Bee County backs Real Transit depot, offers land and signs MOU to support funding applications

Bee County’s commissioners voted Jan. 12 to approve a memorandum of understanding and resolution affirming county support for a new Real Transit facility in Beeville, pledging local cooperation and reserving a parcel of county land near the old sheriff’s office as in‑kind support.

Pam Hernandez, a Real Transportation representative, told the court that ridership and demand for same‑day micro‑transit in Bee County have increased and that Real recently added a vehicle to the Beeville fleet to reduce wait times. “We now have our service expansion hours, so now our hours are from 5AM to 8PM,” Hernandez said, citing use by dialysis patients, workers with nonstandard shifts and students traveling to Coastal Bend College.

Hernandez warned that the transit depot project cannot move into construction until a categorical exclusion from the Federal Transit Administration and TxDOT is received. Real said it will apply for TxDOT rural discretionary funds and asked the county for an MOU to show local commitment when pursuing construction funding.

Commissioner DeWitt read the MOU into the record and noted prior TxDOT studies. DeWitt said Bee County had reserved a small parcel near the former sheriff’s office to support the project “at no charge” as an in‑kind contribution. The court adopted the resolution and agreed the county judge could finalize signatures so Real could take original copies.

Real provided its service phone number for residents: (361) 668‑3158, and confirmed fares remain low (in‑town trips as low as $1, same‑day service $2). The court thanked Real for taking over transit operations and for supporting local riders.

Next steps: Real will continue seeking federal and state approvals; Bee County will sign the MOU and continue to coordinate as Real works toward funding and the categorical exclusion decision.