The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has awarded 156 million USD to transit agencies to improve bus services.
This investment will help expand services and increase connectivity across the state.
More than 123 million USD of this funding was approved by the Texas Transportation Commission. In addition, TxDOT won a 26.8 million USD grant from the Federal Transit Administration.
Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New said:These funds will help Texans in rural and urban communities access safe and reliable mobility options that improve quality of life and enhance economic opportunity. These programs connect people with their community and give them a way to get around when they may have no other option.
The funding will be used by transit agencies across the state to support a range of projects:
New Facilities and Fleet
New transit facilities will be constructed in Amarillo, Sherman, San Angelo, and Alice.
The Capital Area Rural Transportation System Eastside Bus Plaza in east Austin will also be upgraded to accommodate additional intercity passengers.
Meanwhile, the funding will support the purchase of more than 150 new buses, allowing older vehicles to be retired.
Intercity Connections
The funding will also help deliver long-distance connections between rural and urban metropolitan areas. Here, the investment will support 15 routes across the state.
This will help sustain longer-distance travel options within Texas, as well as connections to the national intercity bus network.
New Services
Thanks to this funding, Hunt County will benefit from expanded services for seniors and persons with disabilities. This will include the addition of a Saturday service for the first time.
In addition, planning for micro-transit services for shorter-distance trips will start in Uvalde, Eagle Pass and Crystal City/Carrizo Springs.
