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Unmet Needs Processes and Recommendation - Deputy Director Riske-Gomez
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 01-2026 Unmet Transit Needs Finding, "There Are Unmet Transit Needs, Including Needs That Are Reasonable to Meet."
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Financial Impact:
Adoption of this finding may impact the availability of Local Transportation Fund (LTF) revenues for allocation to local street and road purposes.
Pursuant to Public Utilities Code §99401.5, the Commission must first determine whether unmet transit needs exist, and whether any such needs are reasonable to meet, prior to allocating LTF revenues to non-transit purposes.
If unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet are identified, LTF revenues must be allocated to address those needs before authorizing transfers to road funds.
Background Information:
The Transportation Development Act (TDA) requires each transportation planning agency to conduct an annual Unmet Transit Needs (UTN) process.
Before LTF funds may be allocated for non-transit purposes, the Commission must adopt one of the following findings pursuant to Public Utilities Code §99401.5:
1. There are no unmet transit needs;
2. There are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet; or
3. There are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to meet.
The Commission has previously adopted definitions of “Unmet Transit Needs” and “Reasonable to Meet” (August 27, 2013). These definitions establish the evaluation criteria used during the annual review process.
The Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC), as required under TDA statute, met on October 2, 2025 to begin review of potential unmet transit needs.
Public input was solicited and received through:
• Direct email correspondence
• Public surveys
• Testimony at the January 26, 2026 joint TCTC/TCTAB public hearing
On February 5, 2026, the SSTAC reviewed all submitted comments and compared them against the Commission’s adopted definitions of “Unmet Transit Needs” and “Reasonable to Meet.”
In evaluating comments received, the SSTAC and staff applied the Commission’s adopted criteria, which include consideration of:
• Whether the request meets the adopted definition of an unmet transit need
• Financial feasibility within projected LTF revenues
• Ability to meet required farebox recovery standards
• Consistency with adopted transit planning documents (e.g., RTP, SRTP)
• Demonstrated community support
• Operational feasibility and implementation constraints
Each request was categorized and evaluated against these criteria prior to the SSTAC’s recommendation.
After review of all comments and application of the adopted evaluation criteria, the SSTAC recommends that the Commission adopt:
Finding iii: There are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to meet.
If the Commission adopts this finding, staff will:
• Conduct further operational and financial analysis of the identified needs
• Develop service options and cost estimates
• Identify potential funding strategies
• Return to the Commission with implementation recommendations prior to FY 2026/27 LTF allocation decisions
This process ensures compliance with TDA requirements while maintaining fiscal transparency regarding the potential impact to LTF transfers to local street and road programs.
25/26 UNMET NEEDS
If comment does not meet the definition of unmet transit need, no further review is needed.
If comment is an unmet need, ask if it is a reasonable need to meet.
Or refer comment to staff for cost analysis.
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Public Comment for Review |
Does it meet definition of Unmet Transit Need (Yes, No) |
Is need reasonable to meet? Yes, No, Refer to staff for cost analysis |
Recommended Action From Executive Director |
|
Service to the PATH Shelter |
No |
Reasonable to meet |
Already completed in 2025 |
|
Sunday Service |
Yes |
Unreasonable to meet at this time |
Cost prohibitive |
|
Earlier morning services in Corning |
Yes |
Reasonable to meet |
Referred to staff for cost analysis |
|
Later services |
Yes |
Reasonable to meet |
Referred to staff for cost analysis |
|
Split route 1 & 2 |
Yes |
Reasonable to meet |
Referred to staff for cost analysis |
|
More benches in Corning |
No |
Minor Operational Improvement |
Already part of service provided |
|
Wheelchair lift for ParaTRAX |
No |
Minor Operational Improvement |
Already part of service provided |