Staff recommends City Council adopt the 2026 Billings Area Public Transportation Coordination Plan as recommended by the Human Services Transportation Coordination group.

MET Transit is seeking adoption of the 2026 Human Services Public Transportation Coordination Plan to support ongoing coordinated service efforts in support of seniors, individuals with disabilities and low income populations; further, adoption of this plan supports MET Transit's compliance with State and Federal requirements governing the use of Section 5310 Federal Transit Administration Funds. While MET does not intend to apply for Section 5310 urban funds available in support of the 2026 plan due to all paratransit vehicles currently within usable life or already programmed for replacement, adoption of the plan by the lead agency board is a requirement of the program for the urbanized area. Further, this program also supports the allocation of State of Montana TransADE funds to MET Transit in support of public transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities. 

In accordance with 49 USC 5310 requirements, urbanized areas are required to develop and regularly update a Human Services Public Transportation Coordination Plan in order to apply for and utilize Section 5310 Federal Transit Administration funding provided in support of transportation for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income populations; these funds are allocated annually to each urbanized area but are currently managed and awarded by the State of Montana. The State has designated the City of Billings MET Transit Division as the "lead agency" for the Billings Urban Area; this requires MET Transit to annually submit updated coordination and capital recommendations in the form of a coordination plan supporting funding and awards for both MET Transit and area agencies providing transportation. In previous years, the State accepted the recommendation of projects by the Coordination group as well as approved programming of recommended projects in the local Transportation Improvement Plan for grant application; however, with recent procedural changes, the State now requires the governing board of each agency as well as the transit system "lead-agency" board to adopt the area Public Transportation Coordination Plan prior to application and award of recommended projects. The plan, as recommended by the Coordination group is attached; this group meets in publicly advertised meetings to discuss ongoing transportation challenges and potential solutions in the Billings Urban Area as well as prioritize requested or recommended capital projects supported by 5310 funding.  This program and related funding has historically been utilized to purchase MET Transit paratransit vehicles, vehicles for partner agencies, and updates to bus stop infrastructure. Total section 5310 funding available to the Billings urbanized area for the 2026 period is $255,661, which requires a 20% local match. MET Transit was recently in receipt of an awarded section 5339(B) competitive grant to purchase eight (8) replacement paratransit vehicles, so MET has no need for replacement vehicles at this time; further, MET currently has additional federal funds marked for bus stop improvements and so recommended supporting area agency needs for vehicles as this year's priority, as indicated in the attached plan:

• Priority #1 - COR Enterprises: award of federal funds to purchase an ADA-accessible and non/ADA vehicles for client transport.
• Remaining urban 5310 funds will be carried forward for next year's capital application process to support future projects.

Further, the State of Montana application process now groups the annual 5310 fund application with the annual TransADE fund applications, requiring attachment of the adopted Coordination Plan for both programs. As indicated in the plan, this funding is utilized  within MET-Plus paratransit operations to provide services beyond minimum ADA requirements, including providing "time and space" anywhere within City limits rides to paratransit eligible individuals. Without this funding, MET's ability to provide paratransit rides anywhere within City limits would be compromised. 

The anticipated allocation of TransADE funding from the State of Montana to Billings MET Transit totals $214,665. 

The City of Billings, the State of Montana, the Federal Transit Administration, and local area agencies providing human services related transportation for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income populations.

City Council may:

• Approve the adoption of the 2026 Billings Area Public Transportation Coordination Plan as recommended ; or,
• Not Approve the adoption of the 2026 Billings Area Public Transportation Coordination Plan, potentially jeopardizing receipt of Federal Transit Administration 5310 funds and TransADE operational funds, and recommend to staff how to proceed.