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Presentation by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) on the Hernando County FY 2025-FY 2034 Transit Development Plan (TDP)
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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 (10-year horizon) transit plan that addresses operational and capital improvements for TheBus system and is updated annually. The last 10-year TDP (FY2020 - FY2029) was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on August 13, 2019, and the MPO Board on August 20, 2019. In 2024, Hernando County contracted with the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to assist in managing and developing the FY2025 - FY2034 TDP which is due to the FDOT September 1, 2024, per Florida Administrative Code Rule 14-73.001.
The FY 2025 - FY 2034 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 the current service area;
• Evaluation of existing transit services;
• Market research and extensive public outreach, including on-board and online surveys, in-person public meetings, and workshops;
• Analysis of immediate and longer-term transit service and capital project needs; and,
• A 10-year funding and implementation plan that focus on prioritizing and strategizing the
• implementation of funded and unfunded service, and the 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 will position Hernando County in a competitive position for additional state and federal public transportation grant funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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LEGAL NOTE
Pursuant to Chapter 339.175, Florida Statutes, the MPO Board has the authority to take the recommended action.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the MPO Board review the presentation and provide comments or input to the consultant as desired.