DEVELOPING REGIONAL SERVICE PLANS: AN OVERVIEW

EAST TEXAS MEETINGOctober 6, 2005

Why are we here?

Improve the delivery of transportation services. Generate efficiencies in operation/increase levels of service.Encourage cooperation and coordination.Develop regional plans.H.B. No. 3588Article 13: Statewide Coordination of Public Transportation

OUR MISSION:

To review current public transportation planning and programming practices within metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas and to enhance service delivery, customer satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness.

How do we get there?

Regional Service Planning Boundaries

Integrating Two Public Transportation Delivery Modes: A Shift in ThinkingSYSTEM BASED: Focus is on developing a seamless system of options to maximize individual participation.Transportation is the goal.

CLIENT BASED: Focus is on individual person meeting health, social service or training needs. Transportation is a means to some other goal.

WHAT IS COORDINATION ANYWAY? Aiming to meet a wider range of community needs by using existing resources in collaborative and innovative ways.

By working together, providers and local stakeholders can help each other understand both the needs and the resources, and think creatively about new ways of filling gaps in our current transportation systems.

But most importantly

Coordination means working together to affect positive changes in our respective communities.

WHY DO WE NEED TO COORDINATE TRANSPORTATION? Community public transit needs are outpacing annual allocations of state, federal, and local funds.

An estimated 31% of Texans are considered transportation disadvantaged.

Nearly all transportation providers, including public transit agencies, private operators and human service programs are facing increased demands for service with insufficient resources.

GOALS & IDEALS FOR RSP OUTCOMESIncrease cost-effectiveness (Doing more vs. saving $.)

Improve program efficiency, g.e. eliminating duplication of efforts, maximizing vehicle use, increasing collective purchasing power.

Provide better service to consumers.

FACTORS REGIONS ARE LOOKING AT DURING THIS PROCESS Inclusion of all Stakeholders in Processes Existing Services Existing Coordination Efforts Gaps and Duplication of Services Barriers to OvercomeLead Entity Expectations

Two Year Schedule

PLAN DUE DATES Plan development will take place over the next ten (10) months.

Final plan is due September 2006.

Commission action is anticipated in January 2007.

Commission ActionEndorse process proposed by Study Group and coinciding deadlines.Endorse COG boundaries use for planning process with lead agency to be determined in each region by the local stakeholders.Endorse June 14, 2005 kickoff conference.Pursue additional funding for FY 2006 planning activities.Consider plan/policy/legislative recommendations in Fall 2006.

Important things to Remember as we move through this planning process

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!

DIFFERENT REGIONS WILL NO DOUBT HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS, SITUATIONS & APPROACHES

WHO IS THE CUSTOMER?

ENSURE INCLUSIVE PROCESS WITHIN EACH REGION

IT TAKES US ALL!

KEEP TRACK OF:

METHODOLOGY

INNOVATIVE POSSIBILITIES

CONSTRAINTS (THESE CAN BE FIXED!)

DELIVERABLES FOR OCT. 19TH:

1. IDENTIFY LEAD AGENCY (or at least designate presenter for regions report)2. BRIEF PROGRESS REPORT ON WORK PLAN DEVELOPMENT 3. CONSTRAINTS/BARRIERS INVENTORY4. DRAFT WORKING BUDGET FOR PLANNING PROCESS

Questions?

Defined as a cooperative arrangement between transportation providers and organizations needing transportation services.It is a project that aims to meet a wider range of community needs by using the resources we already have.By working together providers and local participants help each other to understand both the needs and the resources, and think creatively about new ways of filling gaps in our current elderly and disabled public transportation system.Community public transit need is outpacing annual allocations of over $1.6 billion in state, federal, and local funds.There is an estimated 31% of Texans that are considered transportation disadvantaged. These figures are primarily made up of the elderly and disabled and the poor.Nearly all transportation providers, including public transit agencies, private operators and human service programs are facing increased demands for service with insufficient resources.Increase cost-effectiveness2. Increase operational safetyImprove program efficiency by eliminating Expand service to serve more clients by increasing the ability to identify, and serve previously unserved and underserved elderly and disabled individuals. Provide better service to consumers. TEA-21-Transportation Equity Act (this was the last authorization).TxDOT will host workshop on 10/19 in Austin, Texas. Each region will present their draft work plan.Plan development will follow over the next ten months.Final plan is due September 2006.Commission approval in January 2007.