Vanpool Incentive Program National Transit Database Reporting GWRideConnect September 21, 2009

Program Summary Vanpools in both the Northern Virginia and the George Washington regions can be made eligible to report their data and generate more §5307 funds for both regions.

Program Summary Given the number of vanpools operating in the George Washington Region (approximately 350 travelling from here to Northern Va. / D.C.), the potential §5307 earnings is substantial. Just 200 vanpools could yield about $3 million annually in gross §5307 earnings in the third year (prior to paying vanpool subsidies)

A Multi-Regional Effort An earlier multi-regional Vanpool Incentive NTD Program was close to reality in 2003 but was not implemented. NVTC has researched the possibility of implementing a Vanpool Incentive NTD Program for both regions which has sparked renewed interest for this type of program.

A Multi-Regional Effort – Next Steps NVTC and FAMPO could provide $200,000 seed money through CMAQ for the funding of a consulting team to assist both regions in designing an effective program. A draft scope of work is being developed by FAMPO, NVTC, PRTC, GWRideConnect and others for the consulting team to perform tasks resulting in recommendations on the best ways to proceed with a Vanpool Incentive NTD program.

Vanpool Incentive NTD Program Draft Consultant Work Tasks The selected consulting team will work with the vanpool regional technical committee to perform the following tasks. Task 1 – Review materials, determine FTA requirements for a vanpool NTD program, examine best practices, report findings.

Vanpool Incentive NTD Program Draft Consultant Work Tasks Task 2 – Recommend program goals, identify and resolve project hurdles. -Develop a vanpool incentive NTD program for implementation consistent with FTA requirements. -Develop cost estimates for data collection, consolidation, verification, NTD reporting and audits.

Vanpool Incentive NTD Program Draft Consultant Work Tasks Task 3 – Working with TDM agencies / vanpool operators affirm number of vanpools, estimate potential growth in both regions. Provide estimate of total annual costs for each van enrolled in the program. Costs include: data collection, data consolidation /verification, subsidy payments to van operators. Task 4 – Estimate 5307 revenues from the program based on various vanpool data, estimate net revenues after program costs are paid.

Vanpool Incentive NTD Program Draft Consultant Work Tasks Task 5 – Prepare detailed budgets, business plans, and performance objectives. Task 6 – Address other program issues Task 7 – As an option, assist in procurement of continuing services such as consolidation and verification of NTD data collected from vanpools.

Benefits of a Vanpool Incentive NTD Program to the GWRC Region Provides a substantial subsidy for regional vanpools that would reduce their operating costs Increases the number of vanpools in the region Reduces congestion in the region Improves air quality in the region Substantially boosts §5307 funds in the region

§5307 Funds – Eligible Uses Pay for contractor services (operations) Purchase vans (lease program) Commuter lot construction VRE (rolling stock, stations, parking, track improvements, etc.) FRED (rolling stock, stations, maintenance facilities, etc.) Make roadway/intersection improvements (requires flexing funds to FHWA) Other (transportation planning, marketing, trails/paths, sidewalks, etc. )