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<br />The service area of BATP encompasses the City of La Porte and seventeen other municipalities
<br />surrounding the juncture of three countries, including Harris, Galveston and Brazoria Counties. The other
<br />communities include Seabrook, Shore Acres, Taylor Lake Village, Webster, Alvin, Clear Lake Shores, El
<br />Lago, Dickinson, Deer Park, Friendswood, Houston, Kemah, League City, Morgan's Point, Nassau Bay,
<br />Pasadena, and Pearland. The boundary on the north follows the Houston Ship Channel from the Pasadena
<br />city limits east to Galveston Bay, then follows the bay shore line south past La Porte to the area extending
<br />from FM 517. The south boundary continues north along FM 1128 to Beltway 8. The northwest
<br />boundary extends east along Beltway 8 turning north along the Pasadena city limits back to the ship
<br />channel. The service area encompasses 250 square miles, approximately 400,000 residents, 150,000
<br />employees, and 10,000 employers.
<br />In April 2000 BATP will initiate its first connector service, which will connect two major
<br />METRO park -and -ride locations. This service will serve riders to work, tourist attractions, regional
<br />hospitals and health centers, universities and schools, churches, libraries, retail and business centers, and
<br />residential and community facilities. The initial Clear Lake Circulator coverage includes four route
<br />segments of fifteen -passenger transit van service through ten BATP municipalities, including
<br />Friendswood, Webster, Houston, Nassau Bay, Taylor Lake Village, Pasadena, E1 Lago, Seabrook,
<br />Kemah, and Clear Lake Shores. Service will operate seven days a week from 6:30 a.m, to 11:30 p.m. on
<br />weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Fares are one dollar per rider per one-way trip.
<br />BATP plans to continue expanding transit services throughout the BATP region and growing
<br />services to include important demand response transit for the communities' elderly, handicapped and
<br />individuals dependent on transit services. The current service is being operated through a $700,000 grant
<br />of federal funds, which was awarded by H-GAC for the first year of operation, with optional extension for
<br />additional years and ultimate growth throughout the BATP region. Provision of service in La Porte will
<br />be on a competitive request for grant funds through H-GAC. The BATP intends to expand service to La
<br />Porte and other communities in their service area as funding allows. Projects that are in the development
<br />phase include a vanpool program, guaranteed ride home, public outreach and education and a number of
<br />other transportation related projects. The City of La Porte can facilitate this process by assisting the
<br />BATP in identifying service opportunities and soliciting public support and ridership.
<br />9.2
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