Rural Transit Achievements: Assessing the Outcomes of Increased Funding for Rural Passenger Services under SAFETEA-LU (2009)

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35 Sources: FY 2006, announced Sept. 12, 2006: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6- 15095.pdf FY 2007, announced Oct. 15, 2007: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-20213.pdf FY2008, announced Oct. 10, 2008: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24113.pdf IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES Phone interviews were conducted with 20 transit agencies that added new service or expanded existing service in order to serve more people. The interviews were mostly open ended, allowing the agency personnel to expand on the projects they thought most important in their area. The following rural transit agencies shared their stories: Birch Tree Arkansas Bolivar County Council on Aging Mississippi Cottonwood Area Transit Arizona County Roads Transit West Virginia Eastern Sierra Transit Authority California Finney County Transit Kansas Maricopa Express Arizona Menominee Public Transit Wisconsin OATS Missouri OCCK, Inc./City of Salina Kansas River Cities Public Transit South Dakota Skyline Montana Southwest Transit Texas Standing Rock Public Transportation North Dakota Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit Bus Wyoming Streamline Montana Tri-CAP Transit Connection Minnesota West Texas Opportunities, Inc. Texas Western Kenosha County Transit Wisconsin Z-Trans New Mexico Based on these interviews, the impacts that the increases in funding have accomplished are the following: • Acquired new vehicles and drivers; improved accessibility; reduced fleet age • Increased in number of trips they can provide • Created new routes • Increased frequency

36 • Extended hours/days of service • Served new communities, more people have service • Served new employment-related destinations; allow people to reach higher- paying jobs • Provided service to communities that Greyhound no longer serves • Improved customer services -- add new dispatchers to reduce wait time and telephone hours -- shorten travel times • Allowed systems to keep up with rising cost of fuel and insurance; kept them out of debt • Provided competitive salaries and better training for drivers • Took cars off the road; improving safety, saving users money, and helping to reduce carbon-based emissions • Increased coordination; mobility managers • Expanded volunteer driver programs Case Studies Birch Tree Communities: Benton, Arkansas Birch Tree Communities, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that provides adults living with chronic mental illness services that range from advocacy to vocational rehabilitation. One of its most important services provided is transportation, which is only available to clients. Birch Tree Communities has facilities throughout the state of Arkansas and provides transportation to and from their facilities or other medical and employment based destinations. Birch Tree Communities has benefited from increases in SAFETEA-LU’s New Freedom (S. 5317) and JARC (S. 5316) funding. Most recently, funding from the New Freedom program allowed the community to purchase ten new vehicles with greater accessibility options such as low floors and wheelchair lifts. Funding from the JARC has been used to support the cost of transporting clients to and from employment-based destinations. Increased funding has also allowed the Birch Tree to fund rising fuel and insurance costs, and has allowed it to maintain its existing services without going into debt. The number of trips has increased as a result of expansion of other Birch Tree services. Both drivers and clients have expressed an appreciation for the new vehicles. The transportation program of Birch Tree Communities is dependent on increases in rural passenger service funding in the upcoming reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU to keep service levels from having to be scaled back. Birch Tree hopes to

