Passenger Transportation Plan 2011

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Passenger Transportation PlanFiscal Year 2011 Update to the Fiscal Years 2010-2013 Plan

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning OrganizationCentral Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance

April 2010


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Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning OrganizationCentral Iowa Regional Transportation Planning AllianceMerle Hay Centre 6200 Aurora Avenue, Suite 300W

Urbandale, Iowa 50322Telephone: (515) 334-0075

Fax: (515) 334-0098E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.dmampo.org

2010 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning OrganizationPlease call (515) 334-0075 for permission to use.

The preparation of this document was financed through federalfunds provided by the United States Department of Transportation,

Federal Highway Administration, and/or Federal TransitAdministration

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1.2 HISTORY OF THE PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Numerous entities provide transportation assistance, including public transit systems and

human service agencies providing transportation to specific clientele for specific purposes.

These providers often receive public funding for transportation through state or federaldepartments, such as Departments of Health and Human Services, Transportation, Veterans

Affairs, and so on. Public funding available for passenger transportation is limited;

consequently, federal, state, and local governments are recognizing the need to coordinate

transportation services to efficiently utilize these limited funds.

In 2004, Executive Order 13330 established the Coordinating Council on Access and

Mobility. This federal interagency council began the United We Ride initiative to coordinate

transportation services nationally.3 Signed in August 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,

and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) continued the

United We Ride initiative by providing $52.6 billion nationally through FY 2009 for federally

funded transit programs. SAFETEA-LU calls for an increased effort in coordinating

transportation services, particularly services intended for elderly persons, persons with

disabilities, and low-income persons. SAFETEA-LU requires a locally developed, coordinated

public transportation/human service plan to award projects funds from the Federal Transit

Administrations (FTA) Special Needs, Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), and New

Freedom programs. These funding sources are of particular importance, as they aim to increase

the mobility of elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and low-income persons.4

Similarly, Chapter 324A of the Iowa Code requires that all agencies expending public

funds for the provision or purchase of passenger transportation services, other than public school

transportation, must coordinate or consolidate that funding and the resulting services with the

respective public transit system in their area.5

To comply with SAFETEA-LU guidelines, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa

DOT) requires Iowas nine metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) and eighteen regional

planning affiliations (RPA) to complete a PTP or a PTP update annually. The PTP serves as the

required, locally developed, public transportation/human service coordination plan. In addition

to the federal requirement for a public transportation/human service coordination plan, the IowaDOT requires the PTP to include projects selected for funding from all FTA and Iowa DOT

funding programs. Funding amounts and sources for any project included in an MPO or RPAs

Transportation Improvement Program must be derived from and justified in the PTP.

3 www.unitedweride.gov4 http://www.fta.dot.gov/leg_reg.html5 http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/cool-ice/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=iowacode&ga=83&input=324A

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2 P lanning P rocess

The Iowa DOT requires MPOs and RPAs to develop the PTP with assistance from human

service agencies and transportation providers in order to consider all passenger transportation

needs and services. The Des Moines Area MPO and the CIRTPA formed the Transportation

Advisory Group (TAG) comprised of transportation providers, health and human service

agencies, and other interested stakeholders to comply with the Iowa DOTs requirement. The

TAG, in turn, has several subcommittees that work on various aspects of human service

transportation coordination. The Des Moines Area MPO and the CIRTPA, via the TAG and its

subcommittees, also collect public input, as needed, to assist in their planning efforts. This

chapter documents the TAGs coordination efforts, and public input received, since the FY

2010-2013 PTPs completion in April 2009.

2.1 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP

The TAG meets regularly during the PTPs development, and as needed throughout the

year, to:

Assist with data collection;

Collect public input;

Analyze unmet transportation needs using available data; Develop and recommend programs and projects to address these unmet needs; Recommend funding for the PTP; and, Help implement projects and strategies included in the PTP.

The TAG began as a group of participants representing agencies that work with elderly

individuals, persons with low incomes, and persons with disabilities. However, the TAG

continually evolves to include other organizations that have expressed an interest in public

transportation/human service coordination.

The TAGs subcommittees meet as needed to discuss specific issues of interest to theTAG. Subcommittees include the Marketing Subcommittee, the Coordination Subcommittee,

the Mobility Matters Workshop Planning Subcommittee, and the Boone County TAG.

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Marketing Subcommittee

When creating the first PTP (FY 2007-2011 PTP), 6 the TAG realized that many

transportation issues raised by human service agencies and citizens stemmed from the lack of

information regarding transportation services available in central Iowa. As a result, the TAG

created the Marketing Subcommittee to raise the publics awareness of passenger transportation

options available in central Iowa. The Marketing Subcommittee helps update transportation

databases of information referral services, such as Iowa 211, Iowa COMPASS, and Aging

Resources of Central Iowa, and markets those services as resources for transportation

information. The Marketing Subcommittee also publishes the Mobility Matters Newsletter, a

quarterly newsletter containing passenger transportation-related news.

Coordination Subcommittee

During the development of the FY 20072011 PTP, the TAG discovered that many

transportation providers operate independently of one another and, therefore, often use available

resources inefficiently. The TAG created the Coordination Subcommittee to explore the

feasibility of various coordination opportunities, including the development of a mobility

manager system and resource sharing strategies.

Mobility Matters Workshop Planning Subcommittee

The TAG created the Mobility Matters Workshop Planning Subcommittee in 2008 to

help plan the first Mobility Matters Workshop held in October 2008. The subcommittee

reconvened to plan the second workshop held in October 2009. Subcommittee participants

helped to develop invitee lists, arrange meeting venues, and plan the workshop programs.

Boone County Transportation Advisory Group

In FY 2009, Boone County representatives formed their own advisory group (the Boone

County TAG) to evaluate transportation coordination opportunities within Boone County. The

Boone County TAG is an outcome of the October 2008 Mobility Matters Workshop and

provides more localized input to the entire TAG. If successful, the TAG will encourage other

counties to form county-level TAGs in the future.

