SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TRANSIT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS AGENDA

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1 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TRANSIT PLANNING AND OPERATIONS Thursday, February 16, :00 PM VTA Conference Room B North First Street San Jose, CA AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. ROLL CALL 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS: This portion of the agenda is reserved for persons desiring to address the Committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to 2 minutes. The law does not permit Committee action or extended discussion on any item not on the agenda except under special circumstances. If Committee action is requested, the matter can be placed on a subsequent agenda. All statements that require a response will be referred to staff for reply in writing. 3. ORDERS OF THE DAY 4. ACTION ITEM - Conduct voting to determine the Committee s vice chairperson for calendar year CONSENT AGENDA 5. ACTION ITEM - Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 3, ACTION ITEM - Approve the 2017 Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations (SSTPO) Committee Meeting Schedule. REGULAR AGENDA 7. ACTION ITEM - Adopt a resolution authorizing the General Manager to file and execute grant applications and agreements with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for funding from the Transit Performance Initiative (TPI) - Investment Program (Round 3) North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

2 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations February 16, INFORMATION ITEM - Receive a summary of community feedback collected to date on the draft Next Network transit service plan. 9. INFORMATION ITEM - Receive and review the Next Network Paratransit Service Area Analysis. 10. INFORMATION ITEM - Receive an overview of VTA's Safety and Security Programs. (Verbal Report) OTHER ITEMS 11. Receive a report on Stadium Events. (Verbal Report) 12. Receive a report on the January 2017 Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance. (Verbal Report) 13. Items of Concern and Referral to Administration. 14. Review Committee Work Plan. (I. Evans) 15. Committee Staff Report. (I. Evans) 16. Determine Consent Agenda for the March 2, 2017 Board of Directors Meeting. 17. Chairperson's Report. (Chavez) 18. ANNOUNCEMENTS 19. ADJOURN In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, VTA will make reasonable arrangements to ensure meaningful access to its meetings for persons who have disabilities and for persons with limited English proficiency who need translation and interpretation services. Individuals requiring ADA accommodations should notify the Board Secretary s Office at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. Individuals requiring language assistance should notify the Board Secretary s Office at least 72-hours prior to the meeting. The Board Secretary may be contacted at (408) or board.secretary@vta.org or (408) (TTY only). VTA s home page is or visit us on (408) : 中文 / Español / 日本語 / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / Tagalog. Page 2

3 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations February 16, 2017 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions to Board Members (Government Code Section 84308) In accordance with Government Code Section 84308, no VTA Board Member shall accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than $250 from any party, or his or her agent, or from any participant, or his or her agent, while a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use is pending before the agency. Any Board Member who has received a contribution within the preceding 12 months in an amount of more than $250 from a party or from any agent or participant shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding and shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence the decision. A party to a proceeding before VTA shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution in an amount of more than $250 made within the preceding 12 months by the party, or his or her agent, to any Board Member. No party, or his or her agent, shall make a contribution of more than $250 to any Board Member during the proceeding and for three months following the date a final decision is rendered by the agency in the proceeding. The foregoing statements are limited in their entirety by the provisions of Section and parties are urged to consult with their own legal counsel regarding the requirements of the law. All reports for items on the open meeting agenda are available for review in the Board Secretary s Office, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California, (408) , the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the meeting. This information is available on VTA s website at and also at the meeting. NOTE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY ACCEPT, REJECT OR MODIFY ANY ACTION RECOMMENDED ON THIS AGENDA. Page 3

4 4 Date: February 1, 2017 Current Meeting: February 16, 2017 Board Meeting: N/A BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Board Secretary, Elaine Baltao SUBJECT: Elect Standing Committee Vice Chairperson for 2017 Policy-Related Action: No Government Code Section Applies: No ACTION ITEM RECOMMENDATION: Conduct voting to determine the Committee s vice chairperson for calendar year BACKGROUND: The VTA Administrative Code has established board standing committees to review items in detail and provide recommendations to the full Board on matters within their respective assigned areas of responsibility. The five board standing committees are: Administration and Finance (A&F); Congestion Management Program and Planning (CMPP); Governance and Audit (G&A); Capital Projects Oversight Committee (CPOC); and Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations (SSTPO). As part of their duties, the Board chairperson and vice chairperson serve in those same positions for the Governance & Audit Committee. The Administrative Code specifies that the Board chairperson annually nominates for Board approval the members and chairpersons for all standing committees of the Board except for Governance & Audit. The Board approves these appointments at its first meeting of the calendar year. Standing committee chairpersons serve a one-year term of office coinciding with the calendar year North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

