Transportation and workforce development: What is next?

Transportation and workforce development: What is next?

Astrid Glynn – MassDOT, Paul Matthews –MetroWest/495 Partnership, Scott Zadakis, CrossTown

Connect TMA and Stephanie Cronin, Middlesex 3 TMA

Importance of Employment Transportation for…

Commuters, Companies, Communities, and the Commonwealth

Paul Matthews, Executive Director495/MetroWest Partnership

2019 Transportation Innovation Conference 3

Perspective from StakeholdersPrivate Sector Stakeholders:

We don’t care about jurisdictions, we just want solutionsWhy do some of our competitors elsewhere in Massachusetts have services our employees don’t have here?

Public Sector Stakeholders:Pursue creative pricing strategies to drive reverse commutesLow introductory pricing is a no brainer, given empty seats on westbound trainsExplore linking last mile bus service to centralized parking areasCongestion pricing for parking and investments in things like bus shelters and transit signage may seem peripheral but they are all part of comprehensive system

Operators:Businesses located in the suburbs with ample parking are not as motivated to invest funds to establish a shuttle for employeesIt is quite challenging to convince businesses to invest in a shuttle in suburban locations without TDM mitigation or seed moneyIf you run buses to obscure locations, you may run out of moneySpreading the word is crucial, so tell everyone – all the timeEmploy friendly driversWe can’t solve all the problems, so lets focus on the ones we can


Why Employment Transportation is Important

For our transportation network, by expanding ridership and fare revenue for commuter rail and transit while relieving congestion, lessening road maintenance costs and improving quality of lifeFor economic development, not only locally but on the state level to compete for top employers such as Amazon’s HQ2For the environment; with the transportation sector having the largest share of statewide greenhouse gas emissions…• Executive Order 569 directs EEA and MassDOT to work together on regional

policies to reduce emissions from the transportation sector• In December 2018, the Baker-Polito Administration joined eight states and

D.C. in endorsing the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI)


Why Employer Transportation is Important$24.6 Billion in Annual Payroll in June 2017

2003 - $14 Billion1980 - $2 Billion

1 in 10 jobs in MA72 Million SF of commercial space27.8 Million SF of office & life science space

16% increase in last decade

67% pricing discount compared to Boston & Cambridge


495/MetroWest Transportation Network5 Regional Transit Authorities: 3 MBTA Commuter Rail Lines:

3 TMA’s:


495/MetroWest Need for Employment Transportation

Data and Analysis conducted by the Public Policy Center at UMass Dartmouth for the 495/MetroWest Partnership in support of the 495/MW Suburban Edge Community Commission utilizing 2014 US Census Bureau Local Employment Dynamics at http://lehd.ces.census.gov/

14,775

12,702

11,126

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000

Worcester

Framingham

Boston

Top Origins for 495/MetroWest Workers

From MassINC’s The Promise and Potentialof TransformativeTransit-Oriented Developmentin Gateway CitiesApril 2018


State Attention to Employment Transportation Needs

Identify cost-effective strategies to transform the existing Commuter Rail system into one that better supports improved mobility and economic competitiveness in the Greater Boston region.

7 Alternative Service Models are under review with varying…

• service frequency• vehicle technology• capital and operational investment

Will evaluate their feasibility, cost, ridership benefits & potential effects on regional land use.

Transportation needs vary across the Commonwealth and its communities

Support and accelerate efforts to consume transportation differently

Coordinate the planned reinvention of the MBTA commuter rail system with local, regional, and state land use and economic development strategies


State Attention to Employment Transportation Needs

Improve transportation linkages to targeted employment and workforce resources… Support innovative solutions to last mile

strategies Coordinate transit services through RTA’s,

TMA’s, and other best practices

Included state legislators, elected officials, RTA administrators, bus planning experts, and rider advocates; approved report on April 5th that includes… Reinvigorated RTA Council that fosters greater collaboration & best practices RTAs will continue to succeed by understanding their markets and… work with

local partners, including TMAs, municipalities, regional economic development organizations (REDOs), Chambers of Commerce, employment centers, Workforce Investment Boards, and major business and educational institutions, to provide appropriate levels of transportation service to the working population and students.


Overcoming Obstacles to Employment Transportation Public sector financial support has been

critical, from sources such as… RTA assessments Municipal funding State funding via a legislative line

item Strong routes should be flexible & link…

Commuter rail Employers and office parks Retail and amenities Health care and educational

institutions Community hubs such as libraries,

town halls, senior centers Investing in outreach

Old school strategies like flyers Modern strategies like social media Large employers, property

managers, office parks Developers & commercial brokers

Be strong leaders Be responsive to riders &

stakeholders Be resourceful

Simple solutions can suffice such as printed passes

Leverage in-kind support Repurpose resources such as

COA vans & online payment mechanisms

Be smart… Conduct surveys of residents,

workers, employers Monitor details of service use Align with development Use in route decisionmaking

Be patient and create realistic expectations

Be aware of changes to MBTA rail schedule


Obstacles can be Overcome

By innovation from committed municipal, private sector, and state leadership!

