[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6165522,"mediaKeyId","5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91","parentId",5421809,"title","Committee discusses barriers to fixed-route service onto Pax River; staff proposes outside‑gate stops and continued outreach","audioSeconds",222,"startMs",1633000,"endMs",1855000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91&start=1633&end=1855","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91/thumbnail_1633000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6165522/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Committee-discusses-barriers-to-fixed-route-service-onto-Pax-River-staff-proposes-outsidegate-stops-and-continued-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165522-8c0a59a2733ce7f880a87d203b1a205d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775015353&Signature=dqjCRLF0aY0CCsbOstLL-NKmtkfacjGWiq8O~1KW3fodM0D4vjDshwAKgrkGsmaM98HB-jYuZpi8Sr39ftfZCghBInkVtINBinx9f5N1J1m8Me8dCBKxvQNkRG3NceUq7N4~77j2BwI99NEamecp0p7ZMpixsjjtPn06icluMkaJX3u0b4zGpj~1jHPNj0WtFyb6C~07CivGcADMtZdWgth~K3KWq3vQJirT3DrfBV2C~sLDY75d03BTF~UFlk026BSr9xN7hjReURJ46K44cywLTRrfGn0ys6KL6idC2BHsiMGTLlTi~AcPmn6mLW4JRFe2ENj~y1lB6g7uD7BQWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-07-18T05:51:30Z","article","Committee members raised long‑standing questions about whether county fixed‑route buses can serve Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Pax River).

A staff member clarified \"we transport paratransit on base. We do not have fixed route on base,\" adding that paratransit trips require that passengers have base access credentials and that transporting non‑badged riders onto the base is not permitted. The staff member and others said base security rules and Department of Defense budgeting decisions have constrained shuttle and fixed‑route access since a 2012 DOD budget cut that removed many base shuttle services.

The group discussed operational alternatives. Staff said they had approached the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum about creating a stop in the museum parking lot to give riders a short walk to Gate 1; the museum was \"very receptive,\" staff said. Staff and committee members also noted Gate 2 access is complicated by local intersections and by the Knox Building, and that any outside‑gate stop would require study of safety and traffic impacts.

Committee members encouraged renewed outreach to the base, but staff said progress depends on base offices and CPLO (community planning liaison officer) engagement. The committee has no formal decision authority over base security or DOD transport policy; staff characterized the work as long‑term advocacy and study rather than an immediate change in fixed‑route service.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will include gate/study items in route‑feasibility work and will explore stakeholder outreach to Navy CPLO and base security officials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/17/25 Transportation Advisory Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members and STS staff discussed security and operational barriers to running fixed‑route buses onto Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Pax River) and considered outside‑gate stop options.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165527,"County STS launches one-year fare-free pilot and new mobile app; staff reports about 400 downloads",181,984000,1165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91&start=984&end=1165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91/thumbnail_984000.jpg","/articles/6165527/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-STS-launches-one-year-fare-free-pilot-and-new-mobile-app-staff-reports-about-400-downloads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165527-098fcb508e37918594cffee8d39867cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775015353&Signature=km~j~nTuYGiqJ0cKE~qNi9sV72RK486Q5-3n7iwpgWnWr4f9CnsQjMfQuVXyWLqT80P7~Orfgsp3jZpPOtI~NvK79jgQkGLFcCkBwrWRuShLun3zHDF5mlmp9F6LKyiJa~qNg05sUCJQ4y8WanQvfzGz3DYAmduKvKOHkxwq3lZM6n5FkV9ZgHEPCPUI23iV~NmxXzWnjE-wgNu9sg~CpalrQxUUVmQ5Dz44-OChsJGBEpjlAuYSimSoCpc87DimJEOIhfpQpsEXvwh-jaQ~kzhS5WtIsVBmtQzcfuk6fEQUgmRdWRwSRbMLbbyGMfLr6wdGJVcuaCDlNej8KIKysw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, staff confirmed STS has begun a one‑year fare‑free pilot that runs through the coming fiscal year. \"As of right now, it's a 1 year pilot program,\" a staff member said, adding county commissioners will decide near the start of FY27 whether to extend or make the change permanent.

Ron Burpos, the new STS supervisor, told the committee the fare‑free policy applies across services and said the agency expects the change to increase ridership. Burpos said some routes have seen ridership grow by \"probably a third\" while other routes show no change yet. He said the agency cannot use operating funds as capital and that federal rules limit charging ADA paratransit if fixed‑route service is free.

Staff also described the newly launched STS app. Burpos said the app rolled out in June and that IT has already pushed one software upgrade; staff reported about 400 downloads (\"roughly around 400 downloads of the app,\" including about 250 on Android and 150 on Apple). The app displays route color coding, next‑bus times and the next three stops for a selected vehicle. Staff said QR codes are already on buses and that the agency plans public information boards with route maps and QR codes at shelters in English and Spanish.

