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Improving the Effectiveness & Efficiency of Transportation through Coordination. Panhandle Regional Transit Coordination Plan. Presented on the behalf of the Panhandle Regional Transportation Advisory Group. by The Goodman Corporation. June 1, 2006. Overview of Presentation. BACKGROUND:
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Improving the Effectiveness & Efficiency of Transportation through Coordination Panhandle Regional Transit Coordination Plan Presented on the behalf of the Panhandle Regional Transportation Advisory Group by The Goodman Corporation June 1, 2006
Overview of Presentation BACKGROUND: What is Transit Coordination? Who is Involved in Creating Our Plan? What is Being Done to Create Our Plan? DISCUSSION: What are Your Concerns and Needs? What are Your Ideas to Improve Transit?
What is Transit Coordination? • Using Limited Resources Wisely & • Meeting More Needs through Partnerships Transit Agency Health & Human Service Agency Transit Agency, HHS, Community Org Community Organization
Why Coordinate . . . • Opportunity to Provide More Extensive & Better Service • FTA will require a regional coordinated plan for funding for transit services for persons with disabilities, elderly persons and those that are moving from welfare to work. • Funding will become more competitive • 1. Revenue mile per capita • 2. System trips per capita • 3. Local funds / Local commitment
Who Supports Coordination? Federal: SAFETEA-LU, the federal transit bill, requires a locally developed coordination plan for all FTA programs for underserved populations. United We Ride (www.unitedweride.gov) is an interagency Federal initiative that supports States and their localities in developing coordinated human service delivery systems.
Who Supports Coordination? State: Texas H.B. 3588 provides a starting place for developing goals and objectives: Goal: To improve the delivery of transportation Goal: To generate efficiencies in operation Goal: To enhance customer service satisfaction TxDOT is leading the effort to develop regional plans for Texas. (www.regionalservicesplanning.org)
Regional Coordination in Texas In Texas, Regional Transit Coordination is taking place across 24 regions that are defined by Council of Governments. In the Panhandle, the lead agency is the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.
Who is Involved in Creating a Plan for the Panhandle? Any entity that provides public transportation services if it is a local/state/or federal entity or receives financial assistance from a local/state/or federal entity. Examples: Amarillo City Transit System Panhandle Community Service Jan Werner AAA for the Panhandle Goodwill Industries Private Retirement / Assisted Living Centers
Ex: Coordination Projects Transportation Brokerage • Agencies have shared their vehicles with the clients of other agencies, so that service among participation agencies is no longer client only. • Trips are coordinated through a single point If agencies need more transportation than they can provide, agencies can purchase transportation from another contract service provider.
Ex: Coordination Projects • Volunteer Transportation for Multiple Agencies • Health and Human Services agencies share a volunteer pool • Riders are encouraged to help find drivers and agencies help to find drivers as well. The lead agency provides training, coordinates insurance issues and takes care of reimbursing volunteers for their mileage
Keys to Success • Coalition Building • Strong Leadership • Build on diversified funding sources • Make Coordination a Local Priority • Patience
But, It’s Not Easy . . . • It takes time, attention & coalition building • Biggest Challenges are: • Developing Trust & • Sustaining Effort • An Incremental Approach is Best – Rome isn’t built in a day! • Communication among partners is critical
What’s Our Process? • Identify Stakeholders • Contacting over 200 transit, HHS providers, & businesses to learn about their programs and needs • Involve the Community • Hold 9 public meetings throughout the 26-county area • Develop Plan for Coordination • What pilot projects make sense for the Panhandle? • Workshop Pilot Projects with Stakeholders • Review Pilot Projects with Advisory Group • Develop Draft Report and Presentation of Findings
Discussion • What services do you use? • What do you like about the service? • What would you like to see changed?
Discussion • What is most important to you in a transit service? • Flexibility • Reasonable Cost • Hours of Service • Level of Assistance • Other?
Discussion Assume that human services transit were coordinated and that you were sharing a ride with individuals who were clients of different agencies: • What are your concerns? • How would you respond to these concerns?
Panhandle Region Transit Coordination Plan To learn more: www.panhandlertag.com Susan Maclay, TGC Consultant: smaclay@thegoodmancorp.com Or Chris Coffman, PRPC Director of Local Government Services ccoffman@prpc.cog.tx.us