5 4 DISCUSSION: The Board Rules of Procedure Code requires each standing committee except for Governance & Audit to, at its first meeting of the calendar year, elect from its membership a vice chairperson for the year. The vice chairperson performs the duties of the chairperson in the event of the chairperson s absence or inability to act, and while so acting has all the authority of the chairperson. The vice chairperson position serves a one-year term, which coincides with the calendar year and the committee chairperson s term. The vice chairperson is eligible for election to successive terms and only members, not alternates, are eligible to serve. The affirmative vote of a majority of the total authorized committee membership (four Directors for CPOC and three for the other standing committees) is required to elect the vice chairperson. The term of office for the newly elected vice chairperson commences immediately following completion of the voting. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact. Prepared by: Stephen Flynn, Advisory Committee Coordinator Memo No Page 2 of 2

6 5 CALL TO ORDER Transit Planning & Operations Committee Thursday, November 3, 2016 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Transit Planning and Operations (TP&O) Committee was called to order at 3:02 p.m. by Chairperson Khamis in Conference Room 157, County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, California. 1. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Johnny Khamis Chairperson Present Jeannie Bruins Member Present David Cortese Alternate Member N/A Sam Liccardo Member Present John McAlister Alternate Member N/A Raul Peralez Alternate Member N/A Ken Yeager Vice Chairperson Present *Alternates do not serve unless participating as a Member. A quorum was not present and a Committee of the Whole was declared. 2. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS Roland Lebrun, Interested Citizen, referred to the Tamien Station parking lot and suggested VTA use gravel to prevent mud during rain. He also expressed concern with missed connections between trains at Tamien station which increases travel time. Member Liccardo arrived at the meeting at 3:04 p.m. and took his seat. A quorum was established. Vice Chairperson Yeager arrived at the meeting at 3:06 p.m. and took his seat. 3. ORDERS OF THE DAY There were no Orders of the Day. CONSENT AGENDA 4. Minutes of September 1, 2016 M/S/C (Yeager/Bruins) to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 1, North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

7 Measure A Semi-Annual Report Ending June 30, 2016 M/S/C (Yeager/Bruins) to receive the 2000 Measure A Transit Improvement Program Semi-Annual Report Ending June 30, RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 4-5 MOVER: Ken Yeager, Vice Chairperson SECONDER: Jeannie Bruins, Member AYES: Johnny Khamis, Jeannie Bruins, Sam Liccardo, Ken Yeager NOES: None ABSENT: None REGULAR AGENDA 6. Bus Stop Placement, Closures and Relocations Policy Rodrigo Carrasco, Transit Service Development Supervisor, and Angelique Gaeta, Chief of Staff, provided an overview of the staff report. The Committee requested the addition of the following to the policy: 1) payment for relocation by the requesting party be the default; and 2) VTA continue to work with local jurisdictions on bus stop installations. M/S/C (Liccardo/Bruins) to submit a recommendation to the Board of Directors to adopt a policy to establish standards for VTA to determine placement of bus stops with the following additional direction: 1) relocation provision in the policy reflect the default that the requesting third party pay for relocation; and 2) add a provision that reflects the current practice of VTA working with local jurisdictions for the installation of bus stops. RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Item #6 MOVER: Sam Liccardo, Member SECONDER: Jeannie Bruins, Member AYES: Johnny Khamis, Jeannie Bruins, Sam Liccardo, Ken Yeager NOES: None ABSENT: None 7. Transit Operations Performance Report - FY2016 Steve Johnstone, Policy and Administrative Manager, Operations, provided a brief overview of the staff report. The Committee expressed concern with the following: 1) loss in ridership and revenue; 2) bus and light rail on-time performance; and 3) net cost per trip. Nuria I. Fernandez, General Manager, stressed the downward trend in ridership is not only being experienced in the Bay Area and noted a broader conversation needs to be had. She also noted fares have not increased since 2007 and that will be a part of the Fare Policy discussion. Transit Planning & Operations Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 November 3, 2016

