9-08. Attachment G - 2017-2021 Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan.pdf

Panhandle Regional

Organization to Maximize Public Transportation

Regionally Coordinated Public

Transportation Plan Effective 2017-2021

Sponsored by: Administered by:

“Equal Access to Transportation for All”

Table of Contents

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan

Table of Contents

ES ..................................................................................................................... Executive Summary

Chapter 1 ...................................................................................................................... Introduction

Chapter 2 ................................................................................................. Transportation Resources

Chapter 3 ....................................................... Comprehensive Needs Assessment & Gap Analysis

Chapter 4 ............................................................................. Planning for Comprehensive Services

Chapter 5 ............................................................................................ Integrated Planning Process

Chapter 6 ............................................................................ Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives

Chapter 7 .............................................................................. Sustain Planning and Implementation

Chapter 8 ............................................................ Performance Measures to Evaluate Effectiveness

Appendix A ................................................................................................................ Strategic Plan

Appendix B .................................................................................. Transportation Provider Survey

Appendix C ........................................... Transportation Provider Survey Tabulation and Analysis

Appendix D ................................................................................................................ Client Survey

Appendix E ........................................................................ Client Survey Tabulation and Analysis

Appendix F................................................................................................ Service Provider Survey

Appendix G ....................................................... Service Provider Survey Tabulation and Analysis

Appendix H ......................................................................................................... PROMPT Bylaws

Executive Summary

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-1

The Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan incorporated work conducted in 2016 and 2017 by the Panhandle Regional Organization to Maximize Public Transportation (PROMPT) with

Staff support from the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) that included a survey of transportation providers and a comprehensive Strategic Planning Process. Development of a regional inventory of transit providers, evaluation of the abilities and capabilities of existing transit providers and the draft of the chapter on transportation inventory were conducted

September 2015 through August of 2016. Subsequently, the group spent the first six months of

FY17 analyzing transportation Needs, Goals, Objectives, and Strategies as it completed the second portion of the planning process for a plan to be adopted in February of 2017. This planning process was the third iteration of the Panhandler Regional Public Transportation Plan.

It follows the 2007 and 2011 Plans developed by PRPC and the PROMPT that have both been heavily utilized by regional transportation providers, riders, and health & human services providers alike.

The PROMPT serves as the advisory committee for the public transportation planning process in the region. The membership composition of the body is highly important to the effective analysis of Needs and Strategies in the region. PROMPT membership includes all TxDOT defined strategic parties including representatives of: elderly, low income, minority, disabled, veteran, and children’s interests. Further, membership includes representatives of the major transportation providers, health and human services fields, and local political subdivisions to ensure that all areas of public transportation are considered in this planning process. PROMPT is responsible for the data collection, insight, and plan development before it goes to the Lead

Agency for consideration.

The Texas Panhandle Region (aka Region 1) is unique geographically among the 24 Texas regions having two public transit providers, one rural and one urban. The rural provider covers one of the largest geographical areas in the entire state of Texas, around 26,000 square miles of rural area covering 26 counties and including 63 cities with a low population density in the rural

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-2 area. The region has a high percentage of population above 65 and high median age means that transportation for older adults is and continues to remain a significant challenge. The urban provider, Amarillo City Transit offers service to nearly half of the region’s total population over a large urbanized area of approximately 74 square miles, while also operating the ADA paratransit service.

The development of Chapter 2, analyzing existing transit providers included inventorying available transportation resources and conducting an operating review. Subsequently, the 2017 contract allowed for consideration of rider needs, health and human services demands, and the gaps that exist between available resources and demand in the region. The report also reviewed regional demographics and transit conditions of the Texas Panhandle.

Transportation Providers:

Fiscally, the only public rural provider in the region, Panhandle Transit operates on the basis of contracts to match federal and state dollars since it receives no local or county government revenues. Panhandle Transit is operated by Panhandle Community Services and moves individuals in the rural areas of the region. Additionally, the agency provides services originating in the MPO area and going to rural destinations and vice-versa. Over the past five years, the agency has undergone a comprehensive overhaul and is now a leading rural provider in the state.

In regards to the only public urban provider, Amarillo City Transit operates on the basis of contracts to match federal and state dollars and receives a small portion of local government revenues. Amarillo City Transit falls under the responsibility of the City of Amarillo. The service operates in the MPO boundaries and provides only urban services. Fixed route and direct request services are currently available. In 2016, the City of Amarillo commissioned a comprehensive analysis of its public transportation system. It is anticipated that this report will be available in the summer of 2017. At that time, PROMPT desires to consider amending portions of the plan into this regional transportation plan.

