Introductions Introduction to TCAG Federal Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Responsible for long-term planning for all modes of surface transportation.

Introductions

Introduction to TCAG• Federal Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)• Responsible for long-term planning for all modes of surface

transportation (bicycling, pedestrian, transit, car)• Responsible for administering many types of funds, including

federal funds, state funds, local funds (Measure R), and more• TCAG works for all agencies and organizations in Tulare County

and is governed by a Board comprised of elected officials from all cities and the County of Tulare, at-large public members, and an official from an agency that provides public transit service

Federal Requirements for the Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Coordinated Plan • 49 USC 5303(g)(3) - MPO responsible for development of Plan

• MAP-21 - Human service transportation coordination required for all non-rail FTA programs and for statewide and metropolitan transportation planning.

• MAP-21 - Eligible 5311, 5310 and 5307* projects must certify selection in the context of a locally developed, coordinated public transit/human-services transportation plan. (*Portion of 5307 used for low-income employment transportation)

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)• Federal Transportation Bill signed into law by President Obama on

July 6, 2012• Replaced (SAFETEA_LU) • Authorizes transportation programs through September 30, 2015• Consolidated certain transit programs to improve their efficiency (consolidated 5310 and New Freedom into single formula program)• Projects selected for funding under certain programs must be

included in a locally developed, Coordinated Human Services -Transportation Plan

The 2010 Coordinated Plan

Previously Identified Gaps• Spatial Gaps – (more commuter-oriented transportation service to and from outlying areas into the large cities;

expand service in all rural areas, (North & South County areas; more routes in the rural areas; service between Alpaugh and Porterville

• Temporal Gaps – extended service hours between urban and rural communities; lack of transportation early morning and late evening; limited transportation during weekends

• Transportation Costs – Need to lower or subsidize fares - routes with $1.50 one way• Service awareness - Better travel training and passenger education; additional information about transit to human

service caseworkers and staff

Recommended Strategies - provide rural commuter-oriented service; improve mobility services specially for disabled; expend services hours; develop a fare reduction program where possible; implement a transit training and awareness training program

The 2015 Coordinated Plan Achieves four primary goals -

• Updates the 2010 Coordinated Plan and adds new objectives

• Meets Federal requirements for a human service transportation coordination plan

• Provides a framework for coordination of transportation services in Tulare County

• Provides a prioritized list of projects

2015 Coordinated Plan Major Updates• Demographics• Service providers inventory• List of eligible projects and strategies

Tulare County

Total Households 135,114

Households without a vehicle 28,477

Percent of Households without a vehicle 8%

Tulare County California

Unemployment rate 11.5% 6.3%

Low-Income population Approx. 33% Approx. 21%

Project Methodology• Regional Tulare County Long Range Transit Plan• Southeast Mobility Plan• Title VI Plan• Transit Development Plans• Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)• Unmet Needs• Surveys https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R2H3ZG8

Coordinated Plan Advisory Committee Primary goals

• Help to provide overview of all existing transportation services

• Identify gaps in services for persons with disabilities, older adults and low-income populations

• Identify strategies for addressing gaps• Identify coordination opportunities• Prioritize implementation strategies and projects

5310 Funding FTA 5310 Circular (C9070.1F)More eligible activities to enhance mobility for seniors and disabled• Former New Freedom activities – improvement that exceed the

requirements of ADA• Public transportation projects to improve access to fixed-route transit• Public transit projects designed for seniors and disabled, where transit is

insufficient• Alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and disabled

Eligible Project Types• Once gaps and coordination strategies have been developed• Projects that meet strategies must be identified and prioritizedExamples:

Formalize a mobility management function to better connect persons with mobility servicesObjective – To implement and monitor progress of the strategies recommended in the Coordinated Plan

Transit to Transit ConnectivityObjective – Increase connectivity

between existing transit services

Enhance mobility information and education (Integrate all Tulare County Transit Services into Google Maps and Trip Planner)Objective – To overcome the challenge of reading transit maps and schedules

Develop more effective customer feedback – Objective – To broaden the customer satisfaction

Next Steps (tentative schedule)August 2015 – identify service gaps and develop tentative list of projects September 2015 – prepare final project lists and strategies, prioritize themSeptember 2015 – draft Plan for a review to TCAG BoardOctober 2015 – final revisions and Coordinated Plan approval

Questions – Comments?