Public Transportation Division team highlights
Meet the Urban Programs Team
Developing and implementing statewide programs and policies to effectively manage demand is what the Urban Programs Team is all about! The Urban Programs Team works in partnership with local communities, employers, transit agencies, regional transportation planning organizations, and others around the state, by providing funding, technical assistance, and policy leadership.
Change seems to be a constant theme for the Urban Programs. The need for demand management is growing, along with the state’s interest and investment. The Team is developing new programs and tools at the same time that they are working to make existing programs more sophisticated and targeted. In addition, the Governor’s climate change initiative is leading demand management to a new level.
Urban Program Team members: Casey Kanzler, Keith Cotton, Kathy Johnston, Chris Simmons,
Amber Nguyen, Evan Olsen, Hiep Tran
Here’s an introduction to the Urban Programs Team and what they are working on:
• Keith Cotton, Urban Programs Manager, provides strategic direction to the team and integrates urban programs with construction traffic management, climate change and other WSDOT initiatives and programs. He is also leading implementation of several legislative initiatives, including the demand management strategies for schools study and the Kitsap Telework Pilot Project.
• Kathy Johnston manages the Commute Trip Reduction program and staffs the Governor’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board and its Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Kathy is working on developing a new CTR policy framework and helping the board assemble its legislative package and state CTR plan.
• Amber Nguyen gives technical assistance to CTR employers and jurisdictions and provides communications and technical support to the rest of the Urban Programs Team. In the next few months, she will be helping lead the effort to develop a new demand management measurement database and reporting tools.
• Chris Simmons manages the statewide rideshare program, including the vanpool investment program. This year he is working with the statewide vanpool team to develop a new vanpool plan tied to the Governor’s climate change goals and to guide the development of the new Rideshareonline.com system.
• Casey Kanzler manages the new Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center (GTEC) program. Casey’s focus this year is to help the 10 new GTECs in the state, implement their plans and to develop recommendations to the legislature on the future of the program.
• Hiep Tran manages the Trip Reduction and Performance Program (TRPP). While administering the program this year, he is also leading the transition of the program by evaluating potential policy and procedural changes.
• Evan Olsen manages the park and ride program. He will be developing the program from the ground up this year, working with a team of WSDOT staff and partners to develop a state park and ride policy, needs assessment, and development plan.
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).
Next month: The Grants Team
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Public Transportation Conference early bird registration
It is time to register for the 2008 Public Transportation Conference & Expo on September 7-10, 2008 in Kennewick, Washington.
Wall of Fame Nominations
2007 Wall of Fame Winners Patsy Nedrow, WSDOT
and Jon Massey, Hopelink |
The Wall of Fame recognizes exemplary employees for their dedication, innovation, customer service, and professionalism. This is the time for agencies to select the honoree(s) who we will publicly recognize them at the 2008 Public Transportation Conference & Expo.
Honorees will be introduced at the Recognition and Awards Banquet in Kennewick on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Honoree photos and achievement descriptions will be prominently displayed on the Wall of Fame exhibit during the conference. For more information and details about the Wall of Fame, contact Kathy Johnston.
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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Charter bus service final rule
The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA), Final Rule, 49 CFR Part 604 became effective April 30, 2008. This rule protects private charter operators from unauthorized competition from recipients of Federal financial assistance under the Federal Transit Laws.
The new two-part definition of “Charter service” is:
- Transportation provided by a recipient at the request of a third party for the exclusive use of a bus or van for a negotiated price. Review this definition at the FTA Web site. (Legislation, Regulations, & Guidance; Regulations; Charter Service)
- Transportation provided by a recipient to the public for events or functions that occur on an irregular basis or for a limited duration and:
- A premium fare is charged that is greater than the usual or customary fixed route fare; or
- The service is paid for, in whole or in part, by a third party.
Charter service does not include demand response service to individuals.
To be considered a private charter provider, charter operators must register. Charter operators must provide current and accurate information and update it at least every two years to remain in good standing with the FTA.
