All in all, a good day for public transit
A word from Peter Thein, Executive Director at the Washington State Transit Association, about Public Transportation related results from around the state.
First Sound Transit appears to have easily won their ballot measure, which allows them to proceed on Phase 2 of their plan to expand light rail in the Puget Sound region. Returns show the measure passing by 58%.
Next, let’s hear it for CUBS and Skagit Transit who appear to have passed their sales tax ballot measures. Cubs (Longview/Kelso) passed a sales tax increase of .02 percent by a 55 percent margin. In addition, Skagit Transit’s sales tax ballot measure is leading with a 51.4 percent yes vote. Skagit Transit is also going for a .02 percent sales tax increase.
Finally, in the only disappointing news of the election, Community Transit’s effort to annex parts of Snohomish County is falling with 55 percent no vote.
Call for Regional Mobility Grant project proposals to reduce delay and improve connectivity
A commuter bikes to her C-Tran bus stop. |
WSDOT is accepting Regional Mobility Grant project proposals from cities, counties, and transit systems through December 18, 2008. The competitive grant program was established in 2005 by the Washington State Legislature to reduce delay for people and goods and improve connectivity between counties and regional population centers.
The project proposals will be reviewed, prioritized and submitted to the Washington State Legislature. The legislature will make the final determination on projects and awards. Pending Legislative approval and available funding, WSDOT may award up to $40 million for 2009-2011 Regional Mobility Grant projects.
Examples of grant program-funded projects include:
- New transit services that connect regional population centers
- New park and ride lots and lot expansions
- New buses
- Rush hour transit service on our most congested roadways
WSDOT recently held Regional Mobility Grant workshops in Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Burlington. At the workshops, WSDOT staff answered questions, about the process and helped applicants with the grant application. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact:
Washington cities, counties and transit agencies interested in applying for a Regional Mobility Grant will find the grant application and more information at WSDOT's Public Transportation Web site.
Travel Washington expands to include the Apple Line
A formal ribbon cutting on Tuesday, October 28 ceremony celebrated a new 160-mile “Apple Line” bus route from Omak through Wenatchee to Ellensburg. A beautiful fall day, a crisp 40-degree temperature, clear skies and sunshine kept no one away from the event at Omak’s Civic League Park. The Apple Line joined the Grape Line in Walla Walla and the Dungeness Line on the Olympic Peninsula to round out the state’s Travel Washington network of intercity bus service. Travel Washington connects communities by linking rural towns and cities with urban areas, connecting them to national intercity bus, rail and air service.
The Travel Washington Apple Line is part of the only Intercity Statewide Network in the nation to be funded through a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) pilot program that matches private sector investments with federal grant funds. Greyhound Bus Lines provided the local match and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) awarded a grant to Northwestern Trailways to provide the Apple Line service.
“Rural residents have fewer transportation choices available to them,” said WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond, “The Intercity Bus Network improves mobility for rural residents and helps connect Washington communities.”
For more information about Travel Washington Apple Line and Washington State’s Intercity Bus Network visit
WSDOT’s Public Transportation Web site. See photos from the
Travel Washington Apple Line Ribbon Cutting.
2009-2011 Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Program call for projects
Public Transportation making it easier to get around. |
WSDOT is accepting applications for the 2009-2011 Consolidated Grant Program between now and December 12, 2008. These grants support passenger transportation services in rural areas and support services for persons with special needs in Washington. Funding will be awarded for projects carried out during the 2009-2011 grant cycle (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011).
Please remember to read the application packet carefully. The packet contains important information regarding:
- Project and applicant eligibility
- How to properly complete and submit the forms
- Regional planning and ranking requirements
- Problems that may disqualify your application
If you don’t already have an application packet and the automated forms, you may obtain them by contacting Katie Charak at (360) 705-7922 or you may download the application packet and forms.
Complete applications must be received by WSDOT no later than 5:00 pm on December 12, 2008. Applications received after that time will not be accepted.
If you have questions or need assistance with preparing your application, please contact the following Public Transportation Division staff.
We will continue to post updates as additional information becomes available about the 2009-2011 Consolidated Grant Program, so visit our Web site often.
