TxDOT Approves Nearly $150M For Statewide Transit
July 18, 2022
GOBUS
East Texas Council of Governments will receive $350,164
On July 12, the Texas Transportation Commission awarded more than $68 million in federal and state funds to transit providers across the state. Combined with an award granted in June, TxDOT is distributing more than $146 million in funding, a 65% increase compared to funds approved in the summer of 2021. This increase is partly due to additional federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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In Atlanta County, the fund includes $89,400 for the Arc-Tex County Council serving Bowie, Cass, Morris, and Titus counties. The East Texas Council of Governments will receive $350,164 serving Camp, Harrison, Marion, Panola, and Upshur counties.
“This funding is important to ensure everyone in Texas, especially those in rural areas, needs to travel safely and reliably,” said TxDOT Transportation Commissioner Alvin New. “Many people across the state rely on these services to meet their basic needs because they have no other choice. We are excited to fund these agencies as they continue to serve the people of Texas."
Transit companies can use these funds to cover maintenance costs, buy new buses, build new facilities, and expand their services to accommodate more people. Here are some concrete examples:
- The Concho Valley Transit District in San Angelo will build a bus storage and internal maintenance facility.
- The Rural Economic Assistance League (REAL), which serves nine counties in South Texas’ Coastal Bend region, will build a multimodal transit facility after doubling its service area in recent years.
- Texoma Area Paratransit System, Inc. (TAPS), which serves six counties near the Oklahoma border, is moving administration and transportation functions from its leased premises to a new facility.
- The Brazos Transit District, which serves seven counties in the Brazos Valley, will expand its service and add fuel vehicles to the site.
TxDOT says state and federal funds support rural and urban transit services in more than 90% of the state’s land area and serve more than a third of the state’s population. Statewide, the money will make transit safer and more reliable.
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The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend. This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams. “This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.” The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders. Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.
The GoBus Service Expansion Pilot Programs are proving to be a major success, helping connect more people to the places they need to go. Launched earlier this year, GoBus added additional routes in several counties and the new GoNOW microtransit service in Palestine, which has already boosted ridership and expanded travel options for residents across the region. ETCOG's Transportation Director, Vince Huerta, shared that the frequency of service from rural areas into nearby cities has increased by an average of 75 percent in the participating counties. In Palestine, the GoNOW microtransit service has grown ridership by 22 percent within its first few months. “These are just a few of the measurable ways Service Expansion funds are directly benefiting our communities,” Huerta said. “Transportation isn’t just about mobility. It’s a lifeline for people to maintain independence, access medical care, secure jobs, and stay connected.” The pilot programs have made immediate impacts in Henderson, Anderson, Cherokee, Camp, Upshur, Harrison, Marion, and Van Zandt counties. Residents now have new or expanded routes into larger cities such as Tyler and Longview, more frequent connections, and local microtransit options. Community surveys and rider requests pointed to a need for more reliable connections to jobs, healthcare, and essential services. The Service Expansion Program is helping close those gaps and strengthen the entire 14-county region. Huerta also recognized the support of TxDOT staff in making the pilot projects a reality. “Our TxDOT Public Transportation Coordinator, Nancy Hoehn, has been an essential part of making these programs successful, and we are grateful for her ongoing commitment and support,” he said. GoBus will continue to monitor ridership, gather community feedback, and review performance to determine next steps. For more information about routes, schedules, and GoBus services, visit www.gobustransit.com or call 903-218-6450 .
Pictured left to right: Baylea Evans, GoBus Strategic Development Manager; David Cleveland, ETCOG Executive Director; Lindsay Vanderbilt, Communications Director; Dylan Cook, Communications Specialist; Katey Pilgram, Associate Director of Transportation The East Texas Council of Governments ' rural transit system, GoBus, is pleased to be a recipient of the South West Transit Association's (SWTA) Annual Spotlight Awards. The awards celebrate the exceptional efforts and contributions of transit agencies and organizations across the region that have significantly impacted their communities. ETCOG received the Hit The Spot: Social Media Award for rural systems for our campaign, “On the GO with GoBus!” produced to promote service availability in the rural areas surrounding Longview for residents of White Oak, Lakeport, Hallsville, and Gladewater. "We are thrilled to win a Spotlight Award for our social media campaign developed to raise awareness of public transportation options available within the Longview Urbanized Zone, but outside the city limits where city bus service is not available. These communities, though part of the urban area, were without access to reliable transit. Through TxDOT funding and a unique partnership between Longview Transit and GoBus, we were able to extend service to these underserved areas. The campaign focused on educating residents about their new access to affordable, reliable transportation options,” said ETCOG's Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt. Our Associate Director of Transportation, Katey Pilgram, joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the SWTA Summer University Conference held July 27-30, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards – reviewed and judged by marketing and communication professionals at transit agencies and private marketing firms – are among the oldest awards recognizing marketing campaigns and projects in the public transportation industry, first awarded in 1990. SWTA's membership covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
