Transit Planning
The RPCGB reviews, analyzes, and incorporates transit projects into its planning process. The RPCGB also works with transit providers, governments, and human service organizations to connect funding opportunities and service optimization.
Transit (public transportation) benefits the region’s overall travel conditions by helping to reduce single-occupant vehicle (SOV) travel. The main objective of transit is to provide travel options, but it also meets secondary objectives like increased mobility, reduced congestion, and improved air quality.——————————————————————————————————
HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE
In March 2024 the RPCGB adopted the 2024 Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan (HSCTP) . The Plan can be downloaded from the link below. This plan identifies needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties and establishes strategies to meet those needs. The HSCTP guides decision-making regarding the allocation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program funding for projects that increase mobility for individuals who are elderly or disabled.
Previous Plan: 2020 HSCTP
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GRANTs
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) currently is working on the following transit grants:
Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP)
In June 2022, the RPCGB was awarded $495,000 from the FTA to study three transit areas in the City of Birmingham and develop plans to improve transportation options and land use to connect people living in areas of persistent poverty to the city’s bus rapid transit system.
This grant paves the way for increased transit access and equity-focused community outreach. The goal is to empower underserved communities by providing convenient, seamless, and timely transit access, making way for new opportunities and prosperity.
Please visit the project website at https://www.areasofopportunitybhm.com/ for more information.
Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART)
In March 2023 the RPCGB was awarded $1,492,204 from the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grants program to advance smart community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety.
The RPCGB is partnering with the University of Alabama’s Transportation Institute to build a platform for a fully integrated transit mobility system consisting of bus rapid transit, fixed-route transit, on-demand shuttles, and demand response services.
Program of Projects
In accordance with Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) guidelines, a Program of Projects (POP) lists local projects funded from the FTA Section 5307, 5339, and 5310 programs. The POP includes projects for proposed funding, total project costs, and federal share for each project. All projects are programmed into the Birmingham MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
RPCGB FY 2024 Program of Projects for 5310
BJCTA FY 2023 Program of Projects for 5307 and 5339
BJCTA FY 2024 Program of Projects for 5307 and 5339
FTA Section 5310 program
RPCGB is responsible for the administration of FTA Section 5310 funds apportioned for the Birmingham urbanized area. The purpose of 5310 is to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and expanding transportation mobility options. Below is the Program Management Plan that sets forth details for administration of the program. A list of the most recent projects approved for funding under this program can be found in the Program of Projects, above.
Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan
The Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan (HSCTP) identifies needs of individuals who are elderly and disabled, and establishes strategies to meet those needs. The HSCTP guides decision making regarding the allocation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program funding for projects that increase mobility for individuals who are elderly or disabled.
Bus Rapid Transit Project – City of Birmingham
In September 2022, the City of Birmingham began operating a Bus Rapid Transit that connects 25 neighborhoods to opportunities and vital services along its corridor. It also provides access for visitors to explore Birmingham’s historic and cultural locations. The Birmingham Express (BX) has implemented innovative system designs and technologies to improve travel time, lower costs, and enhance service appeal. These objectives are accomplished by:
Dedicated Busway & Alignment
Intersection Treatments (Signal Priority)
Vehicle Design
Platform-Level-Boarding Stations
Off-board Ticketing/Fare Collection
Enhanced Transit Service
Rider Appeal (Branding)
For more information please visit https://maxtransit.org/bx/
Directory of Public Transportation in Alabama
A statewide Directory of Public Transportation was created in 2016 as part of a project for the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities. The directory is organized by county and contains contact information, type of service, hours, starting cost, and whether or not they accept Medicaid. If the line is blank, no public transportation is available in that county. Private for-profit providers are not included.
Download the Provider Directory
Public Transportation Chapter from the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan
Included in this chapter is:
A description of the types of transit services offered in the region (fixed-route, bus rapid transit, demand response, on-demand, microtransit, vanpools and carpools.
A list of federal funding sources.
A transit dependency analyis.
Transit Studies
Listed below are some of the transit studies in which the RPCGB has been involved. These studies incorporated collaboration with local governments, stakeholders, media and the general public.