Table 2.1 summarizes the number of TAG meetings, TAG subcommittee meetings, and

meeting participants since the FY 2010-2013 PTPs adoption in April 2009.

6 The Des Moines Area MPO and the CIRTPA have developed three previous PTPs: the FY 2007-2011 PTP, theFY 2009-2012 PTP, and the FY 2010-2013 PTP. These documents are available for download atwww.dmampo.org/library/documents.

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TABLE2

.1

TAG

Mee

tings

Since

Adop

tiono

fF

Y2010-2

013PTP

Committee

MeetingDates

(Asof4.30.10)

MeetingAttendees

TransportationAdvisory

Group(TAG)

1.May4,2009

2.June15,2009

3.November17,2009

4.January19,2010

5.February16,2010

6.March16,2010

7.April20,2010

JamesAndrew,CentralIowaS

helterandServices

ShariAtwood,CyRide/AmesA

reaMPO

LorenBawn,BureauofRefugeeServices

ChetBor,DesMoinesAreaRe

gionalTransitAuthority

CyndiChen,IowaDepartment

ofHumanRights

CatlinCurry,Candeo

MargaretDeSio,AgingResourcesofCentralIowa

ChrisFrantsvog,PolkCountyHealthDepartment

MarvinGrace,WarrenCounty

KristinHaar,HeartofIowaRe

gionalTransitAgency

AdamHammes,UrbanAmbassadors

KathiHarris,EyerlyBallResid

ential

BeckyHedges,EasterSeals

GenaHodges,IowaDepartmen

tofPublicHealth

GayeJohnson,ChildServe/Des

MoinesAreaRegionalTransitAuthority

LindaKelly,Nimbleocity

CorinneLambert,UnitedWay

ofCentralIowa

CarolLundberg,BooneCountyTransportation

GailMiller,BroadlawnsMedicalCenter

SusanMinks,CityofDesMoines

RonMuecke,MercyMedicalC

enter

DylanMullenix,DesMoinesA

reaMPO/CIRTPA

CarmenMurillo,WestDesMo

inesHumanServices

DaroldPowers,Citizen

ElizabethPresutti,DesMoines

AreaRegionalTransitAuthority

JessicaPruitt,CommunitySupportAdvocates

GunnarOlson,DesMoinesAreaRegionalTransitAuthority

LauraSands,HealthActionPa

rtnership

TimSchoh,UnitedWayIowa211

MarySchmidt,LutheranServicesinIowa

FrankStrong,CentralIowaCenterforIndependentLiving

JimTishim,DesMoinesAreaRegionalTransitAuthority

JerryTormey,BroadlawnsMedicalCenter

JimWilkie,LinkAssociates

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TABLE2

.1

TAG

Mee

tings

Since

Adop

tiono

fF

Y2010-2

013PTP(con

tinue

d)

Committee

Committee

Committee

TAGMarketing

Subcommittee

June8,2009

(Hasworkedinformallyaswellvia

e-mailfortaskssuchasdevelopingthe

quarterlyMobilityMattersNewslette

r)

LindaKelly,LindaKellyCons

ulting



reaMPO/CIRTPA

TimSchoh,Iowa211

TAGCoordination

Subcommittee

HasNotMetSinceAdoptionofFY2010-2013PTP

TAGWorkshopPlanning

Committee

1.July20,2009

2.August17,2009

3.August24,2009

4.September14,2009

5.September28,2009

LorenBawn,BureauofRefugeeServices


gionalTransitAgency

LindaKelly,LindaKellyCons

ulting


SusanMinks,CityofDesMoines

RonMuecke,MercyMedicalC

enter


reaMPO/CIRTPA

JimWilkie,LinkAssociates

BooneCountyTAG

1.April6,2009

2.May27,2009

3.August5,2009

4.November3,2009

SaraBehn,BooneCountyHospital

CarrieDunwald,YSS

TomFoster,CountyBoardofSupervisors

JohnGrush,BooneCountyCentralPointofCoordination/MentalHealth


gionalTransitAgency

JillHiggins,BooneCountyPublicHealth

MichelleHull,BooneCountyRSVP

BrandonJerrod,YSS

JeffKehoe,BooneCountyTransportation

CarolLundberg,BooneCountyTransportation

BillLusher,CountyBoardofS

upervisors

CatherineMiller,GenesisDevelopment


reaMPO/CIRTPA

JulieNash,BooneCountyEmpowerment

KarenNaumes,BooneCounty

CARES

LukeNelson,CityofBoone

PamNystrom,BooneCountyS

chools

SandraPuntenney,BooneCountyHospital

PattyReed,BooneCountyTransportation

ScottSmith,BooneCountyLandfill

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2.2 REVIEW OF PUBLIC INPUT

Previous Public Input

Since its creation, the TAG has sought input from local citizens, human service agencies, and

transportation providers through surveys, focus groups, and workshops. These input strategies have

included the following:

Mobility Action Planning Workshop April 2006;

Human Service Agency Survey Fall 2006;

Transportation Provider Survey Fall 2006;

Joint Human Service Agency and Transportation Provider Survey Fall2007;

Citizen Survey Fall 2006 and 2007

Focus Groups Fall 2006 and 2007;

Public Input Meetings January 2008; and,

Mobility Matters: Creating Community Transportation Solutions Workshop October 2008.

The FY 2010-2013 PTP includes a summary of these input strategies, and the FY 2010-2013

PTPs appendix includes complete results of each input strategy.

New Public Input Strategies

In addition to the public input strategies listed previously, the TAG considered results from

four new public input strategies when developing the FY 2011 PTP update. These new public input

strategies include the following:

Des Moines Area MPOHorizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan PublicInput Meetings May 2008 through August 2009;

Mobility Management Meeting October 2009;

2ndAnnual Mobility Matters Workshop October 2009; and,

Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) Public Input Meetings December 2009 through January 2010.

Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Public Input

The Des Moines Area MPO adopted the Horizon Year 2035 Metropolitan TransportationPlan (HY 2035 MTP) in September 2009.7 The Des Moines Area MPO held numerous public input

meetings and issued public surveys throughout the HY 2035 MTPs development. In total, the Des

Moines Area MPO held 27 public input meetings and collected survey responses from 311 citizens.

7 www.dmampo.org/library/documents

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While the HY 2035 MTP meetings solicited input on a wide range of transportation issues,

many of the comments and survey responses related to passenger transportation. The following list

summarizes common passenger transportation-related comments identified during the HY 2035 MTP

public input process:

Develop regional intercity bus service connecting the Des Moines metropolitan areato communities outside the area, such as Ames, Indianola, and Newton;

Reestablish old bus routes;

Expand existing bus routes;

Provide longer hours of bus service;

Examine the potential for light rail;

Incorporate passenger rail (Amtrak) into the transportation system;

Maintain existing transit service;

Create compact development that promotes transit and alternative transportation;

Improve connectivity among different modes of transportation;

Provide secure bike storage near transit facilities;

Develop bus routes and provide transfer hubs that do not require traveling throughdowntown Des Moines;

Develop shelters at more transit stops;

Provide high occupancy vehicle lanes;

Offer all-day bus passes;

Identify stable sources of funding for passenger transportation; and,

Allow for more competition for taxi services.

Mobility Management Meeting

In October 2009 the TAG invited Rex Knowlton, a United We Ride Ambassador for the

Community Transportation Association of America, to facilitate a discussion on developing amobility management system for central Iowa. Eighteen people representing transportation

providers and human service agencies participated in this meeting and worked with Mr. Knowlton to

develop an action plan for developing a mobility management system.

The group identified five focus areas with regard to mobility management: administration,

operations, technology, funding, and customer service. Within each focus area, the group

identified three priorities/goals that would help improve mobility management in central Iowa.

AdministrationPriority 1: Formalized, Top End SupportThis includes support from federal and state agencies, as well as support from

local administrators and policy boards.

Priority 2: Understanding ElementsProblems with the existing transportation system must be clearly identified and

understood. This includes understanding eligibility options for trips and funding,

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understanding the various transportation and funding options available in the

community, and understanding the unmet transportation needs.

Priority 3: Creative ImplementationOnce problems are understood and solutions are developed, the stakeholders must

follow through with real action to implement solutions.

OperationsPriority 1: CoordinationTrips among various providers must be coordinated. Trips should be thought of

in terms of the individual, not the mode or vehicle. In particular, fixed route

inter-county trips should be better coordinated with demand responsive trips.

Priority 2: AccessibilityThe presence of a service is not enough the service must be accessible for the

rider. Areas identified for improved accessibility include bus stops and other

pedestrian facilities. In addition, reducing geographic service gaps could helpimprove the accessibility and convenience of passenger transportation.

Priority 3: Universal Swipe CardDeveloping a universal payment system would help riders use multiple

transportation providers seamlessly to complete their trips and may also improve

administrative procedures related to funding.

TechnologyPriority 1: Centralized Dispatch and BillingCentralized dispatch and billing would improve the efficiency of the passenger

transportation system and would help coordinate multiple providers.

Priority 2: Video Cameras for VehiclesThe presence of video cameras on vehicles provides a sense of security for drivers

and passengers.

Priority 3: Centralized Trip PlanningCentralized trip planning, possibly web-based, could help riders and potential

riders become more comfortable with the system.

FundingPriority 1: Leverage FundingNumerous funding streams exist at the federal, state, and local level for passenger

transportation. Breaking down funding silos, coordinating funding among

agencies, and improved measurement of funding needs and funding uses may help

the area to better leverage available funding.

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Priority 2: SustainableFunding for passenger transportation must be sustainable. Some funding

streams are available only for a few years, and local stakeholders must then

determine how to continue the service or potentially be forced to discontinue the

service due to lack of funds. A quality passenger transportation system will

require funding that is constant and sustainable.

Priority 3: Energy EfficientFunding and transportation service should strive to meet energy efficiency goals.

Customer ServicePriority 1: AccessibilityTo reach all customers, service should be accessible on many levels. Service

should be physically accessible by all customers, should be accessible at all hours

of the day, and should be available in all areas.

Priority 2: Education/MarketingExpanded education/marketing may help more people use passengertransportation. In particular, bus schedules should be easy to read and

understand.

Priority 3: Rider SafetyRiders must feel safe and comfortable if they are to use passenger transportation.

Priority 4: Modal ExpansionThe central Iowa area should continue to expand passenger transportation

options available to provide a variety of complementary services, including:

express buses, fixed-route buses, rapid transit vehicles, demand responsive

services, taxicab services, and so on.

Mobility Matters Workshop

In October 2009 the TAG hosted its second Mobility Matters Workshop. This workshop

built upon the first, with participants focusing on ways to address needs identified during the first

workshop. A total of 48 people representing 36 agencies participated in this workshop. Table 2.2

includes a list of agencies represented at the workshop.

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Winter 2009 Workshops

DART held 17 workshops along current bus routes across its service area. The

intent of the workshops was to listen to riders and potential riders about current

services and to discover improvements that DART could implement to make its

service more attractive and use friendly. Approximately 130 people attended these

workshops.

July 2009 Transit Hub Concept Design Workshops

DART held two workshops on July 8 and 9, 2009, to get input on the preliminary

design of the proposed Multimodal Transit Hub. Approximately 55 people attended

the workshops.