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-3

LeFleur Transportation, a private transit provider is the lead as the regional Medicaid delivery system as the prime contractor. Jan Werner Adult Day Care serves as one of the region’s largest non-profit providers for individuals over the age of 65. Additional details are available on these and other private and non-profit providers are included in Chapter 2 of the Plan.

Needs, Goals, Objectives, & Strategies

This regional planning effort utilized the Strategic Planning Model. As part of this, a series of potential needs were solicited from PROMPT membership and prioritized by the broad group.

The top six prioritized Needs were directly addressed. Each Need received a corresponding Goal that sets the bar for future projects. Those Goals then received a series of Objectives that will serve as markers regarding the region’s progress towards meeting its Needs. Finally, a series of

Strategies for each Need were developed. The Strategies are recommendations to transportation providers and partner agencies regarding activities that might be implemented to meet the identified Needs of the region.

In efforts to effectively update the 5-year plan, it was necessary to evaluate the level of transit need regionally (encompassing the urban and rural areas) of the Texas Panhandle Region.

Evaluating the level of transit need was done through the use of the Comprehensive Needs

Assessment, survey research, and the support of the Strategic Planning Process:

• Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis – Methodology that compiles needs from transportation rider and health & human services surveys through mail, participation at stakeholder meetings (PROMPT) and PRPC attendance at regional meetings of human service agency stakeholders, culminating with the Strategic Planning

Process.

Strategic Planning Process – A methodology approach that is conceptual by nature, the plan and process was designed to be a living and breathing document. The Needs of the region were jointly established by the PROMPT

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-4 members, and the Strategies included in this document were developed by the

PROMPT members with the explicit intent of addressing the regional challenges. This Strategic Plan shall serve as the backbone of the 2017

Panhandle Regional Transportation Plan because its’ comprehensive approach to meeting planning process objectives. See Appendix for the full-detailed

Strategic Planning Methodology and Process.

The Texas Panhandle Region showed a growing need for public transportation for both the urban and rural areas of the region. Overall, the Texas Panhandle shows less than 1% of the region’s population utilizing public transportation despite the fact that demographic measures (aging population, lower income levels) would appear to indicate more demand for the service.

The study was tasked with developing a list of unmet needs and gaps which would be combined.

Through PROMPT Committee meetings, surveys and the Strategic Planning Session the following prioritized Needs and gaps were identified:

Need #1: Low Income individuals trying to access post-secondary education, work, medical, or commercial destinations must have consistent and reliable access to public transportation.

Need #2: Elderly individuals trying to access work, medical, or commercial destinations must have consistent and reliable access to public transportation.

Need #3: The Panhandle Region has very few resources to assist handicapped individuals access public transportation

Need #4: Extensive demand for transportation services can’t be met regionally at current funding rates with current funding usage categorical restrictions.

Need #5: There is a lack of understanding and awareness in the public about regional transportation resources and providers, and there is a general lack of trust in the current system.

Need #6: Low wages and oilfield & agriculture competition for CDL drivers reduce the availability of drivers in the region to meet demand and available bud/van resources.

The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of the region relating to Public Transportation were additionally identified in the strategic plan. Broadly, the SWOT

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-5 analysis showed that coordination and collaboration in pursuit of regional goals are the primary strengths, but low population density and unstable funding streams are weaknesses.

Opportunities lie in innovative projects that establish more collaboration and modification to the regulator and funding environments. Major threats to the region’s public transportation system tend to fall in the category of bureaucratic and political changes as well as potential funding challenges going forward. Goals and Objectives with respect to the Texas Panhandle Region are list as the following:

Goals and Objectives

Goal #1: Increase reliable access to low income residents regionally in the most convenient form possible (Long Term)

Objective 1: To reduce the number of AC students reporting transportation is a barrier by

25% by the 2021 School year

Objective 2: To increase foreign language communication by 100% by 2018

Objective 3: To increase the % of Amarillo residents reporting public transportation usage to 10% by the 2018 ACS & Regionally to 15%

Goal #2: Increase reliable access to elderly individuals regionally in the most convenient form possible (Long Term)

Objective 1: To reduce the number of elderly individuals reporting transportation as a barrier by 25% by 2021

Objective 2: To reduce transportation as a barrier in AAA reports to a lower ranking by

Objective 3: To increase the % of Amarillo residents reporting public transportation usage to 10% by the 2018 ACS & Regionally to 15%

Goal #3: Establish more accessible routes & entry points for disabled individuals to access stops

& pickups (Long Term)

Objective 1: To increase the number of handicapped accessible pickups by 100% by 2021

Objective 2: Reduce the # of reported missed appointments due to lack of access by 25% by 2018

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-6

Objective 3: Increase urban & rural handicapped accessible routes to the VA by 50% by 2021

Goal #4: To continue to seek financial opportunities for all areas of public transportation and keeping the status quo at a minimum with a desired increase in funding to expand existing public options. (Short & Long Term)

