Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An inventory of public and human service transportation providers
Demographic and geographic analyses of the region
Identification of transportation needs and service gaps
Public and stakeholder engagement summaries
Regional goals, strategies, and priority projects
Local transit providers (e.g., METRO, Fort Bend Transit, Brazos Transit District, The Woodlands Express, and others)
City and county governments
Human service agencies and nonprofit organizations
Riders, residents, and advocacy groups representing transportation-disadvantaged populations
The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) – establishes long-term transportation goals and vision.
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – identifies short-term, fundable transportation projects.
Findings and recommendations from the RPTCP directly inform these plans by identifying coordination priorities and funding needs.July 2025: Project kickoff and work plan finalized
Fall 2025: Data collection and provider inventory
January 2026: Interim Plan due (Chapters 1–5)
Spring–Summer 2026: Public workshops and feedback
October 2026: Final Plan submitted to TxDOT
What is the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan (RPTCP)?
The RPTCP is a five-year strategic plan developed to improve coordination among public transportation and human service transportation providers across the Gulf Coast region. The plan identifies mobility needs, service gaps, and opportunities to make transportation more efficient and accessible—especially for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income residents.
Who develops the RPTCP?
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) serves as the lead coordination agency for TxDOT Planning Region 14, which includes 13 counties in the Gulf Coast region. H-GAC works closely with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), local transit agencies, human service providers, and community stakeholders to develop the plan.
Why is this plan important?
The RPTCP helps ensure that transportation services are coordinated, inclusive, and effective. It supports regional goals to improve access to jobs, healthcare, education, and community services. It also serves as a required document to qualify for certain federal and state funding programs such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program.
How often is the RPTCP updated?
TxDOT requires every region in Texas to update their coordination plan every five years. The 2027–2031 RPTCP will replace the 2022–2026 version currently in place.
What does the RPTCP include?
The plan includes:
What counties are included in the Houston Gulf Coast Region’s Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan?
The region covered by this plan is a 13-county area centered around Harris County. It includes the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton — and all cities and municipalities within those counties.
Who participates in the planning process?
The process includes participation from:
How can the public get involved?
Public input is critical to shaping the plan. H-GAC will host regional workshops, focus groups, and online surveys throughout the planning process. Residents can share experiences, identify transportation challenges, and recommend solutions.
Opportunities to participate will be announced through H-GAC’s website, EngagementHQ page, and social media.
How does the RPTCP relate to other regional transportation plans?
The RPTCP complements two key regional planning documents:
How will the plan improve transportation in my community?
The RPTCP identifies strategies and projects that improve connectivity, accessibility, and coordination between transit providers. This could include new or expanded services, better trip planning tools, improved scheduling, shared resources, and coordinated funding opportunities—all aimed at making it easier for residents to get where they need to go.
What is the timeline for developing the RPTCP 2027–2031?