37 receive increased funds for other types of services especially for persons with disabilities and more restrictions on how funding is allocated to other transit agencies. Bolivar County Council on Aging (BCCOA): Cleveland, Mississippi BCCOA is a non-profit organization that provides rural public transportation services to older adults, persons with disabilities, and the general public within the Mississippi Delta. It provides demand-response, fixed-route, and ADA complimentary paratransit. Bolivar County Council on Aging’s service area includes communities within Bolivar, Sunflower, Yazoo, and Washington Counties. Through SAFETEA-LU’s Section 5311 program, BCCOA expanded fixed routes to serve outlying and underserved communities, and by acquiring 32 wheelchair accessible vehicles. They have also created the Delta Rides Coalition, whose goal is to enhance accessibility to educational, health, and employment-related opportunities by providing transportation. Ridership has increased by at least 10% thanks to the improvements, expansion of services, and coordination efforts. Consequently, residents of the Delta region can access higher paying jobs and older adults and persons with disabilities have greater mobility and access to destinations. The Mississippi Public Transit Association has recognized BCCOA as a leader and major advocate for transportation options in the Mississippi Delta. BCCOA Executive Director, Dr. J.Y. Trice, received The Older American Distinguished Service Award from the Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services for his outstanding work in providing more alternative transportation options for older adults in the Delta region. In May 2005 BCCOA was awarded the Transportation System of the Year Award from the Community Transportation Association of America. The BCCOA has recommended several changes to the SAFETEA-LU legislation in the upcoming reauthorization. In addition to continued funding, they suggest more flexibility for transit agencies to apply for other grants. Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT): Cottonwood, Arizona CAT is a publicly owned and operated rural transit agency that provides general public transportation to cities in the Cottonwood, Arizona, area such as Clarksdale, Verde, Village, and Bridgeport. CAT provides demand-response and deviated fixed- route services.

38 SAFETEA-LU funding has allowed CAT to add a new dispatcher (which has reduced wait times for clients calling to schedule appointments for dial-a-ride and paratransit services), a driver, and a new bus to its fleet. Ridership has risen by 12.5% or from 3,500 to 4,000. The expansion of services has improved the mobility and accessibility for individuals, such older adults and persons with disabilities, who depend on public transportation to meet their daily needs in the Cottonwood region and students who may stay late at school for after school activities. As the demand for rural public transportation services and fuel prices increase, additional funding resources will be necessary to meet the needs of the Cottonwood region. The system would like to transition to fixed routes and offer complimentary curb-to-curb paratransit, but would need additional federal funding. Country Roads Transit Randolph and Upshire Counties: West Virginia Country Roads Transit is a two-year old system based in Randolph and Upshire Counties in West Virginia. Before SAFETEA-LU funding, the only public transportation was the Randolph Senior Center’s services that were not available to the general public. The level of service provided to the seniors was also very limited. Using Section 5311 funds from SAFETEA-LU, Country Road Transit now offers demand-response to the general public in Upshire and Randolph Counties. One van operates in Randolph County, and an average of five vehicles is used per day in Upshire County. The buses in Upshire County are currently almost at capacity during the day. Ridership in the last fiscal year was 17,033 trips in Randolph County and 2,240 trips in Upshire County. This is an increase of 8% in Upshire County and a 4.5% increase in Randolph County. The community is taking note of the services; non- elderly riders have increased to 20% of riders. The number of vehicle miles has also increased 17% from last year. Country Roads Transit has benefited from increased mobility for both elderly and non-elderly passengers in their communities and notes that public transportation is still only available in approximately 33 of the 55 counties in the state. They would like all rural counties in West Virginia be able to offer a basic level of service. Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA): Bishop, California ESTA was created in 2006 and began serving the public in July 2007. ESTA offers general public dial-a-ride, fixed-route, and intercity bus service in many towns that are