8 Members of the Committee commented on the following: 1) focus less on choice riders and more on serving those who are transit dependent; 2) the rise in the amount of traffic and the need to develop a solution to alleviate it; 3) the age/demographic of who is riding the bus should be measured; 4) question of why more people are not riding the bus needs to be asked; 5) what Uber and other ridesharing companies are doing should be researched; 6) connections and other factors to reduce travel time should be evaluated; 7) increase the effort to allow for signal priority and preemption; and 8) revisit safety concerns of passengers. Public Comment An Interested Citizen expressed concern with the following: 1) individuals smoking on the light rail platforms and at bus stops; 2) non-service animals being on board vehicles; and 3) the light rail not going to the Palo Alto Transit Center. Mr. Lebrun expressed concern with not marketing service to choice riders. He noted missed connections and lack of security are some of the reasons why transit is underutilized. On order of Chairperson Khamis and there being no objection, the Committee received the FY2016 Annual Transit Operations Performance Report. OTHER ITEMS 8. Stadium Events Report Carolyn Gonot, Interim Director of Planning & Program Development, and Acting Staff Liaison, indicated a report on Stadium Events was contained in the written Committee Staff Report. On order of Chairperson Khamis and there being no objection, the Committee received the Stadium Events report. 9. September 2016 Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance Report Chairperson Khamis indicated a copy of the written report was provided to the Committee and placed on the Public Table. On order of Chairperson Khamis and there being no objection, the Committee received the September 2016 Monthly Ridership and Fare Revenue Performance report. 10. (Deferred to a future meeting.) Receive an update on VTA Safety Program. 11. (Deferred to a future meeting.) Receive the Marketing Report. 12. Items of Concern and Referral to Administration There were no Items of Concern and Referral to Administration. 13. Committee Work Plan Chairperson Khamis noted the work plan was contained in the Agenda packet. Transit Planning & Operations Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 November 3, 2016

9 On order of Chairperson Khamis and there being no objection, the Committee reviewed the Committee Work Plan. 14. Committee Staff Report Chairperson Khamis indicated the Committee Staff Report was provided to the Committee and placed on the Public Table. On order of Chairperson Khamis and there being no objection, the Committee received the Committee Staff Report. 15. Chairperson's Report There was no report from the Chairperson. 16. Determine Consent Agenda for the November 3, 2016 Board of Directors Meeting CONSENT: Agenda Item #6., Adopt a policy to establish standards for VTA to determine placement of bus stops and when and under what conditions it will make bus stop closures and relocations. REGULAR: None 17. Announcements There were no Announcements. 18. Adjournment On order of Chairperson Khamis and there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 4:03 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Menominee L. McCarter, Board Assistant VTA Office of the Board Secretary Transit Planning & Operations Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4 November 3, 2016

10 6 Date: February 10, 2017 Current Meeting: February 16, 2017 Board Meeting: N/A BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Board Secretary, Elaine Baltao 2017 SSTPO Committee Meeting Schedule Policy-Related Action: No Government Code Section Applies: No ACTION ITEM RECOMMENDATION: Approve the 2017 Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations (SSTPO) Committee Meeting Schedule. BACKGROUND: The VTA Board of Directors Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations (SSTPO) Committee generally meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month. The following meeting dates are proposed for The PO Committee generally meets at VTA River Oaks Campus, 3331 North First Street, Conference Room B-106, at 3:00 p.m., or as otherwise posted. Thursday, February 16, 2017 Thursday, March 16, 2017 Thursday, April 20, 2017 Thursday, May 18, :00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. June 2017 (No meeting scheduled) July 2017 (No meeting scheduled) Thursday, August 17, 2017 Thursday, September 21, 2017 Thursday, October 19, 2017 Thursday, November 16, 2017 Thursday, December 21, :00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

11 6 FISCAL IMPACT: There is no Fiscal Impact. Prepared by: Menominee L. McCarter Memo No Page 2 of 2