Winter 2010 FY 2011 Budget Shortfall Service Reduction and Fare IncreaseMeetings

DART held 9 meeting across its service area to receive input on proposed service

reductions and fare increases stemming from an anticipated budget shortfall for FY

2011. Approximately 125 people attended the meetings, and DART received an

addition 66 written comments. The main comments received were as follows:

Most comments were in support of Route 5 and in support ofmaintaining weekend service;

Cutting night service by an hour would reduce the ability of serviceindustry workers to get home because their jobs do not end until 9:00p.m.;

Riders living between Valley Junction and Valley West Malladvocated extending the proposed Route 1/Route 11 to AshworthRoad between 8th Street and 13th Street in West Des Moines;

Reducing frequency on the routes would make the service lessconvenient;

Reducing service would reduce ridership;

The reduction of service is contradictory to DARTs overallobjectives of increasing ridership and being green; and,

Raising fares and reducing service is a double negative for thecustomer and DART should not do both it should be one or theother.

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3 Status o f P rev ious ly

R ecommended P ro jects

This chapter summarizes the status of projects recommended in the FY 2010-2013 PTP.

Categories used in the FY 2010-2013 PTP include service-related projects, and fleet, facility, and

equipment projects. The following sections summarize the status of each project by noting whether

the projects were funded and/or implemented and discussing the projects impact on passenger

transportation needs.

3.1 SERVICE-RELATED PROJECTS

In June 2009 DART expanded service in the northwestern quadrant of the Des Moines

metropolitan area. As proposed in the FY 2010-2013 PTP, DART expanded its demand

responsive on-call service to include all of Clive and a portion of Urbandale that was not

previously served. DART also made adjustments to two express routes (Routes 91 and 93);

DART streamlined the routes to reduce service duplication and to reduce trip times. No

services have been discontinued thus far in FY 2010, although DART anticipates making some

service reductions in June 2010 due to budget constraints (see Chapter 4 for additional

information on possible service reductions). The Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency

(HIRTA) implemented three of the four new services recommended in the FY 2010-2013 PTP,including the Boone-Jefferson service, the Boone-Des Moines service, and the rural Boone County

service. Table 3.1 summarizes the status of projects identified in the FY 2010-2013 PTP to meet

existing and unmet passenger transportation needs.

While not included in the FY 2010-2013 PTP, Executive Express, a private for-profit service,

began operating out of its new Ames branch in August 2009. Executive Express provides daily

service from over 25 central Iowa communities to the Des Moines International Airport up to 9 times

per day, 365 days per year.8

In addition to the DART and HIRTA projects summarized in Table 3.1, the TAG proposed

other passenger transportation projects in the FY 2010-2013 PTP to help address unmet

transportation needs. These projects are not necessarily specific to one transportation provider;

instead, they are overall coordination initiatives to improve passenger transportation service. Table

3.2 summarizes the status of these TAG-developed projects.

8 Executive Express press release, available at www.executiveexpress.biz.

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3.2 FLEET, FACILITY, AND EQUIPMENT PROJECTS

DART received funding to replace some vehicles and expand its fleet, identified in the

previous PTP, although limited funding and/or delays in project timelines have prohibited the

purchase of all vehicles. HIRTA, however, did not receive funding for its replacement and

expansion vehicles. Table 3.3 summarizes the status of vehicles programmed for purchase in FY

2010.

DART received funding through the Iowa DOTs Infrastructure Grant program to implement

its Environmental/Energy Use System for its facility. Funding for several ongoing equipment and

facility improvement projects such as preventative maintenance, facility engineering/design,

deteriorating concrete, facility repairs, safety and security, shop equipment, computer hardware and

software, and transit enhancements are pending grant approval. DART did not receive funding for

several larger-scale projects, including the multimodal transit hub facility, bus-rapid transit projects, a

downtown Des Moines tram system, and a new park-and-ride facility.

HIRTA continues efforts to develop transit storage facilities in two of its counties. In June

2009, the CIRTPA completed the Warren County Transit Storage Facility Feasibility Study for

HIRTA. This study evaluated the potential for locating a transit storage facility in the Indianola area,

and recommended working with the Warren County Engineering Department to develop a joint-use

facility on Warren County-owned property. In December 2009, HIRTA began discussions with the

City of Ames to develop a Story County transit storage facility. The CIRTPA previously studied the

feasibility of a Story County facility in 2007. HIRTAs efforts to develop transit storage facilities in

both Story and Warren Counties are ongoing.

Table 3.4 summarizes the status of facility and equipment projects programmed for FY 2010.

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TABLE3

.2

Status

ofOther

Pro

jec

tsRecommen

de

dtoHe

lpTransportation

Coord

ina

tion

Agency

Project

Funded

Implemented

Impact

TAG

2nd MobilityMatters

Workshop

Yeswithlocalfunds

Yes

October2009

Allowed

the

TAG

to

educatest

akeholders

about

transportationfundingandmobilitymanagement,andto

continue

addressing

needs

related

to

employment

transportationandmedicaltransportation

.

Unknown

ExpandedNightService

No

No

Servicenotimplemented.

DARTand

theCICIL

AdditionalBusTraining

YesAmericanPublicTransit

AssociationGrant

YesMay-June,2009

DA

RTandtheCentralIowaCenterforI

ndependentLiving

(CICIL)hostedtrainingabouthowtoridethebus.Asa

result,morepeoplehavebecomefamiliarwith

and

comfortableusingpublictransportation.

TAG

RecoveryPro

gramfor

Unemployed

Persons

No

No

Pro

gramnotimplemented.

TAG

CoordinatedMedical

Appointments

No

No

Pro

gramnotimplemented.

TAG/MPO

Accessibility

Audit

MPOpurchasedPictometry

technology,whichwilla

ssist

inaudit

Pictometrytechnology

willarriveSpring

2010

Au

ditnotyetconducted.

TAG

AdditionalBusShelters

No

No

Ad

ditionalsheltersnotprovided.

TAG

MobilityManagement

Service

No

No

Servicenotimplemented.

