Overview of Transit Funding and Planning in the PACTS Region Presentation to PACTS Transit Committee and Federal Transit Administration Representatives February 8, 2018
Transit Agencies Agency Communities Modes Greater Portland Transit District Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, South Portland, Freeport, Yarmouth. Local & Express Bus ADA Paratransit by RTP CY 2016 Ridership* 1.8 million City of South Portland South Portland, Portland Local Bus ADA Paratransit by RTP 270,426 Shuttlebus-Zoom Regional Trans. Program (RTP) Casco Bay Island Transit District Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Biddeford, Saco, OOB, Scarborough, South Portland, Portland. Throughout region. Portland and Islands. Multiple communities from Brunswick to Boston. Local & Express Bus 186,960 ADA/Non-ADA Paratransit Express Bus Ferry Transit Ferry - Tours 110,404 8,693 1.0 million 58,516 Interstate Rail 473,923 York County Comm. Action Agency Throughout York County. Local Bus Paratransit 97,995 82,022 * MaineDOT Locally Coordinated Plan Updates
Southern Maine Transit Ridership PACTS Region 4.1 million boardings. PACTS Region population is + 200,000. Ridership Density = Transit Boardings per Capita. Median National Ridership Density* UZAs over 1 million 26.30 UZAs under 1 million 5.90 PACTS Region Ridership Density is 15.0-20.0 98 th out of 290 systems. Ahead of Dallas, Cincinnati, Tampa, Detroit, Kansas City.* * FTA s National Transit Database
Federal Transit Funding Section 5337 State of Good Repair Program. Grants for rail fixed guideway and high-intensity motor systems. Apprx. $7.8 million per year. Maintenance, replacement and rehab only. Federal share 80%. Only CBITD and NNEPRA are eligible. Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program based on population, density, revenue miles and passenger miles. Apprx. $10 million per year Multiple uses including operations, capital projects, ADA paratransit and planning. Federal share varies depending on category. RTP and York County ineligible for 5307 funding. Base and Expansion projects.
5307 Allocation Process Maintaining Legacy System Guiding Principles Satisfy federal mandates Preserve existing services-assets Consensus based process Long range financial sustainability Typical Uses Vehicle-Vessel Replacement and Rehabilitation Fleet-Facilities Maintenance Railroad Tie Replacement Safety-Security Projects Operating Assistance ADA Paratransit Transit Planning
5307 Allocation Process Maintaining Legacy System
Allocation Process Approving Expansions and Enhancements Guiding Principles Expansion/enhancement services and projects. Merit based process based on technical scoring and application review. Long range financial sustainability. Timeframe Two annual cycles with applications due in October and April. Consideration given to reducing to 1 cycle in connection with new process for vetting base service requests.
Millions Long Range Financial Forecast $20 $18 $16 $14 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $2 $- PACTS REGION FEDERAL FUNDING FORECAST: 2016-2022 Based on Proposed Programming for 2017 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Funding Available Funding Programmed Funds Remaining Min Funds Available Policy
Funding Allocation Process - Expansions Metro - Metro BREEZ Express Bus Service linking Brunswick, Freeport, Yarmouth and Portland. City of South Portland Restoration of Sunday Service and Traffic Signal Priority demonstration project. NNEPRA Royal Siding project which will allow for improved train frequency between Portland and Brunswick. Metro Transit West Project: Husky Line improve CORE SERVICE in Portland and Westbrook, expand service to Gorham, connect the USM campuses and introduce a USM U-Pass program. Blue Line create cross-town service between Westbrook and South Portland. Routes 2 and 4 restructure and streamline existing routes to improve efficiency and simplicity.
Husky Line-Blue Line
Recent Transit Improvements Southern Maine Transit Tracker publicly launched in June 2016
Recent Transit Improvements
Transit Stop Access Project $2.3 million in FTA 5307 Funds to: Improve Accessibility at Bus Stops Develop New Regional Transit Mini-Hubs Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities at and to Transit
Regional Transit Development Plan Phase 1 - Guide near terms investments (6 year time horizon): Completed December 2017 moving into implementation. Maintain and improve the existing transit system. Enhance mobility, safety, connectivity and accessibility for all in the region. Leverage useful findings from past studies, engage public and stakeholders, conduct scenario modelling. 13 Recommendations Spanning 4 Core Areas: Optimize service planning and delivery. Increase promotion and public awareness. Improve regional integration. Expand funding sources.
Funding Allocation Process Reboot Revised approach will evaluate LEGACY and EXPANSION requests as part of an integrated technical review process. Consensus reached on criteria and general weights; performance measures still under review. Criteria Weight Performance Measures System Preservation High Preserves existing system, safety, federal compliance. System Connectivity Medium Travel time savings, multi-modal connections. Financial Viability Medium Benefit-cost ratio, other funding, sustainability. Ridership Medium New ridership, enhanced customer service. Priority Locations Medium Supports growth centers. Enhance Social-Economic Equity Medium Access to jobs, training, education and healthcare Environmental Sustainability Low GHG emission reductions, pollutant reductions. Weather Resilience Low Improve resilience to extreme weather events.
Questions-Discussion