Objective 1: To educate TxDOT, FTA, and other funding agencies on the true nature of the Texas

Panhandle’s Public Transportation shortfalls

Objective 2: To Reduce the number of reported job turnover & college dropouts by 15% by 2021

Objective 3: To establish public transportation services to outskirts of Amarillo by 2021

Objective 4: To establish public transportation services on Sundays in the region by 2021

Goal #5: To increase regional public awareness of the regional public transportation resources and reduce the feelings of lack of trust in the public transportation resources. (Short &

Long Term)

Objective 1: To increase the % of the public aware of resources by 100% by 2021

Objective 2: To increase the % of the public trusting in the public transportation system by 50% by 2018

Objective 3: To establish a steady public awareness presence in the region by 2021

Goal #6: To establish a stable and reliable regional pool of drivers to meet public transportation needs (Long Term)

Objective 1: To reduce the turnover percentage of drivers in the region to meet regional avg.

Objective 2: To bring regional driver wages in line with state averages by 2021

Objective 3: To reduce bleeding of drivers into the ride share arena

The Goals and Objectives have subsequent strategies to assist in the implementation of the identified goals and objectives. As the number of strategies is extensive and cannot all be listed in the Executive Summary, they can be found in Chapter 6 of this 5-year plan and associated

Strategic Plan.

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan ES-7

Conclusion:

The PROMPT and PRPC Staff have invested extensive time, effort, research, and consideration into the 2017 Plan. All deliverables in the Workplan have been completed, all components of the

Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan Table of Contents have been addressed, and all reports are completed as contractually required. It is highly important that PROMPT membership continues to work closely with partner agencies to begin moving forward with the recommended strategies identified in the Plan. Collaboration and partnerships are the only way that the Panhandle Region will see meaningful progress towards more meaningful improvements to the region’s public transportation infrastructure. It is anticipated that when the Plan is revisited in 5 years, there will be significant progress towards meeting the identified Needs in this plan. However, it is important to note that continued funding for both ongoing regional planning activities and project implementation are a necessity for the Plan to be a success. It is the hope of all involved in the 2017 Panhandle Regional Public Transportation Planning Process that this Plan be as successful and meaningful as previous iterations.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-1

The beginning chapter of the 5-year Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan will consist of a description of the background and purpose of the 5-Year plan, including the previous plans and recent years between 5-year plans. Chapter 1 will detail the methodology used to develop the plan including a narrative of how the development and approval process engaged key stakeholders and priority populations (individuals with disabilities and over the age of 65). The plan update will be the 3rd plan that has been conducted for Region 1 (Texas Panhandle). The process of assessing available public transportation resources, local demands, and associated gaps within the Texas Panhandle is highly important. There are many people within the region who could achieve a better quality of life by accessing job opportunities, health resources, and post-secondary educational institutions through public transportation if it continues to improve as a resource in the region. It is a goal of the region to bring the transportation providers, users of public transportation, representatives of the health and human services field, and individuals representing special groups of interest to the table together to conduct joint planning activities.

Background of Coordinated Planning Process

The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission (PRPC) has worked towards a goal of coordinated transportation planning since the 1990s and serves as the lead agency for updating the Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan (RCTP). The PRPC is a

Council of Governments (COG) created under the legislative authority of the Local Government

Code Chapter 391 Regional Planning Commissions. The purpose of Regional Planning

Commissions defined in Chapter 391 specifically identifies a COG to support the plan for the future development of communities, areas, and regions so that, among other things the planning of transportation systems is improved. The transportation planning efforts to benefit local governments and communities falls directly into the statutory purpose of the Panhandle Regional

Planning Commission. Over the years and the efforts of updating three (3) Regionally

Coordinated Public Transportation Plans, the Panhandle of Texas continues to strive to be a leader in coordination and cooperation between public, nonprofit and private transportation providers. Dating back to 2006, PROMPT was officially created in response to the 78th Texas

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-2

Legislature’s passage of HB 3588, Article 13, and as incorporated in Chapter 461 of the Texas

Transportation Code, which requires the development of a coordinated transit plan for the Texas

Panhandle Region also known as Region 1. PROMPT immediately began working towards adopting a Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan and in January 2007 that plan was formally accepted as a guideline for transportation planning in the Texas Panhandle. Originally called the Regional Transportation Advisory Group (RTAG), the group was created for the purpose of having a stakeholder group directly involved with public transportation planning efforts for each region. The RTAG made an effort to give the group a regional identity and more explanatory acronym in the Texas Panhandle by changing their official name from RTAG to

Panhandle Regional Organization to Maximize Public Transportation (PROMPT) in 2011. Since that time, PROMPT and PRPC have conducted two (2) subsequent plan updated in the years of

2011 and 2016. In examining the original plan and 2011 plan, PROMPT has been integral in completing or progressing to meet an overwhelming majority of the objectives set forth. Over the past 10 years, PROMPT has been discussing, exploring and researching many areas in the regions’ Public Transportation challenges. In working towards the public transportation goals over the past decade, it was determined by PROMPT that it was best served by meeting on a quarterly basis, which allowed the PRPC to present more material information at the meetings.