39 very spread out throughout Inyo and Mono Counties in California. Under SAFETEA- LU’s Section 311(f) program, service can be provided to communities Greyhound no longer serves. This service is called CREST. Although CREST has provided service to the Reno airport and connected with Kern Regional Transit to the south for years, the additional federal funding has allowed the agency to buy a larger bus to meet capacity and to increase the days of service. In FY 2007 – 2008, these two routes made 2,648 passenger trips over 53,222 miles in 1,507 service hours. The northbound trip to the Reno airport is 250 miles one-way, and the trip takes 10.5 hours in good weather. This service is provided four days a week. Southbound service to Kern County is offered three days a week. This trip is approximately 150 miles one-way. They currently use four buses for this intercity bus program and have plans to get rid of the Kern Regional Transit component and offer service to Los Angeles County directly. Finney County Transit (FIT): Garden City, Kansas FIT operates out of the Senior Center of Finney County. It has provided transportation since the late 1970s. The agency operates City Link, a fixed-route service for the general public and Mini Bus, a paratransit service for the elderly and people with disabilities. SAFETEA-LU program Section 5311 has allowed FIT to make many positive changes to provide better service to riders. In September 2007, Finney County Transit purchased three new vehicles for four new fixed routes and converted its existing demand-response service to a complimentary paratransit service. Operating hours were extended from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in July 2008. The agency has also added a dispatcher, who can serve as a back-up driver when paratransit drivers fall behind schedule. FIT has also been able to increase advertising and marketing. Ridership grew by 94% within months of Finney County’s service expansion in 2007. It is estimated that since the new marketing campaign ridership has increased by 200 new paratransit customers. The expansion of service has had a major impact on the residents of Finney County. Customers report that everyone is friendly and helpful, and older adults that cannot drive express appreciation for the enhanced mobility and accessibility to the community. The fixed-route system has created a sense of community and become a public gathering space for people of diverse backgrounds.

40 FIT would like additional funding for rural intercity service. Riders have requested longer hours and service on the weekends, which would require an increase in Section 5311 funding. The agency would also like additional funding for subsidies to purchase more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. Maricopa Express: Maricopa, Arizona Maricopa Express is a new transit operator in the City of Maricopa. After a 2007 feasibility study conducted by the city determined a need for transit within the community, SAFETEA-LU funds allowed the city to implement the Maricopa Express. The agency is operating under a two-year pilot program. Using three new buses, there are currently four fixed routes to downtown Phoenix and six routes to the City of Tempe. The Maricopa Express began service on April 28, 2008. During five months, more than 11,750 trips have been taken. The Arizona Department of Transportation estimates that the service has removed approximately 100 vehicles from State Route 347. As a result, the Maricopa Express is saving its users money and helping to reduce carbon-based emissions. Community feedback has been positive. Three weeks into the service, a man told the agency that he loved the service and that he thought it was the best thing the city could have invested in. His wife used to commute 40 miles into downtown Phoenix on a congested highway, but now that she commutes by bus she comes home happier and less stressed. Continuation of the Maricopa Express will require permanent funding since it is a pilot project. Although the city has met increasing demand for their services, many customers have requested additional routes to other cities and destinations within the region, which would require more funding. Menominee Public Transit: Keshena, Wisconsin The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has been able to expand local transit service and initiated new regional service with the help of two new SAFETEA-LU created programs: Section 5311(c), the new Tribal Transit Program, and the Supplemental Transportation Rural Assistance Program, STRAP, a pilot project authorized by SAFETEA-LU until FY09. The new Tribal Transit Program allows funds for planning, capital, and operating assistance for rural public transit and intercity bus service. Menominee Public Transit expanded existing local service using these new funds. It operates 13

41 buses, ten of which are ADA accessible, and seven vans, four of which are ADA accessible. It has been able to reduce headways on some routes from two hours to one. The transit agency has worked to partner with local agencies such as the Menominee Tribal Clinic to provide increased service to their facilities, Menominee County Health & Human Services, and Menominee Aging Division. The community has responded positively to the increased service. Table 19 shows ridership by funding source and area during the first two quarters of Calendar Year 2008. In the first two quarters of the fiscal year, the number of trips provided increased by 9,080. Because the STRAP program offers an 80% federal match and is eligible for planning and operating projects for local public bodies in rural or non-urban areas, Menominee Public Transit has begun offering daily service to cities around the state that they couldn’t have otherwise. The transit agency currently offers seven runs to Green Bay, three to Appleton, two to Wausau, and one to Madison and Milwaukee. STRAP funds have also helped cover expenses for a mobility manager. Menominee Public Transit has applied for a New Freedom grant for the next fiscal year to help support a mobility manager that is currently funded through STRAP. Montana As a result of federal funding increases, Montana has increased from nine Section 5311 providers to 33 providers. Bozeman and Big Sky, Montana, are two areas that have been directly affected by SAFETEA-LU funding because the funds allowed for the creation of two new transit systems. Section 5311 funding in the state increased from $1.8 million to $6.5M since SAFETEA-LU. Skyline: Big Sky, Montana Big Sky is a resort community about 50 miles from Bozeman. Skyline is the new transit system that was initiated with increased S.5311 funding. The new service carries people between Bozeman and Big Sky, as well as within Big Sky. Ridership on Skyline’s intercity service has grown 135% in two years. Skyline services appeal to both skiers at the resort and employees commuting from Bozeman. This service is also beneficial because portions of highway between the two cities that are dangerous. By reducing the number of cars/drivers on the road, Skyline is hoping to increase the safety in that corridor.

