Public Transportation Division team highlights
Katy Taylor explains her plan at the 2007 Public Transportation Conference. |
Along with the new look of this newsletter, the WSDOT Public Transportation Division has been going through a redesign. In July 2007 Katy Taylor, WSDOT's new Public Transportation Division Director, presented a plan that included her approach to People, Partners, Programs, Processes, Policies, Plans and Performance. As she interviewed each employee within the division, Katy was focused on matching strengths, interests and agencies needs. In November and December, the division filled crucial vacancies, identified critical programs and projects. Then in January, Katy unveiled her new organizational structure. By aligning the urban programs and integrating the staff in the Seattle and Olympia offices, the division was organized to provide more comprehensive services to our internal and external customers while developing statewide programs and policies. We have also stengthened our Rural, Intercity and Special Needs Transportation programs.
In the next few newsletters, we will focus on some of the specific teams that make up reorganized division. To find out who’s who in the division, check out the
organizational chart (pdf 62kb).
Next month: The Rural, Intercity and Special Needs Team
Know the Formula...for the 2008 Public Transportation Conference
Mark your calendar for the 2008 Public Transportation Conference & Expo to be held September 7-10 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. This year’s conference promises to be dynamic and driven with all new workshops and speakers. You don't want to miss this opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in the industry and see what your peers have been working on. Stay tuned to the Conference Web pages to learn the Formula for Success!
Please visit the
conference Web page for location details and the latest information about the conference. Contact
Ronda Fullerton if you have additional questions about the conference.
Call for Projects - Small Urban JARC Program
Organizations and transportation providers who serve low-income persons seeking job-related transportation are invited to apply for this call for projects.
Projects must meet the requirements of the Federal Transportation Administration Section 5316, Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC). Available at this time are Section 5316, Small Urban funds. Projects within small urban areas or projects that have 'one foot' in the small urban area qualify.
Applications must be received by April 9, 2008 by 5:00 p.m.
If you have questions or want to apply, please contact:
Kristy McGuill, Federal Grant Programs Specialist
360-705-7914. Read more...
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions one vehicle at a time
WSDOT is teaming up with local communities to reduce the number of commuters who drive alone to work during peak commute times. Fewer cars on the road reduces congestion, conserves energy, improves air quality, and reduces climate pollution. In January 2008, the Governor’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board approved new plans offered by local communities and regions around the state to increase the share of commuters who get to work by ways other than driving alone.
All of the plans, developed in partnership with transit agencies, major employers, and others, have set goals to reduce the number of drive-alone commute trips to CTR worksites by 10 percent by 2011 and to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled to CTR worksites by 13 percent by 2011. These goals, if met, will help local communities grow jobs at major employer worksites without adding increased vehicle traffic. These goals will also move local communities toward achieving Governor Gregoire’s goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. “These goals may seem bold, but the independent choices made by commuters have huge impacts on our transportation system, our environment and the quality of life in Washington State,” said Brian Lagerberg, Chair of the CTR Board. “As a strategy to manage demand for the highway system, CTR is a key part of the state’s approach to relieve congestion.”
Read more about the CTR program in the 2007 CTR Board Interim Report to the Legislature.
Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center program
The Washington State Legislature created the Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center (GTEC) program in 2006 as part of the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Efficiency Act to increase the efficiency of the state’s transportation system in areas of the state containing high concentrations of jobs and housing.
In October 2007, 14 jurisdictions applied for state funding by submitting their GTEC plans to the CTR Board. The 14 jurisdictions that participated were awarded $10,000 each for developing these plans. Using its funding policy and prioritization criteria, the CTR Board reviewed and scored each plan, selecting seven jurisdictions as the most likely to successfully advance the program’s goals. They were awarded a combined total of more than $2 million.
The seven of the 14 selected GTECs represent a cumulative increase of nearly 235,000 new commuters not currently affected by the CTR program, as well as an additional 14,000-commute trips potentially reduced from the state’s roadways.
WSDOT is currently in contract negotiations with the seven jurisdictions selected for state funding to implement GTEC projects for the 2007-2009 biennium. Additionally, three jurisdictions, not initially selected for state funding have volunteered to proceed with their GTEC goals and will be receiving technical and measurement support from WSDOT. The CTR Board and WSDOT will also work with the remaining jurisdictions not selected for funding to help them move their plans forward.
WSDOT will provide ongoing technical and measurement support to all GTECs that move forward to assure that program goals can be achieved, and that best practices are collaboratively shared amongst the jurisdictions. WSDOT’s goal is to perform baseline measurements in all of the designated GTECs in spring 2008.
ACCT Comment Process Guidelines
The Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) developed guidelines for a customer comment process for public transportation providers across Washington State. The guidelines offer an easy and accessible way for persons with special transportation needs to have their concerns addressed. These guidelines meet the legal requirements set forth in ACCT’s enabling legislation.
The intent of the ACCT and its members is to improve the experience of riders of public transportation and give them an easy and accessible way to comment on public transportation services. Any organization applying for state paratransit/special needs grants must adhere to the guidelines.
To learn more about the Customer Comment Process Guidelines.
Intercity Bus Program - Travel Washington
In December, WSDOT held a ribbon cutting for the Travel Washington Grape Line service that provides daily scheduled bus service between Walla Walla and Pasco. Walla Walla was the largest community in Washington that did not have intercity service. WSDOT had been receiving complaints on this lack of service since Greyhound abandoned the route a few years ago.
Travel Washington Grape Line was the initial step in establishing the Washington Intercity Rural Bus Program. The Travel Washington Grape Line is the first route in the nation to be funded through a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) pilot program that matches private sector investments with grant money.
WSDOT has released the requests for proposals for two additional bus routes. One route, the Travel Washington Apple Line, will provide service to north-central Washington from Omak to Ellensburg, including Wenatchee. The other route will provide service on the Olympic Peninsula from Port Angeles to Seatac, with connections in Seattle. All intercity bus services will use the Travel Washington branding and the trade name Travel Washington.
Find out more about the Travel Washington Intercity Rural Bus Program.
Training Opportunities
Transit & Community Transportation Management Certificate Program
April 14-18 &
May 19-23, 2008
Seattle, Washington
Read more about this training opportunity.
People on the Move: Using All Transportation Options
July 9-10, 2008
Hilton Eugene & Conference Center
Eugene, Oregon
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.
Upcoming Events
WSDOT call for projects
Section 5316, Small Urban funds
Due: April 9, 2008 by 5:00 p.m.
Read more...
Contact: Kristy McGuill for additional information
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board Meeting
Friday, March 28
WSDOT Department of Transportation Building - Commission Board Room (1D2)
310 Maple Park Avenue SE
Olympia, WAMeeting Information
The agenda will focus on reviewing local, regional, and state CTR plans, allocating CTR funding, and providing general policy guidance for the CTR program. Read more...
Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) Meeting
Friday, April 11
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.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...
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.
To subscribe to other e-mail updates from WSDOT, unsubscribe, or send us your feedback, please visit
www.wsdot.wa.gov/NorthWest/EmailUpdates.htm or
Public Transportation subscribe/unsubscribe
Public Transportation Monthly Reports Archives
top