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 operation of new 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.
Currently, only one route (Route 22) provides service on Old Archer Road immediately south of Archer Road. Several other routes provide service in the general area (Routes 1, 12 and 21) but all are over capacity during peak hours while class is in session at the University of Florida (UF). These overcrowded conditions have forced some passengers to wait at the bus stop and watch several full buses pass by before capacity is finally available. Route 38 is a new fixed-route that will provide 19 roundtrips from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. One bus will provide service with 45-minute headways during peak hours. Route 38 will make transit more convenient along Archer Road, assist overcrowded buses, and relieve traffic congestion by providing transit service from the high density housing area on Archer Road and Old Archer Road to UF via State Road 24 (Archer Road). Because Route 38 will be marketed citywide RTS estimates approximately 63,000 passengers at the end of the first year of service.
Total operating costs for Route 38 will be $150,000 with a 50/50 match from RTS. Initially, the service will operate for two (2) years from August 2010 through July 2012 and may be continued with funding from U...
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