Transit Data Reporting Study

Cecil County, Maryland’s Department of Community Services is seeking proposals from qualified firms to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at determining the most effective strategies for reporting transit data to maximize funding potential from the Maryland Transit Administration and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through Sections 5307 and 5311 of Title 49 USC Chapter 53. The objective of this study is to adopt more efficient reporting policies related to upcoming funding formula changes adopted by the Maryland Transit Administration for the dissemination of grant funding and optimize current data collection processes to maximize grant funds received.

Section 5307 provides Urbanized Area Formula Program funding to support public transportation systems in urban areas, while Section 5311 offers funding for public transportation in rural and small urban areas through the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Although Cecil County is mostly composed of non-urbanized zones, Cecil Transit serves two distinct Urbanized Areas (UZA), Bel Air and Philadelphia. To date, Cecil Transit’s urbanized funding formula is based on service in the Philadelphia UZA. Both Cecil Transit and Harford Transit in neighboring Harford County, Maryland provide service in the Bel Air UZA. The Bel Air UZA is mostly located in Harford County; however, Perryville in Cecil County is included in the Bel Air UZA. Accurately defining and attributing service to maximize funding allocation is critical for sustaining current service levels and planning future growth.