H-GAC Transportation Newsletter: September 2019
The latest news from the Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Department!
Transportation Policy Council: August 23
The Transportation Policy Council (TPC) met on August 23 at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). TPC approved proposed amendments to the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan and the 2019-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Houston TranStar Executive Director Dinah Massie presented an update on current activities and initiatives. Houston TranStar has officially rolled out a mobile app, a new Roadway Flood Warning System, and the Tow and Go Program. Due to popular demand of Tow and Go, there has been talk of expanding the service area outside of the Houston city limits.

An update on the Transportation Resiliency and Durability Study was also provided to the council. This is a H-GAC led pilot program that focuses on a having a transportation system that is prepared for any kind of disruption. The study will examine coastal and inland flooding with a three time horizon present day, the year 2030, and the year 2045.

View the archived livestream for more information on the items presented at the August TPC meeting.
Get on Board with the Conroe Connection
The Conroe Commuter Connection ribbon cutting took place August 19 at the Conroe Park & Ride, located at 131 Interstate 45 North in Conroe, TX.

H-GAC joined local officials and city residents in celebration of this new service. Since initiation, ridership continues to increase monthly nearly doubling in trips within the first five months of operation. The bus commutes from the city of Conroe to multiple stops in Downtown Houston, with passengers traveling from as far away as Huntsville! 

We are excited about the success the Conroe Commuter Connection has displayed thus far and look forward to its continued success.
On The Road Lending Gets Clients on the Road to Success 
“We looked around our community and saw people who were stuck—unable to take a good job, buy healthy food, or take their kids to the doctor, all because they lacked one thing—reliable transportation,” said Michelle Corson, founder and CEO of On the Road Lending. “When we sought to understand why, we saw the problem and the solution—affordable loans for reliable cars."
 
On the Road Lending is the nonprofit organization Corson founded in 2013 to help people improve their credit and purchase fuel-efficient, reliable cars with low-interest loans. The effort began in Dallas and has now expanded across Texas and into Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
 
The program uses character-based lending, not credit scores, to evaluate risk and prepare individuals for a vehicle loan. They also work with clients for a few months while they save for a down payment, complete financial education, compile documents for their loan, and work with a coach before selecting a car.
 
Everyone who qualifies for a loan pays the same rate—9.75%. To learn more, visit On the Road Lending's website .
LIVE, Work and Play: Facilitating Housing in Livable Centers
H-GAC’s Livable Centers Program seeks to create places where people can live, work, and play. This workshop will focus on the “live” component—providing a range of housing choices where residents can make many of their daily trips on foot, by bicycle, or transit.
 
Participants will gain insight on how to incorporate housing into planning strategies and learn about the tools available in our region to help promote successful housing development. You’ll also have a chance to join in a conversation with an expert panel to see what it takes to make a housing development “pencil,” as well as answer questions you have about localized housing strategies in your community.
 
Friday, September 20, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons Lane
2nd Floor, Room B/C
Houston, TX 77027
 
Check-in and light refreshments begin at 8:30 A.M. The program begins at 9:00 A.M.
 
Online registration is requested.
Upcoming Meetings
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 
9:30 - 11:00 a.m. 

Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons Lane
2nd Floor, Room B
Houston, TX 77027
Transportation Policy Council (TPC) Meeting

Friday, September 27, 2019
9:30 - 11:00 a.m. 

Houston-Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons Lane
2nd Floor, Room B
Houston, TX 77027