Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Assessing VermontAssessing VermontAssessing Vermont Assessing Vermont Public Transportation: Public Transportation: pp
Costs, Coverage, and CoordinationCosts, Coverage, and Coordination
Rockefeller CenterRockefeller CenterPolicy Research ShopPolicy Research Shop
April 15 2009April 15 2009April 15, 2009April 15, 2009
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
SummarySummaryOverview of VT Transit AgenciesOverview of VT Transit AgenciesCoordination of TransportationCoordination of TransportationCoordination of TransportationCoordination of Transportation–– Information CoordinationInformation Coordination
Infrastructure CoordinationInfrastructure Coordination–– Infrastructure CoordinationInfrastructure Coordination
Funding of Transit SystemsFunding of Transit SystemsPolicy proposalsPolicy proposals
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesOverview: VT Public TransportationOverview: VT Public TransportationOverview: VT Public TransportationOverview: VT Public Transportation
Public transportation Public transportation services vary services vary throughout the rural throughout the rural state. state. P l i di i P l i di i Population dispersion Population dispersion –– Low density areasLow density areas
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesVT Public Transportation AgenciesVT Public Transportation AgenciesVT Public Transportation AgenciesVT Public Transportation Agencies
Local/Regional public transit services Local/Regional public transit services Local/Regional public transit services Local/Regional public transit services provided by 13 different agencies provided by 13 different agencies Uncoordinated and highly varied Uncoordinated and highly varied Uncoordinated and highly varied Uncoordinated and highly varied public transportation systempublic transportation system
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Some Common ThreadsSome Common Threads
Originally, largely for Human ServicesOriginally, largely for Human ServicesOriginally, largely for Human ServicesOriginally, largely for Human ServicesElderly, Disabled, Blind, MedicaidElderly, Disabled, Blind, MedicaidMedical and Social ServicesMedical and Social ServicesMedical and Social ServicesMedical and Social ServicesFixed, Deviated Fixed, Demand Fixed, Deviated Fixed, Demand ResponseResponseCommuter Routes GrowingCommuter Routes Growing
1991
19731991
1982
2003 VariedVaried1992
1976
Varied Varied in Timein Time
19841978
2003
1996
1985 2000
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Varied in FormationVaried in FormationRural Community Transportation Rural Community Transportation (RCT)(RCT)-- Federal GrantFederal GrantSpecial Services Transportation Special Services Transportation Agency (SSTA)Agency (SSTA)--needs of elderly and needs of elderly and di bl ddi bl ddisableddisabledChittenden County Transportation Chittenden County Transportation AA V t G l A blV t G l A blAgencyAgency-- Vermont General AssemblyVermont General AssemblyAddison CountyAddison County-- Addison County Addison County R i l Pl i C i iR i l Pl i C i iRegional Planning CommissionRegional Planning Commission
Varied in CoverageVaried in Coverage
Varied in ServiceVaried in ServiceNAME RIDERSHIP BASE FARE
Addison County Transit Resources 200,000 Free Inside County
Advanced Transit 476,887 Free
Chittenden County Transit Authority 1.6 million $1.25 on Fixed Routes ADA Paratransit fare is $2.00
Connecticut River Transit 198,388
Northwest Vermont Public Transit Network $1.00-$3.00 on Fixed Routes, Varied by Service/Distance.
Deerfield Valley Transit Association 200,000 Free
Green Mountain Transit Agency 136,439 $0.50 - $4.00, depending on the service.
Green Mountain Community Network 70,000 $0.50 on Fixed Routes; Others varied by service and distance
Marble Valley Regional Transit District 728,000 Free in Rutland City; $1.00 Proctor; Varies by type of service
Stagecoach Transportation Services 75,000 $1.50 - 2.50 depending on route.
Rural Community Transportation 1.50 on Fixed Routes; $20.00 for monthly passes; $13.50 for 10 day pass
Town of Brattleboro 71,516 $0.75 One-way Adults (ages 19 over)$0. 50 One-way Students (Ages 13-18)$0. 25 One-way Child (Ages 12 and under)
Town of Stowe 47,266 $1.00
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
VT Transit Agencies: SummaryVT Transit Agencies: Summary
Public Transit providers variedPublic Transit providers variedVT similar to other rural statesVT similar to other rural statesNew Jersey, Rhode IslandNew Jersey, Rhode IslandNew Jersey, Rhode IslandNew Jersey, Rhode IslandWays to improve VT TransitWays to improve VT TransitCoordination and FundingCoordination and FundingCoordination and FundingCoordination and Funding
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
T t tiT t tiTransportationTransportationCoordinationCoordinationCoordinationCoordination
I f tiI f tiInformationInformationandand
InfrastructureInfrastructure
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesDefining Coordination: Defining Coordination:
A I Di i iA I Di i iAn Important DistinctionAn Important Distinction
Coordination of informationCoordination of informationCoordination of informationCoordination of information––Single call center or website Single call center or website
Coordination of infrastructureCoordination of infrastructure––Actively linking routes and providers Actively linking routes and providers
throughout the statethroughout the state
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Advantages to CoordinationAdvantages to Coordinationd f fd f fCoordination of infrastructure:Coordination of infrastructure:
–– Improved coverage and efficiencyImproved coverage and efficiencyP li f f di d P li f f di d –– Pooling of funding and resourcesPooling of funding and resources
–– Emergency evacuation facilitationEmergency evacuation facilitation
Coordination of information:Coordination of information:–– Reach more of the publicReach more of the publicReach more of the publicReach more of the public–– Increase popularity and commuter efficiencyIncrease popularity and commuter efficiency–– If coordination is successful, can lay foundation If coordination is successful, can lay foundation , y, y
