Microtransit service aims to enhance public transportation From the cover
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“Ride the Rio!” service area The transit service covers a 47-square-mile service area throughout New Braunfels.
306
GUADALUPE RIVER
35
HUECO SPRINGS LOOP RD.
The service area encompasses most of the city limits and parts of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction but excludes extensions of city limits that run along Krueger Canyon Road and FM 306. For community members outside of the service area, the Alamo Regional Transit system is still available, according to the city. The regional transit system can enter and exit the service area to pick up or drop o riders, but it cannot complete trips entirely within the zone, New Braunfels Transit Manager Julie Sitton said. The service area map was created after an Alamo Area Metropolitan Plan Organization study, which began in 2019 and was completed in 2021, according to city ocials. The study showed possible strategies to improve public transit in New Braunfels, including xed routes and a microtransit service, said Garry Ford, director of transportation and capital improvements.
1101
46
New Braunfels city limits "Ride the Rio!" service area
WALNUT AVE.
1863
Six vans available to ride within the service area with two on standby Three vans equipped to be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant
337
KRUEGER CANYON RD.
337
LAKE DUNLAP
46
725
35
1044
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SOURCE: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
How we got here
The timeline November 2023 City of New Braunfels endorses hybrid transit plan August 2024 City votes to move forward with “Ride the Rio!” September 2025 City receives an update on operational costs October 2025 City awards contract to Via, a TransitTech company November 2025 City launches “Ride the Rio!” on Nov. 18
“We really don’t have the density to support a xed route, and then the cost of putting that cash capital investment in is substantial,” Ford said. New Braunfels City Council member Toni Carter said she was concerned about cutting o income to local rideshare drivers. However, operating hours ending before bars and restaurants close in the city eased those fears. “Until folks start using it and we really see whether it’s a successful program or not, I’m just in a wait-and-see mode,” Carter said.
In November 2023, the city o cially endorsed the hybrid transit plan. Hybrid transit plans consist of on-demand services like “Ride the Rio!” and xed-route bus services. City o cials decided the rst step in this plan would be to implement the microtransit system. The decision was made as xed routes require a large initial investment, including the purchase of passenger buses and hiring and training sta to operate the eet, which was deemed too cost-pro- hibitive, Ford said.
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