Leander City Council requests transit study

Leander City Council has requested a transit study to look at "transit demand, service costs and capital costs" for the city's current transit services.

Council unanimously awarded a $162,500 transit study contract Sept. 22 with The Goodman Corp., a Houston-based firm.

The study is expected to be complete in January with monthly progress updates and a preliminary report in December, Cameron Goodman, the city's economic development director, said to council. The final study will include a public transit service analysis, a Leander station boarding/alighting survey, transit demand modeling, economic impacts of current transit service and alternative transit services.

The city currently receives transit services through Capital Metro. The public transportation provider offers commuter bus routes, MetroRail service and on-demand Pickup service in Leander.

City Council members recently discussed existing Capital Metro services and costs. In June, council discussed a need for more data and asked staff to collect more data regarding Capital Metro in Leander such as the price per rider, ridership information and costs for alternative transportation options.

Council members also voted in June to direct staff to begin the process of placing Capital Metro involvement on a future ballot. To put the item on a ballot, City Council would need to approve an ordinance to call an election, according to the city.