SKAGIT-ISLAND HSTPSkagit-Island HSTP Committee Meeting #4

October 1, 2014

COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT HSTP

Plan Outline

1. Introduction

2. Project Methodology

3. Existing Transportation Services and Travel

4. Public Engagement

5. Needs Analysis

6. Other Required Sections• Emergency Management• Technology

7. Strategies and Activities

8. WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program

Appendix A: Questionnaire and Responses

Appendix B: Prioritized Project List

CORE PROJECTSECTIONS

EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

Section Overview

1. Skagit and Island Transit service details

1. Common origins and destinations

2. Fixed-route service

3. Paratransit service

4. Vanpool & Other

2. Community Transit and Whatcom Transportation Authority overview

3. Targeted Services

1. Seniors

2. Clients

3. Other

4. Private service providers

4. Long-distance travel

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Section Overview

1. Advisory committee (4/5)

2. Survey responses (#134+)

3. Listening sessions

1. Project Homeless Connect

2. Senior Day In the Park

3. Camano Center

“My wife is disabled and gets a free bus pass, and I get a monthly pass for $12.50. It’s how she gets around to her medical appointments. We’re happy with the service and the cost, and the drivers are very friendly.”

A BIG thank you to Liz Theaker!

NEEDS ANALYSIS

Section Overview

1. What are the unmet needs?• Existing service isn’t meet all demands• Preserve existing service• Increase and extend span of service• Increase coverage• Improve regional connections• Provide more information• Transit is lifeline to services

2. Where is the need?• What measure indicate need? (age, income, disability, vehcile)• Where do these people live:

• Density• Proportion

NEEDS ANALYSIS – UPDATED

OTHER REQUIRED SECTIONS

Section Overview

1. Emergency Management• Skagit County

– Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan– Skagit Transit Interlocal agreement

• Island County– Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program– SR-20 and SR-532 bridge closure scenarios

2. Technology• Skagit County

– MPO ITS Architecture Plan– Implementation of real-time tracking and other enhancements

• Island County– ITS Inventory including future direction

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES Preserve Existing Services: maintain or restore existing service levels and

vehicle fleeto Maintain existing bus fleet in a state of good repairo Maintain and build adequate capital reserves to fund fleet replacemento Fund operations of existing service through existing or new funding sources

Expand Services: increase service levelso Increase coverage of serviceo Increase span of service (evenings, weekends)o Increase frequency of service

Increase User Knowledge: increase knowledge of available transportation options to target userso Leverage existing communication tools to better inform public of optionso Increase public knowledge of travel training program o Ensure agencies, groups and communities who support special needs populations are

well informed Address High Need Area: provide service to area scoring high in human

services transportation need indexo Add or expand transportation services in high need areaso Work with communities in high-needs areas to identity gaps and how best to meet

needs

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Improve Existing Service Timeliness: improve quality of timeliness of serviceo Track on-time performance of routes and identify solutionso Increase schedule padding or route layover time

Utilize Existing Services: improve utilization of existing transportation serviceso Continue to improve schedule coordination of different modes and service providerso Increase ridership of fixed-route service outside of special needs groups

Improve Regional Connections: improve cross-regional connectionso Increase span, frequency and capacity of service

Expand Driver Training: promote driver training to encourage “compassionate professionalism”o Maintain driver training standards

Improve Provider-User Coordination: improve coordination between transit service providers, human services providers and userso Funding a mobility management positiono Host periodic annual/quarterly meetings between transit providers and human

services providers

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Utilize Technology: utilize technology to provide improved efficiency and user access to mobility optionso Improve rider information using real-time information systems o Implement and utilize computer aided dispatch to improve scheduling efficiencyo Improve rider information and trip planning tools

Inform Users of Mobility Options: assist human service providers in guiding users to the most efficient mobility options

Improve Provider Regional Coordination: improve coordination between transit service providers, human service providers and users

Promote Innovation: promote innovative programs, processes and tools that improve efficiency and reduce cost

Promote Environmental Sustainability: promote environmentally sustainable practices into state coordinated transportation planning and serviceso Reduce fleet emissions through increased fleet efficiency

Leverage Funding: further leverage available fundingo Identify and apply for state and federal grant opportunitieso Explore alternative funding pools to fund transportation options

THANKS