1 Mountain Metropolitan Transit Sustainability Committee March 20, 2009 Presented By: Sherre Ritenour & Tim McKinney

2 An Effective Mountain Metropolitan Transit Effective Customer Service Programs Minimal stops at peak hours Serve the Pikes Peak region User friendly downtown station Incorporated with land use planning More direct routes Ready for rail connectivity

3 Mountain Metropolitan Transit (Today) Attractive buses 7-day a week service Friendly staff Easy to use web site Passes available on-line Commuter buses Clean buses/increased security Park-and-rides

4 Transit Challenges Governance  CTAB, City Council, CAC, RTA Board, TAC, PPACG, FTA, CDOT Funding Sources  City, FTA, RTA, State each with different restrictions on the use of funds Operations  Serve the transit dependent as a social program Additional Issues  13C, Pension Fund, Paratransit and Human Service Provider demand, Sales Tax

5 Governance Issues No common vision for the future of public transportation services Municipal governance over regional program  Multiple boards with citizens and elected officials with differing priorities  Staff time spent coordinating decision-making among CTAB, Council, CAC, RTA, FTA, CDOT, TAC, PPACG  General Fund Transit services compete with other city services for funding

6 Governance Issues-cont. Sales Tax dependent Revenues from operations shared based on ridership between City and RTA Expenditures shared based on fixed-route revenue service hours City Fare revenue to General Fund RTA Fare revenue to Transit operations

7 Finance

8 Funding Issues General Fund Priorities-  Reduce General Fund subsidy for Transit Services  Maximize the use of grant funds to offset operating expenses  Attract choice riders  Ensure service to individuals with disabilities and the Transit traditional rider RTA Fund Priorities-  Regional bus service  Funds not eligible for City staff  Equitable split

9 Funding Issues Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Priorities-  Support and expand Transit  Funds primarily for capital assistance  Ensure community investment/commitment State Priorities-  Intermittent capital assistance  Programs consistent with State-wide Transportation Plan

10

11

12

13

14 REVISED ANNUAL FIXED-ROUTE SERVICE HOURS RTACITYTotal System 2008 fixed-route (FR) service hours80,371101,131181, budget reductions in FR hours 4,49021,31225, FR hours as of Jan. 1, ,88179,819155,700 Reduction in annual service hours based 2,60720,23522,842 Revised annual service hours73,27459,584132,858 Percent change from 2008 service level-8.83%-41.08%26.80%

15 Operational Issues

16 Operational Issues Increased demand in both fixed-route and paratransit services (linked) Decreased Public Transportation counter to National Green Effort Aging population requires alternative modes Increased fuel costs Highest demand in 50 years and greatest budget challenges

17 System Wide Improvements Pre November 2005 (Blue) 118,562 hours Post March 2008 (Green) 181,502 hours April 2009 (Red) 132,858 hours Areas of Reduction fixed-route and paratransit does not include FREX, Ute Pass, DASH 8

18 Service Quality Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual MeasureLevel of Service ALevel of Service CMountain Metropolitan 2008 Frequency of Service Headways < 10 minutesHeadways minutes F (70-90 min.) Hours of Service19-24 hours of service per day hours of service per day C (17 hours per day on one route) Transit Support Area Covered Serve all major origins and destinations ¾ of higher density areas served F (primarily within City limits) Load/Standing Area No passenger need sit next to another All passengers can sitC or better (no crowding) On-Time Performance Service provided like clockwork Vehicles often off headway C or better Travel TimeFaster by transit than by auto Not quite as fast as by auto but tolerable for choice rider F (avg. trip time is 2 ½ times personal vehicle) Source: Transit Cooperative Research Program Report 100.

19 Total Staff

20 Additional Challenges 13C required for Federal Funds Pension Fund- all liability no control $600- $800k per year Paratransit and Human Service Provider increased demand Sales Tax dependent

21 “The Perfect Storm” Increased Demand Need for Green Increased Costs Reduced Service Reduced Resources

22 Conclusion Community must decide what the role of Public Transportation in the future of the Pikes Peak region will be. Is it a fully integrated multi-modal system that meets the transportation needs of everyone? Or Is it going to continue to be a town of “my horse and my five acres”?

23 Questions