Agenda Item #1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
March 13, 2018
Agenda Report # 87
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: METRA/TIA Route Changes
INITIATED BY: METRA Transit System and the Planning Department
Recommendation: Approval is requested to adopt the resolution authorizing METRA
to make proposed changes to various routes.
Background: On October 22, 2016, METRA Transit System implemented changes to
its existing bus service by adding three new Fixed Routes, two Paratransit
Routes and extending service until 11:30 p.m., using Transportation Investment
Act (TIA) funding.
Analysis: METRA was asked to provide the City Council with an annual
update of the new routes and service effectiveness. Ridership data was
collected, and bus stops were surveyed. Connetics Transportation Group (CTG)
consultants compiled the data and provided the results. Recommendations for
proposed service changes were presented to Council and METRA was granted
approval to begin the public participation process. There was extensive public
outreach to inform the public of the proposed service changes to include two
Public Hearings that were held at METRA Transit System Administration Building,
January 30, 2018 and February 1, 2018. On February 27, 2018, a third Public
Hearing was held at City Council meeting.
Financial Considerations: The route changes would reduce the number of service
hours on low performing routes, which would result in some cost savings for the
City.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The elimination of low ridership
routes and trips would help to extend the life of the TIA funding beyond year
2022.
Legal Considerations: Council must approve all changes to METRA?s bus service,
and METRA is required to meet the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Public
Participation Process for major service reductions.
Recommendations/Actions: Approval is requested to adopt the resolution
authorizing METRA to make proposed changes to various routes as presented to
Council on February 27, 2018.
A RESOLUTION
No. ______
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF METRA ROUTE PROPOSALS UNDER THE
TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT ACT (TIA).
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2016, METRA Transit System implemented new bus service
as a result of a voter?s approved one percent sales tax under the
Transportation Investment Act of 2012; and,
WHEREAS, on January 9, 2018, METRA Transit System provided Council with a brief
update of how the routes were progressing and requested approval for Connetics
Transportation Group (CTG) consultants to conduct an assessment of all routes;
and,
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2018, the first Public Hearing was held at METRA
Transit Administration Office, 814 Linwood Blvd. by METRA and the consultants
to present the proposed changes and to solicit public input on the farebox and
bus stop ridership data collected; and,
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2018, a second Public Hearing was held at METRA Transit
System Administration Office, to inform the public of the proposed route
changes and to solicit public input; and,
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2018, a third Public Hearing was held, and Connetics
Transportation Group (CTG) presented Council the proposed changes to METRA
routes that would reduce the number of service hours on low performing routes
and increase service hours on over performing routes, extending the life of the
TIA funding beyond year 2022; and,
WHEREAS, METRA Transit System and the Planning Department agrees with the
proposed route changes and requests Council?s approval to implement the changes
effective May 1, 2018.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
day of ________________ 2018, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of ________ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_______________________________ ________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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