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Update on FTA New Initiatives on Transportation Services for Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) 06/20/2007 June 20, 2007 www.drpt.virginia.gov Overview 06/20/2007 Background – Legislative context for local coordination plans – Coordinated plan summary and required elements Virginia’s Approach and Recent Local Efforts Role of the Coordination Process and Plan Development Opportunities and Potential Outcomes/Future Steps www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 2 Background : Legislative Context Federal SAFETEA-LU legislation provides funding for transit projects and services. – Includes new coordinated planning requirements for three transit programs: • Section 5310: “Elderly individuals & Individuals with Disabilities” – Provides capital funds for transportation services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities • Section 5316: “Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)” – Provides funds for transportation services for low income workers • Section 5317: “New Freedom” 06/20/2007 – Provides new program funding for transportation services that go beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 3 Background: Coordinated Plan Summary For all three programs (5310, 5316, and 5317): – Projects selected for funding must be derived from a locally developed coordinated public transithuman services transportation plan. 06/20/2007 – The planning process must include “representatives of public, private and non-profit transportation and human service providers, and participation by members of the public”. www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 4 Background: Coordinated Plan Summary For JARC (5316) and New Freedom (5317) Programs specifically: • Designated recipient is responsible for conducting competitive selection process in cooperation with MPO and awarding grants to sub recipients • In urbanized areas, it is appropriate for the designated recipient to be the same as designated recipient for Section 5307 funds • Process is separate from, but coordinated with, the planning process www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 5 06/20/2007 – SAFETEA-LU instituted a competitive selection process for projects. – Characteristics of this competitive process include: Background: Coordinated Plan Required Elements A locally coordinated plan should contain: While only required for the three FTA programs, the coordinated plan should incorporate activities offered under other Federal, State and local programs to strengthen impact. www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 6 06/20/2007 – An assessment of available services that identifies current transportation providers – An assessment of transportation needs for people with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes – Strategies and/or activities to address identified gaps and achieve efficiencies in service delivery – Relative priorities for implementation which are based on resources, time and feasibility Virginia’s Approach 06/20/2007 To build upon current coordination efforts and previous studies To develop a State framework and a State-level model to lead future coordination efforts – Focus on improving mobility for older adults, people with disabilities and people with lower incomes To provide support for local planning efforts – DRPT assistance to conduct regional workshops to discuss available services, gain input on unmet needs, and develop strategies and projects for meeting these needs www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 7 Recent Local Efforts Between March and May, a first round of coordination workshops have been held throughout Virginia in order to: 06/20/2007 – Review new Federal coordinated planning requirements with local stakeholders – Gain insights on current transportation resources and unmet transportation needs – Discuss current and future coordination efforts www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 8 Any assessment of available transportation resources for older adults, people with disabilities and people with lower incomes should begin with public transit Any discussion of strategies, activities and projects to improve mobility in a community should include public transit operators www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 9 06/20/2007 Role of Public Transit Opportunities for the Community The coordinated planning process provides public transit operators with opportunities: – To provide input on strategies that would be appropriate for the public transit provider to apply for funding and to operate – Expanded fixed-route service to connect low-income workers with job opportunities – Expanded demand-response services, such as those beyond the ¾ mile ADA requirement, services beyond fixed-route service times, and same day service – Increased marketing of available services – Travel training on use of public transit routes – Integration of public transit and human service transportation – Establishment of a mobility management structure www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 10 06/20/2007 • Some potential projects include: Opportunities and Potential Outcomes The coordinated planning process also provides public transit operators with opportunities: – To give input on strategies that can be provided by other organizations that support and complement public transit – Funding for accessible vehicles (i.e. accessible taxi that can be used by customers instead of paratransit services) – Operation of services that connect with current transit services (i.e. van service from employer outside of service area to the transit stop) – Support for outreach activities (i.e. travel training program for riders on skills for using public transit) www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 11 06/20/2007 • Some potential projects include: Opportunities and Potential Outcomes The coordinated planning process additionally provides public transit operators with opportunities: •By providing input on potential projects that will increase fixed route ridership •By providing input on potential projects that will relieve pressure on demandresponse and ADA paratransit services www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 12 06/20/2007 – To take a stronger leadership role in improving mobility Potential Outcomes “Mobility Manager” Various entities have embraced the “mobility manager” concept and/or a more regional approach to maximize available resources and to play a stronger leadership role in providing mobility. Two representative examples include: – Transit Authority of River City (TARC- Louisville, KY) • Funded and hired a Mobility Manager • Expanded transportation steering committee to Regional Mobility Council – Community Connection of Northeast Oregon 06/20/2007 • Brought together key regional partners and stakeholders • Identified transportation resources, needs and gaps in service • Expanded fixed route service areas and times, pooled funding resources, and coordinated training and marketing www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 13 Future Steps – Development of specific strategies, activities and projects to meet gaps and unmet needs identified in initial workshop – Prioritizing these strategies, activities and projects Your involvement and input is critical to this process www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 14 06/20/2007 It is anticipated that local coordination efforts will continue to evolve and strengthen over time. The first round of local workshops were intended to initiate coordination activities and set a framework for future activities. As a follow-up to this effort, the second round will focus on: For more information, contact: 06/20/2007 Neil Sherman Specialized Program Manager Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation (804) 786-1154 [email protected] www.drpt.virginia.gov Update on FTA New Initiatives 15