin County transit buses set a ridership record last year, providing more than 3.5 million passenger trips on local routes while holding the line on expenses.

The district, in what officials called a rare example of a public agency able to tighten its belt while expanding some services and replenishing a reserve fund, racked up “a long list of accomplishments large and small” last year, Supervisor Katie Rice said Monday.

The district set a ridership record despite what staff said was an inexplicable 6 percent dip in riders in November, when 250,945 passengers were recorded, fewer than in November 2013.

“This is very unusual,” said Novato Councilwoman Madeline Kellner, elected president of the transit district board Monday.

The district also marked an unusual fiscal year in which finances brightened, thanks to a new contract officials negotiated with the Golden Gate Bridge District allowing the hiring of less expensive vendors, as well as a rebounding economy.

An audit gave the district a clean bill of health, saying revenue last year was about $30 million, with Measure A sales tax funds generating $1 million more than expected. Expenses totaled about $28 million, providing a bright balance sheet for the moment.

Accomplishments last year also included expanding the Muir Woods Shuttle service, launching transit programs serving rural residents, seniors and the disabled, and doubling taxi trips provided in the “catch a ride” program.

In addition, the district marked progress on design work for a new Novato bus hub at Redwood Boulevard and Grant Avenue, installed eye-level informational signs at 80 bus stops, completed engineering work for 12 bus stop improvement projects now underway, ordered 11 hybrid buses and 16 paratransit vehicles, and embarked on a number of studies.

“2014 was a productive year for the transit district,” noted Nancy Whelan, who took over as district general manager last year.

The years ahead provide a variety of challenges as well as opportunities, including review of the Muir Woods Shuttle, a program that cost about $425,000 last year with only 48 percent of the tab covered by the $5 fare.

Supervisors Steve Kinsey and Kate Sears are calling for review of hiking the fare. In addition, Kinsey said, staff should get the county Convention and Visitors Bureau to chip in for shuttle service since it accommodates tourists. The visitor’s bureau, a semi-autonomous agency given a wide berth under the wing of the county’s Cultural Services Department, runs on a budget of more than $1 million funded by a tax on hotel rooms.

Other work this year includes completing plans for the Novato bus hub, moving ahead with other bus stop improvements across the county, and completing a “short term transit plan” that will outline service expectations and opportunities over the next 10 years.

One challenge is preparing for SMART train service — and making sure train stations accommodate district buses by including an easy access and exit for them. Another will be fiscal stability because although finances are in the pink this year, future service costs are expected to outpace revenue.

And there’s a long list of “unfunded service needs,” including filling service gaps, reducing subsidies, expanding shuttle services, restoring ferry feeder service, and expanding services for grade school pupils, College of Marin students, seniors and others.

“Making transit more appealing to the … rider is going to be key,” Rice said.

In a related move, transit officials approved a new $150,000 volunteer driver program that will be overseen by the Marin Senior Coordinating Council. The program is largely federally funded.