Key West Transit Development Plan FY2025-2034

5.1 Situation Appraisal

of Federal funding than typical formula allocations. This facilitates leveraging of State of Florida Public Transit Block Grant program funding from FDOT, in addition to local tax revenue or assessments approved and utilized by the City for transit purposes. KWT also receives support from various local sources, such as gas taxes, advertising income, and parking fees. Another viable local funding option worth exploring is the utilization of the hotel bed tax to enhance transit services. This initiative could help KWT upgrade the existing transit system to a standard that may entice more visitors and hotel patrons to utilize the service instead of rental cars or hotel-provided transportation. By offering improved transit options and collaborating with KWT, hotels may transition away from providing transportation services, thereby relying on KWT to meet their guests' transportation needs. 5.1.6 Transit-Friendly Land Use & Urban Design Efforts In Key West, transit services work well because of the moderately dense and diverse surrounding land uses. Recently, in 2023, the city completed a Mobility Study, and in 2017, the "Car-Free Key West" initiative was launched. These local initiatives focus on multimodal and transit-friendly land use to improve mobility planning, particularly benefiting public transportation. The Car-Free Key West initiative encourages active transportation such as walking, biking, and public transit instead of relying solely on cars. It involves transit-friendly land use planning, strategically locating amenities near transit stops, and promoting walking and cycling through urban design features like wider sidewalks and bike lanes. Emphasizing Transit Oriented Development (TOD), the initiative aims to create mixed-use areas around transit hubs, reducing reliance on cars. Additionally, green urban design strategies, like incorporating green spaces and permeable pavements, are integrated to enhance sustainability.

Implications The Key West population and employment densities are conducive to transit however, traditional Florida land-use decisions have long prioritized automobiles, despite the city's dense, compact layout and grid-pattern road network, which inherently favors transit. Over the past decade, escalating congestion prompted the city to raise parking fees, signaling a shift away from personal vehicle reliance, especially in the historic Downtown area. Recent developments like Truman Waterfront Park emphasize transit accessibility, reflecting a growing commitment to transit integration. Collaboration between Key West Transit (KWT) and local agencies is crucial for aligning transit development with Land Development Codes and policies. With supportive leadership promoting coordinated land use policies, there's potential for sustained transit-friendly development, both within and beyond the Historic Districts.

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Transit Development Plan FY 2025–2034