Title
Discuss and consider action regarding the proposed pilot for implementation of the transit development plan (TDP) and allocation of funding in the FY21 budget.
Summary
The City of Pflugerville FY 20 budget allocated $237,000 for Public Transportation Services. This includes $177,000 for the implementation of a transit pilot. The balance of funds is attributed to an annual contribution ($12,500 paid quarterly) to Senior Access, which provides on demand rides to qualified residents aged 60 or over, and to Capital Metro Transit Authority (CMTA) to offset expenses associated with legacy customers for paratransit services.
Staff has been working with CMTA representatives to design a pilot that could reasonably gauge the viability of continued transit investment in Pflugerville in the future. The local contribution rate required to fund these operations is 60%. The remaining 40% federal share is available through the use of 5307 funds which are attributed to Pflugerville's proportional share of the urbanized area population.
CMTA has provided an example that would cover a 3.3 square mile service area, which is generally located along the Pecan Street corridor. Please refer to the attached map. The estimated budget for this pilot would cost a total of $500,391. This estimate includes the required local match of $300,235 with the balance coming from federal 5307 funds in the amount of $200,156. Included in the estimate is the cost to run the pilot for a year with two vehicles and an option for a third, should it be needed for peak hour demands within the 3.3. sq. mi. service area shown. Marketing and outreach for the pilot would be an additional cost to the estimates provided.
For consideration by the Council is whether or not to pursue a pilot program in FY21 with a the cost of the local match of $300,325 (FY20 allocation $177,000 plus an additional FY21 allocation of $123,325) as previously discussed. The local contribution requirement is 60%.
The City is not obligated to engage CMTA in this pilot, and may contract with other agencies but has been in pilot development discussions with CMTA as a continuation of the Transit Development Plan (TDP) efforts.
Prior City Council Action
The City Council discussed this matter on May 26, 2020 and June 9, 2020 and took no action.
In conjunction with the vetting of the FY 20 budget, a total of $336,810 was requested to support a larger pilot consisting of on demand service and park and ride, of which $177,000 was ultimately funded through the budget process.
August 14, 2018, City Council approved the TDP Addendum.
Deadline for City Council Action
There is no deadline for action.
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure _x_ N/A __
Budgeted Item: Yes _x_ No __ N/A __
Amount: _$177,000 is available for this project in FY 20; the FY 21 budget proposes $391,000
1295 Form Required? Yes __ No _x_
Legal Review Required: N/A _x_ Required __ Date Completed: ______
Supporting documents attached:
Proposed Pilot Area - DRAFT Map
June 9 CMTA presentation
Transit Development Plan
Senior Access Quarterly Reports
Recommended Action
Discuss and consider allocating additional funding for a transit pilot program for FY21.