MPO/

DART/

HIRTA/

CyRide

TransitService

BetweenAmesandDes

Moines

Nofundingforafeasibility

studywasdelayeduntil

PassengerTransportatio

n

FundingStudycompletion

Partial-Executive

Expressprovidestrips

totheDesMoines

InternationalAirport

Executive

Express

service

helpsm

eetsome

needs,

spe

cificallythoserequiringtransportationtotheDes

Mo

inesInternationalAirport.Moregeneralservicealong

the

corridorisstillneeded.

Source:

TAG

TABLE3

.3

Status

ofPro

jec

tsRecommen

ded

toMee

tFlee

tNee

ds

Agency

Project

Funded

Implemented

Impact

DART

Purchase54vehicles

forreplacementor

expansion

FTASection5307,5309

,5310;

STP;CMAQ

Willpurchase41ofthe

54vehicles

programmedforFY

2010

AllowsDARTtomaintainafleet

ofvehicleswith

adequatemileageandusefullife,andallowsDARTto

expandserviceswithnewvehicles.

HIRTA

Purchase19vehicles

forreplacementor

expansion

No

Novehiclespurchased

HIRTAmustcontinuetousecurrentvehiclesandis

unabletoexpandsomeservicesdue

toaninsufficient

supplyofvehicles.

Source:

DesMoinesAreaMPO,DART,andHIRTA

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TABLE3

.4

Status

ofPro

jec

tsRecommen

ded

toMee

tFac

ilityan

dEqu

ipmen

tNee

ds

Agency

Project

Funded

Implemented

Impact

DART

Environmental/EnergyUseSystem

UpgradeforFacility

Yes

Infrastructure

Grant

Within9

months

AllowsDARTtomakeupgradestoitsfacilitytoimproveenergy

efficiency.

DART

Routineequipment/facilityprojects

(preventative

maintenance,facility

engineering/d

esign,deteriorating

concreterepa

ir,facilityrepairs,safety

andsecurity,

shopequipment,

computerequ

ipment,andtransit

enhancements)

PendingG

rant

Approval

PendingGrant

Approval

AllowsDARTtomaintainoperationsatitsfacility.

DART

MultimodalT

ransitHubConstruction

No

No

Notimplem

ented.

DART

BusRapidTr

ansit(BRT)

Engineering/Design

No

No

Notimplem

ented.

DART

CustomerFacilitiesonUniversity

AvenueBRT

Line

No

No

NotImplem

ented.

DART

DowntownD

esMoinesTram

No

No

NotImplem

ented.

DART

WesternSuburbsPark-and-Ride

No

No

NotImplem

ented.

DART

GreenRoofR

eplacementatDART

Facility

No

No

NotImplem

ented.

HIRTA

StoryCounty

StorageFacility

No

Ongoing

(Land

Negotiations

Underway)

Coordinatio

nwiththeCityofAmesforlandacquisitionisongoing.

HIRTA

WarrenCoun

tyStorageFacility

No

Ongoing

(Feasibility

Study

Completed)

Feasibilitystudycompleted.

CoordinationwithWarrenCounty

ongoing.

Source:

DesMoinesAreaMPO,DART,andHIRTA

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4 R ec ent De velopmentsThis chapter discusses developments since the FY 2010-2013 PTPs adoption that could have

an impact on the FY 2010-2013 PTPs prioritized list of transportation needs and/or the FY

2010-2013 PTPs program of recommended projects.

4.1 HORIZON YEAR 2035 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN

In September 2009, the Des Moines Area MPO adopted the HY 2035 MTP. Chapter 2 of

this FY 2011 PTP update discusses the outcomes of the HY 2035 MTPs public input strategies. In

addition to this public input, the HY 2035 MTP includes goals and objectives, as well as passenger

transportation strategies, which should be included in the PTP.

Goals and Objectives

The HY 2035 MTP includes five goals, and each goal includes a number of objectives. The

goals and objectives relating to passenger transportation are as follows:

Goal 1: Maintain and improve the regional transportation system:

o Objective 1.2: Improve transit system services and facilities:

Maintain quality of benches and shelters; Reduce the average bus fleet age to six years; and, Preserve bus routes that meet a minimum performance

standard;

Goal 2: Improve the accessibility, connectivity, and mobility of the transportationsystem, for people and freight, for all modes of transportation in and through theregion:

o Objective 2.2: Improve the transit facilities infrastructure:

Increase the number of park-and-ride spaces if lotsexceed 80 percent of lot capacity during peak hours;

Provide a sheltered transit stop for every service mileof fixed-route and shuttle-route service;

Require that all new transit vehicles purchased includebicycle carrying capacity; and,

Reduce the number of bus stops withoutpaved/marked platforms by 50 percent;

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o Objective 2.3: Improve existing transit system operations:

Increase the hours of operation of downtown shuttleservice to add weekend and night service;

Increase the hours of operation on fixed-route serviceand offer night and late night service in areas thatcurrently do not have service;

Maintain seven day per week service; Provide holiday service on fixed-route and paratransit

services; Provide thirty-minute mid-day and fifteen-mintute

peak-hour headways on fixed-route bus service withgreater than 22 passengers per revenue hour; and,

Provide fifteen-minute peak hours headways onexpress-route bus service with greater than 25passengers per revenue hour;

o Objective 2.5: Improve the connection of multiple modes oftransportation:

Secure or build four regional park-and-ride facilitiesfor express-route bus service;

Build four new community transit transfer centerswithin the Greater Des Moines metropolitan area;

Implement a Downtown Des Moines Regional TransitHub facility for future Des Moines Amtrak servicethat is integrated with existing or planned transitservice, intercity buses, and airport shuttles;

Provide opportunities for bicycle racks and/or lockersat transit facilities;

Provide opportunities for covered bike racks and/orlockers for every service mile of fixed-route andshuttle-route transit service; and,

Increase the proportion of multimodal access pointsthat are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant;

o Objective 2.8: Increase the accessibility of population centers,employment centers, and other services with multiple modes oftransportation;

o Objective 2.9: Improve the connectivity to regions beyond thegreater Des Moines metropolitan area:

