1. Local Government & BC Transit Workshop - Penticton Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Municipal Roundtable A discussion forum for local government partners to identify and discuss ideas, issues and potential solutions.

2.  Peter Rantucci, BC Transit Director of Regional Transit Systems  BC Transit Structure  Dennis Trudeau, RDN GM of Transit and Solid Waste  Background on Local Government Issues  Erin Felker, City of Kamloops Transportation Planner  Overview of Local Government Issues Roundtable Facilitators

3. BC Transit’s Mandate In the Beginning… BC Transit’s Evolving Mandate:  “The Urban Transit Authority Act marks the start of a fully co-ordinated and effective transit organization in British Columbia. This Act brings to an end years of confusion and duplication of effort in the provision of public transit…  “…In times of concern over diminishing energy supply, particularly relative to fossil fuels, this legislation confirms British Columbia’s commitment to public passenger transport, and establishes a mechanism to ensure its efficient growth and effective management in response to locally determined needs.”  - Hugh A. Curtis, Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing The BC Urban Transit Authority Act, June 1978

4.  Section 3 The purpose of authority is to:  plan, acquire and construct public transportation systems;  provide for the maintenance and operation of those systems; and  with Ministerial approval, pursue commercial opportunities.  Section 3 To carry out its purposes, the authority must:  designate the local and regional transit service areas;  establish the annual operating and capital budgets to operate the transit systems with consultation from local authorities; and  provide for the transit services and maintain and operate the public transportation systems consistent with the approved budgets and general policy of the authority.  Sections 4, 11 & 12 Establishes the Board of Directors for BC Transit. Provide that the authority and municipality must contribute the cost sharing proportions prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council within the regulations.  Sections 14 & 15 Provide the local government with the power to impose a local tax to pay their contribution share of the annual cost less the estimated revenue. BC Transit’s Structure Governed by BC Transit Act

5. The Partnership Revenue Property Tax Provincial Government Provincial Government  Master Operating Agreement (MOA)  Defines roles, responsibilities, and obligations  Annual Operating Agreement (AOA)  Establishes annual budget and funding requirements

6.  A number of local governments shared concerns with the BC Transit partnership  January 28, 2011, Tier 1 and 2 staff meeting in Nanaimo  Letter to BC Transit outlining local government concerns  Response letter from BC Transit and invitation to facilitate local government workshop session  April 11, 2011, Tier 1, 2, and 3 elected officials and staff meeting in Richmond  Letters to Union of BC Municipalities and Minister of Transportation requesting a meeting to discuss the governance of BC Transit and the BC Transit Act Local Government Background

7.  Budget Information and AOA’s  Allocation of Service Hours and Vehicles  Transit Planning Services and Advice  Infrastructure and Capital Planning  Customer Service and Marketing Discussion Topics

8.  Introduce Discussion Topic  Define Issue  Discussion  Recommended Actions  Follow up from BC Transit and Local Governments Format for Roundtable Discussion

9.  Budget development, finance monitoring and reporting, transit system performance monitoring, ridership, service hours  Discussion  BC Transit has not been consistently adhering to Local Government budget timelines  Local Governments require more complete and accurate budget information from BC Transit  Impact of expansions and changes to service have not been included correctly in some budget updates.  Need for timely access to all APC and Farebox data  Local Governments need better understanding of BC Transit budget allocation methods and priorities.  Adequate notice and identification of changes that are being proposed in the next year’s AOA (i.e. changing out the type of bus or the method for charging for major repairs).  Recommended Actions Budget Information and AOAs

10.  Methodology and rationale for allocation of service hours, support for vehicle management and maintenance, coordination of new vehicles or vehicle moves  Discussion  Local Governments need better understanding of BC Transit allocation methods and priorities.  Adequate notice and identification of bus changes that are being proposed  Many local governments indicate choice of vehicle type to fit local conditions is important  Gas and Diesel buses need to be replaced with enviro friendly (alt fuel) buses  Recommended Actions Allocation of Service Hours and Vehicles

11.  Long range planning, short range scheduling and planning, implementation processes, fare structure and revenue development  Discussion  Need more data from GFI Fareboxes to assist planning  More creative service needed to help control per passenger costs  Service reviews need to recognize the community’s funding capacity  Can planning be done effectively for the province from Victoria  Recommended Actions Transit Planning Services and Advice

12.  Capital planning support for major infrastructure, local involvement in project planning and delivery, ownership and maintenance of infrastructure,, development and deployment of new technology – fare boxes  Discussion  GFI Farebox experience has been difficult for some communities  Some technological advances seem to be delayed  Need advance notice to advise Council and Boards  Don’t want surprise costs  Recommended Actions Infrastructure and Capital Planning

13.  Complaint handling processes, promotion of transit in each community, provision of online and printed customer information and fare media, branding and recognition of local government funding partners  Discussion  Need information on transit users and their level of satisfaction with various dimensions of transit service.  A formal program is required to provide customer service training for Transit Operator employees to address negative behaviors by transit operator  BC Transit provides limited marketing support beyond preparing Rider’s Guide updates and route and scheduling notices. Lack of local knowledge on the part of BC Transit staff results in overly simplistic approaches and missing details. Marketing plans should be developed in partnership with Local Governments to develop key target markets (e.g. students, commuters).  Important information regarding transit service changes is often not provided until the ’last minute’, which leaves little time for review. Revisions are often needed.  Recommended Actions Customer Service and Marketing