1. HRT Workshop: Transit Strategic Plan and Aug-Dec working items
August 2019

2. Agenda Overview What is the “Transit Transformation Project”
What is the “Transit Strategic Plan (TSP)”
Review Draft TSP content
Discuss Calendar of Major Activities

3. Overview

4. Overview “Transit Transformation Project” Fall 2018– Dec 2019
Performance Diagnostic of current performance
Fresh look for redesign/changes to current Bus network
“Task 5” – Governance and Funding (develop regional subsidy allocation model)
Satisfy new 10-year “Transit Strategic Plan” requirement
TTP Final Report – includes recommendations for reforms

5. Overview “Transit Strategic Plan” (FY21-FY31)
Separate document from TTP Report
Replaces Transit Development Plan (TDP)
Detailed 10-Year Plan
Short-, Mid- and Long-term
Cost-Constrained
Annual updates

6. Draft TSP Content

7. Approach Defined Project Goals
Designed Three (3) unique Scenarios and Received Stakeholder Input
Regional Advisory Panel*
Technical Work Group
Public Involvement Activities
Developed Draft TSP Service Plan
New Classifications and Standards
Full Plan (about 18.6% more Revenue Hours)
Cost-Constrained Plan (less than 1% difference in Revenue Hours)
Calendar and action-oriented recommendations
Regional Transit Funding allocation model
Review and development of model
Recommendations for reform

8. Criteria
Route Classification
Description
Interjurisdictional
Population/Job Density
Route Directness
Regional Backbone
The backbone of bus transit throughout the region, traveling on the highest-demand corridors connecting the most people to the most jobs.
Most will cross jurisdictional boundaries.
Greater than 6,500 people + jobs per square mile, averaged across whole route
1.6 or better
Local Priority
Operate along arterials serving a specific community area with connections to the regional backbone network.
Can operate within a jurisdiction or cross jurisdictional boundaries.
Between 5,000-6,500 people + jobs per square mile, averaged across whole route
1.8 or better
Coverage
Communities with lower transit demand than the above two categories, but with still enough demand to warrant fixed- route service, will be connected to Local and Regional Backbone routes via Coverage routes.
Mostly within one jurisdiction but can cross jurisdictional boundaries.
Between 4,000-5,000 people + jobs per square mile, averaged across whole route
2.0 or better
Limited/ Express
Bus service with limited stops connecting surrounding communities with downtown areas and other major employment sites or regional destinations, often via interstates. Some routes will operate during peak-hour commuter service only. Typically accessed via park-and-ride lots at the residential end.
Route serves major trip generators and/or collection points
N/A
On-Demand
On-Demand transit service will operate in specified zones, connecting lower-density areas to local destinations and transfer opportunities to fixed-route service.
On-demand services should operate within jurisdictional boundaries
Fewer than approximately 4,000 people + jobs per square mile in zone

9. Network Design Outcomes
Cut inefficient routes and routing by reducing:
Number of overall routes from 56 to 45 (focus on lowest cost recovery)
Route deviations that depress utilization
Introduce service improvements:
High-frequency service
Longer service spans on key routes
Introduce on-demand zones in areas:
Currently not served (e.g. in Virginia Beach)
Currently served by inefficient routes (e.g. in Portsmouth, Norfolk)

10. Calendar of Activities

11. October 24 – Regional Advisory Panel adopts its own final document.
August meetings with Technical Work Group, RAP, HRT Board/City Managers
October 24 – Regional Advisory Panel adopts its own final document.
November 14 Board Meeting- Board is presented 2 documents:
Draft 10-year Transit Strategic Plan
Draft 6-year Capital Improvement Program
December 12 Board Meeting: Board asked to approve these three documents
City Managers meet mid-October – consultant presents ridership forecast & cost allocation scenario
FY21 Transit Service Plans (TSPs) and Budget Development processes proceed on own schedule – service planning letters go out October 7
FY21 is Year 1 of the Transit Strategic Plan adopted in December There will be ample time for any Title VI, detailed service planning, jurisdictional actions for any TSP recommendations for FY22-FY31.