This new initiative is part of the city's ongoing efforts to enhance public transportation and meet the growing mobility needs of residents, said Garry Ford, director of transportation and capital improvements for the city, at an Aug. 6 New Braunfels Downtown Association meeting.
How we got here
The push for expanded public transit in New Braunfels began with the City Council's approval in November 2023 endorsing a hybrid transit plan, as previously reported by Community Impact. The plan includes both on-demand microtransit and fixed bus routes, aimed at improving transportation options within the city.
The initiative follows the city's recent establishment of the New Braunfels Urban Transit District—now recognized by both the the state of Texas and the Federal Transit Administration—which paved the way for the upcoming "Ride the Rio!" service.
The details
The microtransit project will be implemented in three phases, Ford said:
- Phase 1: Establish the microtransit service, starting in early 2025.
- Phase 2: Consider adding local fixed routes based on the initial service's performance and community needs.
- Phase 3: Add additional services if necessary, based on further evaluation and demand.
The microtransit service will operate from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon.-Sun., said Julie Sitton, transit services coordinator for the city of New Braunfels, proposing a fare of $2 per trip within the city limits.
All vehicles will be Americans with Disabilities Act accessible, Sitton said, and passengers can request vehicles by phone, website, or on a soon-to-be-developed app.
The timeline
The city's transit delivery plan, Ford said, will includes these dates:
- September 2024: The city will issue request-for-proposals for a "turnkey" microtransit service provider, meaning the provider will deliver a complete, ready-to-use transit system with everything needed to operate it.
- End of 2024: The city plans to award the contract to the selected provider.
- Early 2025: The service will be scheduled to start, pending FTA approval.