42 January 01, 2008, through March 31, 2008 April 01, 2008, through June 30, 2008 Town Section 5311c Tribal Transit Section 5311 Section 5314 WI STRAP Section 5311c Tribal Transit Section 5311 Section 5314 WI STRAP Total Antigo 15 28 43 Appleton 142 173 315 Bonduel 0 Carter 24 24 Clintonville 6 6 Crandon 13 8 21 Eau Claire 0 Fon Du Lac 22 22 Gillett 280 276 30 586 Green Bay 10 410 20 1 485 926 Gresham 4 4 Iron Mountain 2 2 Lac Du Flambue 5 5 Keshena Ext. 94 10 104 Keshena 219 4,448 622 419 4112 766 10,586 Madison 8 25 33 Marchfield 14 14 Menasha 6 28 34 Milwaukee 2 74 89 165 Minneoplolis 6 6 Minocqua 5 5 Neenah 52 54 106 Neopit 130 3,123 2 217 3,070 6,542 New Lisbon 4 4 New London 2 2 4 Oneida 2 2 Oshkosh 11 11 Rhinelander 2 2 Rochester 2 11 13 Shawano 29 7,003 674 120 6,809 643 15,278 South Branch 23 155 5 61 261 2 507 Stevens Point 3 3 Stockbridge 3 3 Turtle Lake 32 32 Hwy VV 8 468 4 392 872 Wausau 20 37 57 Weston 2 4 6 Other 0 TOTAL 441 15,303 2,396 1,142 14,645 2,416 36,343 Table 19: Ridership by Funding Source

43 Streamline: Bozeman, Montana Bozeman is the fourth largest city in Montana with a population of about 40,000. It is also home to Montana State University. Prior to SAFETEA-LU there was no public transportation in the city. Limited state funds available for transit would have meant Bozeman would have to pay a large local share. With increased federal funding, the local match is more easily attained. Streamline is the new transit system that serves the area. The Associated Students of Montana State University in Bozeman currently play a large role in providing local matching funds for the new transit services, with about $120,000 every year. See Figure 3. Figure 3. Streamline Transit. OATS Missouri OATS is a private, non-profit organization that serves 87 of 114 counties in Missouri. The agency operates transportation in seven regions with a total of 625 vehicles. As such, there are many different projects and funding opportunities throughout the state. This case study looked at what has been possible with in creased funding under the Section 5309, Section 5311, and Section 5316 programs in a few of the areas served by OATS. Section 5309 funds have been used for a variety of projects around the state. A facility has been purchased for the East Region that serves four counties including St.

