Regional Service Planning for East Texas

Texas Department of TransportationTyler District

Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 2:30 PM

AGENDA

Welcome and Introductions Review of Philosophy and Process Recap of Previous Activities and

October 19 Preparation Comments Summary and Next Steps

Foundation for a Successful Meeting

Participation is encouraged and welcomed

Everyone will have an opportunity to contribute

One speaker at a time, without interruption please

Being succinct is encouraged – to allow for all to contribute

Expected Outcomes for Today

Review and discuss activities to date Priorities Obstacles Tools

Prepare for October 19 with Study Group List constraints or barriers to regional service Provide a strategy for a work plan Identify a lead agency Draft budget

What Are Priorities for Public Transportation in East Texas?

1. People first, barrier-free2. Multimodal interconnectivity across

the region3. Aggressive outreach and education

to a broad base4. Increased and flexible funding5. Increase and expand services6. Address emergency planning and

homeland security

What Are the Obstacles to Address?

Planning Operating practices Funding Communication

Planning Lack of inclusion of users and advocates in

the planning process Complexity of the issues, lack of

understanding Legislative barriers: Identifying them and

responding to them No one group can accommodate the needs

of the ridership Unable to expand services Lack of regional meeting

Operating Practices

Transit vehicle accessibility Bus stops, curb cuts, shelters Provider control Organizing services such as hospital

care, to make public transportation a viable link to the services

Provider control, lack of provider cooperation

Funding

Funding, increasing the funding available

Funding formula Urban competition for funds Redefining “an eligible expense” Minimal local buy-in from officials and

businesses, etc. Solutions that are possible without a

tax increase

Communication

Communications and publicity Education and awareness Fear as part of consumer issues Unwillingness to use public

transportation Language barriers

PriorityObstacles

PlanningOperationsPractices Funding Communicate

1 People first, barrier free X X X X

2 Aggressive outreach and education to a broad base

X X X

3 Increase and expand service X X X X

4 Increased and flexible funding X X

5 Multimodal connectivity across the region

X

6 Address emergency planning and homeland security

X X X

Strategy for the Work Plan?

1. Organize2. Involve the community3. Conduct a regional assessment4. Establish task forces to address needs and

resolve constraints5. Develop draft regional service plan6. Involve key Stakeholders in review of the

draft7. Produce a regional service plan for East

Texas

REGIONAL SERVICE PLANNING FOR EAST TEXASPossible Schedule

TASKSMONTHS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Task 1. Organize

Task 2. Involve the Community

Task 3. Conduct a Regional Assessment

Task 4. Work with Task Forces

Task 5. Develop Draft Regional Service Plan

Task 6. Involve Key Stakeholders in Review of Draft

Task 7. Produce a Regional Service Plan for East Texas

Stakeholder Outreach Legend Stakeholder Outreach Event

Who Should be Involved?

Users of public transportation People who need public transportation

including advocates Public transportation providers Agencies that fund public transportation Agencies responsible for planning regional

and local transportation Business community Other transportation providers including

multimodal

What are the Skills or Resources Needed for a Lead Agency?

Administrative resources to arrange meetings and public events, maintain communications with participants and stakeholders

Resources to conduct a major public involvement program

Regional perspective Ability to dedicate staff support Ability to contribute funds in support of

regional service planning

Candidates for Lead Agency? Local government (city

or county) Urban transit provider Rural transit provider Metropolitan planning

organization Council of

governments TxDOT district

Regional planning commission

Workforce board Regional mobility

authority Client transportation

provider Advocacy organization Others?

Examples from Other Regions Rural transit district and council of government co-lead Regional planning commission and rural transit provider

co-lead Council of government Council of government as administrative lead; TxDOT

district as technical lead Metropolitan planning organization (also the regional

planning commission and the rural transit provider) Urban transit provider Council of government assisted by the metropolitan

planning organization

Steering Committee

Lead Agency

Technical CommitteeStakeholders

Community Outreach Group Planning Consultant

Example from a Peer Region

How to Estimate Resources Required?

Continue discussion today Delegate to an agency Agree on a task force Schedule another meeting

Comments

Summary and Next Steps