Published: March 25, 2008 12:24 am            

Transit plan includes county, SHSU

Sam Houston State University students may be the primary benefactor of a transit plan that would provide transportation from Montgomery County to Walker County.

The plan was discussed at a recent Houston-Galveston Area Council public meeting in Conroe.

The topic of the meeting was improved transportation for residents of Montgomery and Walker County, including seniors and students.

More specifically, the plan detailed the creation of a commuter shuttle system connecting The Woodlands, Montgomery College and Sam Houston State University.

At first, the shuttle would run only between SHSU and The Woodlands over a 40-mile highway stretch.

For SHSU students, implementation of the plan could be a solution to the shortage of available parking on campus.

The shuttle service would utilize a Park and Ride system, which would help reduce the number of vehicles actually parking in campus lots.

This would spare SHSU the expense of building more parking structures, which costs between $12,000 and $25,000 each, according to Kari Hackett, H-GAC Transportation Program manager.

In addition to easing parking concerns, the plan would increase the attractiveness of SHSU to prospective students and faculty by providing additional transportation options.

It would then be possible for students without vehicles outside Walker County to attend SHSU, Hackett said.

Also, the availability of jobs openings would increase, further aiding the students.

Federal, state and local funding programs are being looked at as possible financial support for the proposed transit plan, Hackett said.

The cost per trip for the commuter system between SHSU and The Woodlands would be around $21 — $3 below the national average.

For the approximately 1,400 people commuting to work each day, the price is set for $1, $2 or $3.

The results of a series of five focus groups conducted by Thompson Consulting showed that respondents felt the need for public transportation surpasses the cost.

In addition, they felt that the money for the system needs to come from user fees, state and federal funds, and private investors.

The next step toward the initiation of the project is acquiring approval during two separate meetings scheduled by the H-GAC on April 9, and April 25.

If approved, the project will be added to the council’s Regional Transit Plan, and further arrangements made then.

A public comment period is open until Friday, April 18, at 5 p.m.

Questions and concerns can be submitted via e-mail to publiccomments@h-gac.com.

        

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