DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Funding and Service Agreement: City of San Antonio and VIA
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the City of San Antonio and VIA Metropolitan Transit (VIA) authorizing funding to VIA to be phased-in over a four year period with no funds in FY 2017, $2.2 million in FY 2018, $6.5 million in FY 2019 and $10 million in FY 2020 and beyond from future funding sources (other than the City's ATD funds) to be identified during the annual budget process for bus frequency improvements on ten routes and travel times and capacity improvements on seven major corridors.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In July 2015, Councilman Rey Saldana first raised the issue that the lack of adequate funding levels resulted in VIA providing bus service that is not meeting demand with regard to frequency. Councilman Saldana proposed that the City's Advanced Transportation District (ATD) funding be re-allocated to VIA to improve bus service and requested the policy issue of how the City utilizes its ATD funding be discussed. Staff first presented this policy issue to the Transportation, Technology and Utilities (TTU) Council Committee on November 4, 2015 followed by full City Council at the November 18, 2015 City Council "B" session.
In January 2016, the ATD Ad Hoc Committee was established and charged to evaluate VIA's funding model and determine if the City should allocate all or a portion of the City's ATD funds to enhance VIA services. The committee was co-chaired by District 4 Councilman Rey Saldana and District 6 Councilman Ray Lopez Committee member included Alex Briseno, Victor Boyer, Patti Radle, James Lifshutz, Darryl Byrd and Sid Martinez. The Committee held six meetings between February and June 2016 that included an overview of ATD, City's ATD Program, VIA's ATD Program, VIA's ...
Click here for full text