Texoma Area Paratransit System bus stops, such as this one in McKinney, could remain empty as TAPS looks to reduce services this winter.[/caption]

The Texoma Area Paratransit System is under scrutiny as recent reports have surfaced that the 15-county rural and urban public transit provider—which has a demand-response contract to provide transit services for Frisco residents—is currently $4 million in debt and could finish the year with a $600,000 to $1.4 million deficit.

“We are no longer financially capable of providing services without dramatic changes in how we operate,” said TAPS interim Executive Director Tim Patton, who replaced former Executive Director Brad Underwood when he resigned Sept. 16. “The proposed changes you see today will impact many people. Many of the changes will affect school, work, medical and everyday life for people in all TAPS areas.”

TAPS requested emergency funding from the Texas Department of Transportation in October but was denied the funding Oct. 30.

The TAPS board has indicated fixed-route and on-demand services will be changing and possibly reducing this winter, although the exact changes have not been decided.

TAPS’ current contract with Frisco provides curb-to-curb demand-response transportation for residents who are at least 60 years old or disabled. It is unclear how services in Frisco will change if the city renews its contract in December.

Frisco Engineering Services Director Paul Knippel said the city’s demand-response contract has to be renewed by Dec. 1 if the city is going to continue receiving TAPS services. Both parties have to agree to the terms of the renewal agreement, he said.

“The city is in discussion with TAPS regarding this matter and is reviewing alternatives for a continuation of transit service in the event that a contract renewal with TAPS does not occur or in the event that TAPS otherwise becomes unable to provide service,” Knippel said.

Frisco City Council heard a presentation from the Denton County Transportation Authority on Oct. 20. DCTA could offer curb-to-curb on-demand transit services like TAPS.

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso said during the meeting that the city is still finding more answers to TAPS’ current situation but said he appreciates DCTA presenting to the Council.

Chris Hill, a Collin County commissioner and the TAPS board chairman, said he knows the current situation is frustrating both for the board and for TAPS customers.

“Those that rely on TAPS are going to have the hardest time in the equation because they are, quite frankly, our clients and citizens,” Hill said. “They don’t want to get caught up in the day-to-day business of TAPS. They just want to know that it works well.”