Brazos Transit District warns federal reclassification cut funding 36% as county partners on parking garage transition

Brazos Transit District representatives told the Brazos County Commissioners Court on a presentation that reclassification of Bryan–College Station as a large urbanized area has reduced federal formula funding and put pressure on local transit services.

Joe Marlowe, vice president for marketing and communications at Brazos Transit District, told the court BTD’s service area covers 20 counties, that the agency operates 10 fixed routes within Bryan and College Station and that riders rely on service to reach jobs, health care and schools. Marlowe said the 2020 census reclassification reduced BTD’s annual formula funding by roughly 36%, from about $4,300,000 to about $2,800,000, and that the shift increases the need for local support to maintain service levels.

The presentation laid out current service and near-term projects. Fixed-route fares are $1 per trip, with reduced fares for people 65 and older and riders with disabilities; Texas A&M University and Blinn students and staff ride fixed routes for free by showing ID. Marlowe said BTD operates ADA paratransit (curb-to-curb service for trips when both origin and destination are within 3/4 mile of a fixed route) and a county demand-response shared-ride service at roughly $3.51 one-way ($7 round trip), with scheduling up to seven days in advance. He also described a free mobile app showing live bus locations and advisories.

Marlowe said BTD is planning infrastructure improvements including new bus stops and shelters. He told the court there are about 315 designated stops in Bryan and College Station but far fewer shelters because shelters require concrete pads, accessibility compliance and higher costs; BTD plans to start with shelters at the most-used stops and expand over time. The agency stressed shelters are costly and harder to move than stops.

During questions, Commissioner Brown pressed BTD on fleet sizing and service patterns, asking why large buses operate during periods that appear lightly used. Marlowe and other BTD staff said larger buses provide space for mobility devices and ADA access; smaller vehicles can limit capacity for passengers using wheelchairs. BTD staff also noted spare-ratio and maintenance constraints and that fuel, insurance and some operating costs are comparable across vehicle sizes. BTD said many larger vehicles were acquired through discretionary grants with no local match.

Marlowe described a recent local interagency UZA (urbanized area) committee that includes Brazos County, the cities of Bryan and College Station, A&M Transportation Services, TxDOT and the Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living; he said the committee has met twice and will help with route realignments and grant coordination. He told the court that BTD’s fixed-route span in the cities runs Monday–Friday roughly 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Marlowe also said the Roy K. Kelly parking garage is transitioning back to Brazos County at the county’s request; BTD noted the county donated an in-kind local match land appraisal of $560,000 when the facility was developed and that county management of the garage will free BTD to focus on transit operations.

Judge Dutch Peters and commissioners thanked BTD for the briefing. Commissioners who spoke acknowledged riders in each precinct and described local users who depend on transit, while some members urged BTD to continue exploring efficiencies. BTD asked for continued county support to avoid service reductions following the federal funding change.

The court did not take formal action on transit funding during the meeting; the presentation was provided for informational and planning purposes.

Ending: BTD asked the commissioners to consider local support as federal formula allocations shrink and laid out near-term infrastructure and collaborative planning steps; the agency said it would continue working with the county and cities through the UZA committee and pursue discretionary grants to replace and expand vehicles and shelters.