for next step in coordinating infrastructurefor next step in coordinating infrastructure
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesOther States’ Transportation Other States’ Transportation
C di i S iC di i S iCoordination StrategiesCoordination Strategies
Go MaineGo MaineGo MaineGo Maine
New Hampshire Transit AssociationNew Hampshire Transit Association
Coastal GeorgiaCoastal Georgia
Go MaineGo Maine
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
NH Transit AssociationNH Transit Association–– Goal: Improve mobility of citizensGoal: Improve mobility of citizens
Works directly with and for transportation Works directly with and for transportation –– Works directly with and for transportation Works directly with and for transportation providersproviders
–– Does little to integrate services, but has potential Does little to integrate services, but has potential to improve linkages through relationships among to improve linkages through relationships among to improve linkages through relationships among to improve linkages through relationships among providersproviders
Coastal GACoastal GACoastal GACoastal GA–– Regional coordination of resources and fundsRegional coordination of resources and funds
GA Department of Human Services and rural transit GA Department of Human Services and rural transit providersprovidersprovidersproviders
–– Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFTEA(SAFTEA--LU) LU) (SAFTEA(SAFTEA LU), LU),
Section 5311 for rural transportation = 5311Section 5311 for rural transportation = 5311--funded funded vehiclesvehicles
Go VermontGo VermontGo VermontGo Vermont
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
TransportationTransportationTransportationTransportationFundingFundingFundingFunding
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesVT Local Public Transit FundingVT Local Public Transit FundingVT Local Public Transit FundingVT Local Public Transit Funding
Based On Reports from VAOTBased On Reports from VAOTBased On Reports from VAOTBased On Reports from VAOTFederalFederalSt t St t State State Private/Local AidPrivate/Local Aid
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Source of Operating Funds
90%
100%
70%
80%
90%
50%
60%
70%
30%
40%
50%
10%
20%Directly GeneratedLocalState
(Through Fares)
0%CCTA WMTS BAT NTS COAST MTA
StateFederal
Annual Unlinked Bus Rides 2,109,489 200,925 780,250 350,669 346,858 456,166
Pop Density 1,455.7 44.3 1,913.8 2,500 662.5 3,053.2
Full-Time Employment 98.9 7 3.5 16.4 27.6 34.3
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Fare SystemsFare Systems
A. Fare Free Systems: Advanced Transit (Revenue through Contribution/Government Support)(Revenue through Contribution/Government Support)
B. Limited Fare Systems: Addison County y y(Revenue through Government Support and Contracts)
C. Typical Fare Systems: Chittenden County (Revenue through typical Fare method)
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
Policy ProposalsPolicy Proposals
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesPolicy Proposals: CoordinationPolicy Proposals: CoordinationPolicy Proposals: CoordinationPolicy Proposals: Coordination
Gather information on consumer Gather information on consumer Gather information on consumer Gather information on consumer need and current servicesneed and current servicesRegionalizationRegionalizationRegionalizationRegionalization–– Insurance Insurance
R i b tR i b t––ReimbursementReimbursement
Central coordinating locationCentral coordinating location––New technology for communicationNew technology for communication
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesPolicy Proposals: Policy Proposals:
S h l S F diS h l S F diSchool System FundingSchool System FundingContracts with School DistrictsContracts with School DistrictsContracts with School DistrictsContracts with School DistrictsManchester Transit Authority: Manchester Transit Authority: Combine Public School Systems with Combine Public School Systems with Combine Public School Systems with Combine Public School Systems with Mass Transportation (A new financial Mass Transportation (A new financial pool)pool)pool)pool)In addition to financial benefits, In addition to financial benefits,
t ti t t ti b fitt ti t t ti b fitsystematic transportation benefitssystematic transportation benefits
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesPolicy Proposals: Policy Proposals: S i l P k S diS i l P k S diStimulus Package SpendingStimulus Package Spending
$126 million under American $126 million under American $126 million under American $126 million under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Recovery and Reinvestment Act ––Criteria for allocation: eligibility and Criteria for allocation: eligibility and g yg y
readiness, federal guidelines readiness, federal guidelines –– “use it or lose it”“use it or lose it”InfrastructureInfrastructureFunds can be flexed to fit Funds can be flexed to fit transportation projectstransportation projects$5.6 million to public transit$5.6 million to public transit$ p$ p
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences
SummarySummaryM I f tiM I f tiMore InformationMore InformationCoordinationCoordination––GoVermontGoVermont––PublicPublic--Private PartnershipPrivate Partnership
Partnership with School DistrictsPartnership with School DistrictsStimulus Package SpendingStimulus Package SpendingStimulus Package SpendingStimulus Package Spending
Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College Policy Research ShopA Center for Public Policy and the Social SciencesTransit and Economic HealthTransit and Economic HealthTransit and Economic HealthTransit and Economic Health
Improvements in InfrastructureImprovements in InfrastructureImprovements in InfrastructureImprovements in Infrastructure––Mass Transit as Long Term Mass Transit as Long Term
Infrastructure InvestmentInfrastructure InvestmentInfrastructure InvestmentInfrastructure InvestmentGoing Green in the Green Mountain StateGoing Green in the Green Mountain State
Job CreationJob CreationJob CreationJob Creation––State MobilityState Mobility