Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

A. MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2017-313 of the Board Of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, authorizing the Mayor to execute a Transportation Regional Incentive (TRIP) Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 4, in the amount of $2,828,249, which requires an equal match by Broward County for a total project cost of $5,656,498 to provide capital funding for the purchase of eight high-capacity passenger express buses; authorizing the County Administrator to take necessary administrative and budgetary actions; and providing for an effective date. The term of the agreement is through June 30, 2019.

ACTION:  (T-10:28 AM)  Approved.
 
VOTE: 8-0.  Commissioner LaMarca was not present.

B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2017-314 within the Transportation Department's Capital Fund in the amount of $2,828,249, provided by FDOT, to be matched by existing funds, for the purchase of eight high-capacity passenger buses for BCT's Express bus service.

ACTION:  (T-10:28 AM)  Approved.
 
VOTE: 8-0.  Commissioner LaMarca was not present.

A. FDOT requires Board approval of a resolution authorizing the execution of Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) Agreements.

B. Board approval is required for adopting budget Resolutions.

Approves a grant that will provide funding for eight high-capacity buses for BCT's Express bus service.

None.

THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT/TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.

This item supports the Board’s Values of "Cooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network" and "Consistently delivering responsive, efficient, quality services to the public and internal customers."

In mid-2005, the Florida State Legislature created the Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) as part of  growth management legislation with the intent to improve regionally-significant transportation. TRIP offers incentives (matching funds) for local governments and the private sector to help pay for critically-needed projects benefitting regional travel and commerce. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will pay up to 50% of the non-federal share of project costs for public transportation capital projects. 

The Broward County Transit Division (BCT) requested funding assistance to purchase commuter coach buses for BCT's 595 Express service, operating in the high-occupancy toll lanes on I-595 and I-95. Since BCT's Express services began in 2010, average daily ridership on the popular I-95 and I-595 Express service has continued to grow. 

As is the normal practice, FDOT will execute the TRIP Agreement after the County’s approval. The agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.

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