Key West Transit Development Plan FY2025-2034

5.1 Situation Appraisal

hindering the ability to develop a unified, comprehensive transportation strategy for the entire county. Without a dedicated MPO, Monroe County may lack the resources and expertise necessary to conduct thorough transportation planning and analysis. While the FDOT and regional transportation officials can provide valuable support, they may have competing priorities and responsibilities across their respective jurisdictions, potentially diluting their focus on Monroe County's specific needs. The absence of a centralized planning agency may hinder Monroe County's ability to develop a cohesive, long-term vision for transportation infrastructure and mobility. While the FKTCC is tasked with studying traffic issues and making recommendations, its scope may be limited to short-term fixes rather than addressing broader challenges such as future population growth, climate change impacts, and technological advancements. Even with recommendations from the FKTCC, the actual implementation of transportation projects and initiatives may face challenges without a dedicated agency to oversee planning, funding allocation, and project management. Without clear accountability and coordination mechanisms, there is a risk that proposed solutions may not be effectively implemented or prioritized. While the FKTCC includes representation from various stakeholders, including elected officials, transportation officials, and city and county staff, there may be limited opportunities for meaningful community engagement and transparency in the decision-making process. It's essential to ensure that residents' voices are heard, and their concerns are adequately addressed throughout the planning and implementation phases.

Moving forward, it will be essential for local stakeholders to collaborate closely, leverage available resources effectively, and prioritize long term strategic planning to address the City of Key West’s evolving

transportation needs. 5.1.5 Funding

KWT operates within a distinctive framework due to the rural designation and location outside the scope of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO). Typically, transit agencies in Florida and elsewhere collaborate closely with MPOs to secure funding for both current operations and future expansions. Lacking affiliation with an MPO, KWT navigates its funding and planning processes independently, directly coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This unique arrangement presents both advantages and challenges. One advantage is the direct coordination with FDOT which allows KWT to tailor its transportation planning more closely to the specific needs and dynamics of its rural setting. A disadvantage is the comprehensive planning resources, data analysis, and advocacy efforts that can bolster a transit agency's operations and funding prospects through the MPO process. KWT's direct coordination with FDOT provides a direct relationship with a state-level authority to leverage funding opportunities and tailor its services to best serve its rural constituency. Implications KWT benefits from rural public transit formula funding as a subrecipient of FDOT through the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5311 program. However, these allocations are insufficient to fully finance Key West's transit system. Therefore, FDOT supplements the funding by reallocating resources from the Federal Highway Program to the 5311-transit program, authorized by Congress to provide a larger share

Transit Development Plan FY 2025–2034

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