44 Louis. A building for the Northwest Region that will serve 18 counties is under construction, and OATS has been assisting on depot renovations in the Midwest region that will include a facility for the OATS Midwest Regional Office and a waiting room for Amtrak. Section 5311 funds have allowed for an expansion of transportation in about 30 communities where OATS currently operates public transportation. Missouri was a recipient of JARC funds under the predecessor of SAFETEA-LU and lost funding when the funds became apportioned. To offset these funding gaps in Branson, OATS has utilized a package using both Section 5311 and Section 5316, the new JARC, to continue providing work trips in the area. They also operate fixed routes with these funds. Boonville is a city with a population of 8,000 in 2000. Prior to SAFETEA-LU, the only public transportation available was for the developmentally disabled community. A new project just getting underway will use at least one vehicle for general public transportation. Continued financial federal support is needed for transportation throughout the State of Missouri and would allow people all over the state to have access to services in their communities and around the state. OCCK, Inc. – City of Salina, Kansas The City of Salina currently partners with OCCK, Inc. to operate and maintain its public transportation services. OCCK’s CityGo provides fixed-route service in Salina, and intercity and specialized medical transportation services to communities within North Central Kansas. Initially, OCCK only operated intercity and paratransit services, which connected residents in OCCK’s nine county region. In 2008, OCCK, Inc. secured 5311 funding and implemented three fixed-routes throughout the City of Salina. OCCK also coordinates with the local hospital to operate its Med-A-Van service, which provides non-emergency medical transportation to and from medical appointments in the surrounding 14 counties. The OCCK public transit system has benefited greatly from receiving additional funds from the SAFETEA-LU authorization. For example, OCCK, Inc. has been able to expand its services and offer a variety of public transportation options to its riders such as fixed-route and the non-emergency medical service, along with its paratransit service. The OCCK CityGo service was able to acquire 6 new 20-passenger vehicles in 2008 with the assistance of 5311 capital funds. With the addition of the fixed-route services, ridership is expected to grow from 55,000 a year to about 140,000 passengers

45 annually. This ridership increase will yield an average growth rate of more than 154% in the course of one year. The City of Salina and its neighboring counties have also benefited from the SAFETEA-LU funding and OCCK’s CityGo’s expansion of services. OCCK’s CityGo service has received positive media coverage and riders often contact drivers and the local transportation office to comment on their services. Riders have stated that they would not be able to travel or “get around” without OCCK’s public transportation services. With additional operating and capital funding from the 5311 program, OCCK has successfully implemented a fixed- route service and more than doubled its ridership in one year. Also, the 5311 program and partnership with local healthcare providers has enabled OCCK to provide a variety of transit options for riders such as its non-emergency medical Med-A-Van program. River Cities Public Transit: Pierre, South Dakota The River Cities Transit has benefited from increases in rural passenger service in the SAFETEA-LU legislation. River Cities Public Transit is the rural public transportation provider that services Pierre, Fort Pierre, Gettysburg, Lower Brule, Blunt, Harrold, Vivian, and Highmore cities. In addition, River Cities Transit provides transit services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week via fixed-route, demand- responsive, and shuttle route services. Using JARC funds, the agency has created three new shuttle routes to employment-based destinations in outlying areas. River Cities Public Transit also used additional funding from New Freedom grants to support longer period of time when customers can schedule trips. Customers can now schedule rides Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. on weekends. Thanks to Section 5311 and Section 5309 funds, River Cities Public Transit has acquired 17 new vehicles and has implemented a new fixed-route service within the Pierre – Fort Pierre areas. This new service allows residents from the two communities to access entertainment, shopping, employment, and recreational destinations in downtown Pierre. Ridership has risen more than 68% or from approximately 100,000 to 320,000 annually since SAFETEA-LU became law. They have also received written letters of appreciation from riders.

