Metro McAllen staff outline ridership gains, BRT/TOD study and plans to boost frequency

Transit Department staff briefed the McAllen City Commission at a workshop on plans to expand service, improve reliability and study bus rapid transit and transit‑oriented development.

"We provide approximately 700,000 trips a year," Transit Department staff said, noting ridership has recovered beyond pre‑COVID levels and that roughly 60% of trips are work‑related. Staff also reported Metro McAllen holds a 4.3/5 rating on Google and has recorded 31 complaints so far this year (less than 1% of trips).

The presentation reviewed the system’s history — feasibility work in the mid‑1990s, Valley Metro operation beginning in 1997 and the downtown Central Station opening in 2001 — and described recent operational and capital priorities. Staff said they will seek a computer‑aided dispatch/GPS contract to improve on‑time performance at the stop level.

On planning and investments, staff said the city received a $1,000,000 competitive grant to study BRT and transit‑oriented development. "We got $1,000,000 to study both BRT and TOD," the presenter said; consultants will begin outreach across the service area and the study will run roughly 18 months. Separately, staff said the city submitted a $9,000,000 grant request, paired with a $1,000,000 local match, to fund downtown improvements tied to transit; staff expects to know the outcome around June.

Commissioners asked about basic coverage and passenger amenities. Staff said the system serves roughly 400 stops, about 100 of which have shelters, and that 15 additional shelters are planned this fiscal year. The department uses a boardings threshold (about 15 boardings per day) plus right‑of‑way and maintenance considerations to prioritize shelter installation. A commissioner singled out a stop on the west side of Ware Road used by older residents; staff said that location is high priority but may require an easement and coordination with other property owners.

On workforce and service frequency, staff credited a recently authorized compensation study with increasing driver applications and reducing attrition. "We were running about 10 drivers short; right now we’re about 4 or 5," Transit Department staff said, adding that the commission had approved adding drivers to support expanded service. The department said adding buses and drivers is the next step to reduce core route headways from hourly to roughly 20–30 minutes.

Staff reviewed fleet costs and a cost‑management option: "The cost of a new bus right now is $850,000," staff said, and described an alternative of fully rehabilitating existing vehicles for about $320,000 each to extend service life approximately 10 years. Staff also noted FTA authorization to procure high‑water rescue vehicles for emergency response; three vehicles are ready or on order.

Officials discussed microtransit (an on‑demand service used in northwest McAllen) with staff cautioning it is best suited for low‑demand areas. Staff said microtransit can be useful as a pilot or supplement but is not a long‑term replacement for high‑capacity fixed routes because smaller vehicles can increase vehicle miles and maintenance burdens.

Commissioners and staff agreed to continued public outreach tied to the BRT/TOD study, and staff said they will return with required contract authorizations (including concrete work and an advertising proposal to generate local revenue) and further updates on fleet and service changes. The Chair recessed into executive session and then closed the workshop.