PSRC 2016-2017 Coordinated Grant Competition

PSRC Special Needs Transportation Funding - FTA 5310 Grant Funds 

and 

Regional Ranking for WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program 

APPLICATIONThe competitive Coordinated Grant program funds eligible projects from Federal Transit Administration (FTA)Section 5310 (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities) program in the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett Urbanized Area, and provides regional priority ranking for state and other FTA special needstransportation funds managed by WSDOT in its Consolidated Grant Program. Special needs projects provide transportation services to seniors, people with disabilities, low-income, andyouth to help them get to medical appointments, educational opportunities, jobs, shopping and socialinteractions. This application is for PSRC’s 5310 funds as well as to evaluate the regional priority ranking for the WSDOTConsolidated Grant program.  See the following link for more information such as FAQ’s.http://www.psrc.org/funding/selection/special/ 

IMPORTANT:  We strongly encourage you to create a user account using the option on the following pagebefore beginning the application form.  This will allow you to save and return to the form as you completeeach section of the application. 

 

Basic Project Information

Project Title *

KP School Bus Connects (KPSBC)

Project Description (short description of the project elements) *

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Puget Sound Educational Service District, in partnership with Key Peninsula Community Council (KPC) and the Peninsula School District, intends to provide transportation services with off-duty school buses to a remote region of Pierce County that has no other scheduled transportation option. During the school year, this program will provide transportation services three days a week. In the summer, buses will operate on Tuesdays to take riders to Key Center, Volunteer Park, the food bank, Purdy Park-and-Ride and local stops.

Key Peninsula School Bus Connects (KPSBC) is a program that improves service reliability, customer convenience and community engagement. Additionally, The Mustard Seed Project, a local nonproἀ渄t serving seniors, will coordinate with KPSBC to provide Community Use Van service for seniors to connect to the KPSBC routes and other local services.

Type of Project *

Operations

Is this application for a project or program that is existing, expanded or new? Please see deἀ渄nitions belowas needed.   *

Existing

Expanded

New (not to combine with existing or expanded)

Existing (sustaining) – An existing project/ program is currently addressing a need or gap identiἀ渄ed in theCoordinated plan and this grant application is to maintain the current service levels/ geographic areas/hours, etc. that meet those needs or gaps.   A project / program is still considered ‘existing’ even if it hasnever been funded by the Coordinated Grant in the past or if the grant request is increased over currentamounts in order to maintain the existing level of service.

Expansion – A project/ program is considered an ‘expansion’ if the Coordinated Grant request is to buildon an existing project/ program to fund increased service levels, expanded service to new areas orexpanded hours of service, an expanded program, new busses purchased to expand service, new staffhours, etc.  The project/program is considered ‘expansion’ only if grant funds are used for expansion.

New – A project/ program is considered new if it is a stand-alone project/program that has not beenfunded by the Coordinated Grant and wouldn’t be characterized as ‘building upon’ or expanding anexisting program.  Examples include new technologies, new service, a new program, new mobilitymanagement/travel training program, etc.

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Agency and Contact Information

Sponsoring Agency *

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Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD)

Contact Name *

Jacqueline Mann

Contact Phone *

(425) 917-7886

Contact Email *

jmann@psesd.org

Type of Applicant *

Public Transit Agency

Private non-proἀ渄t organization

Private for proἀ渄t

Tribal Government

State Agency

Local Government

Special District (i.e school, port)

Other 

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Grant Request

Amounts of grant funds for which you are seeking:

Please select the appropriate grant funding source(s) you are seeking and enter the correspondingamount(s) below.   Please use the "calculate" button to ensure the correct funding amounts have beenincluded.

To which agency(ies) and for what type of funds are you applying? *

PSRC Section 5310 Funds Traditional (new or sustaining)

PSRC Section 5310 Funds Other (new or sustaining)

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WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program (new or sustaining)

PSRC Section 5310 Funds Traditional (expansion)

PSRC Section 5310 Funds Other (expansion)

WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program (expansion)

PSRC Section 5310 Funds Other (new or sustaining)

$150,000

Total:

$150000

Please attach your PSRC eligibility screening determination here:

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PSRC_Eligibility_for_KP_School_Bus_Connections.msg (30k)  Upload Delete

Has your organization received PSRC or WSDOT Coordinated Grant Funds during the 2015-17 Biennium forthe proposed project/ program? *

Yes

Identify the amount of funding received (this will be identi᐀�ed as the project/ program's baseline fundinglevel.) * 

$150,000

If this grant request is greater than the baseline funding level, provide a justiἀ渄cation for the increase in costand describe the effect on your project/ program if you were funded at the baseline funding level instead ofyour full grant request. *

Not applicable.

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Project or Program Scalability

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Is your project scalable? * 

Yes

No

In what increments can your project be scaled back and still remain a viable project? If this is an expansionproject, please indicate if it can be scaled in smaller increments if unable to award the full amount ofexpansion request. * 

If absolutely necessary, the grant is able to reduce the number of days of service during the school year. Curtailing the number of days by one day a week would reduce the total grant request by $25,000.

