Regional Public Transit Issues October 2, 2014

Transit in the 2040 CRP Identifies Deficiencies in the existing system Missing important centers of activities and employment Existing capacity is inadequate to meet needs of transit dependent population Missing dedicated source of local funding for matching federal and state dollars

What 2040 Recommended Framework of high speed rail, commuter rail, and regional bus service, all supported by a network of local bus and demand response services Regional Leadership – elevate discussion beyond local politics and parochial interests and speak with one voice Regional Oversight and Management – success depends on participation of entire region Outreach and Education of Public and Local Elected Officials – need to understand economic benefit and quality of life impacts

What 2040 Recommended Regional Policies Support and promote the creation of a dedicated source of funding Support, promote and fund a regional service and management structure Support and promote transit-friendly land use practices Support and promote services that connect the region’s neighborhoods with jobs, shopping, medical, entertainment, recreational and educational facilities Support and promote increased capacity and accessibility of demand response for persons who do not drive

Who are the Region’s Existing Public Transit Operators Gary Public Transportation Corporation East Chicago Public Transit North Township Trustee South Lake County Community Services Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Opportunity Enterprises Porter County Aging and Community Services Valparaiso V-Line and Chicago DASH La Porte TransPorte Michigan City Transit

How Public Transit is Funded – Federal and State Federal Support from Federal Transit Administration - FTA Section 5307, Section 5310, Section 5337 (NICTD) and Section 5339 Funds and Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) State Support (Line item in budget, previously Public Mass Transit Fund from sales tax) Local Support from fares, municipal property taxes, other federal programs, county economic development income tax, county budgets (property taxes)

How Sec is Used –Operating and Capital for FY 2014 East Chicago Transit - $603,158 GPTC - $7,263,276 (includes prior years’ funding) NIRPC - $360,907 (administration and planning) North Township - $181,485 Opportunity Enterprises - $215,692 PCACS - $311,953 SLCCS - $533,267 V Line and DASH - $695,423 NICTD - $3,595,849 (plus $12 million in Sec. 5337)

Sec in La Porte County Michigan City Transit - $694,862 TransPorte - $246,421 Sec in Lake and Porter Counties SLCCS - $125,000 PCACS - $82,936

Current Sources of Local Match Property Taxes – Municipal, Township and County Lake County Community Development Block Grant Porter County – Community Economic Dev. Income Tax (CEDIT) Fares State Funds Public Mass Transportation Fund – PMTF Commuter Rail

ECPT –186, ,467 GPTC – 691, ,184 TransPorte – 38,828 39,384 Michigan City – 126, ,546 NICTD – 3,668,098 3,606,926 SLCCS – 52,505 47,931 OE – 60,878 65,428 Ridership for 2012 and 2013

PCCS – 24,493 23,024 North Township – 10,994 32,999 Valparaiso – 148, , Total Bus, Demand Response; NICTD 1,340,4813,668, Total – 1,442,6323,606,926 Ridership for 2012 and 2013

Upcoming Public Transit Meetings: Lake County Monday, October 6, :00 pm-4:00 pm Crown Point Public Library, 122 N. Main Street, Crown Point Tuesday, October 7, :00 pm-6:00 pm Adam Benjamin Metro Center, 100 W. 4 th Avenue, Gary Thursday, October 23, :00 pm-6:00 pm Hammond Public Library, 564 State Street, Hammond

Upcoming Public Transit Meetings: Porter County Tuesday, October 14, :30 pm-7:30 pm Portage City Hall, 6070 Central Avenue, Portage Wednesday, October 15, :00 pm-4:00 pm Valparaiso City Hall, 166 Lincolnway, Valparaiso

Upcoming Public Transit Meetings: LaPorte County Thursday, October 16, :00 pm-4:00 pm La Porte City Hall, 801 Michigan Avenue, La Porte Thursday, October 16, :00 pm-7:00 pm Michigan City City Hall, 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 – Facilitated Discussion with Steve Walsh 2:00 pm-4:00 pm and 5:00 pm-7:30 pm Wicker Park Social Center, Wicker Park, Highland

Upcoming Motorized Surface Transportation Meetings  Tuesday, October 21, :00 pm-3:00 pm & 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster  Wednesday October 22, :00 pm-3:00 pm & 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson Street, Valparaiso

Upcoming Environmental Meeting  Wednesday, October 29, :00 pm-3:00 pm & 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Merrillville Town Hall, 7820 Broadway, Merrillville

By By telephone: (219) , ext. 160 By US Postal Service: 6100 Southport Rd. Portage, Indiana How to Contact NIRPC

Find NIRPC Online facebook.com/nirpcmpo twitter.com/nirpc

Is the current system serving you well? If so, why? And if not, why not? What is most needed improvement in transit? Where should it go? How should it be paid for? Should a regional oversight and management agency be created and funded? What Do You Think