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CTAA Vanpool Webinar (March 23, 2010) Shamus Misek Washington Department of Transportation. Vanpool Related Experience. Developed, Implemented & Managed Pace Vanpool Incentive Program (1990-2001) Manager, Research Transportation Programs University of Illinois, Chicago (2001-2008)
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CTAA Vanpool Webinar (March 23, 2010) Shamus MisekWashington Department of Transportation
Vanpool Related Experience • Developed, Implemented & Managed Pace Vanpool Incentive Program (1990-2001) • Manager, Research Transportation Programs University of Illinois, Chicago (2001-2008) • Rideshare Program Manager, WSDOT (2009-Present)
Washington State Vanpools • First Public Vanpool in Operation (Commuter Pool (1979) • State Vanpool Investment Program (VIP) • 10 Year $30 million capital program • Goal – 3,200 vanpools in operation by 2013
Washington State Vanpools (cont) • 2009-2011 Biennium Budget for Vanpooling * $7 million * Capital expenditure & incentives to expand vanpooling • To Date (Through January, 2010) * Vanpools in operation statewide: 2,560 * Average occupancy/van: 8.3
Washington State Vanpools (cont) • 20 Transit Agencies Operate Vanpool Programs • Smallest – Valley Transit • 3 Vanpools in Operation • Largest King County Metro • 950 Vanpools in Operation • 150 Vanshares
Key Considerations • Is It Marketable? • Is It Transit? • Is It Cost Effective? • Can It Be Integrated With Other Transit Offerings? • Can It Meet Title VI Regulations and NTD Reporting Requirements?
Funding/Financing Sources Options • Local Transit Agency Funding (Sales tax, gas tax, etc.) • Federal Funding (ISTEA, CMAQ, JARC, New Freedom, Stimulus (capital), FTA-UZA Formula Funds) • State Funding (Capital Purchase, Operations)
Funding/Financing Sources (cont) • Capital Cost of Contracting (5307 , 5311, or sections of 5313 (b), 5310 ) • Toll Revenue Credits (Use as Match) • Advertising Revenue
Operational Considerations • Internal (In-House) • External (Turnkey) * 3rd party private operator (e.g. VPSI or Enterprise) • Hybrid (Internal with External) * Internal with outside vendor provided support
Non - Traditional Approaches to Vanpool Program Management • Vehicle Procurement, Fleet Maintenance & Management Handled By A Private Fleet Leasing/Management Firm • Van Procurement Bid Award Based on $$ Over/Under Manufacturer Invoice • Each Rider Receives a Monthly Fare Invoice
Non - Traditional Approaches to Vanpool Program Management (cont) • Bill Riders Directly (Internally or Utilize An Outside Vendor) • Administer It Like Other Transit Services (Passes, Electronic • Payments – Credit/Debit Card, Payroll Deduction, Etc.) • Oversight & Control – Establish/Set Rider Fares, Approve Van Routes, Etc.
Program Management Related • Fleet Management Company • Handles Van Maintenance, Billing, Van Repair Cost & Info Data Entry & Tracking • Assists Drivers with all (Scheduled/Non-Scheduled) Van Repairs • Coupon Booklets for Van PMs • Handles Emergency Roadside Assistance • Van Procurements • Accident & Subrogation Management • Tax Exempt Fuel Cards • Tax Exempt Maintenance Purchases • Rental Car/Taxi/Limo Arrangements • Personal Computer Information System (Vanpool Fleet Maintenance Tracking) • Van Drive-Away Service to Deliver Loaner Vans
Primary Driver Program Feature Considerations • Allow Driver to Purchase Van at Discounted Price at End of Van’s Useful Life • Annual Driver Award Brunch • Honors all Primary Drivers for Their Efforts • Safe Driving Awards • Primary/Back-Up Driver of the Year Award • Driver Personal Miles Related • 300 miles/month plus 100 buffer miles/month • Personal miles can be banked up to 500 miles • 300 bonus miles given at start-of new year
Primary Driver Related Program Feature Considerations (cont) • Pays no Fare • No Responsibility to Collect Fares from Riders • Comprehensive Support Program • Insurance • Fuel/Maintenance Cards • Emergency Roadside Assistance • Accident Management • Spare/Loaner Vans • Van Drive Away Service • Annual Van Wash Cards • Tollway Cards/I-Pass Units • Car Rental Service
Rider Related Program Feature Considerations • Invoice Riders on a Monthly Basis • Rider Receives a Monthly Vanpool Pass • Annual Rider Fare Discount • Ability to Purchase Discounted Transit Pass • Flexible Monthly Payment Options • Payroll Deduction • Debit/Credit Card Payment Option • Electronic Payment Options
Program Feature Considerations • Emergency/Guaranteed Ride Home Program • Bookkeeper (Reward them for doing a good job) • Bi-Monthly/Quarterly Newsletters to Vanpool Participant Community • Early Vanpool Starts
Program Fare Related Feature Considerations • Varying Recovery Rates/Rider/Van • Rider Fare Category Related • Individual Based (4, 5, 6 … etc.) • Combination Based (4-5, 6-7, … etc.) • Reduces Fare Volatility • Allow/Encourage Employers to Subsidize • Rider Fares • Empty Seats • Maintain Rider Fare Stability • Meet/Maintain Established Minimum Rider/Van Requirement
Vanpool Van Related • Minivans (5 Passengers plus Driver) • Conversion Vans (10 Passengers plus Driver) • Captain Chairs • Running Boards • Each Seat Has Its Own A/C, Heat and Reading Lights • Window Blinds • Maxivans (15 Passengers plus Driver) • After Market Equipment Added to Vans • Telematics • Fire Extinguishers • Safety Triangle Kits • First Aid Kits • Back-Up Beepers • Cut-Off Switches
Measure/Determine Success and Address Customer Concerns/Needs • Utilize Various Feedback Tools • Conduct Participant Surveys • Riders • Drivers • Conduct Participant Exit Surveys • Conduct Amenities Surveys • “Air It Out” Postcards Available on Van
How To Be Successful? • Once Your “Core “ Program is Operational Remember to be: • Be Flexible • Listen to Your Customer(s) • Be Creative • Be Responsive
Other Vanpool Service Related Applications • Traditional • Subscription Shuttle/Feeder Services • Employer • Not-For-Profit • Welfare-to-Work • Homeless to Work • Non-Emergency Medical • ADvAntage
Contact Info Shamus Misek Rideshare Program Manager WSDOT Public Transportation Division P. O. Box 47387 Olympia, WA 985004-7387 miseks@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7346