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Saint Cloud Metro Bus FY 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization (APO) is in charge of developing a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is a federally mandated, annually prepared document that contains highway, transit, and other transportation projects for which federal funds are programmed during a four-year period within the metropolitan area.

APO staff is in the process of completing the fiscal years 2027-2030 TIP and is asking for your opinion on these proposed federally-funded projects.

Please note that sometimes a jurisdiction may be awarded federal funds for a specific future year – like 2029 for example – but the jurisdiction may choose to construct the project sooner – in 2027 for example – and then reimburse themselves with the federal funds when they receive them. This is known as Advanced Construction. This survey does not include projects that have already been constructed and are only waiting on federal reimbursement through the Advanced Construction process.

For Saint Cloud Metro Bus, federally-funded projects contained in this survey are broken into two categories: Operation Costs and Capital Improvements. Capital Improvements are further broken down by fiscal year.

Thank you.
OPERATION COSTS
Saint Cloud Metro Bus is proposing budgets for operating assistance and paratransit operations. Please tell us how important these projects are to you and to regional transportation.
1.Metro Bus is proposing the following budgets for operating assistance:

o 2027: $13,052,130 ($1,600,000 in federal funding + $11,452,130 in local funding)

o 2028: $13,704,736 ($1,600,000 in federal funding + $12,104,736 in local funding)

o 2029: $14,389,973 ($1,600,000 in federal funding + $12,789,973 in local funding)

o 2030: $15,109,500 ($1,800,000 in federal funding + $13,309,500 in local funding)
Very Important.
Important.
Somewhat Important.
A Little Important.
Not Important.
No Opinion.
2.Metro Bus is proposing the following budgets for paratransit operations:

o 2027: $6,525,750 in local funding.

o 2028: $6,852,038 in local funding.

o 2029: $7,194,639 in local funding.

o 2030: $7,554,500 in local funding.
Very Important.
Important.
Somewhat Important.
A Little Important.
Not Important.
No Opinion.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
2027
3.Saint Cloud Metro Bus has four projects programmed to receive federal funding during fiscal year 2027. Please tell us how important these projects are to you and to regional transportation.
Very Important.
Important.
Somewhat Important.
A Little Important.
Not Important.
No Opinion.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase maintenance tools and equipment. This type of equipment is used in Metro Bus's shop to assist in the diagnostics or repair of buses or facilities. The estimated project cost is $74,000 with $59,200 coming from federal funding and $14,800 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase office equipment, IT, and communication projects. Examples of previous types of projects include new desks and computer servers. The estimated project cost is $122,000 with $97,600 coming from federal funding and $24,400 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to complete some facility improvements. Examples of this type of project include various building remodels to ensure continued useability of those facilities. The estimated project cost is $210,000 with $168,000 coming from federal funding and $42,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase 13 Class 700 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fixed route buses. The estimated project cost is $9,854,000 with $7,883,200 coming from federal funding and the remaining $1,970,800 coming from local funding sources.
2028
4.Saint Cloud Metro Bus has six projects programmed to receive federal funding and one regionally significant project funded with local dollars during fiscal year 2028. Please tell us how important these projects are to you and to regional transportation.
Very Important.
Important.
Somewhat Important.
A Little Important.
Not Important.
No Opinion.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase maintenance tools and equipment. This type of equipment is used in Metro Bus's shop to assist in the diagnostics or repair of buses or facilities. The estimated project cost is $59,000 with $47,200 coming from federal funding and $11,800 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase three replacement operations vehicles (NOT buses). These vehicles are used internally by Metro Bus staff and can include pick up trucks for maintenance or SUV-type vehicles used by street supervisors to provide in-route support to bus operators. The estimated project cost is $135,000 with $108,000 coming from federal funding and $27,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase office equipment, IT, and communication projects. Examples of previous types of projects include new desks and computer servers. The estimated project cost is $372,000 with $297,600 coming from federal funding and $74,400 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase replacement/new bus shelters. The estimated project cost is $25,000 with $20,000 coming from federal funding and $5,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to complete some facility improvements. Examples of this type of project include various building remodels to ensure continued useability of those facilities. The estimated project cost is $600,000 with $480,000 coming from federal funding and $120,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase one Class 400 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Dial-a-Ride bus. The estimated project cost is $285,000 with all of the funding coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase 10 Class 700 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fixed route buses. The estimated project cost is $7.58 million with $6,064,000 coming from federal funding and $1,516,000 coming from local funding sources.
2029
5.Saint Cloud Metro Bus has three projects programmed to receive federal funding s programmed during fiscal year 2029. Please tell us how important these projects are to you and to regional transportation.
Very Important.
Important.
Somewhat Important.
A Little Important.
Not Important.
No Opinion.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase maintenance tools and equipment. This type of equipment is used in Metro Bus's shop to assist in the diagnostics or repair of buses or facilities. The estimated project cost is $200,000 with $160,000 coming from federal funding and $40,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase office equipment, IT, and communications projects. Examples of previous types of projects include new desks and computer servers. The estimated project cost is $100,000 with $80,000 coming from federal funding and $20,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to complete some facility improvements. Examples of this type of project include various building remodels to ensure continued useability of those facilities. The estimated project cost is $1,445,000 with $1,156,000 coming from federal funding and $289,000 coming from local funding sources.
2030
6.Saint Cloud Metro Bus has three projects programmed to receive federal funding during fiscal year 2030. Please tell us how important these projects are to you and to regional transportation.
Very Important.
Important.
Somewhat Important.
A Little Important.
Not Important.
No Opinion.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase office equipment, IT, and communications projects. Examples of previous types of projects include new desks and computer servers. The estimated project cost is $17,000 with $13,600 coming from federal funding and $3,400 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to do additional facility improvements. Examples of this type of project include various building remodels to ensure continued useability of those facilities. The estimated project cost is $650,000 with $520,000 coming from federal funding and $130,000 coming from local funding sources.
Metro Bus is proposing to purchase maintenance tools and equipment. This type of equipment is used in Metro Bus's shop to assist in the diagnostics or repair of buses or facilities. The estimated project cost is $40,000 with $32,000 coming from federal funding and $8,000 coming from local funding sources.
7.If there was sufficient funding for Metro Bus to add one project to be considered for future federal transportation funding opportunities, what project would you add?
8.In thinking about the variety of ways you use the Saint Cloud region's surface transportation network (driving, walking, biking, transit), overall, how well does the region's transportation network work for you TODAY?
The network is terrible!
The network works OK. Needs improvement.
The network works perfectly!
9.What is one thing about the region's surface transportation network that you hope stays the same over the next FIVE years?
10.How does the current transportation network (roads, bridges, walking/biking infrastructure, transit, etc.) impact your daily life?
11.What do you feel should be done within the next FIVE years to improve your travel experience in the Saint Cloud area?
12.Which of the following issues do you feel needs to be the MAIN focus regarding regional transportation in the Saint Cloud area?
13.Do you have any other thoughts or comments about the draft FY 2027-2030 TIP that you would like us to know?
14.If you would like to be kept informed about the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) or other APO planning activities, please enter your email below. The APO DOES NOT sell or provide your personal information to anyone else, ever.
15.How did you hear about the APO's draft fiscal years 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program outreach efforts?
The following questions are OPTIONAL, but completing them will help us understand if we are reaching all segments of the population.
16.What is your gender?
17.In what city do you reside?
18.What is your age?
19.With what ethnicity do you most identify?
20.How many people live in your household?
21.What was your total household income last year?
22.Do you have a physical disability?
23.Where were you born?
24.What is the primary language spoken in your home?