DEVELOPING REGIONAL SERVICE PLANS: AN OVERVIEW EAST TEXAS MEETING October 6, 2005

Why are we here?

Improve the delivery of transportation services. Generate efficiencies in operation/increase levels of service. Encourage cooperation and coordination. Develop regional plans. H.B. No Article 13: Statewide Coordination of Public Transportation

OUR MISSION: To review current public transportation planning and programming practices within metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas and to enhance service delivery, customer satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness.

How do we get there?

Regional Service Planning Boundaries

Integrating Two Public Transportation Delivery Modes: A Shift in Thinking SYSTEM BASED: Focus is on developing a seamless system of options to maximize individual participation.Transportation is the goal. CLIENT BASED: Focus is on individual person meeting health, social service or training needs. Transportation is a means to some other goal.

WHAT IS “COORDINATION” ANYWAY? ► Aiming to meet a wider range of community needs by using existing resources in collaborative and innovative ways. ► By working together, providers and local stakeholders can help each other understand both the needs and the resources, and think creatively about new ways of filling gaps in our current transportation systems. But most importantly…

“Coordination” means working together to affect positive changes in our respective communities.

WHY DO WE NEED TO COORDINATE TRANSPORTATION? √ Community public transit needs are outpacing annual allocations of state, federal, and local funds. √ An estimated 31% of Texans are considered transportation disadvantaged.

Nearly all transportation providers, including public transit agencies, private operators and human service programs are facing increased demands for service with insufficient resources. Nearly all transportation providers, including public transit agencies, private operators and human service programs are facing increased demands for service with insufficient resources.

GOALS & IDEALS FOR RSP OUTCOMES Increase cost-effectiveness Increase cost-effectiveness (“Doing” more vs. “saving” $.) (“Doing” more vs. “saving” $.) Improve program efficiency, g.e. eliminating duplication of efforts, maximizing vehicle use, increasing collective purchasing power. Improve program efficiency, g.e. eliminating duplication of efforts, maximizing vehicle use, increasing collective purchasing power. Provide better service to consumers. Provide better service to consumers.

FACTORS REGIONS ARE LOOKING AT DURING THIS PROCESS Inclusion of all Stakeholders in Processes Inclusion of all Stakeholders in Processes Existing Services Existing Services Existing Coordination Efforts Existing Coordination Efforts Gaps and Duplication of Services Gaps and Duplication of Services Barriers to Overcome Barriers to Overcome Lead Entity Expectations Lead Entity Expectations

Two Year Schedule Phase 1 Committee Recommendations/ Commission Direction 1/05 – 5/05 Phase 2 Workshop (6/14/05) & Work Plan Development 6/05 – 9/05 Phase 3 Workshop on “Sharing Approaches” 10/05 Phase 4 Plan Development 10/05 - 9/06 Phase 5 Commission Approval/ Policy Direction 9/06 - 1/07

PLAN DUE DATES Plan development will take place over the next ten (10) months. Plan development will take place over the next ten (10) months. Final plan is due September Final plan is due September Commission action is anticipated in January Commission action is anticipated in January 2007.

Commission Action 1. Endorse process proposed by Study Group and coinciding deadlines. 2. Endorse COG boundaries’ use for planning process with lead agency to be determined in each region by the local stakeholders. 3. Endorse June 14, 2005 kickoff conference. 4. Pursue additional funding for FY 2006 planning activities. 5. Consider plan/policy/legislative recommendations in Fall 2006.

Important things to Remember as we move through this planning process

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL! DIFFERENT REGIONS WILL NO DOUBT HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS, SITUATIONS & APPROACHES

 WHO IS THE CUSTOMER?  ENSURE INCLUSIVE PROCESS WITHIN EACH REGION  IT TAKES US ALL!

KEEP TRACK OF: METHODOLOGY INNOVATIVE POSSIBILITIES CONSTRAINTS (THESE CAN BE FIXED!)

DELIVERABLES FOR OCT. 19 TH : 1. IDENTIFY LEAD AGENCY (or at least designate presenter for region’s report) 2. BRIEF PROGRESS REPORT ON WORK PLAN DEVELOPMENT 3. CONSTRAINTS/BARRIERS INVENTORY 4. DRAFT WORKING BUDGET FOR PLANNING PROCESS

Questions?