12 7 Date: February 9, 2017 Current Meeting: February 16, 2017 Board Meeting: March 2, 2017 BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Interim Director - Planning & Program Development, Carolyn M. Gonot Transit Performance Initiative (TPI) - Investment Program Grant Policy-Related Action: No Resolution Government Code Section Applies: No ACTION ITEM RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution authorizing the General Manager to file and execute grant applications and agreements with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for funding from the Transit Performance Initiative (TPI) - Investment Program (Round 3). BACKGROUND: VTA's Light Rail Enhancement Program is advancing projects identified in the 2010 Light Rail Systems Analysis to enhance the capacity, market responsiveness and operational efficiency of the light rail system. Investments in capital improvements and new service enable VTA to operate the light rail system more efficiently, improve the system for current riders and meet future demand. The Santa Clara Pocket Track near Levi s Stadium was recently constructed and is currently being used for stadium event services. Operations near the pocket track would benefit from additional construction work, specifically interlocking the pocket track, to allow for safer and more efficient operations. An interlocking is an arrangement of track signals and trackwork, which prevents conflicting movements of trains through the same location. This project would fully interlock the recently constructed pocket track in Santa Clara to improve reliability for two light rail lines of service in the area and would also allow for trains to turn back in a more efficient manner. This would lower annual operating costs. Without constructing this interlocking, operators would need to 3331 North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

13 7 rely heavily on VTA s Operations Control Center (OCC) to coordinate the movements of trains through this location. With the arrival of BART to Silicon Valley in the fall of 2017, VTA will be redesigning its light rail network. VTA will make several changes including doubling the number of trains at this location and turning back some trains using the Santa Clara Pocket Track. Fully interlocking this location would improve efficiency for the trains traveling through this area and would enable turn back trains to use the platform. This would reduce daily train and operator needs, operating costs and improve farebox recovery. DISCUSSION: The Santa Clara Pocket Track Light Rail Interlocking project corridor is approximately one (1) mile long and includes three (3) VTA light rail stations - Great America, Old Ironsides and Reamwood. The Great America light rail station is adjacent to the Capitol Corridor / Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Station, and currently serves Levi s Stadium and will serve the Santa Clara City Place project when that development is complete. In the future, VTA plans to operate two light rail lines through this area. VTA will complete the Santa Clara Pocket Track Light Rail Interlocking project in two phases. Phase I will include the following: Arrange and install track signals from the Reamwood Station to the Old Ironsides Station. The estimated cost for Phase 1 is $1.5 million and is being constructed as part of an existing rail procurement and construction contract. This phase is scheduled for completion by late Phase II will include the following: Arrange and install additional track signals from the Old Ironsides Station to the Great America Station. This phase is scheduled for completion by late The cost estimate for Phase II of the Santa Clara Track Light Rail Interlocking project is $2 million. MTC has allocated $500,000 from the Transit Performance Initiative (TPI) - Investment Program to help fund this phase of the project. The balance will come from local funds. MTC has $17 million available for the current cycle of the TPI - Investment Program, which is a competitive grant program open to all eligible transit agencies in the Bay Area. The program includes a requirement that eligible transit agencies applying for funding adopt a Governing Body Resolution authorizing the submittal and execution of grant applications and agreements with MTC. ALTERNATIVES: Page 2 of 3

14 7 The Board of Directors could elect not to accept the TPI - Investment Program funds and complete the proposed project entirely with local funds. FISCAL IMPACT: This action will make $500,000 in TPI - Investment Program funds available to VTA to interlock the project area thereby enhancing light rail operations and increasing overall system ridership. Prepared by: Mike Tasosa Memo No Page 3 of 3

