TxDOT asks for feedback on new state transit plan, explains impact on East Texans – KTRE

Report on the Texas Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has released a Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan, a 25-year strategic outline designed to enhance public transportation accessibility, particularly in rural regions such as Deep East Texas. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aiming to create inclusive, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure. TxDOT is currently soliciting community feedback to ensure the plan effectively addresses local needs.

Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The core objective of the plan is to improve access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems, a key target of SDG 11. In rural areas, where walking is often not a safe or viable option for long distances, public transportation is critical. Tim Monzingo, Public Information Officer for the TxDOT Lufkin District, emphasized that the plan addresses a critical safety and accessibility need for residents traveling between towns for essential services.

Proposed infrastructure developments to achieve this goal include:

• Expansion of bus services
• Introduction of passenger rail services
• Development of ferry systems
• Creation of integrated transportation hubs

Contribution to Social Equity and Well-being (SDG 3 & SDG 10)

Accessible public transit is a fundamental component in reducing inequalities (SDG 10) and ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3). Diamond Pinkney, Office Manager for the Brazos Transit District, confirmed that residents rely on these services for critical life activities. The plan aims to expand this vital lifeline to more communities.

Key services enabled by public transit include:

1. Access to healthcare facilities for medical appointments, directly supporting SDG 3.
2. Transportation for grocery shopping, ensuring access to food and essential goods.
3. Commuting to and from educational institutions, promoting access to learning opportunities.

By providing these services, the plan helps ensure that rural populations have equitable access to the same opportunities and essential services as those in metropolitan areas.

Fostering Infrastructure and Economic Growth (SDG 9 & SDG 8)

The plan’s focus on building new infrastructure is a direct investment in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By developing a more robust and interconnected public transit network, TxDOT is creating resilient infrastructure that can support long-term community needs and a growing state population. This, in turn, promotes SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enabling residents to reliably commute to places of employment, thereby participating more fully in the economy.

Public Consultation and Next Steps

TxDOT has opened a public feedback period to incorporate community input into the final plan. This participatory approach is crucial for ensuring the project’s success and its alignment with the specific needs of East Texans. Stakeholders and residents are encouraged to provide their feedback before the November 20 deadline.

Methods for participation include:

• Completing the official online survey
• Submitting feedback via email
• Contacting TxDOT directly

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article connects accessible transportation directly to health outcomes. It mentions that residents use public transit to get to “doctor’s appointments,” highlighting that a lack of transportation is a barrier to accessing essential healthcare services. Improving public transit, therefore, contributes to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The core of the article is about TxDOT’s “Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan,” which aims to “build more infrastructure like ferries, bus services, passenger rail services, and to provide more transportation hubs.” This directly addresses the goal of developing quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support human well-being and provide equitable access for all.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article focuses on making transportation systems more inclusive, safe, and accessible, particularly in “rural areas like Deep East Texas.” It discusses the need for safe alternatives to walking on highways and providing services that allow community members to access groceries and classes. This aligns with the goal of providing access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

• The article supports this target by illustrating how public transportation is a critical enabler for accessing “quality essential health-care services.” The specific example of people needing transit to get to “doctor’s appointment” shows that the proposed transit plan is essential for residents to achieve health coverage in practice.

Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

• TxDOT’s plan to build “ferries, bus services, passenger rail services, and to provide more transportation hubs” is a direct effort to develop the transportation infrastructure mentioned in this target. The focus on “rural areas” and improving accessibility for the community underscores the commitment to “equitable access for all.”

Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations…

• This target is central to the article. The entire initiative is about expanding public transport (“accessible transportation”) to serve communities better. The article explicitly mentions safety concerns, stating that walking is “not always a safe option” and that people shouldn’t be “walking down Highway 59.” This directly relates to the target’s aim of improving road safety by expanding public transit.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Implied Indicators for Target 3.8

• Access to Healthcare Facilities: While not a formal indicator, the article implies that a measure of success would be the ability of residents to reach healthcare services. Progress could be measured by tracking the number or percentage of residents in rural areas who can now access doctor’s appointments and other health services via the new public transit options.

Implied Indicators for Target 9.1

• Development of New Infrastructure: The article states the plan is meant to “build more infrastructure.” Progress can be directly measured by the number of new bus services, passenger rail services, ferries, and transportation hubs that are established as a result of the plan.
• Service Coverage in Rural Areas: The focus on “rural areas like Deep East Texas” implies an indicator related to the proportion of the rural population that gains access to public transportation services.

Implied Indicators for Target 11.2

• Ridership and Community Use: The article mentions that increased services would be better for “the community and the ridership.” An increase in the number of people using public transit for daily needs like “doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and to get to and from classes” would be a key indicator of success.
• Proportion of Population with Access to Public Transport: The goal of the plan is to improve accessibility. A direct way to measure this would be to calculate the proportion of the population in East Texas living within a convenient distance of a public transport stop or service, both before and after the plan’s implementation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ktre.com