However, in plan update years, those meetings increased in frequency to be every over month to account for the increased need for information exchange and material contributions. Going forward it is anticipated that PROMPT will continue to meet quarterly to continue the regional public transportation efforts.

In 2008, the PRPC hired a transportation coordinator/mobility manager as a way to fulfill one of the goals set forth in the original 2007 plan. The mobility manager was charged with to completing several projects relating to coordination planning. Part of that position’s responsibilities included helping members of PROMPT write grants for projects they would like to see come to fruition. Unfortunately, the PRPC was unable to maintain a mobility manager due to funding constraints and limitations on the TxDOT Planning Funding originally envisioned at the outset of the program; however, they do have a staff member dedicated to the planning efforts of the region. Also, included with the current staff member’s position was to maintain an open dialogue with TxDOT officials and staying current on the latest grant programs offered.

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-3

Over the past 10 years, there have been successful New Freedom and JARC projects (both now defunct programs) that originated through the planning efforts, as well as a Rural Transportation

Assistance Program (RTAP) project in order to research and conduct feasibility studies into the

Senior Ambassador Coalition (SAC) voucher program. SAC is a 501(c)(3) organization which operates for the sole purpose of improving the life of Seniors in the Texas Panhandle.

In the past several years, PROMPT has set out to research and discover many diverse topics and areas of interest that embody the challenges, gaps, needs and accessibility issues of the Public

Transportation industry in the Texas Panhandle. In 2011 a comprehensive Public Transportation

Plan was adopted. This was not simply an update to the 2007 Plan, but it was a completely new planning process done within the region. At that time multiple gaps were identified that needed to be addressed. These gaps generally touched on the general public’s access to transportation to post-secondary educational opportunities. At that point in the planning process, it was still unique to have all of the transportation providers around the table working together and developing joint strategies. Over the past decade, these activities have evolved from a novelty to the standard way of doing business within the region. This very beneficial process was largely identified in the 2011 Plan for its importance of the success of the 2007 Planning effort and all future efforts. The process and plan the PROMPT put together in 2011 has served as a model for other planning groups across the State of Texas as PRPC Staff has presented on processes and benefits at multiple training sessions.

In 2012 to 2013, PROMPT followed the guidance of the 2011 Plan and began analyzing where additional public transportation resources might be available in the region that are not included in the standard planning process. It was identified that public schools have many busses that are not in use outside of certain expected hours. In an effort to expand the known availability of public transportation resources in the region, PROMPT conducted an extensive analysis of where school transportation assets were in the region and what barriers existed in utilizing them.

Unfortunately, the outcome of the research pointed to the fact that due to funding stream restrictions it is impractical to utilize school resources for transporting anyone other than students. However, the research was positive in that it brought school officials to the table to meet with public transportation providers. An ongoing and extensive dialogue was established

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-4 that continues to benefit regional residents to this day. Also, it was identified that the transportation resources could be made available in emergency evacuation situations that pose threats to health and safety. This is another tremendous benefit to the region.

Additionally, the PROMPT began efforts on working towards looking at Veterans Transportation

Services related to Public Transportation and assist in the development of a plan to help enhance current veterans’ transportation services. The PROMPT rounded out 2014 by continuing to identify gaps for Medicaid clients, including looking at the Medicaid rules and regulations. It became very obvious that there are significant gaps created in the public transportation system as the result of restrictions on how one funding stream or another may be applied to riders.

In 2013 to 2014, PROMPT researched efforts to improve the transportation services for Veterans in the Region, including identifying all entities with resources, to include funding, volunteers and veterans transportation needs. Additionally, the PROMPT planned and implemented a successful

Veterans Transportation Summit event and are progressively working to improve transportation services for veterans in Planning Region 1 based on the research and date generated. In 2014 to

2015, PROMPT continued working towards increasing awareness of Veterans Transportation

Needs by hosting a 2nd Veterans Summit to discuss needs and gaps of Veterans Transportation with key stakeholders in the Texas Panhandle. The PROMPT’s desire was for the lead agency to help assist other agencies in writing and developing 5310 applications to entities that deal directly with providing public transportation in the region.