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Budget Revenues and Expenses

Please identify the budget for the project/program including the match amount in the tables below.  Pleaseuse the "calculate" button to ensure the correct funding amounts have been included.  

As a reminder, the budget = grant request + required match + any other funding source needed.  

Grant Sources

Grant Funding Source(PSRC and/or WSDOT)

Grant Request Amount

Grant Funding Source #1 *

PSRC Section 5310 Funds Other (New or Sustaining) $150,000

Total Grant Request: $150000

Match Revenue Sources

Match Funding Source(local, in-kind, etc.)

Secured/ Unsecured(at the time of grant request)

Amount

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Match Funding Source #1 *

Local

5/255 characters

Secured/Unsecured *

Secured

 *

$47,500

Match Funding Source #2

In-Kind

7/255 characters

Secured/Unsecured

Secured $88,000

Match Funding Source #3

Cash

4/255 characters

Secured/Unsecured

Reasonable expected to be secure $15,000

Total Match: $150500

Total Project Cost (Grant +Match):

$300500 % Match: 50%

If in-kind match is being used, please attach your in-kind valuation proposal.

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Please describe how your budget above was developed (i.e.  based on existing experience oradopted budget and/or reasonably expected funding and expenditure and assumptions). *

KPSBC has the experience of ἀ渄ve years of operation, which informed the budget development for 2017- 2019. In 2015, KPSBC, with grant assistance, was able to extend the service from two to three days per week during the school year. This request maintains the amount of funding that the project received for 2015 - 2017 as partnerships and cost-effectiveness have contained the expenses. The budget is planned to cover expenses should there be a slight in㰀謄ation rise.

The budget includes a $10,000 cash grant, called The Partnership Project, awarded to the KP Community Council (KPC) from the Gary Milgard Foundation to expand services beyond this grant. This grant includes additional marketing design, printing and local events, as well as community conversations, outreach, and the development of new transportation partners. Based on the success of the current Gary Milgard Foundation grant, it is expected that the program will be extended for an additional two years.

The Milgard grant is focused on building a healthy community beginning with a focus on community assets. The community partners determined and wrote into the grant to begin by focusing on transportation, hunger and health and wellness. Included in the grant was $10,000 for direct transportation program support. The added funding allowed KPSBC to expand summer transportation service from one to 3 days a week. The success of the program has attracted the interest of community members with other funding resources. As a result, we anticipate that this private funding will attract new partnerships and leverage additional resources.

Expenses: Identify the expenses required for this project/ program

Please identify all project or program expenses and amounts (i.e. staff time, consultants, fuel and laborcosts, insurance, etc).  Please use the "calcluate" button to ensure the correct funding amounts have beenincluded.  If additional lines are needed than provided below, please submit these with an attachment.  

Expenses *

Contracted Services

Expense Amount *

$135,000

Expense #2

Indirect Costs $15,000

Expense #3

Other program expenses: cash, local and in-kind match costs $150,050

Total Expenses:  $300050

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Project Service Level Infomation

Please provide the current biennium (2015-2017) service levels as well as the service levels projected forthe next biennium (2017-2019). Depending on the project type, these can be provided using revenue vehiclehours, revenue vehicle trips, passenger trips, volunteer hours, etc. For mobility management projects,summarize your service accomplishments both quantitatively and qualitatively. *

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The Key Peninsula School Bus Connects (KPSBC) 2015 - 2016 service levels are funded for 3 days a week during the school year and 1 day a week during the summer.

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 (Actuals)Revenue Vehicle Hours - 311 Revenue Vehicle Miles - 6729Passenger Trips - 706Volunteer Hours - 591 hoursService days - 118

July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 (Budgeted/Projected)Revenue Vehicle Hours - 340 Revenue Vehicle Miles - 7900 Passenger Trips - 1000 Volunteer Hours - 620 Service Days - 135 Projected July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2019 (Projected)Revenue Vehicle Hours - 700 Revenue Vehicle Miles - 16, 200 Passenger Trips - 2000Volunteer Hours - 1250Service Days - 270

WSDOT Consolidated Grant Regional Priority Ranking

If you are applying for funding through the WSDOT Consolidated Grant program, please provide ajustiἀ渄cation for why your program or project should receive a regional priority ranking from the centralPuget Sound region (PSRC)?

 If your are applying for PSRC funding only, please indicate by including "Not Applicable" below.  *

Key Peninsula School Bus Connects (KPSBC) is the only public transportation option available for special needs population -- seniors, people with disabilities, low-income, youth and veterans on the Key Peninsula. Through careful coordination and partnerships, KPSBC links riders from rural and remote points using off-duty school buses to Key Peninsula services, educational opportunities, shopping and to more metropolitan locations in Pierce County and beyond. Transportation is one of the highest priorities in the Key Peninsula Community Plan and KPSBC is a lifeline to health care, food, educational and other important social and basic support services.

