Public Transportation Division team highlights
Meet the Financial Services Team
The Public Transportation Division’s Financial Services Team works with program managers and grant recipients to provide technical assistance with financial and contracting needs. The team practices fiscal responsibility and accountability, maintaining accurate records, managing accounts, and using proper internal controls. They also supply performance measurement data through the agency’s financial systems.
The Financial Services Team is currently focused on submitting the 2009-2011 Biennial Budget and creating the Consolidated Grant Application for the 2009-2011 grant cycle.
Barb Savary, Lorri Riches, Nancy Muir-Clouse, Nicole Rutledge, Kristy McGuill
and Jerry Ayres
Here is an introduction to the Financial Services Team:
Nancy Muir-Clouse analyzes program management and policy decisions; develops and prepares biennial and supplemental budgets consistent with the strategic direction of our Division.
Jerry Ayres provides oversight to grant programs and processes by providing support and guidance to staff and division program managers and by providing technical assistance to our grant recipients and other customers, inside and outside the department.
Barb Savary works with developing contracts, helps program managers with financial and contracting issues, and provides training and technical assistance. She is also the contact for Bus System Safety, Security, and Emergency Response.
Kristy McGuill works with the Federal Transit Administration to obtain and manage federal funds. She also works with grant recipients on Certifications and Assurances and the external Office of Equal Opportunity on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Program.
Nicole Rutledge provides contract and technical support to grant recipients and Division staff. She is also coordinating the Consolidated Grant Application updates.
Lorri Riches provides fiscal and technical support to grant recipients and Division staff. She is responsible for reviewing and processing vendor payments for the division.
We will continue highlighting teams that make up our reorganized division. To find out who’s who in the division, check out the organizational chart (pdf 62kb).
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Public Transportation Conference workshop highlight
Transportation for Tomorrow
 
Frank Busalacchi & Steve Heminger |
The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recently unveiled a comprehensive plan (Transportation for Tomorrow) to increase investment, expand services, repair infrastructure, demand accountability, and refocus Federal transportation programs, while maintaining a strong Federal role in surface transportation.
Two of the commissioners from commission will present a workshop at the 2008 WSDOT Public Transportation Conference to discuss the "Transportation for Tomorrow" plan.
- Frank Busalacchi, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Steve Heminger, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission in San Francisco Bay Area
Workshop participants will learn about the key recommendations to modernize the system and restructure more than 100 existing programs with ten outcome-based programs. The plan offers solutions to improve the performance of the Nation’s Transport System.
The commission agreed that an efficient surface transportation system is vital to the future economic growth, international competitiveness and social well-being of the Nation.
Don't forget to register for the conference
Ronda Fullerton welcomes attendees to the 2007 PT Conference |
The time is now for early bird registration for the 2008 Public Transportation Conference & Expo on September 7-10, 2008 in Kennewick, Washington.
Please visit the conference Web page for location details and the latest information or contact Ronda Fullerton, conference coordinator, if you have additional questions.
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Ask an expert!
Pierce Transit Clean Air Bus |
Response prepared by Frances Rankos, Certified Travel Trainer, Pierce Transit
Question: "What are the best practices for motivating a rider who has received travel training to always ride the bus and to never ride paratransit for that trip?"
Answer: It is difficult to guarantee a “trained person” will never make their trip on paratransit. For example, new buildings or road construction can create a problem with access for a rider. They may need a short period of paratransit eligibility until the project is completed, followed by additional travel training.
At Pierce Transit, once a rider has received training for a certain trip, they are not eligible for that trip on paratransit. With conditional eligibility, the rider has trip plans on file with our paratransit services, (SHUTTLE). The eligibility is determined on a trip-by-trip basis and the rider would not be able to call and schedule a trip to that location.
We explain to our riders that if they can use the fixed route service there are shorter wait times. For SHUTTLE, the riders may need to be picked up as much as two hours before they need to arrive at their appointment. Return trips may have the same waiting time.
To help motivate the rider to use fixed route buses:
- we choose the most convenient trip plan and bus routes
- we prepare individual trip plans with step by step directions
- we assist the rider by making a few trips with them
We suggest riders from the same location; travel in a small group, to a fun location. This plan works very well with seniors. Try to stress the positive aspects of using fixed route buses. The rider can choose to travel when and to where they want and be more independent.
By encouraging our riders to use fixed route systems it reduces their wait times and helps to make them more independent. It also cost 10 times as much to provide a paratransit trip, than fixed route service.
Response prepared by Frances Rankos, Certified Travel Trainer, Pierce Transit
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Training opportunities
Stepping Up to Supervisor
September 15, 2008
Leadership, management, and supervision all have different meanings. This one day class entitled Stepping Up to Supervisor defines all three and provides a framework for you to know when to use each one. Read more about this training opportunity.
Managing Employee Performance
September 16, 2008
Join Janice Corbin for this one day class examining one of the most important tasks a supervisor or manager has; managing the performance and conduct of their employees. This is one area where many managers, for various reasons, tend to shy away from, mainly because supervisors don’t want to have that tough conversation about lackluster performance. Read more about this training
opportunity.
Verbal S.W.A.T
September 17, 2008
You can stay centered and focused during any verbal encounter by learning the techniques associated with Verbal S.W.A.T. (Strategies With Authority and Tact). Jesus Villahermosa presents strategies in this one day class. Read more about this training opportunity.
Legal Issues for Supervisors
September 18 – 19, 2008
Join Bruce Schroeder for this day and a half training session that will equip supervisors with the skills needed to effectively manage personnel while minimizing the legal risk to your agency and/or themselves. Read more about this training opportunity.
Learn more about the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) scholarship information. Contact Ronda Fullerton if you have additional questions about these training opportunities.
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Upcoming events
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board Meeting
Friday, July 25
King County
Rainier Square Conference room
1301 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA
Meeting Information
The agenda will focus on providing general policy guidance for the CTR program. Read more...
Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) Meeting
Friday, August 8
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WSDOT Department of Transportation Building - Commission Board Room (1D2)
310 Maple Park Avenue SE
Olympia, WA
Meeting Information
The agenda will focus on coordinating transportation planning and human services. Read more...
Public Transportation Conference and Expo
September 7-10, 2008
Three Rivers Convention Center
Kennewick, Washington Read more...
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Did you know?
"Vehicle growth has far outpaced the growth in population, employment, and households, more than tripling in the last four decades." - Transportation for Tomorrow
The WSDOT Public Transportation Division prepares this monthly report as a service to those interested in the activities of the division and its partners within the agency. For questions regarding newsletter articles, please contact us at transit@wsdot.wa.gov.
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Public Transportation Monthly Reports Archives
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