In a unique arrangement, the Corpus Christi, Texas, Regional Transportation Authority and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have jointly developed a GIS. This cooperative effort has enabled the mid-sized RTA to obtain a GIS at a vastly reduced cost while also providing valuable work experience for students. The GIS includes the route system, bus stops, and street network for the two-county service area and utilizes U.S. block and block group information. A GPS survey of all bus route infrastructure provides the framework for a developing automatic vehicle locator system that will integrate real-time ridership data collection.