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RTC update: Transit 2 discussion, $15 million EV charging call for projects, and UPWP approved
Summary
A commissioner reported that Regional Transportation Council meetings centered on Transit 2 recommendations and that the council approved the Unified Planning Work Program and a $15 million call for electric vehicle charging projects limited to public property and 24/7 access; the council rejected a consulting contract and will likely form a sub‑
Commissioner Webb provided the court an update on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) monthly meeting, emphasizing that discussion about the Transit 2 study again dominated the agenda.
Webb said the RTC rejected a proposal to hire additional consultants and instead decided to form a subcommittee to pursue “low-hanging fruit” recommendations from the Transit 2 study—policy changes intended to encourage more jurisdictions and residents to participate in regional transit solutions. Webb said officials discussed ways to incentivize participation by nonmember cities, including preferential funding for projects near existing rail stations, but noted specifics remain to be drafted.
The council approved the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for 2026–27, a planning document related to the Unified Transportation Program, and voted to go forward with a call for projects to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure with $15,000,000 available. Webb said the EV charging funds are restricted to public property and require 24/7 public access.
Much of the Transit 2 conversation focused on how to expand transit service as the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex grows. Webb said members discussed options for nonmember cities to contract for services—paying as customers rather than becoming voting members—and how changes to funding formulas (for example, if a member’s one-cent sales tax allocation were lowered) could change incentives for membership. Webb also suggested county-level consideration of Collin County’s role in transit leadership later in the year.
Webb described an expectation that micro-transit solutions and targeted policy incentives, rather than expansion of rail in most suburbs, may be the more feasible path forward for many jurisdictions. The commissioner said the subcommittee and further RTC deliberations could continue for months to years and that more specific policy proposals may come to local governing bodies for consideration.
