California’s Rural Intercity Bus System: 2018 Update Dr. Thomas Pogue Associate Director Center for Business and Policy Research University of the Pacific CalACT 2018 Spring Conference, April 6, 2018

California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update http://www.pacificcbpr.org/corridor-reports/ Summary of Final Report & Appendices Focus on: Report Recommendations Revised 5311(f) Scoring Criteria Discussion

California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update http://www.pacificcbpr.org/corridor-reports/ Contents Pages California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update 1-60 Appendix A: Stakeholder Input – Rural Regional Intercity Needs and Issues A1-A8 Appendix B: Interregional Corridors and the Regional Intercity Network B1-B62 Appendix C: Revised 5311(f) Scoring Criteria C1-C8 Appendix D: Marketing Strategies to Promote California’s Intercity Routes D1-D11

California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update Chapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 - Policy Context and Methodology Chapter 3 - Inventory of Intercity Service Chapter 4 - Assessment of Intercity Bus Service Chapter 5 - Recommendations & Action Plan

Policy Context and Methodology Federal Policies and Plans State Policies and Plans Local Policies and Plans Methodology See also: Appendix A

Inventory and Assessment of Intercity & Rural Regional Bus Service Inventory of Service Rural Transit Dependent Population Needs Rural Regional Service Needs Policy, Socio-Economics and Other Influences on Intercity Dynamics See also Appendix B

Recommendations and Action Plan Short-Run Funding of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services (Revisit) Short-Run Coordination and Integration of Rural Regional Mobility Services Reorganization of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services

S.R. Coordination and Integration of Rural Regional Mobility Services R2: Leveraging existing initiatives and resources Significant opportunities in forthcoming 2018 State Rail Plan (SRP) Other opportunities to support the regional intercity network should also be identified Need to investigate costs & benefits of repealing rail service for Amtrak Thruway

Reorganization of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services R3: Transform the Funding System R4: Transform Organizational Structures R5: Transform Planning Structures R6: Enhance Marketing & Integration of Rural Regional Intercity Transit

R3: Transform the Funding System Needs necessitate a range of funding to support the network Combining these different funding sources may => collective efficiencies Realizing requires local/state/federal programs to authorize use Authorization prohibitive to most rural areas so look to other org. structures

R4: Transform Organizational Structures Some form of a rural regional intercity transit organization(s) needed Perhaps some existing regional organizations capable but complexity needs careful consideration Hybrid model would need statewide Initial step - Project Steering Committee advocating for intercity bus service

R5: Transform Planning Structures Also need to look at broader array of transit needs and services in planning Advocate for the transportation needs of rural communities Facilitate consensus on key socio-economic dynamics influencing needs as well as identify and prioritize informational challenges about rural transportation

R6: Enhance Marketing & Integration of Rural Regional Intercity Transit The reconstitution => potential advances in coordination => leverage to advance inter-modal integration Steering committee investigating enhancing communications among rural services: Greyhound/Amtrak/GTFS See also: Appendix D

S.R. Funding of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services R1: Revised 5311(f) Funding Criteria Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Points Continuation or expansion of an existing intercity bus project/service. 5 Extent the project/service effectively addresses a demonstrated community need. 20 Experience and/or expertise providing efficient transportation services as well as managing public transportation funding. Fiscal and administrative capacity as well as budget to undertake the project/service. Coordination and integration with the service area’s transportation system. 15 Existing support for the project, financial and otherwise, on the part of citizens and local government has been submitted. If new, documents supporting must be provided. 10 The applicant demonstrates effort to support transit policies. Total Points Possible 100

Criteria 1 (5 points): The project/service continues or expands an existing intercity bus project/service. All 5 points for awarded to existing or expanding rural intercity projects/services. Evidence of an existing project/service include: Previous financial year recipients of 5311(f) funding from Caltrans DRMT. Performance, or other verifiable data of the project/service’s operation/existence in the previous financial year can be provided if 5311(f) funding was not received.

Criteria 2 (20 points): The project/service addresses a demonstrated community need. Points awarded will range from 1 to 20 and are based on evidence showing addresses an intercity community need. Examples of such evidence include: A project/service evaluation of need (survey, community outreach, or stakeholder feedback). A need identified in an unmet needs process. Identification in a Caltrans transit plan, including but not limited to the 2018 Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Transit dependent population statistics A project/service feasibility study

Criteria 3 (20 points): Experience and/or expertise providing efficient transportation services as well as managing public transportation funding Points awarded from 1 to 20 on the extent of evidence showing experience and/or expertise in providing efficient transportation projects/services as well as managing public transportation funding to undertake the project/service Examples of such evidence include: Years of experience in providing transportation service/projects Descriptions of relevant transportation experience Evidence of, or plan to acquire, adequate liability insurance Description of transit grant administration experience

Criteria 4 (20 points): Fiscal & administrative capacity as well as budget to undertake the project/service Points awarded will range from 1 to 20 and are based on evidence of fiscal and administrative capacity as well as budget to undertake the project/service. Examples of such evidence include: A project/service financial feasibility study Recent audited financial statements. A marketing plan if applying for new or expanding project/service. If a new or expanding: capital and/or O&M costs If existing: capital and/or O&M costs to construct and/or operate project Key performance measures or estimates if new

Criteria 5 (15 points): Coordination and integration with the service area’s transportation system Points awarded from 1 to 15 on evidence of coordination e with other transportation providers and agencies in area Examples of such evidence include: Connectivity to a national or inter-regional intercity bus station or intermodal terminal at the primary destination. Connectivity to a national or inter-regional intercity bus service such as Greyhound and/or the Amtrak Thruway service. Connectivity to other key rural regional services/locations (i.e. medical facilities, educational centers, shopping centers). Outreach and marketing efforts to enhanced coordination If it is a new project/service, identified gaps it fills in the intercity bus network. Letters of support from other transportation providers in the service area Description of efforts to coordinate with existing transportation projects/services

Criteria 6 (10 points): Support for the project, financial & otherwise, on the part of citizens & local government Points awarded from 1 to 10 on the extent of evidence showing support for the project/service, financial and otherwise, on the part of citizens and local government. Examples of such evidence include: Description of efforts to seek funding and/or secured funding resources from other local, state, and federal sources. (Including out-of-state actors if appropriate). Description of project/service involvement and/or support by other local, state, and federal agencies and other stakeholders in the service area. (Including out-of-state actors if appropriate). Letters of support from local elected officials, local government agencies, stakeholder groups, and citizens in the service area.

Criteria 7 (10 points): The applicant demonstrates alignment & support transit policies Points awarded from 1 to 10 on the extent of evidence showing alignment with transit and transportation plans. Examples of such evidence include: Support of 5311(f) program objectives, including: Connection with inter-regional or national system of intercity bus, rail, and air service Connection with key rural regional services/locations Contribution to the intercity bus/rail/air network infrastructure. The project/service’s inclusion in local coordinated plan(s). The project/service’s identification in an unmet need process(es). The project/service’s inclusion in local short-range transit plan(s). The project/service’s inclusion in local regional transit plan(s). Description of alignment with Caltrans transit and transportation plans

issues for further Discussion?

Thank You!