Study Final Report and Next Steps 0 1 FTA Section 5311f Rural Intercity Program Nonurbanized services under 50000 population Intercity service is defined in the FTA guidance Federal S5311f shares same as for S 5311 ID: 320393
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Virginia Statewide Intercity Bus Study: Final Report and Next Steps
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FTA Section 5311(f): Rural Intercity Program
Non-urbanized services- under 50,000 populationIntercity service is defined in the FTA guidanceFederal S.5311(f) shares same as for S. 5311New federal consultation requirements require involvement of intercity operators
Section 5311 is administered
by
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Slide3
FTA Section 5311(f) Definition of Intercity Service
Regularly scheduled bus service
General PublicOperates with limited stops between two or more urban areas not in close proximityNot commuter service Fixed-route, capable of carrying baggageMeaningful connection with national intercity bus network
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Meaningful Connection
To National Network of Intercity Bus ServiceService to physical locations where connections can be made (stations or stops)Scheduled to facilitate connection with intercity bus serviceInformation to make connection—schedules, stop locationsInterline ticketing not required by FTA, but Greyhound and other firms (members of the National Bus Traffic Association) are supportiveSlide5
Eligible Uses of S.5311(f) Funds
Operating Assistance (generally 50/50 match on net deficit):Funding of net deficit on a particular route or service
Funding for all intercity routes to support the networkPurchase-of-service/demonstration projectsUser-side subsidiesCapital Assistance (generally 80/20):VehiclesShelters, stops, signage
Intermodal facilities (related to rural usage)
Computers/communications equipment (ticketing)
ADA accessibility equipment
Planning and Marketing
Studies
Marketing Plans, materials, campaigns
Information systems
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Section 5311(f) Funding
15 percent set-aside of a state’s S.5311 rural transit apportionment
Unless a state certifies that it has no unmet intercity needs, and has conducted a consultation process with intercity operatorsVirginia amounts:2012: $1,871,639 (15% of $12,477,596)2013: $2,180,234 (15% of $14,534,896)2014: $2,247,062 (15% of $14,980,414)Virginia has previously certified no unmet needs and utilized the funding as part of the general Section 5311 program
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Recent
Developments in the Section 5311(f) Program :
Federal Transit Administration oversight of requirements in SAFETEA-LU calling for a consultation process before certifying that there are no unmet rural intercity needs
Opportunity to use “in-kind” operating match (now included in MAP-21 reauthorization) potentially eliminates need to provide local/state/carrier cash match for operating assistance
Increases in overall Section 5311 allocations under SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21 (?)
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In-Kind Match:
Only available for Section 5311(f) operating assistance
Previously an FTA administrative pilot project, now included in MAP-21 statutory languageNow used in many states: Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Ohio, Maryland, New Hampshire, Michigan, etc. Uses the value of connecting unsubsidized service as in-kind match for operating assistanceAs pilot project allowed 50 percent of fully-allocated cost of unsubsidized connecting serviceMAP-21 language has no percentage language, awaiting FTA draft circular FTA/state grant must have a letter from the carrier providing value of in-kind match agreeing to provide the in-kind miles, and describing the connecting service, its costs and the value provided
Connecting carrier may have requirements before granting in-kind miles, such as subsidized service must provide coordinated schedules, have interline ticketing, serve common terminals/stops—the benefit to that firm is the feed traffic from the rural areas
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Network Prior to Greyhound Restructuring in 2004-2005
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Potential Corridors for New Service
Based on demographic comparison of high need areas currently lacking service, combined with survey inputDeveloped to test potential demand, estimate possible costs
Washington, DC to Danville via Rt. 29Washington, DC to Blacksburg via I-66Washington, DC to Blacksburg via Rt. 7Washington, DC to Blacksburg via I-95Norfolk to Washington, DC via Tappahannock/Warsaw
Roanoke to Bristol
Washington, DC to Martinsburg, WV via Rt. 7
Washington, DC to Martinsburg, WV via I-66
Norfolk to Richmond
Norfolk to Harrisonburg
Norfolk to Danville
Richmond to Danville
Richlands
to Bristol
Richlands
to Roanoke
Big Stone Gap to Bristol
Covington to Lynchburg
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Potential Corridor Map
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Next Steps: Implementation Assistance
Consultation meetings (meet FTA SMR requirements)-December 2014Program and policy options/decisions
Identify needed changes in DRPT Section 5311 program guidance/application to incorporate intercity busDefine initial projects—routes, frequencies, connections, etc.Develop grant application, scope of servicesEvaluation criteriaAssistance in evaluating proposals14