46 The agency would greater flexibility in match requirements, additional funding for rural passenger services, and more of a focus on fuel efficiency requirements than on Buy America requirements. Standing Rock Public Transportation Program: Fort Yates, North Dakota Sitting Bull College operates the Standing Rock Public Transportation Program in 14 local communities on and off of the Standing Rock Reservation through fixed- route and demand-response service. The reservation covers over 3,500 square miles in North and South Dakota. A new intercity bus service began in February 2007 that connects Bismarck, North Dakota and Rapid City, South Dakota called the North-South Shuttle. The route is operated by the Standing Rock Public Transportation Program, but is a partnership of four transit agencies and non-profits based in both South and North Dakota. Before SAFETEA-LU, intercity bus travel between the two cities meant traveling into Montana and Wyoming first, for over 30 hours of travel. This new service is called the North-South Shuttle, and takes only eight hours. One bus runs twice a week, with one trip in each direction per day. The route serves many small communities along the way, offering greater mobility to towns that have never before had bus service. Although the transportation program no longer receives federal JARC funding, they use much of their state funding toward work-related transportation. They also have plans to use a federal Tribal Transit Grant to address access to medical facilities. The demand for non-emergency medical transportation off the reservation is extremely high. The Standing Rock Public Transportation Program sees an opportunity for more coordination with additional intercity partners in the future. The Aberdeen area in northeast South Dakota has regional service, but a trip from there to Pierre still takes over 24 hours. Both North and South Dakota appear to support efforts to expand intercity connections, but there is a need for funding to make it happen. Federal funding has given people access to services, allowing many to age in place. Southwest Transit - Community Council of Southwest Texas: Uvalde, Texas Southwest Transit is part of the Community Council of Southwest Texas, Inc., a private, non-profit organization. The agency provides demand-response general public transportation to seven counties in the Middle Rio Grande, or southwestern region of Texas. The Community Council of Southwest Texas has used SAFETEA-LU funding to

47 make improvements on existing service, expand service to new areas, and increase customer and staff satisfaction. Southwest Transit has used SAFETEA-LU resources to finance growing cost of fuel, insurance, and inflation, improve and increase the level of service, acquire new vehicles, provide a competitive driver salary, and offer better training for drivers and staff. Funds from the JARC program have allowed Southwest Transit to provide new service into underserved communities for employment purposes and expand days and times of existing services. Coordination efforts have improved thanks to increases in funding. This has been pivotal in helping to reduce service duplication, operational costs, and to enhance mobility and accessibility in the Southwest Texas region. Wait times have been reduced, and a greater variety of transit services are now provided without fare increases. Feedback from the community has been positive. Southwest Transit has played a major role in helping people overcome physical barriers allowing them to access education and employment. Positive experiences by riders with disabilities have encouraged people to become involved in Southwest Transit’s planning and decision making processes. Southwest Transit believes that rural public transportations importance to communities that need alternative transportation resources to thrive, underestimate the overall costs and benefits that this service provides. Additional funding sustains current coordination efforts, as well as support continued competitive salaries, and offer more and better services to riders. Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit Bus (START): Jackson, Wyoming START Bus system is unique because it functions as a rural transit operator during most months, and as a small urban system during the ski season. The START Bus receives funding from Sections 5311 and 5311(f) of the SAFETEA-LU legislation. Increased Section 5311 funding allowed the system to expand services in high-demand areas by offering service more frequently on their routes. In April 2007, a new route, Teton Valley, was implemented to provide commuter transit services to people traveling from Drake and Victor, Idaho to Jackson, Wyoming with Section 5311(f).

48 As displayed in Table 20, the federal assistance for rural transit services from Section 5311 rose dramatically from the Fiscal Year 2005 to 2007. Funding for the START Bus’ Section 5311(f) rural intercity bus services increased from $29,000 in FY05 to $132,000 in FY08, which was a 78% increase in funding over a three-year period. During this time, total ridership increased from 516,000 to 860,000, a 66% increase. Table 20 START Bus Section 5311 Funding from FY05-FY07 (Proposed FY 2009) FY 2005 FY 2006 FY2007 Proposed FY 2009 $450,000 $760,000 $960,000 $1,100,000* Percentage Change 40% 21% 13% *FY 2009 expects that S.5311 funding is an average of FY 2008 and proposed FY 2009 values. Many commuters that use the new route have commented on the money, stress, and time they have saved by using the Teton Valley route. A number of seasonal workers who have employment Visas, but do not have their own vehicles, rely on the START Bus to get to work. START would like more funding and a continuation of funding for operating and capital expenditures. They would also like to see funding for capital get re- energized so that rural communities can keep up with technological advancements and increases in service demand to deal proactively with volatile gas prices. Tri-CAP Transit Connection: Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns Counties, Minnesota Tri-CAP is a federally designated Community Action Program for Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns Counties in Central Minnesota. Transportation, only one of the functions of this agency, is available to the general public and all vehicles are wheelchair accessible. All service is demand-responsive. In January 2008 Tri-CAP Transit Connection began using funds from New Freedom to expand its volunteer driver program for medical trips for the elderly and people with disabilities. Tri-CAP established a resource center and sent a mailing to seniors regarding how to be connected with a volunteer driver. The agency has also partnered with six other programs that have volunteer drivers. Before SAFETEA-LU there were options for transportation for seniors, but the costs were prohibitive for many people. Originally service was only provided to clients with open cases with health care providers or the county. Two particularly vulnerable groups were wheelchair-bound clients and low-income clients who earned too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Now the volunteer driver program can offer medical

