Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO APPROVE Broward County Transit Title VI Service Equity Analysis for 2019 Mobility Advancement Program (MAP) fixed-route bus service improvements funded with transportation surtax revenues.

ACTION:  (T-10:51 AM)  Approved.

VOTE: 9-0.  Vice-Mayor Holness voted in the affirmative telephonically.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, Title VI Circular 4702.1B, "Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients," dated October 1, 2012, requires the approval by the Board of County Commissioners (Board), as the governing entity for the Broward County transit system, of a service or fare equity change analysis prior to implementing those changes.

Approves BCT's Title VI Service Equity Analysis only for the 2019 MAP fixed-route bus service improvements (changes) to BCT bus routes 4, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23, 31, 55, 56, 62, 88, 101 and restoration of Route 8. The document was prepared in accordance with FTA regulations. At today's June 11, 2019,  Public Hearing, the Board will decide whether to approve the service improvements as proposed by BCT.

None.

THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND THE TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, is a federal statute which provides that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. As a recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant funding, the Transit Division (BCT) is required to follow the Title VI Circular 4702.1B, "Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients," dated October 1, 2012, and prepare an equity analysis when planning a major service or fare change. The federal rules require this report be approved by the Transit agency's governing Board, in this case the Board of County Commissioners, prior to implementing changes.

The Transit Division (BCT) is requesting approval of the Service Equity Analysis (Exhibit 1) for the Mobility Advancement Program (MAP) Fixed-route Bus Service Improvements funded with transportation surtax revenues. BCT fixed-route bus service improvements including a restoration of service on Taft Street (Route 8) and changes to BCT bus routes; 4, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23, 31, 55, 56, 62, 88, 101. These transit service improvements are considered a proposed major service change to BCT fixed-route bus routes service which will begin in the Summer and Fall of 2019. The changes will improve access to transit, improve frequency for better service, and expand service hours to maximize transit connectivity and coverage. These routes constitute approximately 19% of Broward County Transit’s total system ridership.
 
BCT Major Service changes are defined as changes that exceed any of the following thresholds:
 

Using methodologies consistent with FTA Circular 4702.1B, “Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients,” the result of Title VI Service Equity Analysis indicates that the service change proposal to implement the first programmed year for the MAP plan will not cause disparate impacts or disproportionate burdens on minority or low-income passengers (Title VI protected populations).

In compliance with federal and county regulations, policies and procedures, a public hearing is scheduled today, June 11, 2019, to allow the public to comment on the proposed establishment of the MAP 2019 Transit Service Improvements.

The Service Equity Analysis, (Exhibit 1), was posted online for public review and comment on BCT's website on May 24, 2019.

Chris Walton, Director, Transportation Department, (954) 357-8361