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REAL warns of service loss for parts of San Patricio County; court approves evacuation transit MOU
Summary
REAL reported expanded hours but warned census boundary changes will shift parts of Ingleside/Portland into an urbanized area, likely cutting 8,000–10,000 trips per year; commissioners approved a mutual‑aid MOU for REAL to provide evacuation transportation during emergencies.
Martin Ornelas, director of REAL regional transit, told commissioners that service hours have expanded from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. to 5 a.m.–8 p.m., but that recent census boundary changes reclassified parts of Ingleside, Portland and San Patricio into an urbanized area. "We're finalizing the numbers, but the impact on the ridership, we're looking at somewhere between 8,000 to 10,000 trips a year," Ornelas said, warning that many of those trips are for employment and medical appointments and that the change will take effect Sept. 1, 2025.
Pat Metanandes, REAL’s mobility‑management and emergency coordinator, presented a mutual‑aid memorandum of understanding for REAL to provide ADA‑accessible evacuation transportation during disasters. The court’s county attorney reviewed the MOU and commissioners approved the agreement by voice vote.
REAL said it will work with the county, the MPO and TxDOT to identify maps and technical options and is communicating with affected passengers. Commissioners requested detailed maps to identify which precincts and residents will lose REAL service and discussed coordination with urbanized‑area providers. REAL indicated it is willing to remain part of a regional solution but said funding and federal formula rules tied to urban/rural designations constrain what it can serve.
