Title
Authorize the City Manager to finalize and execute the second amendment to the Interlocal Public Transit Service Agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit Bus Service, LGC, and STAR Transit to extend the term of the agreement and outlining costs.
Body
Earlier this year, the City of Mesquite, in partnership with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), commissioned a study that evaluated existing public transportation services in Mesquite, measured possible future demand and outlined additional services that could be provided. The results of this study were shared with the Mesquite City Council this past summer.
During the discussions, several Councilmembers indicated support for some of the proposals made in the study. Specifically, a connection to the DART system, particularly in the downtown Dallas area, and a possible fixed route, internal circulator were debated as viable options for the future. The Council and City staff will need time to evaluate these long-term options. On a more immediate time-schedule, the City is evaluating service adjustments, as recommended in the Service Plan to the existing COMPASS service (DART Route 282), per a proposal provided by DART staff. The current Interlocal Agreement between the City of Mesquite, STAR Transit and DART is set to expire in December 2017.
Because both the City and DART will need to initiate public input processes per Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines, this agreement will need to be extended. The DART and STAR Transit Boards have approved the amendment to the existing agreement to continue Route 282 service through September 2018. Extending the agreement under the existing terms will allow Council to further discuss public transportation later this year and allow staff to schedule meetings for the public. Additionally, the move will allow future agreements to run concurrent with DART's and the City's fiscal years.
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