The Conroe City Council pledge to allocate $500,000 over the next five years for public transportation in an effort to leverage millions in federal aid to buy trolleys, buses, road improvements and neighborhood upgrades.

At its meeting tonight, the Conroe City Council approved setting aside $100,000 a year annually for a fixed bus route that would serve the economically disadvantaged areas of the community. The route would run from Loop 336 South, via either Frazier, First or South Main street, to Loop 336 North and stop at the Walmart on Loop 336 North and Conroe Regional Hospital on the return trip.

“For a half million dollar investment, you could get $15 to $20 million more,” said downtown manager Larry Calhoun.

City officials met with the Federal Transit Authority in Dallas last week to discuss opportunities that may be available to the city for federal aid. In order to be considered for the funds, the city would have to make an initial investment in public transportation.

With those funds, the city may be eligible for grants to purchase trolleys or small buses, capable of carrying 25 to 30 people, as well as funds for improvements around bus stops, including lighting, landscaping, road and utility improvements, Calhoun said.

“It’s a win-win for the whole city and a major win for the less fortunate in the community,” said Councilman Jay Ross Martin. “There is nothing worse than seeing someone in a lot of pain, probably with a broken leg, walking to the hospital.”

Martin also said the city missed an opportunity 10 to 15 years ago to get free buses and that the program now could help with neighborhood revitalization, which will be critical to attracting new business to the community.

“It looks like a great way to help the underprivileged people, like in the south part of town, to get to better shopping facilities and the hospital,” said Councilman Toby Powell, who attended the meeting with the FTA.

Councilwoman Marsha Porter said public transportation is sorely needed in the community.

“I see a lot of people taking cabs they can’t afford,” said Porter. “They need public transportation for basic services.”

Calhoun said the city would work with The District, formerly the Brazos Transit District, to get service on the road in the city. The District oversees public transit issues in a 17 county region in Southeast Texas and operates the trolley and water taxi in The Woodlands. Calhoun said a start date for the service is up in the air and would depend on federal funding for buses.

“The total exposure is never more than $500,000 and we can cancel the contract within 90 days,” Calhoun said.

Under a resolution adopted by the city council, the city would get to approve the operating and financial plans, routes, schedules and fees.

The first $100,000 for public transportation would be targeted for the 2010-11 budget and continue for four years thereafter. Mayor Webb Melder wanted assurances that the city would not be asked
for any financial commitments beyond the $500,000.

Calhoun said that The District would provide the service for $100,000 annually and that the city only has to commitment $500,0000 to the project. Any federal match, which is generally 20 percent of the grant cost, could come from $10 million of improvements the city has invested in downtown, Calhoun said.

The city is working with the Goodman Corporation, a transportation consultant, to pursue federal funding for projects throughout the community. In addition to public transportation, the city is also seeking funds to build an overpass on FM 3083 near Conroe Park North and to make the road more pedestrian friendly with landscaping and hike and bike trails.

The Goodman Corporation is credited with bringing public transit to The Woodlands, gaining federal funds for the Town Center trolley system and the Woodlands Waterway water taxis.

“In The Woodlands with the water taxis, they gained $60 million in infrastructure along The Woodlands Waterway,” Calhoun said. “It is a good program, it will work and we will benefit greatly from it.”

CONROE BUS SERVICE

The Conroe City Council will consider dedicating $500,000 over five year for a public bus route in the community. Following is the preliminary routes being discussed.
• Loop 336 South
• Up the east side of Interstate 45 via Frazier, First of N. Main Street
• Stops at Walmart on Loop 336 North
• Continue on the southbound Interstate 45 feeder
• Stops at Conroe Regional Medical Center.
Source: City of Conroe