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About the Study
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), in partnership with local transit providers and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is conducting the Regional Transit Information Study (RTIS) to improve how transit information is shared and accessed across the Gulf Coast region.
Building on the findings of the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan (RPTCP), the RTIS aims to reduce information barriers that limit transit use by helping riders better understand what services are available and how to access them. The study will assess current information tools, identify traveler needs, and develop strategies for more coordinated and user-friendly communication among regional transit agencies.
Through this effort, H-GAC and its partners will:
Evaluate existing transit information systems and identify best practices across local and national agencies.
Develop an evaluation rubric and a regional guide to improve information-sharing and customer communication.
Explore innovative solutions such as trip planning tools, real-time service updates, integrated fare systems, and unified “one-stop” information platforms.
Ultimately, the RTIS will help make public transportation information across the 13-county Gulf Coast region more accessible, reliable, and seamless for all users.
Why This Matters
Many riders struggle to find consistent, easy-to-use information about bus routes, paratransit, microtransit, and regional connections.
Better information will help people make smarter, faster travel decisions — especially seniors, people with disabilities, and new riders.
The study will identify strategies for regional coordination so riders can get reliable trip information no matter where they travel in the Gulf Coast region.
🕒Project Timeline
Status
Task / Activity
Details & Notes
✅ Completed
Project Management Plan (PMP)
Updated and ongoing
Task 2.1 – Literature Review
Completed (Memo, June 2025)
Task 2.2 – Traveler Information Needs Report
Draft completed (March 2025); update planned after engagement
Task 3.1 – Evaluation Rubric
Completed (Memo, June 2025)
Task 4.1 – Selection of Peer Agencies
Memo provided; additional case studies in progress
🔄 In Progress
Task 5 – Public & Stakeholder Involvement
Public Involvement Plan drafted; committees (10 transit agencies + 15 stakeholders) identified; interview scheduling and outreach underway (September 2025)
📌 Upcoming
Sept–Nov 2025
Transit agency interviews and focus groups (8 weeks)
Oct–Nov 2025
Steering & Stakeholder Committee kickoff meetings
Dec 2025– Jan 2026
Targeted follow-up and rider shadowing
Dec 2025– Jan 2026
Recommendations development
Spring 2026 (Feb–Mar)
Public workshops to present and refine draft recommendations
Feb–Mar 2026
Draft Final Report + Best Practices Guide
May 2026
Project closeout (contract extended)
Last updated: October 2025
About the Study
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), in partnership with local transit providers and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is conducting the Regional Transit Information Study (RTIS) to improve how transit information is shared and accessed across the Gulf Coast region.
Building on the findings of the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan (RPTCP), the RTIS aims to reduce information barriers that limit transit use by helping riders better understand what services are available and how to access them. The study will assess current information tools, identify traveler needs, and develop strategies for more coordinated and user-friendly communication among regional transit agencies.
Through this effort, H-GAC and its partners will:
Evaluate existing transit information systems and identify best practices across local and national agencies.
Develop an evaluation rubric and a regional guide to improve information-sharing and customer communication.
Explore innovative solutions such as trip planning tools, real-time service updates, integrated fare systems, and unified “one-stop” information platforms.
Ultimately, the RTIS will help make public transportation information across the 13-county Gulf Coast region more accessible, reliable, and seamless for all users.
Why This Matters
Many riders struggle to find consistent, easy-to-use information about bus routes, paratransit, microtransit, and regional connections.
Better information will help people make smarter, faster travel decisions — especially seniors, people with disabilities, and new riders.
The study will identify strategies for regional coordination so riders can get reliable trip information no matter where they travel in the Gulf Coast region.
🕒Project Timeline
Status
Task / Activity
Details & Notes
✅ Completed
Project Management Plan (PMP)
Updated and ongoing
Task 2.1 – Literature Review
Completed (Memo, June 2025)
Task 2.2 – Traveler Information Needs Report
Draft completed (March 2025); update planned after engagement
Task 3.1 – Evaluation Rubric
Completed (Memo, June 2025)
Task 4.1 – Selection of Peer Agencies
Memo provided; additional case studies in progress
🔄 In Progress
Task 5 – Public & Stakeholder Involvement
Public Involvement Plan drafted; committees (10 transit agencies + 15 stakeholders) identified; interview scheduling and outreach underway (September 2025)
📌 Upcoming
Sept–Nov 2025
Transit agency interviews and focus groups (8 weeks)
Oct–Nov 2025
Steering & Stakeholder Committee kickoff meetings
Dec 2025– Jan 2026
Targeted follow-up and rider shadowing
Dec 2025– Jan 2026
Recommendations development
Spring 2026 (Feb–Mar)
Public workshops to present and refine draft recommendations
