Using funding support from the H-GAC Commuter and Transit Pilot Project, the City of Conroe proposes to initiate park and ride transportation services from the Conroe Park and Ride to the Central Business District (Downtown Houston) and the Texas Medical Center. The City of Conroe has successfully negotiated and executed an Interlocal Agreement that provides for Conroe to administer the service and for Houston METRO to be the designated transit service operator. The arrangement is a unique interlocal partnership within the Houston-Galveston region.

The City of Conroe funding request will support three morning and afternoon buses to the Central Business District and the Texas Medical Center. Under guidelines established by the Transportation Policy Council, H-GAC staff evaluated the proposal based on transportation need, sustainability, emissions reductions, cost effectiveness and other quantitative factors.

Under this program eligible projects can receive up to three years funding to support transit service operations subject to continued ridership and cost effectiveness performance. H-GAC’s expectation is that Conroe can show acceptable ridership and cost effectiveness during its years of pilot project funding and it can sustain the service into the future. The first year funding agreement with the City of Conroe will have a contract value not to exceed $650,954 ($520,763 federal, $130,191 local).

Federal - $1,353,767

Local - $487,193

Yes

Request authorization to negotiate and execute an agreement with the City of Conroe for up to three years for the provision of Park and Ride services, amount not to exceed $1,840,960. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)