CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad City Council on Jan. 10 approved a $1.3 million contract with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to improve public transportation throughout the city of Carlsbad, said Joshua. Moore’s Transit Director has released a memorandum to city councilors. Carlsbad.
Most of the $750,000 in funds can be used to cover the operating costs of transportation services, according to city of Carlsbad documents.
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Replacing buses, acquiring eight bus shelters with benches, installing 19 bus shelters and installing mechanic lifts in the transport depot are part of the operating costs, Moore said in the memorandum.
According to transportation data, this improvement will increase passenger numbers for the city’s public dial-a-ride door-to-door service, or demand-response and fixed-route services (bus rides on consistent routes and schedules). increased from 2021 to 2022.
In 2021, there were 4,062 fixed-route service users. That usage will increase to 6,990 he in 2022. Demand users in 2021 will be 11,334, increasing to 15,789 in 2022.
Data from the City of Carlsbad shows that from 2021 to 2022, the number of riding hours increased, and the distance traveled increased in the same timeframe.
NMDOT noted that rural bus transportation in New Mexico communities accounted for more than 556,000 trips in 2021, saving 3.7 million vehicle miles and more than 180,000 gallons of gasoline consumption.
Carlsbad is one of 13 rural communities with a fixed route system in New Mexico. According to NMDOT, 17 rural communities in New Mexico have demand response systems.
According to NMDOT, there will be 5.5 million public transit trips in New Mexico in 2021. The buses have also reduced mileage by 39 million miles and reduced gasoline consumption by 1.9 million gallons.
Established in 1996, the Carlsbad Municipal Transit System was responsible for public transit within the city limits of the city of Carlsbad and portions of Eddy County near the city. See transportation system website.
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Highlighted the inner workings of the NMDOT-City of Carlsbad Agreement
The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) provided funding from its Formula Grants Program for Rural Areas, according to the FTA’s website.
According to the FTA’s website, the Rural Areas program provides capital, planning and operational assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations of less than 50,000.
New Mexico participates in federal programs, the governor designates NMDOT to manage funds, and reads agreements between NMDOT and the city of Carlsbad.
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You can contact Mike Smith at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com. @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