Additionally, PROMPT set a goal in the 2011 Plan to research transportation as a barrier to educational attainment and coordinate meetings with providers and post-secondary education officials in order to increase educational attainment in the region. The goal of PROMPT was to research ways to improve human-transit transportation for trade school and post-secondary education students with a goal to decrease transportation as a barrier for obtaining post-secondary education credit and increase education levels across the Texas Panhandle. The

PROMPT focused on creating a focus group of post-secondary students and institutional representatives to develop a comprehensive understanding of where gaps lie in this area.

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-5

Surprisingly, one of the big outcomes of the research was that perspective of public transportation in the region is as big of a barrier to its utilization as any actual systematic issue.

Purpose of the Five-Year Regional Coordination Plan

The purpose of the regionally coordinated transportation planning effort is to provide more efficient and effective public transportation services, especially for priority populations including seniors (65 and older), persons with disabilities, persons with low incomes, veterans, youth and others. This planning effort includes developing, adopting, implementing and updating a coordinated public transit/human services plan while assessing progress of activities, objectives and goals called for in the plan. The coordinated plan provides recommended strategies for meeting the public’s transportation needs, and prioritizes transportation services for funding and implementation.

It is highly important to PROMPT membership that the elderly, disabled, impoverished, young, and veterans in the region are thoroughly represented in the planning process. To this end, each of these groups is represented on PROMPT by both an organizational representative and an individual with direct personal experience in the area. This representation ensures that in regular discussion and in special focus activities these groups are represented, heard and understood.

Further, a Strategic Planning Process described later in this document was undertaken that brought each representative to the table together with equal authority in prioritization of needs.

This resulted in a process where all preconceived concerns were thrown out and the needs of any special group could rise to the surface. Based on the prioritization of needs in this planning effort, it is clear that this has occurred.

Methodology of Developing Plan and Obtaining Public Input

In the process of creating the 2017 Regionally Coordinated Plan, the lead agency went through

11 public meetings, 1 Strategic Planning Session, multiple subcommittee meetings and several stakeholder interviews and site visits. PROMPT identified many Issues, Needs, Gaps and

Challenges in Public Transportation for the Texas Panhandle. In an effort to obtain more up-to-date information and an assessment of the current issues, there were several methods utilized.

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-6

The development of the plan consisted of key stakeholders of the PROMPT committee, who fall into the category of disabled and elderly (5310), as well as the entities that have been directly involved with 5310 projects in the region (Panhandle Independent Living Center and LeFleur

Transportation). These representatives actively participated in the planning update process, the strategic planning process, and meeting attendance.

Beginning in the fall of 2015, PRPC staff started working towards the goal of creating a set of surveys which could be sent out to public transportation providers to collect more relevant data.

The PRPC began by developing a comprehensive listing of contacts for all public transportation providers in the region. PRPC Staff developed a hard copy and an online version of the survey to increase and improve results. Surveys were developed and received over a 2 to 3 month period and once functionally completed were delivered to Dr. Dave Rausch, Teel Bivins Professor of

Political Science, at West Texas A&M University. Through a series of meetings, phone calls and e-mails, Dr. Rausch reviewed and critiqued the surveys for the purposes of outlining any possible statistical misgivings that wording in the surveys might create once responses were tabulated. In the months of January-March 2016 the surveys were distributed to all public, private and non-profit transportation providers. Surveys were sent out to all of the public and private transportation providers in the Texas Panhandle, including taxi services. The results of the survey included a total of six (6) transportation provider responses: one taxi service and one private transportation provider, in addition to the four transportation providers (2 public, 1 private and 1 non-profit) that are currently involved as stakeholders in the coordinated planning process. In the survey efforts, it was pleasing that all major providers were represented in the responses. PROMPT membership feels that a strong representation of the region’s providers is included in Chapter 2 of this Plan.

Beginning in the fall of 2016, PRPC staff began working towards the goal of creating two (2) surveys which could be sent out to service agency providers and public transportation users, respectively, in order to collect more relevant data on the demand for public transportation in the region. The PRPC began by developing a comprehensive listing of contacts for all service agency providers in the region. This listing was compiled with assistance from PROMPT membership, the Area Agency on Aging, and the Texas Workforce Commission. Concurrently, Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-7 the surveys were developed, issued and received over a 1 to 2 month period and once functionally completed were once again delivered to Dr. Dave Rausch, at West Texas A&M

University. Again, Dr. Rausch reviewed and evaluated the surveys for the purposes of outlining any possible glaring issues that might be created once responses were tabulated. The surveys were sent out to service providers included entities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior centers, after-school programs, Area Agency on Aging and many others. In the months of January-February 2017, 254 surveys were distributed to the service providers and 180 to transportation users. The surveys for public transportation users and service providers were distributed at a couple of stakeholder events and distributed region wide. The results of the survey for the service providers included a total of twenty-four (24) service provider responses

(see Chapter 3 and Appendix). The results of the survey for the transportation users totaled twenty-four (24) residents of the Texas Panhandle (see Chapter 3 and Appendix). In all, the response rate was about what was expected, and the results were highly useful and enlightening.