49 trips to the elderly as well as people with cognitive and physical disabilities. People recovering from cancer or heart attacks are also eligible in many cases. Tri-Cap Transit Connection had 150 volunteer drivers as of July 2008, only seven months after the New Freedom funding became available. Working with the six other partners that also have a volunteer driver program, 12,984 one-way medical passenger trips were provided between January and July of 2008. If additional funds were available, trips for non-medical purposes could also be offered through this program. West Texas Opportunities, Inc.: Laredo, Texas West Texas Opportunities, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that was established as a result of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to help residents of their region access employment and to reduce poverty. This agency provides critical programs to 22 counties in the West Texas region, which include Head Start, comprehensive energy assistance, community services block grants, childcare management, and transportation services. Funding from SAFETEA-LU allowed West Texas Opportunities to budget for a maintenance coordinator, order 19 low-floor minivans, and four type-II cutaway buses, centralize dispatch, hire new drivers in various sites, add serve to the city of Big Bend, and purchase improved dispatch software. The maintenance coordinator has been instrumental in helping to adequately manage and maintain the aging fleet. The new vehicles reduce the average age of the fleet and improve fuel efficiency, which helps since many of the communities are sparsely populated and distances between sites can be relatively long. Each of the vehicles will include mobile data terminals and computers. Centralizing dispatch operations reduced scheduling staff load by 4.5 dispatchers, which directly influenced the increase in the number of drivers. West Texas Opportunities has been better able to serve its special populations such as older adults who cannot drive and depend on their services to meet their basic daily needs thanks to SAFETEA-LU funding. Ridership has grown steadily and trips are expected to increase as demand for transportation in the West Texas region continues to rise. The reorganization of dispatch operations into centralized communications and scheduling, fleet and technology improvements, and expansion of new services to the city of Big Bend, West Texas Opportunities, has provided new and better services to historically underserved communities and access to life sustaining destinations. West Texas Opportunities, Inc. would like to see an increased funding for rural public transportation, partially to help with increasing fuel prices and for capital acquisition for aging fleets.

50 Western Kenosha County Transit: Kenosha County, Wisconsin Kenosha County, located in southeastern Wisconsin, has a population of about 160,000. Of this population, approximately 34,000 live in rural areas throughout six townships and three villages. Kenosha County Department of Human Services operates transportation services through the Division of Aging and Disability. Prior to SAFETEA-LU, the only public transportation available was for seniors and people with disabilities going to one of three destinations. The Department of Aging used one vehicle to serve seniors and people with disabilities. The service was to three common destinations such as to a senior center for nutrition programs or to a shopping center. There were few patrons and the level of service was inadequate. The county also had no Medicaid transportation providers, cabs, or wheelchair accessible vehicles, because the state reimbursement rate made it unprofitable in the area. Under the SAFETEA-LU pilot project STRAP, the required local match is 20%. This allowed for the creation of a transit system open to the general public in September 2007. The local match now comes from the Department of Aging, whose transportation needs are still being met. The agency leases four accessible vehicles. A drawback of the STRAP funding is that vehicles must be leased. The agency has applied for a New Freedom grant that would allow the system to purchase vehicles; staff believes this should improve efficiency. The system is currently operating three fixed routes and one demand-response route between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The demand-response vehicle serves the original clientele and is at capacity. Ridership on one of the three fixed routes has recently surpassed the number of riders of the more established demand-response service. Between March and August 2008, ridership averaged 543 per month for the system compared to 178 per month before the expansion. Vehicle hours have increased to 820 per month compared to 123 per month. The service has been well received; an on-board rider survey showed that 70% of riders were under 65 years old and only 30% had a disability that prevented them from using a car. A key component to the success of this program has been the local support of agencies and government officials. Kenosha County realizes that STRAP funds are temporary and that they need the community to recognize the importance of the services so that when the federal match of 80% is reduced, the level of service doesn’t drop. Communication with officials has also led to talks of creating an entity to coordinate among multiple counties.