15 7.a Resolution of Local Support MTC Discretionary Funding Resolution No. Authorizing the filing of an application for funding assigned to MTC and committing any necessary matching funds and stating the assurance to complete the project WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) (herein referred to as APPLICANT) submitted an application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for $500,000 in funding assigned to MTC for programming discretion, including but not limited to federal funding administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) such as Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funding and/or Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding (herein collectively referred to as REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING) for the Santa Clara Pocket Track Light Rail Interlocking project (herein referred to as PROJECT) for the Transit Performance Initiative Investment Program (herein referred to as PROGRAM); and WHEREAS, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century Act (Public Law , July 6, 2012) and any extensions or successor legislation for continued funding (collectively, MAP 21) authorize various federal funding programs including, but not limited to the Surface Transportation Program (STP) (23 U.S.C. 133), the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) (23 U.S.C. 149) and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) (23 U.S.C. 213); and WHEREAS, state statutes, including California Streets and Highways Code and provide various funding programs for the programming discretion of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA); and WHEREAS, pursuant to MAP-21, and any regulations promulgated thereunder, eligible project sponsors wishing to receive federal funds for a project shall submit an application first with the appropriate MPO for review and inclusion in the MPO's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); and WHEREAS, MTC is the MPO and RTPA for the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay region; and WHEREAS, MTC has adopted a Regional Project Funding Delivery Policy (MTC Resolution No. 3606, revised) that sets out procedures governing the application and use of federal funds; and WHEREAS, APPLICANT is an eligible sponsor for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING; and WHEREAS, as part of the application for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, MTC requires a resolution adopted by the responsible implementing agency stating the following:

16 7.a 1. the commitment of any required matching funds; and 2. that the sponsor understands that the REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING is fixed at the programmed amount, and therefore any cost increase cannot be expected to be funded with additional REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING; and 3. that the project will comply with the procedures, delivery milestones and funding deadlines specified in the Regional Project Funding Delivery Policy (MTC Resolution No. 3606, revised); and 4. the assurance of the sponsor to complete the project as described in the application, subject to environmental clearance, and if approved, as included in MTC's federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); and 5. that the project will comply with all project-specific requirements as set forth in the PROGRAM; and 6. that the project (transit only) will comply with MTC Resolution No. 3866, revised, which sets forth the requirements of MTC s Transit Coordination Implementation Plan to more efficiently deliver transit projects in the region. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the APPLICANT is authorized to execute and file an application for funding for the PROJECT for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING under MAP-21 for continued funding; and be it further RESOLVED that the APPLICANT by adopting this resolution does hereby state that: 1. APPLICANT will provide any required matching funds; and 2. APPLICANT understands that the REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING for the project is fixed at the MTC approved programmed amount, and that any cost increases must be funded by the APPLICANT from other funds, and that APPLICANT does not expect any cost increases to be funded with additional REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING; and 3. APPLICANT understands the funding deadlines associated with these funds and will comply with the provisions and requirements of the Regional Project Funding Delivery Policy (MTC Resolution No. 3606, revised) and APPLICANT has, and will retain the expertise, knowledge and resources necessary to deliver federally-funded transportation projects, and has assigned, and will maintain a single point of contact for all FHWA-funded transportation projects to coordinate within the agency and with the respective Congestion Management Agency (CMA), MTC, Caltrans and FHWA on all communications, inquiries or issues that may arise during the federal programming and delivery process for all FHWA-funded transportation projects implemented by APPLICANT; and 4. PROJECT will be implemented as described in the complete application and in this resolution, subject to environmental clearance, and, if approved, for the amount approved by MTC and programmed in the federal TIP; and 5. APPLICANT and the PROJECT will comply with the requirements as set forth in MTC programming guidelines and project selection procedures for the PROGRAM; and 6. APPLICANT (for a transit project only) agrees to comply with the requirements of MTC s Transit Coordination Implementation Plan as set forth in MTC Resolution 3866, revised; and therefore be it further

17 7.a RESOLVED that APPLICANT is an eligible sponsor of REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING funded projects; and be it further RESOLVED that APPLICANT is authorized to submit an application for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING for the PROJECT; and be it further RESOLVED that there is no legal impediment to APPLICANT making applications for the funds; and be it further RESOLVED that there is no pending or threatened litigation that might in any way adversely affect the proposed PROJECT, or the ability of APPLICANT to deliver such PROJECT; and be it further RESOLVED that APPLICANT authorizes its Executive Director, General Manager, or designee to execute and file an application with MTC for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING for the PROJECT as referenced in this resolution; and be it further RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution will be transmitted to the MTC in conjunction with the filing of the application; and be it further RESOLVED that the MTC is requested to support the application for the PROJECT described in the resolution and to include the PROJECT, if approved, in MTC's federal TIP.