Please indicate whether you require state funding from WSDOT in order to ensure minimum match forfederal funds. *

Yes

No

Not Applicable

Are you willing to withdraw your Consolidated Grant regional priority ranking request and WSDOTConsolidated Grant application if the Special Needs Transportation Committee (SNTC) provides arecommendation for PSRC to fund your program/project request with FTA Section 5310 funds? [Note: ᐀�naldecision on PSRC funding occurs after the WSDOT grant deadline.] *

Yes

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No

Not Applicable

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Policy Criteria

Addressing Needs and Gaps

The needs and gaps identi᐀�ed in the PSRC 2015-2018 Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Planare noted in Chapter 4 of the plan document.  Please reference these in your answers below.

Identify the needs and gaps from the PSRC 2015-2018 Coordinated Transit-Human Services TransportationPlan that your project/program addresses.  For expansion projects, please include only the needs and gapsthat the existing project addresses. *

Needs and Gaps (Referenced pp 35 - 39 - http://www.psrc.org/assets/11596/CoordinatedPlan2015-2018.pdf

NEEDS THAT KPSBC ADDRESSES• Safe and convenient access to appropriate transportation options • Affordable transportation options • Reliable transportation • Safe and secure transportation • Clear information on available transportation options • Convenient trip planning • Reasonable travel times• Accessible service• Seamless connections between transportation services

GAPS THAT KPSBC ADDRESSES • Spatial Gaps • Temporal Gaps • Institutional Gaps • Awareness Gaps

Describe how the project or program addresses those needs or gaps.   For expansion projects, please onlyaddress how the existing projects addresses the needs or gaps. *

Needs and Gaps (Referenced plan pp 35 - 39 - http://www.psrc.org/assets/11596/CoordinatedPlan2015-2018.pdf

NEEDS THAT KPSBC ADDRESSES:

•Safe and convenient access to appropriate transportation options – Routes are offered at school bus stops throughout the rural Key Peninsula.

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•Affordable transportation options – There is no cost to riders.

•Reliable transportation – School buses are reliable as the school district hires trained drivers who are familiar with the routes and the schedules. Riders count on the buses to be on time so that they can meet their appointments and other connections. The project reliability is overseen by Peninsula School District, Key Peninsula Community Council and PSESD.

•Safe and secure transportation – School buses are safe, secure and diligently serviced, as they are required to meet Washington State requirements for driver certiἀ渄cation and training.

•Clear information on available transportation options - KPSBC information is available 24/7 on-line: (http://www.kpcouncil.org/kp-school-bus-connect.html), through dialing 211 (a referral and linkage service operated by United Way of Pierce County), via phone directly at 253-884-BUSS and through brochures available at multiple community locations.

•Convenient trip planning - Access is available at strategic locations, school bus stops, throughout the Key Peninsula.

•Reasonable travel times - Four routes are scheduled daily during school year, three days a week and two routes are available one day a week during the summer. Services are available from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

* Accessible transportation - On the day that Key Peninsula (KP) honors its veterans, close to Memorial Day, the whole community celebrates an Aisle of Honor at the Vaughn Cemetery. At the ceremony, a 㰀謄ag is posted for every KP veteran, past and present, who has served our country. Over 350 㰀謄ags are 㰀謄ying with each branch of the armed services recognized as part of the ceremony. KPSBC is able to provide wheelchair accessible transportation for veterans and other disabled citizens to attend/participate in the ceremony. Additionally, KPSBC partners with The Mustard Seed, a senior services nonproἀ渄t on the Peninsula, to coordinate wheelchair-accessible rides for those in need throughout the year.

•Seamless connections between transportation services – KPSBC coordinates with Pierce Transit and Kitsap Transit at Purdy Park- and-Ride, The Gig Harbor Trolley, The Mustard Seed van service for seniors, and regional connections.

GAPS THAT KPSBC ADDRESSES

Spatial Gap"Transit service reductions have made it increasingly difἀ渄cult to connect rural clients and riders toareas well served by ἀ渄xed-route transit. Transit service to destinations outside of major activity centers is inadequate to meet the needs of special needs populations." KPSBC provides the ONLY transportation option to low income, special needs, youth and veterans on the Peninsula who have no private transportation. With Pierce Transit's cutbacks several years ago, until this project was implemented, no public transportation options were available.

Temporal Gaps"Temporal gaps are caused when transportation service is not available at times when it is needed by special needs transportation populations."The need for transportation is increasing on the Key Peninsula particularly due to the rise in thehomeless population and an increase in alternative options during non-school hours for low-income and disadvantaged youth (Over 50% of the youth on the KP are below the poverty level. 70+% on the lower KP are eligible for the federal free and reduced priced lunch program).

KPSBC also partners with The Mustard Seed Project, a nonproἀ渄t senior services organization, tooffer bus connections for senior citizens. The Mustard Seed Project provides Community Use Vanservice for seniors to have wheelchair accessible ride to link with KPSBC routes. The KPSBC transportation program, even if only available two or three days a week, is critical for these growing populations to access essential life support and educational services.

Institutional Gaps KPSBC will partner with the Peninsula School District to utilize school buses and drivers when they are not transporting students. We will partner with The Mustard Seed Project Senior Ride Program to utilize their van program as a connector service for seniors to KPSBC bus stops.

Awareness GapsKPSBC ἀ渄lls this gap by establishing and promoting the school bus transportation option for the rural and special needs populations. The KP News publishes schedules regularly. Schedules and project information are also available at the local library, on the Key Peninsula Community Council website, and on our Facebook page. Various locations around the Peninsula have KPSBC brochures and schedules including The Mustard Seed, the library and the food bank.

