Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Transit Locally Develop Plan Development Workshop Wednesday, March 19, 2008

SAFETEA-LU The Transportation Reauthorization Bill passed in 2005 Added New Federal Transit Administration Programs Revised some existing programs Final FTA Circular issued May 1, _Freedom.pdf C.pdf F-

New and Revised Federal Transit Administration Programs Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) New Freedom Section 5310 (has many names) Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Specialized Transportation Program A.K.A.-Section 16 or Section 16(B)2

JARC-Section 5316 Existing Program-Job Access Connect Welfare recipients and low income to: Jobs Employment related training including education programs and pre-employment training programs

JARC-Section 5316 Funding Directly to large urbanized areas (over 200,000 in population) To ODOT for Rural and Small Urban Areas (under 200,000 in population) From Discretionary to Formula; based on low income population in UZA

JARC-Section 5316… Operating 50/50 (Federal/Local) Capital 80/20 (Federal/Local) Planning 80/20 (Federal/Local)

JARC-Section 5316 Federal Requirements Projects must be derived from a Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Procurement Drug & Alcohol Testing Department Of Labor Reporting

Ohio JARC-Section 5316 Who Can Apply Public Entities providing Public Transit service Private non-profit designated by public to provide Public Transit service Public entities who are recipients of Ohio Coordination Program

New Freedom-Section 5317 New Program - Beyond ADA Requirements Targeted toward people with disabilities Program intent: Improve public transit service Provide transportation alternatives Remove barriers

New Freedom-Section 5317 Funding Directly to large urban areas (over 200,000 in population) To ODOT for Rural and Small Urban Areas (under 200,000 in population) Operating 50/50 (Federal/Local) Capital 80/20 (Federal/Local)

New Freedom-Section 5317 Federal Requirements Projects must be derived from a Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Procurement Drug & Alcohol Testing Reporting

Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310 Existing Program to provide services to: Elderly and people with disabilities: Vehicle Acquisition Equipment

Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310 Program Requirements Projects must be derived from a Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Projects must be competitively selected

Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310 Funding Administered by the State (ODOT) Capital only - 80/20 (Federal/Local) Currently Exploring Revisions to the Program to allow more Flexibility

Section 5310 – Specialized Transportation Program Who Can Apply for funding in Ohio Private non-profit organizations Public entities in areas: Without non-profit organizations available to provide service Lead in Ohio Coordination Program project

Federal Requirements Section 5310, 5316 & 5317 applications derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan. participation by the public Designated Recipients will have to certify that the plan was developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the public.

What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? There are four outlined in the federal circular Assessment of available services that identifies current transportation providers Assessment of current transportation needs for persons with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes

What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? (Cont) Strategies, activities, and/or projects to address the identified gaps between current services and needs, as well as opportunities to improve efficiencies in service delivery Priorities for implementation based on resources

What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? (Cont) Plans must be developed in good faith in coordination with appropriate planning partners and with opportunities for public participation. (Page V-2, FTA C F, 5/1/2007) The lead agency, in consultation with participants, should identify the process for adoption of the plan. (Page V-7, FTA C F, 5/1/2007) The plan should be updated through a regular update cycle, as identified in the Plan.

Tools and Strategies Community Planning Session Self Assessment Tool –Framework For Action Focus Groups Survey Detailed Study and Analysis

Who are the Transportation Stakeholders? Area transportation planning agencies Public transportation providers Private transportation providers Non profit transportation providers Past or current organizations funded under the JARC or Section 5310 program Passengers and advocates Human service partners Others-Anyone interested in Transportation for Target Populations

How Can You Develop a Plan? Rural Areas, contact your county commissioners to be designated as the lead agency. Contact ODOT staff for specific assistance and technical assistance ODOT will assist with Plan Kickoff Presentations Contact information for all of the above is on the ODOT website:

Why Participate? Advantages You represent your customer base, public transit or human service provider, in their quest for mobility choices Will assure that JARC, New Freedom and 5310 funds are used for meeting the particular and unique needs of the residents of your community. Resources are limited for everyone and increasing efficiency through coordination makes sense.

Other Information For Rural Counties, if the county commissioners are unaware and there is no local transit system or Ohio Coordination Project – contact ODOT Some Rural Counties are either in an MPO urbanized area or are being included for the purposes of this plan.

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