1. California’s Rural Intercity Bus System: 2018 Update
Dr. Thomas Pogue
Associate Director
Center for Business and Policy Research
University of the Pacific
CalACT 2018 Spring Conference, April 6, 2018

2. California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update
Summary of Final Report & Appendices
Focus on:
Report Recommendations
Revised 5311(f) Scoring Criteria
Discussion

3. California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update
Contents
Pages
California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update
1-60
Appendix A: Stakeholder Input – Rural Regional Intercity Needs and Issues
A1-A8
Appendix B: Interregional Corridors and the Regional Intercity Network
B1-B62
Appendix C: Revised 5311(f) Scoring Criteria
C1-C8
Appendix D: Marketing Strategies to Promote California’s Intercity Routes
D1-D11

4. California Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study Update
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - Policy Context and Methodology
Chapter 3 - Inventory of Intercity Service
Chapter 4 - Assessment of Intercity Bus Service
Chapter 5 - Recommendations & Action Plan

5. Policy Context and Methodology
Federal Policies and Plans
State Policies and Plans
Local Policies and Plans
Methodology
See also: Appendix A

6. Inventory and Assessment of Intercity & Rural Regional Bus Service
Inventory of Service
Rural Transit Dependent Population Needs
Rural Regional Service Needs
Policy, Socio-Economics and Other Influences on Intercity Dynamics
See also Appendix B

7. Recommendations and Action Plan
Short-Run Funding of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services (Revisit)
Short-Run Coordination and Integration of Rural Regional Mobility Services
Reorganization of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services

8. S.R. Coordination and Integration of Rural Regional Mobility Services
R2: Leveraging existing initiatives and resources
Significant opportunities in forthcoming State Rail Plan (SRP)
Other opportunities to support the regional intercity network should also be identified
Need to investigate costs & benefits of repealing rail service for Amtrak Thruway

9. Reorganization of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services
R3: Transform the Funding System
R4: Transform Organizational Structures
R5: Transform Planning Structures
R6: Enhance Marketing & Integration of Rural Regional Intercity Transit

10. R3: Transform the Funding System
Needs necessitate a range of funding to support the network
Combining these different funding sources may => collective efficiencies
Realizing requires local/state/federal programs to authorize use
Authorization prohibitive to most rural areas so look to other org. structures

11. R4: Transform Organizational Structures
Some form of a rural regional intercity transit organization(s) needed
Perhaps some existing regional organizations capable but complexity needs careful consideration
Hybrid model would need statewide
Initial step - Project Steering Committee advocating for intercity bus service

12. R5: Transform Planning Structures
Also need to look at broader array of transit needs and services in planning
Advocate for the transportation needs of rural communities
Facilitate consensus on key socio-economic dynamics influencing needs as well as identify and prioritize informational challenges about rural transportation

13. R6: Enhance Marketing & Integration of Rural Regional Intercity Transit
The reconstitution => potential advances in coordination => leverage to advance inter-modal integration
Steering committee investigating enhancing communications among rural services: Greyhound/Amtrak/GTFS
See also: Appendix D

14. S.R. Funding of Intercity and Rural Regional Mobility Services
R1: Revised 5311(f) Funding Criteria
Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Points
Continuation or expansion of an existing intercity bus project/service. 5
Extent the project/service effectively addresses a demonstrated community need. 20
Experience and/or expertise providing efficient transportation services as well as managing public transportation funding.
Fiscal and administrative capacity as well as budget to undertake the project/service.
Coordination and integration with the service area’s transportation system. 15
Existing support for the project, financial and otherwise, on the part of citizens and local government has been submitted. If new, documents supporting must be provided. 10
The applicant demonstrates effort to support transit policies.
Total Points Possible
100

15. Criteria 1 (5 points): The project/service continues or expands an existing intercity bus project/service.
All 5 points for awarded to existing or expanding rural intercity projects/services.
Evidence of an existing project/service include:
Previous financial year recipients of 5311(f) funding from Caltrans DRMT.
Performance, or other verifiable data of the project/service’s operation/existence in the previous financial year can be provided if 5311(f) funding was not received.

16. Criteria 2 (20 points): The project/service addresses a demonstrated community need.
Points awarded will range from 1 to 20 and are based on evidence showing addresses an intercity community need.
Examples of such evidence include:
A project/service evaluation of need (survey, community outreach, or stakeholder feedback).
A need identified in an unmet needs process.
Identification in a Caltrans transit plan, including but not limited to the 2018 Statewide Rural Intercity Bus Study
Transit dependent population statistics
A project/service feasibility study

17. Criteria 3 (20 points): Experience and/or expertise providing efficient transportation services as well as managing public transportation funding
Points awarded from 1 to 20 on the extent of evidence showing experience and/or expertise in providing efficient transportation projects/services as well as managing public transportation funding to undertake the project/service
Examples of such evidence include:
Years of experience in providing transportation service/projects
Descriptions of relevant transportation experience
Evidence of, or plan to acquire, adequate liability insurance
Description of transit grant administration experience

18. Criteria 4 (20 points): Fiscal & administrative capacity as well as budget to undertake the project/service
Points awarded will range from 1 to 20 and are based on evidence of fiscal and administrative capacity as well as budget to undertake the project/service.
Examples of such evidence include:
A project/service financial feasibility study
Recent audited financial statements.
A marketing plan if applying for new or expanding project/service.
If a new or expanding: capital and/or O&M costs
If existing: capital and/or O&M costs to construct and/or operate project
Key performance measures or estimates if new

19. Criteria 5 (15 points): Coordination and integration with the service area’s transportation system
Points awarded from 1 to 15 on evidence of coordination e with other transportation providers and agencies in area
Examples of such evidence include:
Connectivity to a national or inter-regional intercity bus station or intermodal terminal at the primary destination.
Connectivity to a national or inter-regional intercity bus service such as Greyhound and/or the Amtrak Thruway service.
Connectivity to other key rural regional services/locations (i.e. medical facilities, educational centers, shopping centers).
Outreach and marketing efforts to enhanced coordination
If it is a new project/service, identified gaps it fills in the intercity bus network.
Letters of support from other transportation providers in the service area
Description of efforts to coordinate with existing transportation projects/services

20. Criteria 6 (10 points): Support for the project, financial & otherwise, on the part of citizens & local government
Points awarded from 1 to 10 on the extent of evidence showing support for the project/service, financial and otherwise, on the part of citizens and local government.
Examples of such evidence include:
Description of efforts to seek funding and/or secured funding resources from other local, state, and federal sources. (Including out-of-state actors if appropriate).
Description of project/service involvement and/or support by other local, state, and federal agencies and other stakeholders in the service area. (Including out-of-state actors if appropriate).
Letters of support from local elected officials, local government agencies, stakeholder groups, and citizens in the service area.

21. Criteria 7 (10 points): The applicant demonstrates alignment & support transit policies
Points awarded from 1 to 10 on the extent of evidence showing alignment with transit and transportation plans.
Examples of such evidence include:
Support of 5311(f) program objectives, including:
Connection with inter-regional or national system of intercity bus, rail, and air service
Connection with key rural regional services/locations
Contribution to the intercity bus/rail/air network infrastructure.
The project/service’s inclusion in local coordinated plan(s).
The project/service’s identification in an unmet need process(es).
The project/service’s inclusion in local short-range transit plan(s).
The project/service’s inclusion in local regional transit plan(s).
Description of alignment with Caltrans transit and transportation plans

22. issues for further Discussion?

23. Thank You!