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Presentation by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) on the Proposed 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 (State Block Grant) to be administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The grant funding provides Hernando County operating assistance at approximately $415,000 on an annual basis at a 50% state and 50% local match requirement.
Each transit agency in Florida that receives State Block Grant funding is required to adopt a Transit Development Plan for a ten-year planning horizon. Major updates to its Transit Development Plan (TDP) are required every five years and annual progress reports in the intervening years. The Transit Development Plan is to address the travel needs, cost and revenue projections, and community transit goals, objectives, and policies. The development of the TDP is to be coordinated and consistent with the Long Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Plan, the Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plans, and the Comprehensive Plans of the jurisdictions served (Hernando County and the City of Brooksville). The TDP is required to be adopted by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners as the transit agency.
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners contracted with the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) to develop the FY 2025-FY 2034 TDP which is due to the FDOT in December 2024. A required Public Involvement Plan (PIP) was developed by CUTR, approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, and utilized the Hernando/Citrus MPO’s public meeting venues and participation processes. The proposed TDP includes:
• Documentation and analysis of the demographic conditions in the current service area,
• Evaluation of existing transit services,
• Market research and extensive public involvement opportunities 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 Operating and Capital Program that includes a ten-year schedule of projects, a financial plan, and a list of priority projects based on the 10-year schedule of projects.
On November 21, 2024, the MPO Board’s Technical Advisory Committee, Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee reviewed the presentation and voted to support CUTR’s recommendations.
The Center for Urban Transportation and Research will be presenting the proposed Transit Development Plan for FY 2025-FY 2034, outlining their recommendations on the programs and projects contained in the plan and seeking adoption by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners in December.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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LEGAL NOTE
Pursuant to Chapters 339.175 and 341.052 Florida Statutes and Florida Administration Code Rule 14-73, the MPO Board has the authority to take the recommended action.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the MPO Board review the presentation by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) on the proposed Hernando County FY 2025-FY 2034 Transit Development Plan (TDP) and provide comments as desired. The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners, as the transit agency, will be required to adopt the TDP in order for it to be submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation for review.