Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study: Final Report and Next Steps 0

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study 1 FTA Section 5311(f): Rural Intercity Program Non-urbanized services- under 50,000 population Intercity service is defined in the FTA guidance Federal S.5311(f) shares same as for S New federal consultation requirements require involvement of intercity operators Section 5311 is administered by Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study FTA Section 5311(f) Definition of Intercity Service Regularly scheduled bus service General Public Operates with limited stops between two or more urban areas not in close proximity Not commuter service Fixed-route, capable of carrying baggage Meaningful connection with national intercity bus network 2

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study 3 Meaningful Connection To National Network of Intercity Bus Service Service to physical locations where connections can be made (stations or stops) Scheduled to facilitate connection with intercity bus service Information to make connection—schedules, stop locations Interline ticketing not required by FTA, but Greyhound and other firms (members of the National Bus Traffic Association) are supportive

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Eligible Uses of S.5311(f) Funds Operating Assistance (generally 50/50 match on net deficit): Funding of net deficit on a particular route or service Funding for all intercity routes to support the network Purchase-of-service/demonstration projects User-side subsidies Capital Assistance (generally 80/20): Vehicles Shelters, stops, signage Intermodal facilities (related to rural usage) Computers/communications equipment (ticketing) ADA accessibility equipment Planning and Marketing Studies Marketing Plans, materials, campaigns Information systems 4

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Section 5311(f) Funding 15 percent set-aside of a state’s S.5311 rural transit apportionment Unless a state certifies that it has no unmet intercity needs, and has conducted a consultation process with intercity operators Virginia amounts: 2012: $1,871,639 (15% of $12,477,596) 2013: $2,180,234 (15% of $14,534,896) 2014: $2,247,062 (15% of $14,980,414) Virginia has previously certified no unmet needs and utilized the funding as part of the general Section 5311 program 5

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Recent Developments in the Section 5311(f) Program : Federal Transit Administration oversight of requirements in SAFETEA-LU calling for a consultation process before certifying that there are no unmet rural intercity needs Opportunity to use “in-kind” operating match (now included in MAP-21 reauthorization) potentially eliminates need to provide local/state/carrier cash match for operating assistance Increases in overall Section 5311 allocations under SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21 (?) 6

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study In-Kind Match: Only available for Section 5311(f) operating assistance Previously an FTA administrative pilot project, now included in MAP-21 statutory language Now used in many states: Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Ohio, Maryland, New Hampshire, Michigan, etc. Uses the value of connecting unsubsidized service as in-kind match for operating assistance As pilot project allowed 50 percent of fully-allocated cost of unsubsidized connecting service MAP-21 language has no percentage language, awaiting FTA draft circular FTA/state grant must have a letter from the carrier providing value of in-kind match agreeing to provide the in-kind miles, and describing the connecting service, its costs and the value provided Connecting carrier may have requirements before granting in-kind miles, such as subsidized service must provide coordinated schedules, have interline ticketing, serve common terminals/stops—the benefit to that firm is the feed traffic from the rural areas 7

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Network Prior to Greyhound Restructuring in

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Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Potential Corridors for New Service Based on demographic comparison of high need areas currently lacking service, combined with survey input Developed to test potential demand, estimate possible costs Washington, DC to Danville via Rt. 29 Washington, DC to Blacksburg via I-66 Washington, DC to Blacksburg via Rt. 7 Washington, DC to Blacksburg via I-95 Norfolk to Washington, DC via Tappahannock/Warsaw Roanoke to Bristol Washington, DC to Martinsburg, WV via Rt. 7 Washington, DC to Martinsburg, WV via I-66 Norfolk to Richmond Norfolk to Harrisonburg Norfolk to Danville Richmond to Danville Richlands to Bristol Richlands to Roanoke Big Stone Gap to Bristol Covington to Lynchburg 12

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Potential Corridor Map 13

Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study Next Steps: Implementation Assistance Consultation meetings (meet FTA SMR requirements)- December 2014 Program and policy options/decisions Identify needed changes in DRPT Section 5311 program guidance/application to incorporate intercity bus Define initial projects—routes, frequencies, connections, etc. Develop grant application, scope of services Evaluation criteria Assistance in evaluating proposals 14