ICCT Clearinghouse transportation Coordination Primer

1. ICCT Clearinghouse transportation Coordination Primer A Guide to Help Illinois Counties Navigate Transportation Coordination – “How to Design a Rural Transit System Tailored to the Exact Needs of Your Community.” 2007 NADO Award Winner — Excellence in Regional Transportation

2. The primer is a tool to build transit capacity on a countywide level, to build coordinated rural public transit systems, by: • Working with broad-based group of community members (Transit Partnership Group or TPG). • Working through a process that may take several years to complete, depending upon the ability (willingness) of the TPG to work together, as well as its willingness to complete one step at a time and to fully complete assignments. • Creating a transit delivery system which manages mobility instead of just providing rides.

3. The primer process is based on “de-complicating” the existing human service transportation delivery system; creating a climate where the silo funding streams work together to form a public transportation system • Background: Instead of having one single agency administer transportation programs for all populations, there are 62 federal programs that fund hundreds of state programs and thousands of local agencies. • According to former FTA Secretary Jenna Dorn, transportation coordination is the process of “de-constructing a 10,000 piece 3-D puzzle and then putting it back together.”

4. Transit Funding Streams

5. ICCT – created in 2003, began meeting in July 2004, Report to Governor and G.A. in January 2006, primer (first edition) August 2006, IDOT announced Section 5311 expansion methodology July 2007 State Level • Regular meetings between all state agencies that fund transportation programs • Chaired by the Office of the Governor • Co-chaired by IDOT • Supported by a Transit Coordination Specialist based at the ICCT Clearinghouse. • County Level • ICCT Clearinghouse helps the county achieve a Section 5311 operating assistance grant • Goals: • melding the 62 human transportation funding streams into a single-entity delivery system • avoiding transportation service gaps and service duplication

6. ICCT clearinghouse • Does ICCT Clearinghouse technical assistance cost anything? • No • Does the ICCT Clearinghouse have money for funding projects? • No • Can ICCT Clearinghouse cover the cost of surveys, mailings, meetings, etc.? • No • Will ICCT Clearinghouse staff complete transportation coordination steps for your county? • No • Will ICCT Clearinghouse staff provide technical assistance? • YES!

7. Completion of ICCT Coordination Primer • All counties applying for 5311 funding must now complete the Primer process. • Before IDOT will approve a Section 5311 application, the ICCT Clearinghouse must confirm that counties have completed all assignments and have an action plan and system model for a coordinated public transportation system.

8. Five Elements of building an Effective Public Transit System

11. Team Member • The Transit Partnership Group is the most important aspect of the coordination effort. • An effective TPG is able to: • draw upon its knowledge • bring individual skills to the collective group • generate ideas • locate and organize resources • educate others about public transportation • bring additional constituents to the table • share the workload • TPG Team Members will play an increasingly important role — assessing needs and resources, strengthening relationships, educating the public, evaluating services and making decisions for the whole county.

12. Stakeholder Representation • It is imperative that the TPG be made up of the widest range of stakeholders available from the beginning. • This will help counties: • avoid repetitious meetings • educate as many people as possible about the need for enhanced public transportation • engage stakeholders who are enthusiastic • gain many perspectives on the transit needs of the county • develop a resilient TPG to keep the process moving forward

13. Team Leader • To accomplish its goals, each TPG needs to select a team leader responsible for managing daily tasks. • The team leader will: • be the primary contact • coordinate group efforts and communication • organize meetings • be able to move the effort forward • keep the TPG and the general public energized

14. Scorecard — Phase One

15. Scorecard — Phase Two

17. Scorecard — Phase three

18. the 7 Main Principles of Developing a Coordinated Public transportation system(Bill Jung, CEO, Rides MTD)

20. The 3 Goals When Designing a Coordinated Public Transportation System

21. successes • As of October 2008, 3 counties in Phase One, 11 counties in Phase Two, 6 counties in Phase Three • By early 2009, expect 15 or so counties to be working in Phase Three • Transit Partnership Group has proven the value of communication, cooperation, and collaboration • Primer received 2007 NADO Excellence in Regional Transportation Award; listed as best practice on UWR site • Presentations to Midwestern Governors Association Rural Families Institute, IL Poverty Summit, ICDD Transitions Conference, IL Association of Townships, IPTA, IARF, IL CAA Conference, various IDOA conferences; Primer presented not only as an accessibility/mobility tool but as a community development tool

22. challenges • Staffing- 1 FT staff, plus RTAC Manager • Logistics- working simultaneously with 20 counties; additional counties are requesting assistance and the 3-YR window to access new Section 5311 funding narrows • Travel- 25,000 miles per year… and growing! • “Lack of willingness is the only barrier to transportation coordination.” -Bill Jung • Excuses- insurance, mixing clients, funding restrictions, vehicle sharing- all are “perceived” barriers which can be overcome with operational or administrative adjustments… translate to “We don’t want to coordinate.” • Politics- city, county, region, state