September 25, 2018 - TRA Comment -
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has announced that the Federal Transit Administration will award $366 million in grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. Texas is the recipeient of over $26 million in funds for new buses, structures to house and maintain buses and bus shelters for riders.
The $26 million was awarded through competitive grants to state DOT's, similar to what the USDOT does in a competitive grant program for freight and passenger rail. Unfortuantely, Texas doesn't really participate in the rail grant funding process.
The issue we have is that there are state needs in rail that the exeuctives at TXDOT, the Texas Transportation Commission and the legislature are overlooking but they don't mind seeking grants and matching funds for aviation, maritime, bus transit and highway projects.
It seems that rail is the red-headed stepchild at TXDOT.
Why not look for grant funding for a second frequency and equipment for the daily Heartland Flyer that runs between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City? Why not for commuter rail in the greater Houston area? There's a chokepoint that delays freight rail traffic in Beaumont at the Neches River bridge that cries for a second bridge and track. How about getting serious about passenger rail on traffic clogged I-35 between Austin and San Antonio? And lets not forget the almost 50 Short Line Railroads in Texas that can help stimulate local economies if they are given a small helping hand up.
We can't keep pouring money in asphalt and concrete forever and expect to get from point A to point B without the increasing threat of delays. Rail needs to be a player at the table in transportation for Texas. Transportation leaders and the legislature need to pay attention.
In the meantime, here's $26 million for buses in Texas.
TEXAS TOTAL: $26,026,200
TX
City of Wichita Falls
The City of Wichita Falls will receive funding for a bus administration and maintenance facility for the Wichita Falls Transit System and SHARP Lines Rural Transportation. The project will improve maintenance and operational capacity as transit demand grows.
$9,864,858
TX
City Transit Management Company Inc. for the City of Lubbock
The City Transit Management Company Inc. for the City of Lubbock will receive funding for the purchase of new buses. The project will replace buses that have become unreliable, and have exceeded their useful life in terms of age and mileage.
$2,500,000
TX
Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council will receive funding for the design and construction of new bus shelters. The project will provide improved shelters at high-ridership locations along a route connecting the cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, and Edinburg.
$661,342
TX
VIA Metropolitan Transit
VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio will receive funding to relocate their paratransit operating and maintenance facility. The project will accommodate VIA's planned bus and van expansion.
$6,000,000
TX
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation (Austin) will receive funding to purchase buses for rural transit providers throughout the state. The project will replace vehicles that have exceeded their useful life.
$7,000,000
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has announced that the Federal Transit Administration will award $366 million in grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. Texas is the recipeient of over $26 million in funds for new buses, structures to house and maintain buses and bus shelters for riders.
The $26 million was awarded through competitive grants to state DOT's, similar to what the USDOT does in a competitive grant program for freight and passenger rail. Unfortuantely, Texas doesn't really participate in the rail grant funding process.
The issue we have is that there are state needs in rail that the exeuctives at TXDOT, the Texas Transportation Commission and the legislature are overlooking but they don't mind seeking grants and matching funds for aviation, maritime, bus transit and highway projects.
It seems that rail is the red-headed stepchild at TXDOT.
Why not look for grant funding for a second frequency and equipment for the daily Heartland Flyer that runs between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City? Why not for commuter rail in the greater Houston area? There's a chokepoint that delays freight rail traffic in Beaumont at the Neches River bridge that cries for a second bridge and track. How about getting serious about passenger rail on traffic clogged I-35 between Austin and San Antonio? And lets not forget the almost 50 Short Line Railroads in Texas that can help stimulate local economies if they are given a small helping hand up.
We can't keep pouring money in asphalt and concrete forever and expect to get from point A to point B without the increasing threat of delays. Rail needs to be a player at the table in transportation for Texas. Transportation leaders and the legislature need to pay attention.
In the meantime, here's $26 million for buses in Texas.
TEXAS TOTAL: $26,026,200
TX
City of Wichita Falls
The City of Wichita Falls will receive funding for a bus administration and maintenance facility for the Wichita Falls Transit System and SHARP Lines Rural Transportation. The project will improve maintenance and operational capacity as transit demand grows.
$9,864,858
TX
City Transit Management Company Inc. for the City of Lubbock
The City Transit Management Company Inc. for the City of Lubbock will receive funding for the purchase of new buses. The project will replace buses that have become unreliable, and have exceeded their useful life in terms of age and mileage.
$2,500,000
TX
Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council will receive funding for the design and construction of new bus shelters. The project will provide improved shelters at high-ridership locations along a route connecting the cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, and Edinburg.
$661,342
TX
VIA Metropolitan Transit
VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio will receive funding to relocate their paratransit operating and maintenance facility. The project will accommodate VIA's planned bus and van expansion.
$6,000,000
TX
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation (Austin) will receive funding to purchase buses for rural transit providers throughout the state. The project will replace vehicles that have exceeded their useful life.
$7,000,000