Update to the vehicle title release based on vehicle age or mileage
Getting ready to pick-up passengers at the transit center. |
Please update your WSDOT ‘Guide to Managing Your Public Transportation Grant’ manual. This update replaces Appendix E of your current guide with the new ‘Vehicle Disposition Schedule – revised 11/1/2008’. (35 kb pdf) Note the new schedule redefines the vehicle categories based upon vehicle type and gross vehicle weight (GVW). WSDOT will now release ownership/title based upon on the minimum number of years as determined by vehicle category or upon accumulated mileage, whichever comes first. This is a departure from the prior disposition schedule that only considered the vehicle age.
WSDOT consulted with an expert panel of transit professionals and updated the method for determining the minimum service life of grant-funded vehicles. The method was based on research documented in FTA’s April 2007 publication “Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans,”
Report No. FTA VA-26-7229-07.1. (pdf 2 mb) The report identified Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) to be the determining factor in categorizing vehicles and used both vehicle age and mileage in determining the minimum useful life. The new schedule is in agreement with new FTA Circulars on minimum useful life for grant-funded vehicles.
For more information or questions, regarding the new Vehicle Disposition Schedule please contact
David Chenaur at (360) 705-7839.
Washington’s Transit Agencies Honored
Riding the bus is a great choice for your commute to work. |
Five Washington Transit Agencies win national marketing and communications awards from the American Public Transportation Association
Community Transit, Intercity Transit, Link Transit, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit were each recognized nationally with a combination of Grand Prize and First Place honors at the 29th Annual American Public Transportation Association (APTA) AdWheel Awards for excellence in marketing, communication, advertising and promotions within the public transportation industry.
The awards, considered among the most prestigious within the public transportation industry, were presented October 6 at the APTA 2008 Annual Meeting and International EXPO. Nearly 750 entries were submitted in this year’s competition and nine of the 107 honors went to Washington Transit Agencies.
Transit agencies have been challenged by record ridership demands during a prolonged period of unprecedented fuel costs. Helping transit riders understand how to use transit services, marketing to new customer niches, providing updates and operational transparency to the taxpaying public and news media, and coordinating community partnerships are all in a day’s work for the marketing and communications professionals working behind the scenes of transit operations. The AdWheel Awards spotlight some of these endeavors.
“APTA is pleased to honor the winning entries of the 2008 AdWheel Awards, this competition showcases the best of the best in public transportation marketing and communications,” stated William W. Millar, APTA President. “These individuals and organizations have done an outstanding job in helping to further promote the public transportation industry.”
For a complete list of all 2008, AdWheel Award winners visit APTA Web site.
Reinvent your Commute
WSDOT is partnering with the Washington State Transit Association, transit agencies, businesses, and others for the “Reinvent Your Commute” public outreach campaign.
Our mission is to raise awareness about commute alternatives and change the way people consider their commute. More and more drivers are turning to commute alternatives. The “Reinvent Your Commute” campaign prompts drivers to think about their options and gives them information and tools to act. The campaign helps create a unified effort for promoting the use of smart commute options such as riding or driving with others, riding the train or bus, bicycling, walking, or working from home.
Special thanks to our partners who are helping us raise awareness about commute alternatives and change the way people consider their commute. Learn more about the recent winners of the Governor's Commute Smart Awards. Download the Reinvent Your Commute presentation. (pdf 322k) Look for a toolkit of marketing materials and artwork coming soon to help you promote "Reinvent Your Commute" to your customers.
Training opportunities
To learn more about the latest training opportunities available, visit the Washington State Transportation Training Coalition's Web site.
Help is available for training expenses from the Washington State Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP). An RTAP scholarship for qualified applicants covers tuition and limited expenses for training courses, workshops and conferences.
If you have questions about RTAP or any of these training opportunities, contact Ronda Fullerton.
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Upcoming events
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board Meeting
Friday, December 5
10:00 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 providing general policy guidance for the CTR program. Read more...
Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) Meeting
Friday, December 12
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...
2009-2011 Public Transportation Consolidated Grant call for projects
Friday, December 12
5:00 p.m.
Deadline for submitting your grants. For more Information...
2009-2011 Regional Mobility Grant call for projects
Thursday, December 18
5:00 p.m.
Deadline for submitting your grants. For more Information...
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 pubtrans@wsdot.wa.gov.
Public Transportation Monthly Reports Archives
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