Connect the greater Des Moines metropolitan area to aregional passenger rail network;

Increase the number of intercity bus trips departingDes Moines; and,

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Continue coordination of public and private passengertransportation services inside and outside the region;

Goal 3: Maintain quality performance of the regional transportation system throughefficient congestion management and operations techniques:

o Objective 3.1: Maintain acceptable levels of travel on the street andhighway system:

Promote the use of alternative modes oftransportation;

Reduce single occupant vehicles by 10 percent over2008 levels on the freeway system during peak-hours;and,

Maintain existing commute times;

o Objective 3.3: Improve existing transit system performance:

Decrease transfer times for transit service; Implement intelligent transportation systems solutions,

including automatic vehicle location and variablemessage sign technology, to provide customers withreal-time transit travel information;

Triple transit ridership from 2008 levels; Double transit mode share during peak-hours; and, Double rideshare mode share during peak-hours;

Goal 4: Improve the safety and security of the regional transportation system for allusers:

o Objective 4.5: Provide security features on bicycle, pedestrian,transit, and parking facilities, and at multimodal crossings; and,

o Objective 4.6: Provide safety features on bicycle, pedestrian, transit,and parking facilities, and at multimodal crossings;

Goal 5: Preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and human environment.

Projects and Strategies

In addition to the projects included in the FY 2010-2013 PTP, the HY 2035 MTP includes

passenger transportation projects and strategies to help meet the HY 2035 MTPs goals andobjectives. Table 4.1 summarizes projects identified for implementation between HY 2011 and HY

2015. Note, however, that the HY 2035 MTP refers to the projects in Table 4.1 as illustrative

because they would require funding beyond levels DART traditionally receives.

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TABLE 4.1 HY 2035 MTP Illustrative Passenger Transportation Projects:HY 2011-2015

DescriptionCapital Cost

($000s)Operating Cost

($000s)Total Cost

($000s)

Replace 45 buses to maintain 6 year fleet age $24,400 $0 $24,400

Construct a multimodal transit hub downtown $22,810 $1,820 $24,630

Implement BRT on University Avenue $12,170 $2,190 $14,360Implement BRT to Ankeny $9,730 $970 $10,700

Implement a tram in downtown Des Moines $121,670 $14,600 $136,270Upgrade fare collection system $3,040 $0 $3,040Increase park-and-ride space $490 $60 $550

Install one shelter per mile of service $50 $150 $200

Increase downtown shuttle evening hours $0 $50 $0Increase transit evening hours $0 $1,220 $1,220

Implement holiday service $0 $40 $40

Increase fixed route frequency $2,430 $1,220 $3,650Increase express route frequency $2,430 $910 $3,340

Construct 4 new park-and-ride facilities $18,250 $60 $18,310Amtrak facilities connection to transit hub $3,650 $0 $3,650

Intelligent Transportation Systems Signage $5,470 $460 $5,930Eliminate stormwater pond by DART facility $4,870 $0 $4,870Construct new paratransit facility $9,730 $0 $9,730Rehabilitate existing DART facility $12,170 $0 $12,170

Total $253,360 $23,750 $277,110

Source: Des Moines Area MPO HY 2035 MTP

The HY 2035 MTP contains additional strategies to support passenger transportation efforts,

including:

Encouragement of multimodal coordination;

Promotion of transit-supportive land development;

Continued public outreach/marketing for passenger transportation;

Continued public transportation/human service coordination; and,

Support of additional service, including passenger rail, intercity bus service, and rapidtransit service.

4.2 IOWA MOBILITY MANAGER FUNDING

In 2009, the Iowa DOT announced it would set aside $300,000 in unused New Freedom

funds for public transit agencies, or subcontracting agencies, to hire mobility managers. Themobility manager funding requires an application to the Iowa DOT and is available for up to two

years, with a 20 percent local match the first year and a 50 percent local match the second year.

Mobility managers have become more prevalent around the country in recent years, serving as staff

resources to help public transportation providers, human service agencies, and transportation users

coordinate transportation services.

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4.3 ECONOMIC STIMULUS FUNDING

In February 2009, President Obama signed an economic stimulus bill, known as the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act(ARRA). ARRA provided additional federal funding to

DART and HIRTA beyond traditional levels. DART used ARRA funding to purchase expansion

vehicles and implement several facility and equipment projects, while HIRTA utlized ARRA funding

exclusively for vehicle purchases. In December 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives took steps

toward a second stimulus bill by passing theJobs for Main Streetbill. A second stimulus bill is not

yet finalized, but, should it pass, the Iowa DOT and local public transit agencies could expect

additional funding for fleet, facility, equipment, and other passenger transportation-related projects.

4.4 IOWA PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION FUNDING STUDY

In December 2009, the Iowa DOT presented the Iowa Passenger Transportation Funding

Study9 to the Iowa General Assembly. The Iowa General Assembly requested the Iowa DOT

conduct this study to review the sufficiency of current revenues to meet future passenger

transportation needs, identify passenger transportation improvements needed to meet state energy

independence goals, and assess the ability of passenger transportation to meet the mobility needs of

Iowas growing senior population. The study examined funding and service needs for baseline

service demand (i.e., demand of transit-depended populations such as seniors) and for choice service

demand (i.e., people who have other transportation options but would use passenger transportation

for energy efficiency and environmental reasons).

The study found the need for an additional 13.8 million trips per year to meet baseline

demand, at an estimated cost of $125 million per year. The study also concluded an additional 24.3

million trips per year are needed to meet choice-rider demand, at an estimated cost of $350 million

per year. Service improvements identified in the study to address these service gaps include:

Reduce fixed-route frequency to 30 minutes for baseline demand and 15 minutes forchoice demand;

Increase regional public transit agency trips by 90 percent annually to address bothbaseline and choice demand;

Extend weekday fixed-route service to 11:00 pm in large urban areas to addressbaseline demand and in both large and small urban areas to address choice demand;

Provide Sunday service in cities of 50,000 or more to address choice demand;

Lower the average fleet age from six to four years;

Increase public transportation and human service agency coordination; and,

For choice demand, provide disincentives to driving automobiles, such as increasedparking rates in targeted areas, reduced parking supply in targeted areas, and deferredroadway improvements in favor of transit capacity improvements in congested areas.