The following links provide detailed information on the new charter bus rule:
Recipients who provide charter service under any one of the approved exceptions (pdf 171 kb) must report their activities quarterly beginning July 30. 2008. Service under these exceptions shall be posted to the FTA charter registration Web site 30 days after the end of each quarter. Reporting requirements (Part 604.12) for all exceptions may be found at FTA Web site.
We are compiling a list of questions and answers; if you have asked FTA a question and received an answer please send it to Patsy Nedrow and we will add it to our list. For additional information, contact Patsy Nedrow.
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Rural Mobility Grants
A method for equalizing in transit sales tax
The legislature realized that transit sales and use tax was not equally available to transit agencies around the state. In 2003 with new revenue, WSDOT was directed to distribute funds to transit agencies from small cities and rural areas in “a manner similar to past disparity equalizations programs.”
The state recognized that a transit system located in an area with a limited amount of retail business activity might not be able to generate as much sales and use tax revenue per capita as a transit system with a large retail base. To help correct this disparity, the legislature identified half of the Rural Mobility Grant program funds during the past six years to be distributed to small urban or rural transit agencies.
How do transit systems qualify for equalization?
Rural mobility grants help Valley Transit provide service. |
Sales tax equalization is distributed to small urban and rural transit systems that have earned, from their own sales tax revenues, a per capita amount that is less than 80 percent of the statewide average of the first 0.1 percent tax levied.
For example:
- In 2007, Rural Transit System A received $12 per capita from the first 0.1 percent of their transit retail sales and use tax
- The average for all transit systems in 2007 was $19.62 per capita
- Eighty percent of the statewide average was $15.70
- Therefore, Rural Transit System A is eligible to receive a 2008 Rural Mobility Grant.
- Rural Transit System A has a population of 4,100 and would need an additional $60,800 to bring their collection of sales and use tax to the 80 percent state per capita rate.
- When all the other eligible transit systems have been calculated, the total amount necessary to bring all the systems to 80 percent of the 2007 state per capita rate would be $6.7 million.
- Since the Rural Mobility program only has $4.5 million to distribute in 2008, Rural Transit System A will only get $46,414 – or just 76 percent of the calculated amount.
The Transit Tax Equalization is based on a similar disparity program from the 1980’s for a city sales tax equalization program, and a program in the 1990’s for transit agencies; small urban and rural transit agencies are now able to receive additional funds from the state each year.
Find out what transit agencies received funding from the Rural Mobility Program for 2008-09.
Share the Ride, Save the World
Washington State Ridesharing Organization (WSRO) Spring Conference will be held at the Campbell's Resort in Chelan Washington, on May 19-21. Katy Taylor, Director of WSDOT's Public Transportation Division, will open the conference with her take on what is happening in public transportation.
Sessions will include:
- Climate change
- Making a business case for CTR
- Growth and Transportation Efficiency Centers
- Tools for ETCs
- Inspirational stories
To register for the conference go to the WSRO Web site or contact Dawn Kirsch at 425-348-2311 for more information.
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Training Opportunities
NTI’s Toolbox for Operator Fatigue ~ Space Available
May 27, 2008
8:30 a.m. - noon
The class is free for all Training Coalition members. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept non-member registrations.
This class offers a variety of resources, methods, and techniques to deal with operator fatigue. The trainer will be Andy Ervin, formerly from METRO Regional Transit Authority in Ohio. The primary goal of this class is to provide a structured process enabling transit agencies to implement an operator fatigue management program. Specific tools are geared to the individual operator and other tools are for use by supervisors and managers involved in transit service planning and delivery.
To learn more and to register for the class visit the Washington State Transportation Training Coalition's Web site.
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.
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Upcoming Events
Share the Ride, Save the World - WSRO Spring Conference
May 19 - 21, 2008
Campbell's Resort, Chelan, Washington
To register go to the WSRO Web site or contact Dawn Kirsch at 425-348-2311 for more information.
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Board Meeting
Friday, May 30
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, June 13
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...
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Did you know?
"The average American travels about 14,500 miles annually including 4,900 miles on long-distance trips each year." - 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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