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County approves transit route changes and returns ODOT facility grant due to NEPA timing
Summary
The commission approved January service changes to three deviated fixed routes to increase daily trips and add stops for underserved areas, and voted to terminate ODOT grant agreement #35339 for a transit facility because NEPA sequencing would delay project use; staff said funds will be returned so ODOT can reallocate them.
Transit staff presented recommended service adjustments to three deviated fixed routes to begin Jan. 5: increase daily trips on the Murrow route from 1.5 to 2 round trips, add a third daily opportunity on the ROHO route and extend pickups to Green Acres RV Park and Columbia Avenue low‑income housing. Staff described the changes as “more service through better planning” that fit the existing budget and were approved by the TAC.
The board approved the service update recommendation to begin Jan. 5.
Separately, staff recommended terminating ODOT grant agreement #35339 (transit facility funds) because the required NEPA process and correct sequencing of land purchase and NEPA would take roughly 18 months and the grant term would expire before completion. Transit staff urged returning the approximately $200,000 (plus local match) so the state can reallocate the funds to a ready project. The commission agreed to terminate the grant and directed staff to work with ODOT to reassign the funding.
What’s next: New transit routes and stops will begin Jan. 5; staff will finalize schedules and publicize changes. The county will execute termination paperwork with ODOT to allow reallocation of the facility grant.
