Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility (2017) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 109-129
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From page 109... ...
109 Introduction The case studies presented in the Chapter 4 were selected to provide a wide variety of rural regional examples, varying in organizational structure, funding source, target markets, and service characteristics. However, a number of common themes emerged.
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From page 110... ...
110 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility process identifying intercity and regional needs, and subsequently began implementation of services. The Bustang service is designed, branded, and marketed as a CDOT service, using buses purchased by the state, although the actual operation is contracted out.
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From page 111... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 111 • Case-by-case support. If the state program is designed to fund projects (which may be regional)
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112 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility taxing authority. In Kansas, state funding is tied to the coordinated transit districts created by the T-WORKS legislation.
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From page 113... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 113 Need for Regional Input and Oversight If the organizational structure does not provide for representation from the different jurisdictions being served by the regional service (as in the case of a COG or regional planning agency) , there is a need to consider whether or not such input is needed on an ongoing basis, and how to solicit this input.
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From page 114... ...
114 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility Where Can They Be Found? In the case studies, it was apparent that virtually every project had one or more local champions in the following organizations: • Local coordination committees, • Regional planning agencies, • Mobility management programs, • State transit programs, • Tribal organizations, • Economic development organizations, and • Transit systems.
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From page 115... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 115 Coordination Planning Process In some cases, a project began as part of the work of the local coordination committees formed as part of the SAFETEA-LU transportation authorization planning requirements for JARC, New Freedom, and the Elderly and Disabled (Section 5310) program.
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From page 116... ...
116 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility – Survey data. Surveys aimed at general public commuters can be used, including surveys left on vehicles, at park and ride lots, well-publicized open online surveys through planning agency websites, or surveys distributed to employees at particular employers thought to have potential need for regional transit commuter services.
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From page 117... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 117 • Connections to intercity bus or rail services can require very particular schedules at any hour of the day to provide connections within a limited window of time around the intercity schedule, and also allowing for late services. The busiest intercity trip times are typically afternoons and evenings on Fridays and Sundays.
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From page 118... ...
118 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility Iowa Region XII COG Work Trips Service This regional service is designed for work trips to a particular employer, with schedules accommodating shifts. Services leave Denison at 5:00 a.m., 6:00 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., and return at 3:45 p.m.
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From page 119... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 119 Provide Vehicle Amenities A number of the case studies mentioned that vehicles used included amenities such as onboard Wi-Fi with electrical plug-ins, more comfortable seating, and bike racks -- in addition to meeting ADA requirements for wheelchair access and positions. User surveys reveal that because regional services require a longer ride, passengers appreciate being able to access the internet, whether for work or pleasure, making use of their travel time.
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120 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility SMRT Connectivity at Stop Locations In La Crosse, SMRT shares stops with the local urban transit system (Municipal Transit Utility [MTU]
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Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 121 Flathead Transit Greyhound Interline Connection The Flathead Transit connection between Missoula and Whitefish, Montana, offers interline ticketing with Greyhound lines. Inbound passengers can get schedule information and tickets from Greyhound.
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From page 122... ...
122 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility Oregon Department of Transportation Support for GTFS Data As part of its goal to provide a statewide network of connected services, ODOT has contracted for a firm to work with transit and intercity providers statewide to develop and update GTFS data and make it publicly available to developers for use in information systems such as Google Transit. Three of the five local systems participating in the Northwest Connector have their GTFS data included in the statewide program.
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From page 123... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 123 The following sources and approaches to funding regional services are described: • Section 5311 -- formula grants for rural areas; • Section 5311(f) -- FTA Rural Intercity Bus Program; • Section 5311(f)
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From page 124... ...
124 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility The definition of intercity service in the Section 5311 circular describes it as regularly scheduled bus service open to the general public that operates with limited stops on fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not in close proximity, with the capacity to transport passenger baggage and make meaningful connections to the national network of intercity bus service. It specifically excludes commuter service, and the FTA guidance has language that excludes service providing extensive circulation within a region as opposed to regular but infrequent service to limited points in the destination community.
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From page 125... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 125 with the unsubsidized service in most cases. Greyhound has several requirements for operators seeking to obtain in-kind miles, most of which are designed to facilitate connections between the services and generate feed traffic for the national network.
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From page 126... ...
126 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility VTrans Use of Flexible Funding VTrans uses CMAQ program funding to support transit operations for new, primarily regional routes. Vermont is an attainment area under the CMAQ program, providing the state with greater flexibility in using CMAQ funds for transit.
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From page 127... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 127 services linking Dennison, Iowa, to Harlan, Iowa, providing service to the Monogram Foods plant. The IEDA grant is paying 50% of the cost of service, Monogram Foods 37.5%, and fares are expected to cover 12.5%.
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From page 128... ...
128 Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility SMRT Local Sponsorships The SMRT service in southwestern Wisconsin has obtained support from a number of local businesses and institutions, including the Organic Valley dairy company, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Gundersen Health System, Vernon Memorial Healthcare, Crossing Rivers Health, and the Otto Bremer Foundation. In addition, the Ho-Chunk Nation tribal government provides funding through Vernon County.
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From page 129... ...
Lessons Learned -- Toolkit 129 � Employment trips � Medical trips � Education trips � Intercity trips � Other trips (e.g., retail, recreational) – Consider whether consulting assistance is appropriate • Lesson Five: An Appropriate Service Design Will Attract More Riders – Schedule service to meet the needs of multiple markets.
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