51 Z Trans by Zia Therapy, Inc.: Alamogordo, New Mexico Z-Trans is a private, non-profit transportation entity operated by Zia Therapy, Inc. Z-Trans provides general public passenger transportation services to various small cities such as Alamogordo, Holloman, and Mescalero. Its services include two fixed routes, three deviated fixed routes, and demand-responsive paratransit. Alamogordo provides transportation to services like childcare, early childhood, teen, and adult programs. The State of New Mexico does not have a State Transit Fund. Receiving SAFETEA-LU funds is therefore critical. Z-Trans currently utilizes Section 5311, JARC tribal transportation, and other private funding. This transit provider used the additional funds received from the increases in funding for rural passenger services to expand services to other communities with unmet transportation needs. Beyond adding new routes, Z-Trans has installed bigger and more appealing bus stop signs to increase ridership. Funds have also been instrumental in helping to keep up with rising fuel and insurance costs. Ridership has increased dramatically from 2,000 passengers per month in 2005 to 8,000 per month by of the end of 2007. Ridership continues to rise as Z-Trans’ routes expand to underserved areas, bus stop signs become more visible, and makes customer service a priority. On-time performance is about 95%. In September, Z-Trans received the 2008 Outstanding Public Service Award by FTA. Z-Trans believes that additional funding should be dedicated to green technologies such as rebates or subsidies to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. Local Assessment of Increased SAFETEA-LU Funding General Conclusions All interviewees were excited about the improved transportation services they have been able to offer members of their communities. Agencies care about their riders and care about serving populations they are still unable to reach. Riders have given positive feedback in all case studies.

52 Recent increases in funding under SAFETEA-LU have helped rural transit agencies become more efficient and offer better services, and therefore serve more people. More specifically, the following types of improvements have been realized: • Hired dispatchers, drivers, or mobility managers • Centralized dispatch operations • Increased coordination efforts with other agencies • Increased marketing and advertising • Added bus stop signs • Expanded routes to underserved or unserved areas • Expanded clients eligible for transportation (from elderly to general public) • Offered new routes • Offered new or more efficient service between cities • Operated longer hours In summary, the funding increases have improved access to medical appointments, work sites, and groceries. People have also been able to utilize new intercity services that ceased when intercity services were reduced in past years. With rising fuel costs, the operating budgets were strained for transportation agencies of all sizes in all regions of the country. An increase in funding for operations would help many agencies provide the services that have become costly over the past few years. To be proactive, many agencies would like increased subsidies for purchasing vehicles that are more fuel-efficient. In addition, rural transit agency performance would benefit from: − Flexibility in matching requirements − Flexibility in applying for other grants − Additional help with capital costs − Fewer Buy America restrictions − Increase in funding for services for people with disabilities Although every system would provide more money, agencies would use additional funds in ways that would make services better for the riders in the community, and aim to increase riders. Some goals are to: − Expand the hours of service − Offer service on weekends − Create new routes − Transition from demand-response to fixed-route service − Assist other counties in starting up basic service in counties with no transit