Residents of the community are invited to community conversations to discuss KPSBC and provide feedback that informs the planning process. A community transportation forum will be held in 2016 - 2017 and the results will be used to address awareness gaps in 2017 - 2019.

If your program does not receive grant funding, will the lack of funding create a new mobility need or gapfor people with special transportation needs? *

Yes

If so, please describe the impact to populations served in terms of creating new needs or gaps if yourproject or program is not funded. *

Seniors, especially those aging in place, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income youth will lose the opportunity to access transportation to essential services: laundry services, weekly food purchases, educational opportunities, health care services and connections to Purdy Park-and-Ride and Kitsap Transit within and beyond the Peninsula to reach more populated cities of Gig Harbor, Tacoma and Kitsap Peninsula destinations. Without grant funding, many people who have grown to rely on KPSBC will be isolated and without needed resources.

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Policy Criteria

Goals and Prioritized Strategies

The goals and prioritized strategies identi᐀�ed in the PSRC 2015-2018 Coordinated Transit-Human ServicesTransportation Plan are described beginning on page 46 of the plan document.  Please reference these in youranswers.

Identify the prioritized strategy(ies) from the PSRC 2015-2018 Coordinated Transit-Human ServicesTransportation Plan that your project or program addresses and describe how the project or programaddresses this(these) strategy(ies). *

The following strategies are included in the PSRC Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. http://www.psrc.org/assets/11596/CoordinatedPlan2015-2018.pdf p. 50

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a. Develop and deliver affordable, accessible and innovative transportation programs and projects that address the needs and gaps identiἀ渄ed in the Coordinated plan.KPSBC came about in 2013 when concerned citizens identiἀ渄ed the lack of transportation as a key priority for the community. Partnerships with the Key Peninsula Community Council, the school district, The Mustard Seed and various community groups worked together with PSESD to design, develop and implement the project that operates with off-duty school buses to serve seniors and people with special needs. At no cost to the riders, KPSBC is the transportation lifeline for people who would otherwise be without rides to local and distant locations.

b. Improve connections to and within the regional transportation systems. KPSBC connects riders at the Purdy Park-and-Ride to regional transportation including Pierce Transit, the Gig Harbor Trolley and Kitsap Transit buses.

c. Improve functionality of passenger facilities, traveler information resources, and ride share programs. KPSBC partners with Peninsula School District who takes full responsibility for maintenance of the school buses. Key Peninsula Community Council is the local lead for this project and oversees signage at school bus stop so that they are maintained and clearly visible. Ride sharing is coordinated directly by the 211 program, where individuals can call for help with transportation and other services. Other partners work together through the Special Needs Transportation Coalition and committees and coordinate directly with each other to ensure that riders’ needs are met.

d. Encourage and respond to stakeholder feedback.

Key Peninsula is a welcoming and friendly community that invites and respects verbal and written feedback from its residents. Key Peninsula Community Council (KPC), the local lead agency for KPSBC, held two meetings in 2015 - 2016 that were open to the public. These were called transportation "Community Conversations." Another open forum gathering, called "Key Peninsula Community Innovation Forum," is in the planning stage and will be held within the next year. KPC incorporates feedback on needs and suggestions from the town meetings to build its transportation schedules. e. Create new and maintain existing partnerships that address the needs and gaps identiἀ渄ed in this plan.Since 2013, KPSBC has grown stronger and more efἀ渄cient in its operations. Full credit is due to the partnerships that launched the project, and have continued to contribute valued in-kind services:* Peninsula School District - provides the off-duty school buses (which they maintain) and the bus drivers (trained and certiἀ渄ed by the district). The district's transportation manager actively assists with the scheduling and cost efἀ渄ciencies.* The Mustard Seed - Key Peninsula's nonproἀ渄t senior services program was a founding partner. Their own senior van services, wheel-chair accessible, complements (but does not duplicate) KPSBC's own transportation routes and resources.* Other social services agencies on the Peninsula continue to refer clients and provide volunteer and/or in-kind resources.

* NEW PARTNER - Gary Milgard Foundation is the project's newest partner called Key Peninsula Partnership for a Healthy Community. A cash grant of $10,000 was awarded to Key Peninsula Community Council (KPC) to enhance the services that KPSBC was providing. This is the ἀ渄rst of a three-year award with annual renewal based on project performance. One of the project's goals is to explore and secure additional cash and in-kind partners in 2016 - 2017.

f. Develop and implement performance measures that track program and service efἀ渄ciency. KPSBC has performance measures in place that include: passenger trips, service days, vehicle revenue hours and revenue miles that serve as the basis for evaluating effectiveness and cost efἀ渄ciencies.

g. Reduce the cost of providing special needs transportation services.By partnering with Peninsula School District and The Mustard Seed (senior vans), KPSBC has no capital expenses and is able to provide transportation services.

We believe that the KPSBC program has a wide application across Washington State, particularly in rural and remote communities. Replication of this model has the potential of increasing transportation access to un- and underserved communities statewide.

