Agenda 05/28/2024 Item #16B10 (Approve the Regional Service and Regional Fare Study for Collier Area Transit)05/28/2024
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve the Regional Service and Regional Fare Study for Collier Area
Transit.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regional connectivity of the transit system to identify opportunities that can
be implemented to improve cross-county travel in Collier and Lee County.
CONSIDERATIONS: Collier County Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement (PTNE)
Department staff have been working with the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the
consultant team, Jacobs, to develop a Regional Service and Regional Fare Study for the Collier Area
Transit (CAT) system. This plan’s goal was to evaluate the prospect of implementing a new regional
transit corridor for CAT to provide service between Collier County and Lee County, connecting into the
Lee County Transit (LeeTran) system.
Since completion of the 2020 Major Transportation Development Plan (TDP) completed by CAT, the
addition of a regional route has been identified as a needed service improvement. The major TDP
identified two general routes that this study was able to expand upon and deliver a comprehensive
evaluation of the routes and alternatives.
A transportation services inventory was developed to assist with the evaluation of existing conditions and
available services. Existing travel patterns between Collier and Lee counties were analyzed for
movements that would benefit most from an additional regional transit service. To evaluate the transit
needs for a new connection between Collier and Lee counties, travel patterns and cross-county transit
needs were evaluated using:
• Origin-Destination (O-D) Data
• CAT and LeeTran Ridership
• Key Activity Centers and Workforce Commutes
• United States Census Data and Demographics
• Existing Transit Development Plans (TDP)
The ridership and fare data, annual operating and capital costs, and annual revenue were used to develop a
proposed route for the recommended regional corridor as well as to develop cost estimates to implement
the route and evaluate potential funding opportunities.
The result of the Regional Service and Regional Fare Study is a plan to develop a cross -county route,
maintaining a separate fare structure, that would travel between Immokalee and Lehigh Acres. The route
would stop at the Immokalee Health Department Transfer Facility, the UF/IFAS Satellite Campus, and
the Lehigh Acres Park-and-Ride. The proposed route was the highest ranked of the options evaluated,
based on the study methodology, which would provide the most benefit to transit riders.
This item is consistent with the Collier County strategic plan objective to design and maintain an effective
transportation system to reduce traffic congestion and improve the mobility of our residents and visitors.
Additionally, the item is consistent with the objective to support access to health, wellness, and human
services.
The final Regional Service and Regional Fare Study was formally approved by the MPO Board on April
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12, 2024. The final Regional Service and Regional Fare Study exploring the proposed routes are attached
for the Board’s review.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Regional Service and Regional Fare Study is not a budget or a financial
commitment. The potential recommendations are part of the vision for transit. If new funding is not
identified, the services recommended in the study will not move forward.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This action supports the goals and objectives of the
Transportation Element of the Growth Management Plan.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires majority vote
for Board approval. - CJS
RECOMMENDATION: To approve the Regional Service and Regional Fare Study for Collier Area
Transit.
Prepared By: Alexander Showalter, Planner II, PTNE
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. CAT Regional Service and Regional Fare Study_3-21-24_FINAL
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.B.10
Doc ID: 28708
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve the Regional Service and Regional Fare Study for Collier Area
Transit.
Meeting Date: 05/28/2024
Prepared by:
Title: – Public Transit & Neighborhood Enhancement
Name: Alexander Showalter
04/24/2024 3:15 PM
Submitted by:
Title: – Public Transit & Neighborhood Enhancement
Name: Brian Wells
04/24/2024 3:15 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Transportation Management Services Department Jeanne Marcella Transportation Management Services
Department Completed 04/24/2024 4:03 PM
Public Transit & Neighborhood Enhancement Omar Deleon TMSD Reviewer Completed
04/24/2024 4:30 PM
Public Transit & Neighborhood Enhancement Brian Wells Director Review Completed
04/25/2024 11:37 AM
Transportation Management Services Department Trinity Scott Transportation Completed
04/26/2024 10:13 AM
County Attorney's Office Carly Sanseverino Level 2 Attorney Review Completed 04/29/2024 1:44 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 04/29/2024 1:58 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 04/29/2024 2:50 PM
Office of Management and Budget Agnieszka Chudy OMB Reviewer Completed 04/30/2024 11:00 AM
County Manager's Office Ed Finn Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 05/22/2024 3:26 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 05/28/2024 9:00 AM
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