(a) To eliminate waste and maximize efficiency, the department shall encourage public transportation providers to agree on the allocation of specific services and service areas among the providers. The department may incorporate these discussions in planning processes such as the development of the statewide transportation improvement program or a local transportation improvement plan.
(b) If public transportation providers do not reach an agreement on a service plan under Subsection (a), the department may develop an interim service plan for that area.
(c) The department may require that all or a percentage of the vehicles used to provide public transportation services comply with specified emissions standards. The standards may vary among geographic areas based on the need of each area to reduce levels of air pollution. This subsection does not apply to an authority created under Chapter 451, 452, 453, or 460.