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Policy Criteria

Coordination and Avoiding Unnecessary Duplications

Describe how your organization demonstrates effective partnerships (including long-term ἀ渄nancialpartners), combines resources for developing or sustaining projects or fosters shared-use arrangements. *

• Key Peninsula Community Council (KPC) has served and will continue to serve as the point of coordination and oversight for the KP Transportation Coalition. During the 2015 - 2016 project year, the KPC convened information sharing conversations at three public meetings with the larger community, nonproἀ渄ts and with other organizations across the Key Peninsula. This effort has been successful in gaining credibility, new ridership and it will actively continue during the next year. It is also an integral component of KPSBC’s vision for 2017 - 2019.

• Peninsula School District, a founding partner in 2013, has been and will continue to be an instrumental partner bringing their off-duty school buses, drivers, trainers, transportation experience, dispatch and supervision.

• Children's Home Society's Family Resource Center has and will continue to provide centralized meeting space, shared ofἀ渄ce, and storage space for KPSBC project records.

• The Mustard Seed Project, a founding partner, has and will continue to contribute consultation and marketing support as well as transportation to connect seniors to KPSBC bus stops

• Franciscan Health System has and will contribute printing and marketing support.

• KP Community Services has and will continue to provide printing and marketing through the Food Bank.

• Gary Milgard Foundation is a new ἀ渄nancial partner in 2015 - 2016. Their $10,000 cash award (the ἀ渄rst of potentially three years) facilitated resources to expand the summer program and the opportunity to map the Peninsula's transportation assets and needs.

Do any of your partners provide ἀ渄nancial commitment to the project/program? *

Yes

No

Cite jurisdiction or planning documents that includes or supports your project/ program. These can includelocal comprehensive plans, mobility management plans, plans developed by area agencies on aging, etc. *

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The following are planning documents where KPSBC is referenced in the page numbers and/or the Attachment.

Puget Sound Regional Council Att. C, P. 9

Pierce Transit - Transit Development Plan Page 13

Pierce County Coordinated Plan Page 4

Pierce County Comprehensive Plan Pages 12-40 to 12-46

The Key Peninsula Community Plan was adopted in 2008. A copy of that plan can be viewed at: www.co.pierce.wa.us/documentcenter/view/4040.

Please note that when the 2008 plan was adopted, Pierce Transit was still serving the Key Peninsula. Shortly after the plan adoption, all Pierce Transit services to the Key Peninsula were discontinued - completely.

Does your project/program serve a geographical area that is already served by another agency, including apublic transit agency or is there another duplication in service provided? *

Yes

No

If so, please justify the need for duplication or describe how duplication will be minimized or eliminated ifyour program is funded. *

KPSBC partners with Peninsula School District so that they can utilize off-duty school buses. The project's service is scheduled outside of school hours and does not duplicate services.

KPSBC partners with The Mustard Seed, a senior services nonproἀ渄t. The agencies coordinate services so that seniors are able to use each service to reach different destinations. There is no duplication in services.

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Technical Criteria

Technical Capacity

Describe how your project/ program makes efἀ渄cient use of funds. *

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Valuable routing efἀ渄ciencies have been implemented as a result of Peninsula School District's routing expertise and the experience of the project coordinator. In 2015 - 2016, the midday routes were consolidated from 2 routes to a single route without reducing level of service.

Multiple partners contribute individual resources that enhances the cost efἀ渄ciencies of KPSBC:__ Gary E Milgard Foundation contributed $10,000 that boosted the service levels at no additional cost to PSRC or WSDOT.

__ Peninsula School District absorbs all of the capital and maintenance expenses of the off-duty school buses. The district also trains and supervises the bus drivers.

__ Connections between KPSBC and other transportation services make it possible for seniors and people with special needs to complete cross-jurisdiction travel successfully.

__ The project coordinator, Marcia Harris, has more than 37 years of transportation management; 32 of those were with operations and ἀ渄nance with school districts.

Numerous individuals, private organizations and public entities made it possible for the Summer 2016 KPSBC schedule to be modiἀ渄ed to maximize pick up and drop off times to accommodate KPSBC operating hours and rider requests. Participants included: Pierce Transit, Pierce County Coordinated Special Needs Coalition, The Mustard Seed, The Red Barn, Communities in Schools, Lindquist Dental, Peninsula School District and Peninsula residents. As a result, summer routes were streamlined from 3 routes to 2 routes each day. Ridership rose from a total of 42 in summer 2015 to a total of 213 in 2016.

Accountability is monitored and achieved at several levels -- Peninsula School District, PSESD and Key Peninsula Community Council (KPC) -- for oversight, evaluation and planning purposes.

Describe how your organization has increased program/project ἀ渄nancial sustainability over time for theproject/ program seeking grant funds. *

The Key Peninsula Community Council (KPC) has created the Key Peninsula Partnership for a Healthy Community with Gary Milgard Foundation, a philanthropic funder in the Tacoma/Pierce County area. The grant of $10,000 (potentially the ἀ渄rst of a three-year award) expanded school bus services during the summer, increasing from 1 to 3 days a week during the summer of 2016. The Council is also working with other agencies and exploring grant possibilities for continuing/expanding transportation service options on Key Peninsula, an area otherwise without other public transportation options.

