Sec. 452.056. OPERATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. (a) An authority may:
(1) acquire, construct, develop, plan, own, operate, and maintain a public transportation system in the territory of the authority, including the territory of a political subdivision;
(2) contract with a municipality, county, or other political subdivision for the authority to provide public transportation services outside the authority; and
(3) lease all or a part of the public transportation system to, or contract for the operation of all or a part of the public transportation system by, an operator.
(b) An authority, as the authority determines advisable, shall determine routes.
(c) The executive committee may submit a referendum for the approval of a power granted by Subsection (a) or (b).
(d) A private operator who contracts with an authority under this chapter is not a public entity for purposes of any law of this state except that an independent contractor of the authority that, on or after June 14, 1989, performs a function of the authority or an entity described by Section 452.0561 that is created to provide transportation services is liable for damages only to the extent that the authority or entity would be liable if the authority or entity itself were performing the function and only for a cause of action that accrues on or after that date.
(e) An authority consisting of one subregion governed by a subregional board created under Subchapter O shall, at least once every five years, evaluate each distinct transportation service the authority provides that generates revenue, including light rail, bus, van, taxicab, and other public transportation services, and determine whether the authority should solicit competitive, sealed bids from other entities to provide these transportation services.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 1540), Sec. 4.10, eff. April 1, 2011.
Structure Texas Statutes
Subtitle K - Mass Transportation
Chapter 452 - Regional Transportation Authorities
Subchapter B. Powers of Authorities
Section 452.051. Powers Applicable to Confirmed Authority
Section 452.052. Nature of Authority
Section 452.053. Responsibility for Control of Authority
Section 452.054. General Powers of Authority
Section 452.055. Contracts; Grants and Loans
Section 452.056. Operation of Public Transportation System
Section 452.0561. Liability of Transportation Entity Providing Public Transportation
Section 452.057. Acquisition of Property by Agreement
Section 452.058. Use and Acquisition of Property of Others
Section 452.059. Eminent Domain Proceedings
Section 452.060. Agreement With Utilities, Carriers
Section 452.061. Fares and Other Charges
Section 452.0611. Enforcement of Fares and Other Charges; Penalties
Section 452.0612. Fare Enforcement Officers
Section 452.0613. Enforcement of High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Usage; Penalties
Section 452.063. Tax Exemption
Section 452.064. Light Rail System: Regulatory Exemption
Section 452.065. Electric Power for Rail System: Certain Authorities