Public Transit Application- a database collecting transit data Minnesota Department of Transportation

Why was PTA Developed? A long time ago…….  Legislation said so…….  Legislator inquires  Back in the Days of Lotus

Why was PTA Developed? Excel can handle only so much:  Lots of cutting and pasting  Have you seen TASUM?  Work books referencing multiple worksheets  Difficult to analyze multiyear data We need Database Functionality

The Focus of PTA  Collect Data  Analyze Data  Track Budgets  Develop Contracts  Track Contract Amendments

What data do you collect? Annually-  12 Tab Application – Service plan – Capital improvements – Unmet Needs – Fleet Inventory  Financial Plan Tab Proposed Budget for following year

Every Month Monthly Data – Operating Statistics – Vehicle information

Vehicle Statistics Data

Operating Statistics Data

What systems contribute data Five Federal Programs – 5317 New Freedom – 5316 Job Access Reverse Commute – 5311 Public Transit Participation – 5310 Elderly and Disabled Transportation – 5307 Urban Transit

Soon to include- – 5311f Intercity Transit – 5309 Facility Grant

How does it work? Application to Budget to Contract

Grant application

Application Application is collected thanks to a method used for the bridge collapse. – Each system has a private folder – Application is uploaded back to folder – All folders can be seen by transit managers

Application uploaded to system folder

Budget Request Import Financial page from application / converted to a csv file csv file imported to PTA as budget request

Budget Request Modifications Budget Request can be adjusted Budget Request is changed to a budget

Budget Budget is reviewed and final adjustments made

Budget modified by fund Default amounts calculate funds Payments are budgeted on when they are paid

Contract Time When budget is approved and finalized Contract is initiated Contract dates are recorded Amendment process

Reports

Challenges to PTA Qualified Contractors Teaching new technology to users Users frustrations

The future of PTA On going project Up grades to functionality Poll users for their needs