Over the course of the last two years, the Peninsula School District, working in conjunction with the project coordinator, has developed route and service efἀ渄ciencies. As a result, in㰀謄ationary costs were able to be absorbed within the KPSBC program's available funding.

Does your staff / agency have experience implementing programs using state or federal funds? *

Yes

No

If so, explain the role of the staff/ agency in managing these funds and if the grant was managedsuccessfully (met project milestones, minimized returned funds, addressed all federal or state reportingrequirements, etc.). *

Jacqueline Mann, PSESD, Director of Transportation, Facilities, and Operations, founded the RTI Van program in 1999 and is the lead grant manager. She has been responsible for directing, developing and implementing employment and training grants and opportunities forlow-income/TANF (welfare) families with young children. She has successfully managed pastfederal, state and private transportation grants for low-income, special needs and seniorsfunded through PSRC, WSDOT, JARC, FTA, DSHS and a collaborative of government and private resources.

Marcia E. Harris, KPSBC Manager, spent 37 years in Washington state public education; 32 of those years included responsibility for school district ἀ渄nance and operations including individual districts’ transportation operations. Most recently, Ms. Harris was Deputy Superintendent of Shoreline School District (2006 - 2012) and Peninsula School District (1995 - 2006). Ms. Harris has been coordinating the KPSBC program since 2013.

Annie Bell, Director of Transportation for the Peninsula School District, has 27 years of school transportation experience, 10 as director. She currently manages the entire PSD transportation operation. Her staff, Jo Lucas, bookkeeper, and Stephanie O'Brien-Fors, router/dispatcher, both extensively experienced, will remain with the program.

Did this program/project return federal or state funds from the 2013-15 biennium? *

Yes

No

If your agency has returned funds from the 2013-2015 biennium, please indicate the amount returned. *

$5,251

Explain the reason for the returned funds and any actions that have been taken that would prevent orminimize future returned funds. *

The returned $5,251 in the grant cycle 2013-15 for the KPSBC project was due to late submission of an invoice by the school district. It was a timing issue not a lack of need. The $5,251 was expended but needed to be covered by PSESD.

Is your project/program funded by PSRC or WSDOT grants for the 2015-17 biennium? *

Yes

No

Please indicate how much has been spent in the July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 time period , and whether ornot your project/program is on-track to fully expend its grant funds in the biennium.

$51,000 has currently been expended. It is anticipated that nearly the entire grant will be expended by the end of the biennium.

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Has your agency had any issue with complying with federal or state grant requirements that has threatenedits standing with WSDOT since July 1, 2013? *

Yes

No

Please describe your project/program’s implementation or maintenance plan including milestones,coordination efforts and/or outcomes, as appropriate to the type of project. *

Our project milestones and implementation plan continues to conduct community outreach and participation by the targeted seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, youth and low income populations. During 2016 the program has expanded the initiative to 'listen ἀ渄rst' and tailor routes to respond to rider and program needs. These activities have already resulted in a signiἀ渄cant increase in 2016 summer ridership.

COORDINATION:

Signiἀ渄cant efἀ渄ciencies were realized in the 2015 - 2016 year. This is re㰀謄ected in the reduction of revenue vehicle hours and vehicle miles, while increasing ridership substantially. Coordination with Peninsula School District and Key Peninsula Community Council resulted in the revision of routes and schedules in response to community need.

MILESTONES AND OUTCOMES: PLANNED AND ACTUAL

The Projected Milestones for July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2017 were: Revenue Vehicle Hours - 700Revenue Vehicle Miles 15,000Passenger Trips 1,600Service Days - 218

Actual Results for July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 (Year 1)Revenue Vehicle Hours - 311 (Exceeded projections due to routing efἀ渄ciencies)Revenue Vehicle Miles - 6,729 (Exceeded projections due to efἀ渄ciencies and ridership)Passenger Trips - 706 (Below projections but trending in a positive direction. Will meet target by June 30, 2017) Service Days - 118 (Exceeded projections as program was implemented earlier in September)

Projected Results/Milestones for July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 Revenue Revenue Vehicle Hours - 340 (Exceeded projections) Revenue Vehicle Miles - 7,900 (Exceeded projections) re㰀謄ects increased ridership and summer service daysPassenger Trips - 1,000 (Exceeded projections) additional summer service days & schedule improvementsService Days - 135 (Exceeded projections) re㰀謄ects foundation funding for 2 additional days/week in summer

In moving ahead, it is expected that the following performance measures will be reasonably accomplished:

Estimated Milestones for July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2019Revenue Vehicle Hours - 700 HoursRevenue Vehicle Miles - 16,200 MilesPassenger Trips - 2,000Service Days - 270

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Technical Criteria

Beneἀ渄t To Special Needs Populations

Identify your project/program service area in terms of geographical boundaries. * 

KPSBC serves Key Peninsula, a ἀ渄nger of land 16 miles long, located in Pierce County, and connects ridership throughout the mainly rural area with transportation options including those to the metropolitan areas. This project will serve Key Peninsula within the boundaries of the Peninsula School District. Stops are offered throughout points on the Key Peninsula ending at the Purdy Park-and-Ride to connect with Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit and Sound Transit. KPSBC makes integral connections with Pierce Transit and Kitsap Transit systems at the Purdy Park-and-Ride transit station. These transit systems provide access/connections to Washington State ferries, the Gig Harbor Trolley and Sound Transit. The Mustard Seed, a nonproἀ渄t agency with wheelchair accessible vans, coordinates with KPSBC and provides senior citizens access to KPSBC stops.

