PRESENTER: Presenter
Garry Ford, Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation and possible direction on the Transit Development Plan and New Braunfels Small Urban Area Transit Funding.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED:All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The New Braunfels community identified the need for improved public transit in the comprehensive plan, Envision New Braunfels, and through community surveys and feedback. The City worked with the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) to fund a planning study to evaluate public transportation service options in the City of New Braunfels. The study, completed in 2021, introduces alternatives and strategies to guide the development of a New Braunfels public transportation system.
The City is continuing the planning process and exploring public transportation options within the city limits as part of a Transit Development Plan. The Transit Development Plan will help shape the future of transportation in New Braunfels and provide a framework for implementing improved public transit. The plan was initiated in February and is expected to be completed this fall.
In addition to the transit planning activities, the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) informed the City in March of the new Small Urban Area designation associated with the 2020 Census and eligibility to receive federal transit funds directly. New Braunfels was previously in the San Antonio Large Urban Area, with VIA Metropolitan Transit receiving federal funds and maintaining the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Alamo Regional Transit (ART) demand response service in New Braunfels. The City can be a direct recipient of federal and state transit funds or designate AACOG ART as the direct recipient for the New Braunfels UZA.
This presentation provides an update on transit-related items:
• Presentation of the Transit Development Plan.
• Direct Recipient activities, options, and next steps.
ISSUE:
Create a self-sustaining public transit system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City of New Braunfels is now eligible for state and federal transit funding, including 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Funds.
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RECOMMENDATION:
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