Committee members encouraged broader publicity; staff said the public information office will post announcements, and that dispatchers are directing callers to download the app. Staff invited committee feedback on functionality and said the app includes a feedback feature that routes comments to county IT.","STS has begun a one‑year fare‑free pilot for all fixed-route and paratransit service and rolled out a new STS app; staff reported roughly 400 downloads so far and projected ridership increases on some routes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165531,"County STS awarded three replacement vehicles; staff outlines paratransit, ADA and microtransit plans",191,188000,379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91&start=188&end=379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6165531/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-STS-awarded-three-replacement-vehicles-staff-outlines-paratransit-ADA-and-microtransit-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165531-574bcace37b830621198fe2d473592b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775015353&Signature=GlsJWa~ZOitGTYIcyDe-TrycKUBdUXAsT-Oo7T2upUGFnS2fpm39f~kWVttFempI43XqCRgHQALY3u8s63xZt2IpXA4qQbS3dk4Ugczb03f30JoIVuT6Hg9xHYGy-eCogH~5UyVQbyotiHXkL-EkZ81Lip0RVlAYtPcafGc3uROmYG-3~YRDBct2bVNtl~rMLxLz97AwgmZ66ZOgdOQ6GEWRCqj4KOoXbkJx3MQLpxH2QATl3oa7lbPJ2efoZRjts71AZU-CeZpDdrsdiMu7WSY7XlfcGmvpXjyDlAZ6A~3Xol5pAazshNYClo6Vxs5ar03~E67kSnn9oW--MOPQUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rowena Bosio, chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, opened discussion as STS staff reported on fleet and service changes for fiscal year 2026. A staff member said the agency \"was awarded 3 new vehicles. However, we were not awarded our vehicle expansion,\" and that the county will keep buses slated for retirement in service longer to meet operational needs.

The staff member said one of three replacement buses is awaiting a camera install and that a non-CDL vehicle is expected by the end of the month. Staff noted they requested three additional vehicles to expand the fleet but did not receive expansion capital; \"we can't use operating as capital,\" the staff member said, describing limits on using operating grants to buy vehicles.

Ron Burpos, identified in the meeting as the new STS supervisor, said the agency is considering buying \"1, maybe 2 transit vans\" that would be \"100% paratransit\" and that those smaller vehicles could later be repurposed if the agency moves toward microtransit. Burpos described microtransit as a longer-term option requiring additional resources, software and staff capacity and said it is \"a few years off.\" He said transit vans would help prepare STS for that future model.

On paratransit and ADA compliance, staff said they are reviewing \"our ADA, American Disabilities Act, policies and procedures\" and will revamp the appeals process and documentation to bring the program into compliance. Staff stressed this will be a work in progress with significant outreach and transparency before changes are finalized.

Discussion included operational considerations: staff said transit vans would be used for paratransit (SDAP/ADA services were discussed) and that federal regulation limits charging for ADA paratransit if fixed-route service is fare-free. Committee members asked about service roles for vans and the timeline to implement microtransit; staff emphasized funding, software, and IT support would be required and that microtransit would first be pilotable after foundational investments.

The committee did not take formal action on fleet acquisition or service model adoption at the meeting; staff said they will include fleet and service needs in ongoing planning and grant applications and will retain the current buses as an interim measure.","STS staff reported an FY26 award of three replacement vehicles but no fleet-expansion funds; staff said the agency will keep older buses in service longer, pursue one or two transit vans for paratransit, review ADA policies, and study future microtransit options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6165518,"Committee readies to participate in FY26 Transit Development Plan process",196,2456000,2652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91&start=2456&end=2652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5421809-35cac76f737d4e785e1e0682f2114e91/thumbnail_2456000.jpg","/articles/6165518/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Committee-readies-to-participate-in-FY26-Transit-Development-Plan-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6165518-151cb9c8714921fbdcd0dec474f2fc3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775015353&Signature=nzCtor7fP7sRZfa8YozJuAS0fyR92t-IDIVBhg3Fa7iIpvN1N8fSB7b3V3GZ6t3g209RbiUESFJn368vPgo6SBEAueiimvBl7MTiWQvth~IxW~dxuR7uJHHHZbOMpew47NiBXCzlYLnhDiZqaBOMnR9GW3B15DlxbZ21vHQdnILiYp-UgbQwb4b3OPwWu3eg1Tq0f8bzQODGnOSns~ZgkwlVXNbi5rE6lHVHDa7iNtOTG0g8WDjHhPLeJjnebzYrW-CYwqOXAY5SdmJR6U09WiUSjNGVItvSH-MWiBAiyvFRd2eEsCbacfyBDyF5oXLdXZno133LyuzFCaClXhz1oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee leadership raised the Transit Development Plan (TDP), noting the TDP had last been updated in 2019 and that the committee’s bylaws call for committee involvement in regular TDP review. A staff member confirmed the TDP work is included in the FY26 grant and that the county will engage KFH Group with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to begin the plan work during FY26.

Committee members said they expect to provide stakeholder review and data input and recommended forming a technical advisory role where appropriate. Staff said this will be the first time some staff participate in the process and that the work will involve multiple stakeholder meetings and data reviews similar to neighboring counties’ recent processes.

No formal vote occurred; staff said they will notify the committee when the formal TDP process begins and that committee members will have opportunities to review materials and attend meetings.","Staff said the county's five‑year Transit Development Plan (TDP) work for FY26 was included in the FY26 grant and will be done through KFH Group with MTA; committee members expressed interest in participating in data review and stakeholder meetings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee discusses barriers to fixed-route service onto Pax River; staff proposes outside‑gate stops and continued outreach

County STS launches one-year fare-free pilot and new mobile app; staff reports about 400 downloads

County STS awarded three replacement vehicles; staff outlines paratransit, ADA and microtransit plans

Committee readies to participate in FY26 Transit Development Plan process