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SAN MARCOS TRANSIT PLAN I FINALREPORT <br />City of San Marcos <br />Overview <br />This section covers the analysis performed on the San Marcos paratransit system. It is important <br />to note that all analyses that were performed relied on data obtained prior to the COVID-19 <br />pandemic. No adjustments to account for the pandemic were made and as such, the analyses <br />presented in this chapter can be considered a conservative estimate. <br />Currently, the San Marcos paratransit service area encompassesthe San Marcos citylimits plus a <br />3/4 mile buffer aroundthe city's fixed route network. Thisdefinitionis more generous than the <br />minimum 3/4 mile buffer around the fixed route established by the Americans with Disabilities <br />Act. In addition to a more generous paratransit service area, San Marcos also allows persons age <br />65 and oldertousetheparatransit service, regardless of whether theyhave a qualifying disability. <br />University fixed -route transportation systems such as the Bobcat Shuttle are classified as <br />"commuter bus" service per Section 37.253 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and therefore, <br />does not require the provision of complementary paratransit. While Texas State Universitymay <br />be exempted now, the matterwill require additional research and discussion when the University <br />pursues FTAgrantee status. <br />Paratransit Scenarios <br />This analysis focuses on quantifying the impact on ridership and operations & maintenance <br />(O&M) costs thatwould result from implementing each of two scenarios to complementthe <br />proposed fixed -route network, describedbelow. In both scenarios, seniors aged 65 and older <br />would continue to have access to paratransit service. In addition, both scenarios assume that San <br />Marcos discontinues on -board fare collection for p aratransit trips, to align with the proposed <br />systemwide elimination of on -board fares. <br />■ Paratransit Scenario 1 analyzes the impact of changing the paratransit policyto only <br />serve tripswithin 3/4 mile of the proposed fixed route network. Thiswould remove areas <br />that are within San Marcos city limits from the paratransit service area. <br />■ Paratransit Scenario 2 assumes that the existing paratransit policy remains in place, <br />with the service areaboundary adjustedto include areas outside of city limitsthat are <br />within a 3/4 mile buffer of the proposed fixed route network.A small areathat is outside of <br />city limits butwithin 3/4 mile of the existing fixed-routenetworkwouldlose service, <br />however no tripswere generated from this area in FY 2019. <br />3 https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil- rights- ada/part-37-transportation-services-individuals- <br />disabilities#sec.37.25 <br />Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. 14-3 <br />