The result largely supported the findings of the Strategic Planning effort.

Parallel to the three (3) survey developments, from the Fall of 2015 to February 2017, a total of

11 (PROMPT) meetings were held at which public involvement was always solicited and welcomed. Garnering public input is a challenge that comes from the fact that the Texas

Panhandle spans 26,000 square miles and there are only two major public transportation providers. More about the geography and demographics of this region will be explored in

Chapter 3, as well as the Needs and Gaps developed from the survey results that will also be included in Chapter 3. The meetings were important because they progressively set the tone and outcome of the regional planning process. With key stakeholders representing transportation providers, riders, health & human service providers, and special groups all working together, it was much easier to begin developing a plan that would ultimately be met with consensus in regarding Needs prioritization and Strategy approval. The membership proved to be highly motivated and respectful of one another throughout the process, and this led to a high quality final product.

In addition to the meetings and distributed surveys, PROMPT and PRPC conducted a Strategic

Planning Session to assist with the identification of Needs, Goals, Objectives and Strategies for

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 1-8 the 5-year Regional Coordinated Public Transportation Plan. The strategic planning process was a new and innovative addition to this 5-year plan update. The strategic planning session was to be used as a valuable tool and road-map for the ability of implementing key Strategies, should

TxDOT funding become available. PROMPT and PRPC spent nearly an entire day in the strategic planning session to develop the Needs, Goals, Objectives and Strategies for the region.

This day planning session followed weeks of preparation by PRPC Staff and PROMPT membership. The members of PROMPT were very positive about the efforts at the strategic planning session and the regional Needs and Gaps that were identified. The session allowed for an informal collaboration effort of all stakeholders and PRPC staff to work towards a reliable document that would be beneficial to the updated 2017 5-year plan. Ultimately, the needs-data verification-goals-objectives-strategies format of the Strategic Planning process served as the backbone for the entire regional planning process in 2017. The organized and valid planning process lends credibility and credence to the overall process.

At the end of the day, the PROMPT is very proud of the planning process that was followed in the development of the 2017 Regional Transportation Plan. The Needs were identified and prioritized through equitable participation of all interested parties including the elderly, disabled, and low income. The strategies to address those Needs were also developed through a collaborative effort that was inclusive of all interested parties. It is the hope of the PROMPT that transportation providers in the region will utilize the 2017 Plan as a guidance document to select projects in the next 5 years that will benefit the region’s overall public transportation system. If the 2017 Plan is implemented by partners as effectively as the previous two plans, it will be an exciting time for public transportation in the region.

Chapter 2: Transportation Resources

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 1

Chapter 2: Transportation Resources and Transportation Planning Agencies

The Texas Panhandle region consisting of 26 counties has two public transit providers for the geographical area. One urban and one rural provider deliver public transit services for the region.

Additionally, private providers are listed, along with the human and social service agencies that provide client specific transportation.

Amarillo is at the center of the 26-county region and functions as the economic and regional medical center for the area, which serves as the destination of most rural transit trips. The two public transit entities serving the area is comprised of Amarillo City Transit who services the urban transit district (UTD) for the Amarillo urbanized area (UZA) and Panhandle Transit who services the rural transit service areas outside of the City of Amarillo. These entities provide for the largest amount of transit service. Two transit providers serving the 26 counties allows for a clear division and better understanding of the rural and urban service boundaries. Overlapping service areas or large gaps in service areas are not present or prevalent in the region. Various health and human service agencies work with one or both of these transit providers to meet their transportation needs.

The chapter will include a profile for the City of Amarillo’s City Transit (ACT) and Panhandle

Community Service’s (PCS) Panhandle Transit, including service characteristics (service area, routes, and schedules), vehicles, and budget. Additional human service (client specific) transportation providers are also examined that are labeled as planning partners. The private providers are listed who also deliver county-wide services. (Note: Planning partners are defined as key or representative human service agencies that responded to the Panhandle Transportation

Coordination Survey and/or participated in follow-up phone calls or site visits. Many of these agencies are not members of the official planning committee, the Panhandle Regional

Organization to Maximize Public Transportation.) Uber was contacted for input regarding the 5-year plan but never returned calls or emails on the inquiry.

