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Presentation From Center for Urban Transportation Regarding Major Update to Transit Development Plan for FY 2025 Through 2034
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
In 1990, the Florida Legislature enacted Section 341.052, F.S., which established a State Public Transit Block Grant Program to be administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The program provides Hernando County operating funding assistance on an annual basis for fixed-route bus service (TheBus). In recent years, the State Transit Block Grant Program has provided over $415,000 annually in operating assistance for The Bus system in Hernando County.
Each transit agency in Florida that receives block grant funding is required by FDOT to prepare a Transit Development Plan (TDP) every five years. This requirement is intended to ensure that the provision of public transportation services is consistent with the travel needs and mobility goals of the local communities that are served by the transit system.
The TDP is a short-range (ten-year horizon) transit plan that addresses operational and capital improvements for TheBus system and is updated annually. The last ten-year TDP adopted by the Board (FY 2020-29 TDP) was approved at its August 13, 2019, meeting. In 2024, Hernando County hired the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to assist in managing and developing the next Major TDP which is due December 1, 2024, to the FDOT.
The 2025-34 TDP for TheBus system serves as the strategic guide for public transportation in Hernando County over the next 10 years. Development of this TDP will include several activities including:
• Documentation and analysis of the demographic conditions in current TheBus service area.
• Evaluation of existing transit services.
• Market research and extensive public outreach, including on-board and online surveys and in-person public meetings and workshops.
• Analysis of immediate and longer-term transit service and capital project needs.
• Ten-Year Funding and Implementation Plan that focus on prioritizing and strategizing the implementation of funded and unfunded service and capital needs of TheBus system.
Overall, this TDP effort will focus on improving the TheBus system to better meet the needs of the community, reflect the vision for future services as confirmed by extensive public and stakeholder involvement, and provide a strategic plan that put Hernando County in a competitive position for additional state and federal public transportation grant funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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LEGAL NOTE
The Board has authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes. Florida Statues 341.052; Rule 14-73, F.A.C.
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RECOMMENDATION
For informational purposes only, no action is required.