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Describe the number of people that the project/ program serves and your capacity to serve them (Note:capacity can be described in terms of number of vehicles, drivers, boardings, travel training events, etc.Please describe capacity in the most logical terms for your project/program.) If your agency serves otherpeople through other funding sources, be clear what percentage or number of people will be served by thePSRC/ WSDOT grant funds and how that differs from your other projects/ programs. *

The project completed 706 passenger trips in 2015-16. Populations served included seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, youth, low income and other traditionally underserved special needs populations on the Key Peninsula. In 2015 - 2016 performance included 118 service days, 3 days each week with 4 trips each day during the school year. During the summer, the project operates 1 day each week with 3 trips each service day.

Using school buses during off-duty hours only paying for the extra costs of empty buses on the return "deadhead" trips has kept revenue hours to a minimum -- 311 hours for the year. Similarly, vehicle miles of 6,700 are kept very low given the expansive and rural nature of Key Peninsula geography.

Starting in 2016 - 2017, with great appreciation to the Gary Milgard Foundation, the summer program expanded from 1 day weekly to 3 days weekly. This cash contribution facilitated a 500% increase in ridership over the previous summer. In 2015 - 2016, a total of 706 riders (100%) were funded through the public grants. In the 2016 - 2017 ἀ渄scal year, we project that there may be 1,000 riders. Current number for this year demonstrate an increase of ridership by 171 individuals.

Please explain how you incorporate feedback from populations that you serve in planning andimplementing your program. *

The KPSBC is actively monitoring outcomes and revising schedules based on past stakeholder input. This summer KPSBC altered the transportation schedule from 3 to 2 routes per day to meet the feedback from riders/program providers. With the modiἀ渄cation, passenger riders increased by 500%.

This increase was the result of focused community discussions during the spring of 2016 and will be re㰀謄ected in the project's 2016-17 ridership statistics. The project is committed to continued community 'listening' to assure that route and scheduled stop times are responsive to community needs.

SOURCES FOR RECEIVING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK INCLUDE:* Qualitative data including stories from riders, bus drivers and phone calls to KPSBC* Community surveys through the Key Peninsula Partnership Program (funded through the Gary Milgard Foundation for 2016).* Key Peninsula transportation partner meetings seeking program and scheduling advice.* Key Peninsula Community Council open meetings and public "conversation" forums.* Key Peninsula Community Council Facebook page feedback* Public meeting presentations

Provide an explanation on how this project/ program provides favorable beneἀ渄t to the population served. Ifpossible, please provide data to reinforce explanation. * 

KPSBC is the ONLY public transportation available on the Key Peninsula. The best explanation of the transportation service beneἀ渄ts is to provide examples of riders with the services accessed:* Jon, a senior citizen - travel to the Home Laundromat to do his weekly laundry* Kathryn, a middle aged, low income individual - access to Purdy Park N Ride for appointments and shopping in Tacoma* Sam, a disabled senior - connection to Pierce Transit for in town medical appointments and shopping* MyKayla, a young woman with special needs - access to summer educational programs on the Key Peninsula* Sander, a middle aged person with disabling health limitations - trips to Key Center to volunteer in the Mustard Seed, the public library and Angel Guild programs * Mr. X, retired veteran - access to veteran's programs on the Key Peninsula* John, another senior - is able to go into Key Center to complete his weekly grocery shopping.

These are but a few of the examples of how the KPSBC project is beneἀ渄ting many, many community members.

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Technical Criteria

Project Meets Speciἀ渄c Performance Measures and Achieves Desired Outcomes

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The performance measures identi᐀�ed in the PSRC 2015-2018 Coordinated Transit-Human ServicesTransportation Plan begin on page 49 of the plan document.  Please reference these in your answers.

Describe each performance measure used to evaluate your project/program (performance measures mustbe meaningful and directly relevant to the project). *

The KPSBC's primary purpose is to provide transportation options to a geographic area that has no public transportation available. The continued effectiveness of the program using off-duty school buses will be measured by:* Number of seniors and individuals with special needs afforded mobility that there would not have had without KPSBC* Transportation service customer comments (and input from community transportation conversations)* Ability for transportation for disadvantaged people to meet medical, employment and social needs.* Rider satisfaction* Ridership counts* Average number of passengers per day

If your project is continuing from past funding cycles, describe each performance measure that was citedyour last grant application and address how well the project/ program has performed to meet theobjective. *

MILESTONES STATED IN THE 2015 -2017 APPLICATION:Revenue Vehicle Hours: 700Revenue Vehicle Miles: 15,000Passenger Trips: 1,600Service Days: Targeted to increase over 169Ridership: Increase over 2013-15, which was 1475

