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economic data projections, and coordinate with FDOT and a number of public agencies. On June 13, 2018, the consultants presented the Draft TDP to the MPO. That document included an assessment of transit demand and transit ridership/mobility needs; the results of a ridership survey; a summary of public involvement activities completed to date; and a preliminary list of transit alternatives. Since June, the consultants have engaged in a number of other activities, including completing a transit Level of Service Assessment; completing a ten year capital and operating needs plan; and calibrating the TBEST transit model for Indian River County. The consultants also developed a list of preliminary alternatives with an emphasis on cost containment and escalating demand for ADA paratransit services. Using those inputs, the consultants developed the Draft Final TDP, which was endorsed by the -MPO on September 12, 2018. ANALYSIS Since the inception of Indian River County's fixed -route transit system, the total number of annual passenger trips provided by the system has grown substantially and now exceeds 1,300,000 trips/year. A major reason for the increase in ridership has been the addition of new routes and service improvements identified in previous Transit Development Plans. According to the consultant, transit service in Indian River County is provided in an efficient manner when compared to a peer group of similar transit agencies. As a result of implementing the initiatives reflected in the 1998 TDP Major Update, the existing route structure has proven highly successful. Because of that and because of the constraints on local funding in recent years, the consultant has proposed maintaining the existing route structure with only minor changes to existing routes. Those changes include eliminating the midday service period on routes 11, which has very low ridership and changing the western segment of Route 13 (SR 60 Corridor) to a "flex" route where ADA clients can hail the bus for on -demand service in lieu of door- to-door service. Other service changes aimed at cost containment include conducting more frequent and more thorough ADA eligibility screenings and taking ADA clients to nearby transit hubs where they can safely access the fixed route system. Proposed future improvements include operational improvements such as extending weekend operating hours and adding Sunday service. In Indian River County, the MPO is the agency responsible for transportation planning and is therefore also the agency responsible for development of the County's TDP. According to state guidelines, however, the Board of County Commissioners, as the designated recipient of transit operating and capital funding in Indian River County, must also approve the TDP. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Transit Development Plan. ATTACHMENTS 1. Transit Development Plan — Major Update Draft Final Report C:\Users\lcgistar\AppData\Loca]\Temp\BCL Technologies\easyPDF 8\@BCL@1CODC7B8\@BCL@1CODC7B8.docx 77