PUBLIC TRANSIT COORDINATION AND PLANNING: MEETING THE NEEDS OF TEXAS June 14, 2005 Presented by Ken Hosen, KFH Group, Inc. For TxDOT – Regional Planning and Public Transportation Workshop

THE GOAL Travel options and access to opportunity are expanded and improved for all Texans, are provided cost-effectively, are used more extensively, and support broader state and local goals for economic growth and enhanced quality of life.

WHAT ABOUT COORDINATION? WHAT ABOUT COORDINATION? ► Coordination is not the goal, it is a tool to meeting the goal. ► It is usually beneficial to all parties, but not always. ► What are you bringing to the table? ► Coordination is local/regional. ► Coordination is building relationships and trust.

TEXAS IS NO STRANGER TO COORDINATION ► Texas has been one of the most coordinated states in the nation – thanks to the rural transit operators. ► Two levels of coordination:  Coordination of services  Coordination of service area ► Coordination of service areas is unparalleled ► There is a unique commitment among state policy makers to coordinate at the state level. ► We can look at other states but Texas is now unique among unique states.

PLANNING AND COORDINATION: OTHER STATES This approach is used in many states, including: Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Oregon, Pennsylvania and others. ► Five year plan – usually conducted by transit systems and funded through state. ► Provides direction for the system and provides planning information for the state. ► Coordination is encouraged/insisted upon by the state. ► Collaborative effort:  Consumers and advocates  Human service agencies  Community leaders ► In some states such as Oregon and Florida, transit systems serve as the Medicaid broker, eliminating the “middle man.”

BASIC COORDINATION RECOMMENDATIONS ► Coordination of services takes time – It’s about building trust. ► The State should mandate a process, not dictate local planning activities. ► Transit systems and/or COGs should have lead. ► Collaborative – involves all stakeholders. ► Place as many persons as possible on fixed route. ► TxDOT should tie coordination directly to a regional planning process.

BUSINESS PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS ► Regional Planning  Recommend uniform regional planning process  Regional planning committee composed of wide variety of stakeholders  Guide coordination process (including Medicaid)  Funded in large part by TxDOT  Can be used by TxDOT to determine areas of greatest need

THE REGIONAL PLANNING PROCESS The Steps: ► Demographic/needs review ► Review existing services ► Determine gaps and additional needs ► Develop alternatives for consideration (organizational and service) ► Reach consensus on five year plan

BUSINESS PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS ► Coordination  TxDOT should find a way to contract Medicaid transportation directly with willing and able transit districts. This approach is used in other states.  Bring the decision back to the regional/local level. Flexibility in coordination.  State level collaboration between TxDOT and human service agencies to determine additional state level coordination.  State level encouragement and incentives.

THE OPPORTUNITY ► Texas has an unprecedented opportunity to further coordinate services. ► Medicaid is far and away the largest of these programs, without coordinating Medicaid there is little left to coordinate. ► Regional planning is the key. ► Cooperation and collaboration yields coordination.