Building Partnerships

Transcription

1 Building Partnerships FOSTERING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRANSIT IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

2 Nuts and Bolts Serving Berrien Cass and Van Buren Counties Regional Planning Agency Two MPOs Twin Cities Area Transportation Study Area Niles Area Transportation Study Rural Task Force Region Four

3 7 Transit Agencies 2 Small Urban Population: 50, ,000 2 Small City Population: 5000 and below 3 Rural Systems Census designated rural area. 420,000 Trips $5.3 million in expenses

4 Transit and the MPO Process The MPO culture has been built around highways. Transit is a fairly new partner at the MPO table brought additional financial support and flexibility to highway and transit programs. FTA funding is very different from FHWA FHWA funding must be obligated in the year it is programmed. FTA funding has much more flexibility in it s programming. Urban transit agencies to apply directly to FTA for a large portion of their funding.

5 Transit Managers Around the Table Ex Book Keeper Ex corporate logistics manager/current restaurant owner Ex Public policy expert Ex Bus Driver Ex Human Service Director Ex Transportation Planner

6 Transit Managers I Work With Some lack sufficient understanding of their product or have been trained to think only about one aspect of it. Bus Replacements, Facility Improvements Some find their time consumed by daily crisis and don t have time to take a wider view. Staff turnover, customer service, dispatch, no shows, mechanical failures, staffing, etc. Many find the transportation planning /programming process confusing and too time consuming.

7 Transit as a Strategic Partner In 2009 SWMPC drafted the Berrien County Coordinated Plan How can we begin to integrate four transit systems in Berrien County through a coordination process? Strategies were created and several projects have been implemented that address those strategies.

8 Building Strong Partnerships for Change Willingness to confront the brutal facts. Creating a culture wherein the truth can be heard. (But never losing faith in the potential for greatness)

9 Partnerships & Projects Strategy: Use current demand response services more efficiently to expand capacity of current services offered to individuals who need human service and specialized transportation. Acquisition of web based scheduling and routing software for six systems Governor's Office NCST Transit Agencies Senior Services Software Provider

10 Partnerships & Projects Mobility Management Program Established 2010 Expand outreach to customers, human service agency staff, employers and others and provide simplified access to information regarding existing transportation options. Transit Agency Michigan WORKS! MDOT Human Service Agencies Michigan 211

11 Partnerships & Projects MyWayThere.org Established in 2012 Expand outreach to customers, human service agency staff, employers and others and provide simplified access to information regarding existing transportation options. Transit Agencies Private Transportation Provides Tribal Agencies Health & Human Services Senior Services Michigan 211

12 Partnerships & Projects Transit Agencies

13 Partnerships & Projects Job Access Reverse Commute Routes Established in 2011 Strategy: Expand fixed route public transportation services. Provides access to over 70 entry level jobs that were not accessible prior to route. Provides access to jobs during non traditional business hours Transit Agency Businesses Law Enforcement Human Service Agencies City Sign Shop

14 Partnerships & Projects Berrien County Consolidated Plan 2014 Strategy: Improve integration between countywide rural service, small dial a ride services, and fixed routes. MDOT Transit Managers Elected Officials Human Service Agencies

15 Four Responses to Change VICTIM Terrified of change They panic NAVIGATOR Handles it in stride They empower themselves to work with changing circumstances. BYSTANDER Hoping things will stay the same They ignore change CRITIC Try to rally others to resist change Don t lose the faith in the potential for greatness!!!

16 New Partners and Conversations Collaboration across modes, organizations, and jurisdictions has become a fundamental strategy. Berrien Countywide Service Integration Plan

17 New Partners and Conversations This plan will provide a blueprint for staged growth of mobility services within the county and the region. It will be the first time public transit in Berrien County will have a methodology for prioritizing transit investments.

18 The Fabric of Building Strong Partnerships for Change Willingness to confront the brutal facts. (But never losing faith in the potential for greatness) It is impossible to make good decisions without an honest confrontation of the brutal facts! (Creating a culture wherein the truth can be heard)

19 QUESTIONS Kim Gallagher Remember It is impossible to make good decisions without an honest confrontation of the brutal facts! (Create a culture wherein the truth can be heard)

20 Building Partnerships Awareness of Needs of Community Community Needs Based Planning Building Support of Elected Public Officials and Community Leaders Taking Advantage of Funding Opportunities