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TAPS tells Grayson County court it is planning a five-year regional transit strategy, highlights 24,199 local trips in FY 2025
Summary
Texoma Area Para Transit Systems told the Grayson County Commissioners Court it is developing a five-year coordinated transportation plan to prioritize federal funding for seniors, people with disabilities and veterans and to study fixed-route service for Sherman–Denison; TAPS reported 24,199 Grayson County trips in FY 2025 and outlined outreach and next steps.
Shelly White, general manager of Texoma Area Para Transit Systems (TAPS), told the Grayson County Commissioners Court on Dec. 16 that TAPS and consultant KFH Group are developing a five-year, regionally coordinated public-transit and human-services transportation plan covering Grayson and neighboring counties.
White said the plan’s goals include prioritizing federal funding for older adults, people with disabilities and veterans and producing a comprehensive needs assessment, stakeholder workshops, technical memoranda and an interim and final plan for the region. "I'm Shelly White with TAPS Public Transportation. I'm the general manager," White said as she introduced the project and the outreach campaign.
Bennett of KFH Group described the study as essential to making the region eligible for and competitive for federal human-service transportation funds, saying the plan “helps dedicate funding for transportation services for elderly, people with disabilities, and veterans.” White emphasized public engagement tools including a survey (accessible by QR code), outreach at senior centers and congregate meal sites, and meetings with chambers and business leaders.
Commissioners asked about the practical impact of moving from demand-response service to fixed routes in the Sherman–Denison urban area. When asked whether fixed routes currently operate in the Sherman–Denison area, a TAPS representative replied, “We do not.” White and the consultant said the fixed-route study will examine whether regular routes can be introduced and whether switching some demand-response service to fixed routes could increase capacity without materially raising costs.
White also addressed rural service limits and alternatives: demand-response trips require 24-hour advance notice, and trips are sometimes denied when vehicles are already deployed; in those cases TAPS’ mobility management staff may coordinate alternatives such as ride-hail services, volunteer or faith-based providers, or other human-service transportation programs.
White provided service volume context: "In FY '25, we completed 24,199 trips in just Grayson County," she said, noting TAPS serves six counties in the region and conducts group and senior-center outings in addition to regular demand-response service.
Next steps, White said, include additional focus groups, a technical memorandum on engagement findings, stakeholder workshops to develop goals and strategies, and a draft and final plan to follow in early 2026. The presentation drew no formal vote; commissioners expressed support for further study and outreach.
