VANDERBURGH COUNTY — The Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) briefed the council on a planned regional transit feasibility study that aims to evaluate network options to improve connectivity among area transit providers.

Matt Schrieffer of the MPO said the study is expected to last about 16 months and will be funded roughly 80% by federal funds with local partners covering the remaining 20%. He said the MPO has completed the RFP process and is in contract negotiations with a consultant the MPO considers experienced in producing actionable regional transit plans.

The study partners include METS (Evansville), WATS (Warwick County), HART (Henderson), the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Schrieffer said Vanderburgh County’s share of the local match will be determined by population in the urbanized area; the presentation estimated the county’s portion at about 4% of the total study cost.

Council members asked about expected outcomes and whether the federal funding would be well spent; one member acknowledged the challenge of turning studies into action but said he was encouraged by the consultant selection and the MPO’s stakeholder engagement plan. The study will include public and stakeholder meetings and aims to recommend a more efficient regional network that increases connections for the most people.

No financial commitment by the county was finalized at the meeting; the MPO said it would return with a specific local contribution figure once negotiations finished.