Public Transit Application-

a database collecting transit data

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Why was PTA Developed?

• A long time ago……. Legislation said so……. Legislator inquires Back in the Days of Lotus

Why was PTA Developed?

• Excel can handle only so much: Lots of cutting and pasting Have you seen TASUM? Work books referencing multiple worksheets Difficult to analyze multiyear data

• We need Database Functionality

The Focus of PTA

Collect Data Analyze Data Track Budgets Develop Contracts Track Contract Amendments

What data do you collect?

• Annually-12 Tab Application

– Service plan– Capital improvements– Unmet Needs– Fleet Inventory

Financial Plan TabProposed Budget for following year

Every Month

• Monthly Data– Operating Statistics– Vehicle information

Vehicle Statistics Data

Operating Statistics Data

What systems contribute data

• Five Federal Programs– 5317 New Freedom– 5316 Job Access Reverse Commute– 5311 Public Transit Participation – 5310 Elderly and Disabled Transportation– 5307 Urban Transit

• Soon to include-– 5311f Intercity Transit– 5309 Facility Grant

How does it work?

• Application to Budget to Contract

Grant application

Application

• Application is collected thanks to a method used for the bridge collapse. – Each system has a private folder– Application is uploaded back to folder– All folders can be seen by transit managers

Application uploaded to system folder

Budget Request Import

• Financial page from application / converted to a csv file• csv file imported to PTA as budget request

Budget Request Modifications

• Budget Request can be adjusted • Budget Request is changed to a budget

Budget

• Budget is reviewed and final adjustments made

Budget modified by fund

• Default amounts calculate funds

• Payments are budgeted on when they are paid

Contract Time

• When budget is approved and finalized

• Contract is initiated• Contract dates are

recorded• Amendment process

Reports

Challenges to PTA

• Qualified Contractors • Teaching new technology to users• Users frustrations

The future of PTA

• On going project• Up grades to functionality• Poll users for their needs