18 7.a PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors on March 2, 2017 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Jeannie Bruins, Chairperson Board of Directors I HEREBY CERTIFY AND ATTEST that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced, passed and adopted by the vote of the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, California, at a meeting of said Board of Directors on the date indicated, as set forth above. Date: Elaine Baltao, Board Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Robert Fabela, General Counsel

19 8 Date: February 9, 2017 Current Meeting: February 16, 2017 Board Meeting: March 2, 2017 BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Interim Director - Planning & Program Development, Carolyn M. Gonot Next Network Outreach Status Update FOR INFORMATION ONLY BACKGROUND: VTA is nearing the end of a two-year planning and outreach effort to develop a redesigned transit network for Fall 2017 when BART service begins in Santa Clara County. The project to develop the transit service plan is known as VTA's Next Network, and it aims to engage the community in developing a new bus and light rail transit network that meets our transit needs while increasing ridership, improving farebox recovery, and integrating BART service into the transit network. Major milestones completed to date include the release of a Transit Choices Report in early 2016, an intensive first phase of community outreach over the summer of 2016, policy guidance regarding the development of the draft transit service plan from the VTA Board of Directors in November 2016, and release of the draft transit service plan in January Upon release of the draft transit service plan, the project entered a second phase of intensive community outreach. DISCUSSION: The second phase of outreach, which runs through February 20, aims to collect feedback from the community regarding the draft transit service plan. The feedback received during this outreach phase will inform development of the final transit service plan, which will be presented to VTA Advisory and Standing committees in March 2017 and the VTA Board of Directors in April Staff will present a summary of the feedback received to date. ADVISORY COMMITTEE DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee received a presentation on this item on February 8, 2017 and committee members made the following comments: 1) Expressed concern about service reductions in Palo Alto, particularly Route 88, which serves Gunn High School; 2) 3331 North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

20 8 Expressed support that VTA is working with the City of Palo Alto and Gunn High School PTSA to consider retaining some coverage service in Palo Alto; 3) Expressed a concern about service reductions in Almaden Valley and encouraged VTA to retain some transit routes; 4) Expressed appreciation of VTA retaining Route 61, which serves the Good Samaritan Hospital, noting the area is expected to see increased growth in the near future; 5) Asked how VTA designs school service with a particular interest in service aimed at students who do afterschool activities (staff responded that it is designed on a case-by-case basis with consideration to proximity of other allday routes); 6) Asked for elaboration on possible EcoPass restructuring (staff responded that the restructuring would be intended to bring actual EcoPass revenues in line with Board-adopted policy that requires EcoPass revenue per boardings to be equivalent to that of other VTA fare media); 7) Asked for elaboration on how VTA might operate subsidy programs under the Core Connectivity program and whether excess capacity with Access paratransit service could be utilized (staff responded that subsidies might be implemented through a coupon code as other agencies currently do and that the new paratransit contract with MV Transportation allows for using excess capacity for non-paratransit purposes); 8) Asked how VTA could improve boardings at Mineta San Jose Airport (staff responded that the extension of Route 10 and combination with Route 60 and the new one-seat ride to the Milpitas BART Station should have a positive effect on ridership); 9) Lamented the loss of coverage-purposed service in the draft plan and stated that VTA should expand services further from the trunk lines (such as Route 22) as a strategy for increasing ridership; 10) Reacting to comment #9, another committee member assessed that comment #9 was likely typical of those who travel in areas where service reductions are proposed, however such reductions are necessary if VTA wants to achieve ridership goals and complimented Jarrett Walker for his discussion of this tradeoff at an earlier community leader workshop. Prepared By: Jason Tyree Memo No Page 2 of 2

