Item Coversheet

Item 5.d.


COMMUTER AND TRANSIT SERVICES PILOT PROJECT

Background

Using funding support from the H-GAC Commuter and Transit Pilot Program, The Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department provides Park and Ride transit service to the Texas Medical Center. Successful service has resulted in the number of daily boardings to regularly exceed the seating capacity of existing transit vehicles.



Current Situation 

The Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department submitted a new funding request in 2015 to add four morning and afternoon trips and additional service to the Texas Medical Center (TMC).  Under guidelines established by the Transportation Policy Council, H-GAC staff evaluated the proposal based on transportation need, projected emissions reduction, cost effectiveness and other quantitative factors.

 

Under this program eligible projects may receive up to three years of funding to support transit service operations, subject to continued ridership and cost effectiveness performance. Fort Bend County’s TMC Service Expansion project has demonstrated satisfactory ridership and cost effectiveness during each of its first two years of service. A third year of federal funding support is proposed at $103,611 in addition to $44,405 in local match for operating and marketing costs. This third- year funding would conclude H-GAC’s obligations for the TMC Service Expansion project under the Commuter and Transit Pilot Program.

 

 


Funding Source 

Federal, Local


Budgeted

Yes


Action Requested 

Request authorization to negotiate and execute a third and final year funding agreement with The Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department; total contract value not to exceed $148,016. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)