Transit district asks Heights for $130,000 in funding

Jun 20, 2023

Raymond Suarez, representing the Hill Country Transit District, addresses the Harker Heights City Council on Tuesday about the district's proposed switch from fixed-route buses to micro-transit vans.

HARKER HEIGHTS — A representative of the Hill Country Transit District addressed the Harker Heights City Council seeking more than $130,000 in outside agency funding for the coming fiscal year.

But the presentation by Raymond Suarez of Anderson Transportation Group — which oversees operation of the district — wasn't just about the money. He also pitched the idea of making the switch from fixed-route buses to a shared-ride service using small buses that hold nine to 12 people each.

The buses, which come in three models, are all wheelchair-compatible, he said.

Suarez noted that Harker Heights had about 11,700 riders in 2022, or about 5.3 riders per service hour, which is not sustainable.

Only two of the district's routes — one in Killeen and one in Temple — are considered viable, he said.

In addition, Suarez noted that at present, the city has weekday service for four hours in the morning and four in the late afternoon.

Under the micro-transit plan, Harker Heights would have three small buses providing service from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays. It would also offer medical rides on weekends.

Under the plan, Killeen would get 15 buses, Copperas Cove would get three and Temple would get 12.

The district would contract with Uber and Lyft to augment service during peak times, Suarez said.

Initial wait times would be about 30 minutes, Suarez.

The district would also run a commuter service between Copperas Cove and Temple every 30 minutes to an hour, without the need to change buses between cities, as is currently the case.

Suarez said the district projects annual ridership in Harker Heights would be 30,000 — a nearly three-fold increase from the current level.

Part of the reason for the potential increase, he said, is because the micro-transit system is more convenient, more flexible and it removed several barriers connected with a fixed-route service, such as the need for a bus stop.

Harker Heights has not provided money from the budget for Hill Country Transit since 2018-19, when the city allocated $40,000.

Over the next four years, the transit district received federal CARES Act funding and did not request any city money.

With that COVID money now exhausted, the district is asking the city for $131,297 for the upcoming fiscal year.

Suarez said the small buses are more economical to run, costing 60% of fixed-route vehicles. He also said they are easier to maneuver, offer curb-to-curb service, and a ride can be ordered through a downloadable app or by phone through a concierge service.

Suarez noted that fares haven't increased in 22 years. He estimated the cost to customers would be about $1.50 to $2 per ride, with potential discounts for seniors, children and people with disabilities.

Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer McCann noted that the requested amount was a bit high, but Suarez said if the city were to agree on a lower amount, the district would work to accommodate it with adjustments to the service plan.

Suarez said the new system could begin operating in the first quarter of 2024.

[email protected] | 254-501-7543

"If you beg for money or resources, more begging will be increasingly required. Begging exacerbates void and lack."

― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, The Wealth Reference Guide: An American

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