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

Revenue Vehicle Hours 311, projected grant end 651 re㰀謄ecting increased program efἀ渄cienciesRevenue Vehicle Miles 6729; projected grant end 14, 629, re㰀謄ecting scheduling efἀ渄cienciesPassenger Trips 706; projected grant end 1,706 exceeds grant milestone by 6.6% and exceeds the previous grant passenger trips by over 15%Service Days: 118; projected grant end, 253. This represents a 150% increase in the days of service

In 2O15-16 (YEAR 1), the program ridership totaled 706 passenger trips . During the same period 118 days of service was provided, the average cost per day was approximately $400 (including all the transportation, coordination and overhead costs). This was able to be accomplished because the costs of owning and maintaining a 㰀謄eet and the costs of drivers training and dispatching are not a factor; the program leverages public resources through the use of off duty school buses.

Creative routing on the part of the program partners has expanded opportunities to provide more service/stops while working within the limited grant resources. As the word about the programs spreads, more of the target populations are accessing services on a regular basis, like Jon, a disabled senior citizen no longer able to drive, who rides into the town of Home on Tuesday to do his laundry and rides again on Thursday to do his weekly grocery shopping.

Has your organization established measurable targets for each measure cited? *

Yes

No

How is your project/ program performing in relationship to each target (trending toward target, meetstarget, exceeds target)? *

The project is operating within ἀ渄nancial parameters and at this point is below projections due to routing and scheduling efἀ渄ciencies. Invoices and match reports are submitted on a timely basis and as requested. Media coverage has occurred on several occasions in the Key Peninsula News and marketing is an o-going effort on the Key Peninsula, in Gig Harbor, with elected ofἀ渄cials and the Washington State Association For Pupil Transportation.

Performance Results July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 (Year 1 of the current grant)Revenue Vehicle Hours: 350 actual: 311 (exceeds target due to scheduling efἀ渄ciencies)Revenue Vehicle Miles: 7,500 actual 6,729 (exceeds target due to routing efἀ渄ciencies)Passenger Trips: 800 actual 706 (trending toward target)Service Days: increase over 85 (1/2 of 169) (actual days 118 exceeds target)Ridership: increase over 738 actual 706 ( trending toward target)

Coordination between the Peninsula School District and the KPSBC coordinator has resulted in program efἀ渄ciencies, i.e. combining the 2 midday routes without sacriἀ渄cing service levels or geographic coverage. This schedule consolidation has resulted in a reduction of projected revenue hours and miles, re㰀謄ecting an improvement in program efἀ渄ciency.

Regarding ridership, although the program is trending toward target and expects to meet the 2016 - 2017 target, it is believed this is an indicator that the program needs to expand opportunities for listening to stakeholders. Rather than delaying action; in the spring of 2016, a focused engagement with community users resulted in a signiἀ渄cant passenger trip increase in the summer of 2016 (500% increase over the summer of 2015. The revised summer schedule (2 rather than 3 routes per day) created efἀ渄ciencies and a signiἀ渄cant cost savings per service day.

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Supplemental Information

Please add any additional information you would like to add to supplement your application.

PSBC partners presented their innovative pilot school bus transportation program to the Washington Association of Pupil Transportation State Conference in the summer of 2015. The concept was well received as was a similar presentation to Sumner/Bonney Lake stakeholders interested in 'closing the transportation gap' at a May 2016 Community Transportation Innovation Forum. The potential of replicating this model in other unserved or underserved areas is growing. A program goal is to pursue ways to assist other communities and school districts to overcome some of their access to transportation barriers through creative partnering using off-duty school buses.

Attachments

Please add any additional attachments for the grant request here.   This can include letters of support,letters committing matching funds, etc.  If you are a new nonprofit applicant to this competition, pleaseattach your 501(c) IRS Letter of Determination.  If you have more than three attachments, please considercombining multiple documents into one attachment.  

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APPLICATION AUTHORITY

This application must be certiἀ渄ed by someone authorized or delegated to sign contracts on behalf of yourorganization, such as the board chairperson or chief executive ofἀ渄cer.  Applications submitted without thecheckbox selected will be rejected and will not be considered for grant funding. 

Certiἀ渄cation *

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the information in this application packet is true and accurateand that this organization has the necessary ἀ渄scal, data collection and managerial capabilities toimplement and manage the project(s) associated with this application.

Name *

John Welch

Job Title *

Superintendent, Puget Sound Educational Service District

Date *

9/28/2016

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You have now completed your application for the PSRC Coordinated Grant Program and will receive aconἀ渄rmation email shortly.  

REMEMBER that if you are applying for WSDOT funds, you also have to ἀ渄ll out the WSDOT application and youare responsible for knowing the application dates.  http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Transit/Grants/competitive.htm

PSRC will submit to WSDOT the regional priority rankings that will be evaluated as part of this PSRCapplication.

Please contact PSRC staff with any questions:

–      Gil Cerise 206-971-3053 or gcerise@psrc.org

–      Kim Scrivner 206-971-3281 or kscrivner@psrc.org

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PSRC 2016-2017 Coordinated Grant Application