1. Travel Washington 18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
WSDOT - Don Chartock
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 14-16, 2019

2. Travel Washington FTA WSDOT Intercity Bus Program goal
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
Travel Washington
FTA
Support the connection between non-urbanized areas and the larger regional or national system of intercity bus service
WSDOT Intercity Bus Program goal
Provide mobility and access for rural residents with unmet transportation needs

3. [Two Content] Slide Title
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
[Two Content] Slide Title
The Grape Line launched in 2007, averaging 5,000 passenger trips annually with three round-trips daily from Walla to Pasco operated by Central Washington Airporter.
The Dungeness Line launched in 2008, averaging 15,500 passenger trips annually with two round-trips daily from Port Angeles to SeaTac airport operated by Olympic Bus Lines for 10 years and now by Greyhound Bus Lines.
The Apple Line launched in 2008, averaging 5,000 passenger trips annually with one round-trip daily from Omak to Ellensburg operated by Northwest Stage Lines.
The Gold Line launched in 2010, averaging 5,000 passenger trips annually with two round trips daily from Kettle Falls to Spokane Intermodal operated by Central Washington Airporter.

4. Coverage of the Travel Washington network
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Coverage of the Travel Washington network
Washington state total population: 7,073,146
About 77 percent live within 10 miles of intercity stops.
Roughly 96 percent live within 25 miles of one.

5. Changing the Program In-Kind Match Statewide Plan
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Changing the Program
In-Kind Match
Statewide Plan
Contracting vs. Granting

6. Branding and marketing
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
Branding and marketing
Each route is named after products produced in the region
Each contractor is required to market their route using the Travel Washington brand
10th Anniversary Celebrations for each route

7. Analysis of four existing routes Community Engagement
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
2018 Study
Analysis of four existing routes
Community Engagement
Recommend future network expansion alternatives
Identify funding and match scenarios
Study advisory committee: five meetings, January – December 2018
Community meetings: seven locations (Aberdeen, Centralia, Yakima, Walla Walla, Omak, Port Angeles, Mount Vernon)
Online surveys: current and potential riders, local and regional agencies and organizations, elected officials, others
On-board surveys of riders
Consultations with bus operators
Carrier surveys – Travel Washington contractors, Greyhound, Northwestern Stage Lines, Amtrak
Transit systems statewide via
Regional planning agencies surveys and interviews
Website

8. Proposed fifth route Walla-Walla to Clarkston Pasco-Pullman
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Proposed fifth route
Walla-Walla to Clarkston
Pasco-Pullman
Yakima to Vancouver
Could be extension of the Grape Line
Pasco-Pullman via Connell-Washtucna-Colfax
Partially addresses Lentil Line request
Yakima to Goldendale to Vancouver/Portland
Ties central Washington to Vancouver/Portland area
ODOT partnership possibility

9. Contacts Greg Wright 360.791.1170 WrightG@wsdot.wa.gov Don Chartock

10. Rural Transit Efficiencies
SDDOT-Jack Dokken
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 14-16, 2019

11. Background of SD Rural Transit
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
Background of SD Rural Transit
25 Agencies
Very small, small, city owned, large
Very Rural, Cover Vast distances
High Administrative Costs
High Miles per Ride
Often Struggle to Retain Drivers
Very Little State Funding
Federal Funding unchanged the past 5 years
Operating costs increasing
SDDOT Overwhelmed (3 staff)

12. Where is our money being spent?
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Where is our money being spent?
Duplicate costs
Neighboring Transit Providers
Program Reviews
Training
Audits
Supplies
Out-sourcing all maintenance
Duplicate software

13. Where is provider/SDDOT time being spent?
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Where is provider/SDDOT time being spent?
Program Reviews
Technical Assistance
Risk assessments
Planning
Agreements
Reimbursements
Grant Applications and Reviews
Reporting
Meetings and Conferences

14. Moving Forward Large group meetings with all the SD transit directors
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Moving Forward
Large group meetings with all the SD transit directors
Receive feedback on stretching the federal dollar.
Consolidate agencies
Shared use of software
Group insurance plans
Bulk supply orders

15. Moving Forward SDDOT campaign for transit consolidations
18th Biennial State Programs Meeting and
Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 27-28, 2019
Moving Forward
SDDOT campaign for transit consolidations
Positive feedback
Negative feedback
Rumor control
Went from 25 agencies to now 18
Expanding into new communities
Already seeing savings
New projects because of consolidations
Improved administrative functions