DEDICATED TRANSIT FUNDING IN A SMALL COUNTY

A transit funding and governing study was undertaken to discuss and address fixed-route transit funding issues in St. Lucie County, Florida. St. Lucie County is located on the east coast of Florida and has a 2002 population of just over 200,000. The major objective of the study was to identify transit funding solutions, preferably dedicated, for a community that was just beginning to operate its first fixed bus route. An evaluation of local funding sources was conducted from a technical perspective, as well as a policy perspective through discussions with county and municipal staff and elected officials. In addition, an evaluation of transit governing structures was conducted to develop recommendations for the future transit governing structure in St. Lucie County. Transit funding and governing recommendations were developed as part of the study. The major funding recommendation was to establish a County-Wide Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) specifically dedicated to funding public transportation services in St. Lucie County. These services include fixed-route bus, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit, and transportation disadvantaged (TD) services. The transit funding and governing study led to the adoption of the first County-Wide Transit MSTU in Florida. The municipalities of Port St. Lucie, Ft. Pierce, and St. Lucie Village also have approved the MSTU by ordinance, electing to participate in the County-Wide MSTU. This paper summarizes the results of the project, the process that led to the MSTU adoption, and the lessons learned for other communities seeking a similar funding source for public transportation or other municipal services.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0935403876
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Ball, W
  • Silva, A
  • Rey, J
• Conference:
  • ITE 2004 Annual Meeting and Exhibit
  • Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • Date: 2004-8-1 to 2004-8-4
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 11p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transportation; Communities; Financial analysis; Fixed routes; Future; Local transportation; Paratransit services; Public transit; Rural areas; Transportation disadvantaged persons
• Identifier Terms: Americans with Disabilities Act
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00980252
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0935403876
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 29 2004 12:00AM