9 http://www.iatransit.com/regulations/coordination/final_funding_study_report_12-15-09.pdf

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The Iowa Passenger Transportation Funding Study also examined potential demand on

numerous intercity corridors, several of which are in central Iowa. Table 4.2 summarizes the

intercity corridors included in theIowa Passenger Transportation Funding Study.

TABLE 4.2 Central Iowa Interci tyCorridors Included in the Iowa PassengerTransportation Funding Study

CorridorEstimated Daily Public

Transportation Trips

Boone-Ames 625

Des Moines-Indianola 1,050

Des Moines-Adel 900

Des Moines-Ames 790

Des Moines-Perry 450

Des Moines-Winterset 400

Nevada-Ames 780

Pella-Knoxville 400Perry-Adel 250

Pella-Oskaloosa 350

Source: Iowa Passenger Transportation Funding Study

4.5 DART FY 2011 BUDGET SHORTFALL

In fall 2009, DART estimated a FY 2011 budget shortfall of approximately $2.3 million

due to effects from the national economic downturn. Since those initial projections, DART

staff made up all but $800,000 of the budget shortfall by instituting unpaid time off and wage

freezes among administrative staff. Another $250,000 in savings was realized by the two unions

representing DARTs drivers and mechanics voting to accept a wage freeze.

DART is adjusting bus route schedules and increasing fares to make up the remaining

$550,000 budget shortfall for the FY 2011. The changes are outlined in Table 4.3 and went into

effect April 25, 2010. In addition to these changes, DART increased the standard bus fare from

$1.50 to $1.75.

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TABLE 4.3 DART Service Adjustments to Address Budget Shortfall

Route Adjustment(s)

#1 WDM/Fairgrounds

Service to Valley West Mall will no longer be offered (served by Route#3)

Midday and weekend service will operate every 60 minutes

Peak service will operate every 30 minutes

The current Route 1 will be split into two different services:o The east side (Fairgrounds) portion of the Route #1 will remain

Route #1o The west side (Ingersoll/West Des Moines) portion of the Route

will be incorporated into the Route #11

The new Route #1 on the east side of Des Moines will be extended toPleasant Hill on weekdays and replace Route #10

Route #1 Fairgrounds will now be called Fairgrounds to E. 42nd &Hubbell or Fairgrounds to Pleasant Hill

Saturday service will begin later and end earlier (Same as SundayService)

#3 University/Highland &Oak Park

Service will operate every 15 minutes during the peak and midday on thewestbound portion of the service

Service to Valley West Mall on Saturdays and Sundays will operateevery 30 minutes instead of the current every 60 minutes


#4 Urbandale/E. 14th Service will operate every 30 minutes during the peak


#5 Clark/E. 6th & E. 9th Service will operate every 60 minutes during the peak


#6 W.9th-Douglas/Indianola-Lacona

Minor schedule time adjustments on weekdays

Saturday service will begin later and end earlier (Same as Sunday

Service)

#7 Ft. Des Moines/Hubbell Minor schedule time adjustments on weekdays


#8 SW 14th-Havens/S. Union Reduce to 60 minute service all day on weekdays (does not operate on

weekends)

Service will no longer pull into the Des Moines International Airport

#10 Pleasant Hill

Will be replaced by Route #1 so that no transfer will be required to getto Downtown Des Moines

Trip times to/from Pleasant Hill will remain similar to the current Route#10

Route #1 Fairgrounds will now be called Fairgrounds to E. 42nd &Hubbell or Fairgrounds to Pleasant Hill

#11 Jordan Creek

The west side (Ingersoll/West Des Moines) portion of the Route #1 willbe incorporated into the Route #11

Service will extend from Downtown Des Moines to Jordan Creek

New route name will be Ingersoll/West Des Moines to Valley Junctionor Jordan Creek

Service will operate every 30 minutes to Valley Junction and every 60minutes to Jordan Creek during the peak. Midday service will operateevery 60 minutes to Jordan Creek. Saturday and Sundays will be 60minute service to Jordan Creek

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TABLE 4.4 Prior itized Passenger Transportation NeedsRank Need

1 Need to maintain and expand existing services;

2Need for more marketing/education of transportation information and for making information easier toaccess;

3 Need to get more low-income persons access to jobs at the hours they need them;4 Need for more hours of service on weekends and weeknights;5

Need for trips to essential services, particularly trips to medical appointments in Des Moines andIowa City;

6 Need for more training on how to use the bus system;7 Need to better service multi-purpose trips;8

Need to increase the accessibility of transit, i.e., ensuring sidewalks to bus stops are in goodcondition;

9 Need for local governments to include transit more in the planning and development process;10 Need to continue to study rapid transit alternatives; and,11 Need to make passenger transportation more affordable.

Source: TAG

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5 R ecommended P rojects Chapter 5 includes passenger transportation projects recommended by the TAG for

implementation between FY 2011-2014. The projects recommended are categorized into two tables:

Table 5.1 includes projects recommended for FTA or Iowa DOT funding during the next four fiscal

years, while Table 5.2 includes projects that will seek other funding, such as human service funding,

for implementation. Upon the Des Moines Area MPOs and the CIRTPAs adoption of this FY 2011

PTP update, this chapter amends and replaces Chapter 6 of the FY 2010-2013 PTP.

