Improving the Effectiveness & Efficiency of Transportation through Coordination

June 1, 2006Presented by The Goodman CorporationRegional Transportation Coordination Planning

Improving the Improving the Effectiveness & Efficiency Effectiveness & Efficiency of Transportation of Transportation through Coordinationthrough Coordination

Panhandle Regional Panhandle Regional Transit Coordination Transit Coordination

PlanPlanPresented on the behalf of thePresented on the behalf of the Panhandle Regional Transportation Panhandle Regional Transportation Advisory GroupAdvisory Group

by by The Goodman The Goodman CorporationCorporation

June 1, 2006


Overview of Overview of PresentationPresentation

BACKGROUND:BACKGROUND:What is Transit Coordination?What is Transit Coordination?

Who is Involved in Creating Our Plan?Who is Involved in Creating Our Plan?

What is Being Done to Create Our Plan?What is Being Done to Create Our Plan?

DISCUSSION:DISCUSSION:What are Your Concerns and Needs? What are Your Concerns and Needs?

What are Your Ideas to Improve Transit?What are Your Ideas to Improve Transit?


What is Transit What is Transit Coordination? Coordination?

Using Limited Resources Wisely & Using Limited Resources Wisely & Meeting More Needs through PartnershipsMeeting More Needs through Partnerships

Transit Agency

Health & Human Service Agency

Community Organization

Transit Agency, HHS, Community Org


Why Coordinate . . . 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 competitive1. Revenue mile per capita2. System trips per capita3. Local funds / Local commitment


Who Supports Who Supports Coordination? 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 Who Supports Coordination? 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 Regional Coordination in Texas 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 Who is Involved in Creating a Plan for the Creating a Plan for the Panhandle?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 Ex: Coordination ProjectsProjects

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 Ex: Coordination ProjectsProjects

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 issuesand takes care of reimbursing volunteers for their mileage


Keys to Success Keys to Success

Coalition Building Strong Leadership Build on diversified funding sources Make Coordination a Local Priority Patience


But, It’s Not Easy . . . 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 What’s Our Process?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


DiscussionDiscussion

• What services do you use?

• What do you like about the service?

• What would you like to see changed?



• What is most important to you in a transit service?• Flexibility• Reasonable Cost• Hours of Service• Level of Assistance• Other?



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 Panhandle Region Region Transit Transit Coordination PlanCoordination Plan

To learn more: To learn more: www.panhandlertag.com

Susan Maclay, TGC Consultant: Susan Maclay, TGC Consultant: [email protected]

Or Or Chris Coffman, PRPC Director Chris Coffman, PRPC Director of Local Government Servicesof Local Government Services

[email protected] [email protected]

Improving the Effectiveness & Efficiency of Transportation through Coordination

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