Making Connections in Suburban Communities

Scott Zadakis

CrossTownConnect TMA


Connecting the Region• Public-Private Transportation

Management Association (TMA)

• Serving communities and businesses along the Fitchburg Commuter Rail/Route 495/Route 2 corridors

• Improving regional transportation options

• Reducing traffic congestion and air pollution


Multiple RTAs, Limited Options

Source: MAPC


Public-Private Partnership


Centralized dispatching – one phone number

Shared Council on Aging (COA) and other on-demand community shuttle services ‘Daily needs’ trips

Fixed route shuttle

services

Medical Trips to

Boston, Burlington, and

Concord

First mile / last mile

shuttles to Commuter

Rail

Daily Services


Employers

• Need access to talento Many young workers

prefer living in the city

• Have environmental goals

• Are hurt by traffic congestion

• Developers gain value from access to their properties


Commuter Shuttles


Maynard-Acton Commuter Shuttle

• Four trips in the AM, three in the PM

o 6:00 - 8:45 AMo 4:45 - 7:30 PM

• Open to the public

• Two routes totaling six stops

• $2 per ride

• Costs kept low with use of town vehicle, business card passes


Maynard-Acton Commuter Shuttle

743

1243 1303 12471504

2073 2013 2061

23912539

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

PilotOct‐Dec2016

Q1 17Jan‐Mar

Q2 17Apr‐Jun

Q3 17Jul‐Sep

Q4 17Oct‐Dec

Q1 18Jan‐Mar

Q2 18Apr‐Jun

Q3 18Jun‐Sept

Q4 18Oct‐Dec

Q1 19Jan‐Mar

Ride

rs

Quarter

Ridership Trend ‐ Pilot to Present

242% Growth Since Inception


Acton Rail Shuttle – Overflow Parking• Funded by municipally-

owned commuter parking lot revenue

• Five trips in the AM, five in the PM

o 5:30 - 8:45 AM, first trip starts in North Acton

o 5:00 - 8:15 PM, first trip goes to North Acton

• Open to the public

• $1 per ride• $3 park and ride• 10-ride pass• Monthly pass • Yearly pass


Acton Rail Shuttle Ridership


Littleton-Westford Commuter Shuttle

Source: MART

7:10 - 9:10 AM4:40 - 7:45 PM

$1.25 per trip$30 monthly pass


Cross-Acton Transit (CAT)

• Functions like a city bus –hourly loop

• 8:00 AM - 6:15 PM

• $1 per ride

• Stops include housing developments, commercial centers, grocery stores, and the Commuter Rail station


Private Shuttles

• CrossTown Connect has also helped corporate partners start private shuttles

• Insulet Corporation – Acton

o Connects to remote parking while they complete buildout of new headquarters

o Connects to Commuter Rail stations in Littleton and South Acton

• Juniper / Red Hat – Westford

o Connects to Alewife Station


Keys to Success

Dedicated leaders

Vision of a connected and accessible region

Culture of corporate citizenship

Stakeholder engagement

Community outreach

Strong local partnerships

Data

Marketing and education


Managed by:

Employment Transportation

Stephanie CroninMiddlesex 3 Coalition


MIDDLESEX 3 COALITION

Middlesex 3 communities include:

Town of BedfordTown of BillericaTown of BurlingtonTown of CarlisleTown of ChelmsfordTown of LexingtonCity of LowellTown of TewksburyTown of TyngsboroughTown of Westford

The Middlesex 3 Coalition was incorporated in 2012 as a regional collaboration among public and private leaders along Route 3 in Middlesex County.


MEMBERSHIP

Middlesex 3 Coalition is a 501(c)6 non-profit entity comprised of regional stakeholders including leaders in finance, education, medical, real estate development, engineering, non-profits and the community

at large.


MEMBERSHIP


The Middlesex 3 Coalition communities share a common goal of fostering economic development, job growth and retention, diversification of the tax base and enhancement of quality of life.

TARGET TOPIC AREAS / PRIORITIES:

1. Promotion of the Middlesex 3 Region and corridor2. Advocate for improved Transportation facilities, services and mobility3. Connect employee readiness and Workforce Development resources

with businesses in the region

4. Secondary topic areas in connection with the Coalition’s vision and mission:

o Expedited permitting processo Infrastructure capacityo Identification of development parcels and readinesso Housing capacity and mixed use developmento Health care access and affordability

2019 Transportation Innovation Conference35

LEADERSHIPThe Middlesex 3 Coalition consists of a 19 member Board of Directors, consisting of six municipal chief

executives and 13 regional leaders from Middlesex 3 companies and educational institutions.