• City of Amarillo (Amarillo City Transit)

• Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 2

• Panhandle Community Services (Panhandle Transit)

• Taxi Companies o AA Discount Cab – Amarillo, Texas o AA Royal Taxi – Amarillo, Texas o Ace’s Taxi Service – Amarillo, Texas o Airport Taxi Service – Amarillo, Texas o Bob’s Taxi Service – Amarillo, Texas o King Cab Company – Amarillo, Texas o Taxi-Pros – Amarillo, Texas o Yellow Cab Company – Amarillo, Texas

• Other o UBER o LYFT

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 3

Amarillo City Transit

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 4

Amarillo City Transit - Organization Structure and Staffing

Amarillo City Transit (ACT) is the public transit system for the City of Amarillo and only operates within the Amarillo city limits and the urbanized area. ACT was acquired in 1966 by the City of Amarillo and continues to be managed under the City Staff, providing fixed route service and ADA paratransit to the following:

• Children (ages 6-12)

• Students

• Senior Citizens (65 and older)

• Medicare recipients

• Persons with Disabilities

• Low-income

• General Public

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 5

Amarillo City Transit - Service Area, Routes and Schedules

The City of Amarillo covers about 102 square miles. ACT service areas cross Potter and Randall

Counties, covering 95.2% of the population and 80.1% of the land area in the city urbanized area, approximately 74 square miles.

FIGURE 1 – FIXED ROUTE MAP

ACT Routes and Amarillo City Limits

ACT operates fixed route bus service and ADA paratransit service known as Spec-Trans. Fixed route bus services are provided Monday thru Saturday from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM with no service on Sunday.

Spec-Trans was started by ACT in 1987 to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) and is a system of public transportation providing demand responsive curb-to-curb service for certified mobility-impaired citizens of Amarillo who cannot physically use accessible

Fixed Route buses. The Spec-Trans service is operated Monday through Saturday between 6:30

AM and 6:30 PM with no service on Sunday. Trained operators are available to assist passengers at the curb. Assistance does not include carrying objects for passengers. All vehicles are

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 6 specially designed with wheelchair lifts and four-point securement devices. Both fixed route and demand response service operate within the Amarillo urbanized area. Areas not served by ACT include that portion of the city west of Lakeside Drive. There is no service on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas.

ACT operates eight (8) fixed routes within the city limits as illustrated in Figure 1. Eight routes make up the fixed-route system with each starting in the downtown at the main transfer point at

3rd and Fillmore. The system pulses at the station every 30 to 45 minutes to allow riders to transfer between routes. Transfers are free, cannot be used to make the return trip, and are time-limited. Spec-Trans is the demand-response system and must be made at least a day in advance, up to 2 weeks in advance. It operates nine (9) vehicles and serves all points within ACT’s service area (i.e., does not limit its service to a ¾ mile corridor abutting a fixed route).

ACT does not subcontract any part of the services that are provided. The major trip generators include the medical center, education facilities, shopping centers and state offices. ACT does not provide transportation services for any agencies or programs. The service is dedicated to certified clients only.

Fare Structure

Ridership Category Fare (One Way) Adult $ 0.75 Spec-Trans One-Way Trip $ 1.50 Children (ages 6-12) $ 0.60 Student (Middle/HS with ACT I.D. card) $ 0.60 Senior Citizens (65 and Older with Medicare and ACT I.D. card) $ 0.35 Medicare Card Holder $ 0.35 People with Disabilities (with ACT I.D. card) $ 0.35

Please Note: Children under 6 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 7

Revenue Sources

The following tables indicate Amarillo City Transit’s revenue sources.

Note: 2015 is based on City Fiscal Year [October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015]

Source Actual FY 2014 Actual FY 2015 Budgeted FY 2016 Passenger Fares $211,569 $194,725 N/A Local General Fund $1,758,826 $1,627,449 $1,908,252 State Assistance $393,842 $396,680 $390,094 FTA Urbanized Area Formula (UAFP) Program (5307)

$3,168,446 $3,162,970 $3,230,194

Total Revenue $5,532,683 $5,381,824 $5,528,540

State Fiscal Year 2015

Operating Information Fixed Route Spec-Trans SFY15 Total

Ridership 332,206 35,317 367,523 Revenue Miles 586,212 263,543 849,755 Revenue Hours 38,706 18,739 57,445 Operating Expense $3,082,656.75 $1,437,877.99 $4,520,534.74 Passengers Per Revenue Mile 0.57 0.13 0.43 Passenger Per Revenue Hour 8.58 1.88 6.40 Cost Per Passenger $9.28 $40.71 $12.30 Cost Per Revenue Mile $5.26 $5.46 $5.32 Cost Per Revenue Hour $79.64 $76.73 $78.69 Service Area Population 196,429 196,429 196,429

Revenues and Expenses

Fixed Route Spec-Trans

(2014-2015) (2014-2015)

Farebox Revenue $98,178 $67,269

Prepaid Ticket Sales $19,258 $10,000

Operating Revenue Per Passenger .22 .25

Expenditure Per Passenger $9.28 $40.40

Net Cash Flow Per Passenger ($2.91) ($14.77)

