Title
Resolution for a Joint Participation Agreement - Service Development Funds for Regional Transit Service (RTS) Route 38 (B)
This item is a request to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Joint Participation Agreement between the City of Gainesville and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to receive Service Development Funds for the continued operation of Route 38.
Explanation
FDOT allocates service development funds to transit agencies each year. The allocations are given at FDOT discretion on a competitive basis for agency projects that meet FDOT Service Development Grant (SDG) criteria. FDOT requires the governing board of each public transit system to adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of these funds.
Since its introduction in August, 2010, Route 38 has alleviated overcrowded conditions on buses on Route 22 (Old Archer Road immediately south of Archer Road) and Routes 1, 12, and 21 in the same general area. Passengers have not had to wait at the bus stop and watch several full buses pass by before capacity is finally available. Route 38 has also made transit more convenient along Archer Road and relieved traffic congestion by providing transit service from the high density housing area on Archer Road and Old Archer Road to the University of Florida (UF) via State Road 24 (Archer Road). It provides 19 roundtrips from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Route 38 is expected to exceed original ridership estimates by the end of its first year of service in August, 2011. The service was initially scheduled to operate for 2 (two) years from August 2010 through July 2012 but may be continued beyond that time with funding from UF.
RTS and UF desire to continue Route 38 that expands service on Old Archer Road and provides more direct access to the numerous apartment complexes located on the south side of Archer Road.
Fiscal Note
This Joint Participation Agreement requires the City of Gaines...
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