Judy BurkeMiddlesex Community College

Mark ReardonCBRE

Pamela AnastasiEnterprise Bank

Steven TelloUMass Lowell

Robert BuckleyRiemer & Braunstein

Deborah Bergholm-PetkaLowell General Hospital

Steve HoranFarley White Management

Scott WeissGutierrez Company

Michelle SnyderLahey Health

Jessica LevesqueInstrumentation Laboratory (IL)

Dean LaMotheE Ink

Katie EnrightHoward Stein Hudson

Jonathon ProffittKronos

Sarah StantonBedford Town Manager

John CurranBillerica Town Manager

John PetrinBurlington Town Administrator

Paul CohenChelmsford Town Manager

Eileen DonoghueLowell City Manager

Matt HansonTyngsborough Town Manager

2019 Transportation Innovation Conference

36

Basic TMA Programs for Members

Ridematching Database

Emergency Ride Home Program

Promoting Active Commuting Options

“Last Mile” Connections

Marketing Programs

Shuttle Services

Vanpool Formation Assistance

Transit Benefits

Member Benefits

Improve quality of life of region by reducing traffic

Help attract and retain valuable employees

Provide commuter planning and transportation options for employees

Save your employees money while reducing their stress level

Attract tenants by offering valuable commuter services

TMA Members

# 1 - Established Middlesex 3 Transportation Management Association (M3 TMA)

Address transportation issues in the M3 communities of Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford


#2 Established M3 TMA Shuttle Services from Boston / Cambridge

• Provide TMA members with shuttle service from Boston / Cambridge

• Suburban companies could not access transit dependent workforce due to limited public transportation to the suburbs.

• Boston area residents - millennials, students, non-car owners - are not applying for available suburban jobs


What We LearnedSeed funding is critical to start

shuttle programs

Difficult to take first step forward

$100,000 from DEP Mitigation to be used as matching grant for 12 month shuttle program

Shuttles continue to grow with current TMA members

Businesses are willing to invest oncethey see value


#3 - Developed the M3 Transportation Community Compact

• Need to improve transportation between downtown Lowell and the Burlington Mall – about 14 miles from one another

• Limited public transit along Rt 3 creates a hardship for second shift employees

• Leaving almost 600 service positions in Burlington unfilled

Recommendations (partial list)• Increase Park and Ride Lots• Expansion of M3 TMA Shuttle services• Establish Mobility Hubs• Strengthen and update local permitting regulations to

require membership in a TMA• Continue municipal participation in the MassDOT Complete

Streets• Establish agreements with private ride‐share services to fill

transportation gaps• Coordinate local transit operations to improve efficiency

and enhance service• Investigate legislative and policy changes to address the

barriers to interregional transportation• Work with private businesses to identify transportation

demand management solutions • Consider legislative changes that would allow RTAs to be

reimbursed for service provided beyond the service area boundaries

• Work with the LRTA and MBTA to implement public transit service changes

Complete list on website: Middlesex3.com

“Expand TMA Shuttle Services: Implement late night shuttle services between Lowell and Burlington for second shift workers.”

Middlesex 3 Community Compact Transportation Study Recommendations

Seed Funding Needed for New Shuttle Service!


#4 Launching M3 TMA Hospitality Shuttle from Lowell to Burlington

Received Seed Funding for shuttle service between Lowell and Burlington for the late

afternoon and evening and weekends

Hired a Regional Transportation Coordinator

Outreach to Restaurants, Property Management, and Developers in Burlington

Coordinate with MassHire, Community College, Technical HS, Community Workforce

Programs in Lowell

What We Learned


What We Learned

Transportation programs can be like a puzzle –Some more difficult than others

• We did not overestimate the need• Businesses are willing to invest to find quality

and dependable workers• Finding dependable transit can be a roadblock

for many workers, but it is more than putting a shuttle on the road

What We Learned• We need to promote and market shuttle services and other TMA benefits through on‐site promotions, social media, and marketing and email outreach

• We need to provide administrative and marketing services to bring new users and riders into the program each year

• Other TMA benefits are criticalo Emergency Ride Home Program o Carpools / Vanpoolso Bike to Work

What We Learned


M3 TMA needs to:• Change the Transportation Coordinator position to Regional

Transportation and Workforce Development Coordinator

• Package transportation resources with workforce resources

• Connect the restaurants, retailers, and other users with job seekers and workforce development resources in Greater Lowell.

• Cross the imaginary boundaries

• Establish meetings and introductions and organize employment / job fairs, and apply for State workforce training grants and work with the career, workforce and educational providers to ensure the employees have the skills needed to fill the positions available in the region.


What We Learned

Partnerships are Critical!

What We are Learning


Middlesex 3 Workforce Development Roundtables

• March 29, 2019‐ Healthcare

• May 10, 2019‐ Advanced Manufacturing

• June 6, 2019‐ IT

Stephanie Cronin, Executive DirectorMiddlesex 3 Coalition and M3 TMA

(978) 808‐[email protected]

Middlesex3.com or Middlesex3TMA.com

Transportation and workforce development: What is next?

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