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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Connecting East Texas 2026: A Regional Coordinated Transportation Plan

By GoBus • January 21, 2026
Improving mobility is an ongoing objective for persons living, working, or visiting the East Texas region. As the lead agency for our region, the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a consultant team to prepare an update of the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan for Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. The 2026 Plan seeks to identify practical strategies for improving the day-to-day mobility of all residents of the region, but especially older adults, persons with disabilities, low-income individuals, zero-car households, area youth, persons with limited English proficiency, veterans, clients of workforce agencies, and employment/job seekers. It will include a variety of public participation opportunities including a bilingual (Spanish/English) project webpage, community survey, and focus groups with members of the target populations listed above. We will also conduct surveys of stakeholders and transportation providers to gain additional insight into the transportation needs and resources available to the region. While public transportation plays a significant role in regional mobility, it is far from the only transportation provider. As such, we will be reaching out to many organizations that provide transportation services or support for transportation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mobility resources available within East Texas communities. All residents are encouraged to take the community survey by clicking here . If you are interested in participating in a focus group, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know at the end of the survey. If you are an organization that serves any of the target populations listed above, have not received a stakeholder survey, and would like to complete a stakeholder survey and/or receive materials to distribute to those you serve, click here to send us your request . Make sure you include your email address so we can respond. 
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Free Holiday Transit Service Returns to Palestine

By GoBus • November 6, 2025
ETCOG is pleased to announce the return of Palestine’s Seasonal Transit Service, operated by GoBus and partially funded by Visit Palestine. This free evening and weekend shuttle will run from November 14 through December 28, helping residents and visitors enjoy holiday festivities across the city, including trips to the Texas State Railroad. Whether you're heading to a local event, staying at one of the area’s hotels, or exploring downtown, GoBus makes it easy to get around. The flex route service includes scheduled stops at all major hotels and downtown destinations, and can also stop at other locations along the route upon request. Each shuttle is handicap accessible and operated by highly trained ETCOG drivers, ensuring a safe and comfortable ride for all passengers. This seasonal service is designed to support community engagement and tourism during the holidays, making it easier for everyone to participate in Palestine’s festive offerings. To learn more about the route or view the schedule, visit www.gobustransit.com/palestine-seasonal-service.
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Join Us for a Grand Opening Ceremony for our New GoBus Maintenance Facility!

By GoBus • October 2, 2025
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.

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