Possible Bus Service in Round Rock

Possible Bus Service in Round Rock

Friday, 07 September 2007

The city of Round Rock held its annual summer council retreat Aug. 13 – 14 where public works director Tom Word gave a presentation on a possible express bus service that would take commuters to the Capital Metro park and ride at Tech Ridge near IH 35 and Parmer Lane in Austin. In concept, the Round Rock commuters could then travel to downtown Austin.

The city and Round Rock Chamber of Commerce recently held an informal survey concerning bus transit service that had 347 local ridership responses and 456 major employer responses. Although Word cautioned council members that the survey was not necessarily a reflection of the city’s population, the city estimates for planning purposes that 75 percent of survey respondents answering yes would ride the bus. Under those assumptions, alternative one would have 219 riders a day and alternative two would have 97 riders.

The council has asked the staff to move forward with a formal proposal in the next two months. Acquiring bus service would take around 11 months. If the city begins service, they will have the authority to end it at anytime if it is not fulfilling the city’s needs. At least initially, the city would contract bus service and not purchase its own vehicles.

The status quo

Capital Area Rural Transit Service, CARTS, a demand-respond service that runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The city can use it up to 557 hours per month, an amount that is used almost to capacity.

Local cost: $86,000*

Alternative 1

Commuter and reverse commuter service connecter between Round Rock and the Tech Ridge Park and Ride including a Louis Henna Boulevard and Toll 45 circulator and American Disabilities Act paratransit service.** It would run weekdays only from 5:15 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 8:17 p.m.

Local cost: $385,520*

Vehicles: Three 16 to 23 passenger buses

Alternative 2

Commuter service connecter between Round Rock and the Tech Ridge Park and Ride (no reverse commute, circulator or paratransit services). It would run weekdays only from 5:15 to 8:20 a.m. and 4:20 to 7:15 p.m.

Local cost: *248,240

Vehicles: Two 16 to 23 passenger buses

*Federal monies would fund part of the service.
**Federal law requires that cities that offer circulator bus service provide ADA complimentary service.

Estimated transit facility cost

Capital investment

• $4,190 for a single shelter at a Municipal Office Complex park and ride
• $4,190 for the interim park and ride at Toll 45 and IH 35.

Annual operating cost

• $3,500 for routine maintenance, trash removal, cleaning, etc. spent at the MOC park and ride.
• $3,500 for routine maintenance, trash removal, cleaning, etc. spent at the interim park and ride.