<h2 style="margin-left:0in;" data-pasted="true">1. Decision Requested</h2><p style="margin-left:0in;">Staff is requesting that the City Council adopt a resolution to end the City subsidized transportation program currently provided through Real Time Transport once the current approved funding has been exhausted, which is estimated to occur by the end of July 2026.</p><p style="margin-left:0in;">The decision before Council is whether to formally confirm prior Council direction to discontinue the subsidy at the conclusion of the current funding cycle and direct staff to complete an orderly closeout of the program.</p><h2 style="margin-left:0in;">2. Executive Summary</h2><p style="margin-left:0in;">This item is before the City Council because the City currently subsidizes transportation services for eligible Richland Hills residents through Real Time Transport. The service has helped residents access transportation for personal needs, medical appointments, essential shopping, employment, and other trips throughout the metroplex. However, Council has provided direction that the City should end the subsidy once the current funding is used.</p><p style="margin-left:0in;">The current funding is estimated to be exhausted by the end of July 2026. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution so the City has a clear public record, provides adequate notice to residents, avoids creating an unfunded service expectation, and allows staff to close out the program in a transparent and orderly manner.</p><p style="margin-left:0in;">If approved, staff will notify Real Time Transport, notify registered users, update the City website and resident communications, stop accepting new subsidized trips after the funding is exhausted, and return to Council if any final budget or contract closeout action is needed.</p><h2 style="margin-left:0in;">3. Background</h2><p style="margin-left:0in;">Richland Hills has a long history with public and subsidized transportation services. The City previously participated in the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, now known as Trinity Metro, after voters joined the system in 1992. In November 2016, Richland Hills voters elected to withdraw from FWTA service. Following that withdrawal, the City maintained a more limited local transportation option through a third-party provider for eligible residents.</p><p style="margin-left:0in;">The City’s current public transportation information states that Richland Hills uses a third-party transportation provider for residential transportation services and that residents must register and be approved before making reservations. The published guidelines describe eligible riders, fares, hours of operation, scheduling requirements, and service rules.</p><div style="margin-left:0in;"><ul style="list-style-type: disc;margin-left: -0.25in;"><li style="margin-left:0in;">In 2015, prior Council action included calling a referendum related to the City’s membership in The T/FWTA.</li><li style="margin-left:0in

Bastiat Liberty & Property Rights Analysis

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.2/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.