Projects in Table 5.1 will serve as the starting point on which the MPO and the CIRTPA will

base the transit element of their respective Fiscal Years 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement

Programs. With the exception of three new projects, the TAG previously recommended all projects

included in Table 5.1 in the FY 2010-2013 PTP. Chapter 4 of the FY 2010-2013 PTP provides

additional information about these previously recommended projects and a discussion of how each

project meets the prioritized list of transportation needs. The three new projects include DARTs

nitrogen station for tires project, HIRTAs Dallas County Coordination project, and the hiring of a

mobility manager for central Iowa. A nitrogen station for tires would enable DART to inflate tires

with nitrogen, which helps tires maintain pressure and improves fuel economy. The Dallas County

Coordination project is similar to the Boone County Coordination project, providing rural Dallas

County residents affordable transportation into larger Dallas County communities for medical

appointments and other services not available in smaller communities. The TAG recommends thehiring of a mobility manager to work with transportation providers and human service agencies full

time on coordination issues.

TABLE 5.1 Projects Recommended for FTA or STA Funding, FY 2011-2014

RecommendingAgency/Provider

Description Type

TotalEstimated

Cost($000s)

EstimatedYear

RecommendedFunding Source

DART Ongoing Operations Operation 7,540 2011-2014 STA/5310/5311

DARTFleet Replacement (approximately 74 vehiclesexceeding useful life)

Capital 14,146 2011-2014 5307/5309/STP

DARTFleet Replacement/Expansion (Purchase 78 vehicles to maintain and expand theRideShare program)

Capital 2,326 2011-2014 CMAQ/5307

DART

Fleet Expansion(Purchase 10 buses for expanding service to WestDes Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Ankeny,and Altoona)

Capital 3,636 2011-2012 CMAQ/5309

DARTLease Payments on 16 Vehicles Purchased in2003

Capital 457 2011-2014 5307

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TABLE 5.1 Projects Recommended for FTA or STA Funding, FY 2011-2014 (continued)


Description Type

TotalEstimated

Cost($000s)

EstimatedYear


DART Ongoing Equipment/Maintenance Capital 23,000 2011-2014 5307/5309

DARTAdministration/Maintenance Facility Repair andExpansion

Capital 1,000 2011-2012 Infrastructure Grant

DARTOngoing JARC Projects Night and UniversityAvenue Service

Operation 1,500 2011-2014 JARC

DART Ongoing/Expanded On Call and Sunday Service Operation 1,000 2011-2014 New Freedom

DARTDowntown Des Moines Multimodal Transit HubFacility

Capital 20,000 20115309/InfrastructureGrant

DART Bus Rapid Transit Design/Engineering Capital 1,750 2011 5309

DARTNew Bus Rapid Transit Customer Facilities onUniversity Avenue

Capital 1,500 2011 5309

DART Western Suburbs Park & Ride Capital 1,250 2011 5309DART Purchase Paratransit Mobile Data Terminals Capital 150 2011 5307/5310

DART Farebox Replacements Capital 1,750 2012 5309

DART Western Suburb Express Operating and BusesOperationand Capital

850 2012 CMAQ

DART Western Suburb On-Call Operating and BusesOperationand Capital

315 2012 CMAQ

DART Increased Service Routes 7 and 11 Operation 1,039 2011-2013 CMAQDART Nitrogen Station for Tires Capital 45 2012 CMAQ

DART Support Vehicles Capital 484 2012-2014 5307

HIRTA Ongoing Operations Operation 5,600 2011-2014 STA/5310/5311

HIRTAFleet Replacement (approximately 40 vehiclesexceeding their useful life)

Capital 5,941 2011-2014 5309

HIRTAFleet Expansion Dallas County (purchase 2vehicles to aid in medical transportation trips and

to expand REM Iowa service)

Capital 151 2011 5309

HIRTAFleet Expansion Warren County (purchase avehicle to support services for GenesisDevelopment)

Capital 73 2011 5309

HIRTAFleet Expansion Boone County (purchase avehicle to expand services to elderly persons)

Capital 86 2011 5309

HIRTA Continue Ames-Iowa City Service Operation 100 2011-2014 New Freedom

HIRTA Continue Boone-Des Moines Service Operation 131 2011-2014 New Freedom

HIRTA Rural Dallas County Coordination Operation 67 2011-2012 STA Coordination

HIRTA Continue Rural Boone County Coordination Operation 10 2011 STA Coordination

HIRTA Story County Storage Facility Capital Unknown Unknown Unknown

HIRTA Warren County Storage Facility Capital Unknown Unknown Unknown

DART/HIRTA/

CyRide Ames-Des Moines Study Planning 100 2011 STA CoordinationUnknown Mobility Manager Unknown Unknown STA Coordination

Source: DART, HIRTA, and TAG

With the exception of one new project, the TAG also previously recommended all projects

included in Table 5.2 in the FY 2010-2013 PTP. Chapter 4 of the FY 2010-2013 PTP provides

additional information about these projects and a discussion of how each project meets the prioritized

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list of transportation needs. The new service the TAG recommends is providing medical

transportation service from Des Moines to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

This service could be provided by either adding a stop in Des Moines to HIRTAs existing

Ames-Iowa City service or, if that option is not feasible, by beginning a new service.

TABLE 5.2 Projects Recommended for Other Funding, FY 2011-2014


Description Type

TotalEstimated

Cost($000s)

EstimatedYear


TAG Mobility Matters Workshop Planning Unknown 2011-2014 Local fundsTAG Night Service Operation Unknown Unknown Unknown

TAG Bus Training Coordination Unknown Unknown Unknown

TAGRecovery Program forUnemployed Persons

Operation Unknown Unknown Unknown

TAGCoordinated MedicalAppointments

Coordination Unknown Unknown Unknown

TAG Accessibility Audit Planning 0 2011 Local

TAGDes Moines-Iowa CityMedical Transportation

Operation Unknown 2011-2014 Medicaid

TAGImplementation of MobilityManagement Action Plan(discussed in Chapter 2)

Planning Unknown 2011-2014 Unknown

Source: TAG

Passenger Transportation Plan 2011

Documents

Transcript of Passenger Transportation Plan 2011