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 8

Revenue Source Total Percent

Total Federal 5307 Grant $3,162,971.00 Operating Federal Operating $2,435,521.00 53.87%

State Operating $396,680.00 8.77% Local Match Operating $1,493,629.00 33.04 %

Capital

Federal Capital $1,304,079.00 80%

Local Capital $276,009.00 20%

Farebox and Pre-Paid Ticket Revenue

Farebox $165,447.00 3.67%

Pre-Paid Ticket Sales $29,258.00 0.65%

Total Operating Revenues $4,520,535.00 100%

FY 2015 Expenses

Operating $2,992,712.00 66.20%

Supplies $1,039,646.00 23.00% Contractual $87,461.00 1.94% Other $400,716.00 8.86%

Total Operating Expenses $4,520,535.00 100%

Revenue Vehicle Inventory

YEAR DESCRIPTION MODEL Seating

W/WC

Seating

WO/WC VESTED TITLE LOCATION ACQ. DATE

Fixed Route

2002 ElDorado Transmark RE BUS AM 18 WC 2 24 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 3/15/2002 2002 ElDorado Transmark RE BUS AM 18 WC 2 24 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 3/19/2002 2002 ElDorado Transmark RE BUS AM 18 WC 2 24 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 4/1/2002 2002 ElDorado Transmark RE BUS AM 18 WC 2 24 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 4/1/2002 2002 ElDorado Transmark RE BUS AM 18 WC 2 24 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 4/1/2002

Fixed Route/Spec Trans

2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 4/20/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 4/20/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 5/6/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/10/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/1/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 5/20/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 5/13/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/7/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 5/20/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/4/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/1/2010

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 9

2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 5/13/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/10/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/7/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/14/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/4/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/7/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/10/2010 2009 ElDorado National Aero Elite VAN AM 12 WC 2 17 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 6/14/2010

Spec Trans

2008 AERO ELITE VAN AM 9 WC 3 13 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 10/23/2008

2008 AERO ELITE VAN AM 9 WC 3 13 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 10/23/2008

2008 AERO ELITE VAN AM 9 WC 3 13 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 10/23/2008

2008 AERO ELITE VAN AM 9 WC 3 13 CITY OF AMA 801 SE 23RD 10/23/2008

ACT has twenty-four (24) 30-foot buses to serve its fixed route. During peak service periods, it operates 12 vehicles, leaving five spare. All the vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts and audio and visual information systems for impaired persons. Five of the vehicles have “kneeling” capability. Each vehicle has a seating capacity of 23. ACT operates nine (9) minibuses (less than 30 feet) to serve Spec-Trans eligible riders. During peak-service periods, it operates five vehicles, leaving two spare. All the Spec-Trans vehicles are wheelchair accessible with a seating capacity of 13 without wheel chairs and 9 with 3 wheel chairs.

ACT Projects in the 2015-2018 STIP

Implementation Year Project Name Cost 2015 Operating Expenses $3,878,520 2015 Preventive Maintenance $775,000 2015 Replace Bus Vehicles $231,650 2015 Shop Equipment $15,000 2015 Passenger Amenities $25,000 2016 Operating Expenses $3,917,304

Texas Panhandle Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan 2- 10

2016 Preventive Maintenance $780,000 2016 Shop Equipment $25,000 2016 Support Vehicle $25,000 2017 Operating Expenses $3,956,476 2017 Preventive Maintenance $785,000 2017 Replace Bus Vehicles $125,049 2017 Shop Equipment $15,000 2017 Passenger Amenities $25,000 2017 Computer Equipment $50,000 2018 Operating Expenses $3,996,042 2018 Replace Bus Vehicles $199,408

Marketing – Website

The City of Amarillo maintains the Amarillo City Transit website which is http://amarillo.gov/?page_id=163

ACT utilizes its fixed route map as a tool to relay information about all services in conjunction with the route map.

Significant Issues Faced by Amarillo City Transit

ACT has faced increasingly tight funding and will soon be in a position where it may need to consider an alternative to the traditional fixed route and complementary para-transit service model. Over a period of twelve years (from FY 2004 to 2016), ACT has experienced a permanent reduction of $282,886 in state support – from $672,980 to $390,094. ACT is currently receiving $390,094 (FY2016) compared to $672,980 (FY2004). Decreases in state funding are due to a TxDOT funding formula for public transit which link funding levels to performance, transit need, and local financial commitment to transit. Although the decrease in TXDOT funds is substantial, the City has made up the loss without affecting the quality of service ACT provides to the citizens of Amarillo.

Staffing is another significant issue faced by ACT. New drivers at ACT start at $12.16 an hour.

This salary level makes it very difficult to attract and retain qualified…