21 9 Date: February 7, 2017 Current Meeting: February 16, 2017 Board Meeting: N/A BOARD MEMORANDUM TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Safety, Security, and Transit Planning and Operations General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez Chief Operating Officer, Inez Evans Next Network Paratransit Service Area Analysis FOR INFORMATION ONLY Introduction - VTA s Draft Transit Service Plan: Under the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority s (VTA s) Transit Ridership Improvement Program (TRIP) initiated in 2015, VTA began a two-year planning and outreach effort to increase ridership, improve efficiency and control cost through a redesigned transit network. This project, known as the Next Network encompasses the implementation of a new transit service plan to occur concurrent with the opening of BART service to the Milpitas and Berryessa stations. The project aims to engage the community in developing a new bus and light rail transit network reflecting our transit needs and values, increasing ridership, improving farebox recovery, and integrating our new BART service into the transit network. The project's major milestones include: - Late 2015: Independent assessment of VTA s service and market - April 2016: Assessment results reports to VTA Board - Summer 2016: Community outreach Phase 1 - November 2016: VTA Board decision on ridership/coverage allocation (85/15) - January 2017: Draft transit service plan released - January-February 2017: Community outreach Phase 2 - April 2017: Final transit service plan for VTA Board approval - Fall 2017: Service begins (concurrent with the opening of BART Phase 1) The first phase of community outreach was designed to acquaint the community and stakeholders with the results of the independent assessment and outline potential scenarios. Following this public process, the VTA Board of Directors held a November 2016 workshop to discuss the community s input and give staff direction on the ridership/coverage balance for the 3331 North First Street San Jose, CA Administration Customer Service

22 9 draft transit service plan. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board voted to direct staff to develop a draft transit service plan that reflects an 85/15 split - that is, a network that allocates 85% of resources to ridership-oriented service and 15% of resources to coverage-oriented service. This direction to pursue a network designed to achieve higher ridership represents a shift from today s network of 70% ridership-oriented service and 30% coverage-oriented service. This change, if implemented, will have the effect of increasing frequency in high ridership transitsupportive corridors and areas while decreasing service in areas with low transit demand. It will promote a design philosophy that embraces a grid of frequent routes with more midday and weekend service. VTA staff has developed a draft transit service plan that reflects the substantial community input received over the summer as well as the VTA Board s guidance on the ridership/coverage balance given at the November 18 Board Workshop. The Next Network draft transit service plan was reviewed by the CTMA at their January 12, 2017 meeting. The draft plan features a redesigned fixed-route transit network that would impact VTA s federal requirements regarding complementary paratransit service. Some network changes would increase VTA s paratransit service obligations, such as new service in previously-unserved geographic areas or an expansion of the hours of service availability in evenings and on weekends. Conversely, some network changes would reduce VTA s paratransit obligations, such as geographic areas that would lose fixed route service entirely. During presentation of the draft transit service plan, the VTA Board has indicated a desire to ensure that the transit service changes do not negatively impact paratransit clients. The options presented below are to determine how to implement the VTA Board s direction. BACKGROUND: Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), VTA is required to provide paratransit service to areas within ¾ of a mile of a fixed-route transit service during the hours when the transit route is in operation. VTA s current paratransit policy (adopted in 2009) extends the service area a mile beyond the federal minimum such that trips that start and end within 1 ¾ miles of a fixed-route service are eligible for paratransit service. Trips that occur within the ADA-required boundary (¾ mile) have a $4 fare while trips in the extended service area have a $16 fare. Under VTA s current paratransit policy, some paratransit clients would be impacted-in terms of access to paratransit service or the fare paid-by the transit service changes proposed by VTA s Draft Transit Service Plan. The changes are also expected to result in increased costs to operate paratransit service. VTA places special consideration on the transportation needs of disabled residents and is evaluating modifications to the current paratransit policy that would reduce the impacts to paratransit users caused by transit service changes. Since the paratransit service area is defined by the breadth (location and time of operations) of the transit network, the discontinuance or reduction of some transit routes-as is proposed in the Next Network transit redesign-would mean that some current paratransit clients trips would no longer be contained within the paratransit service area or that some clients fares would shift from $4 to $16 under current VTA policy. If fares increase in the future, there will be a Page 2 of 6

23 9 comparable change to the paratransit fares quoted here. Changes to the transit service plan do not impact the ability of a person to become eligible for paratransit services. Paratransit-eligible individuals whose residences or destinations are outside the service area remain eligible to use paratransit service, provided that they are able to arrange transportation into the paratransit service area. While some paratransit clients would be negatively impacted by the transit service change under the current paratransit policy, others would receive improved service. The proposed expansions in the hours of operation on some transit routes and increase in transit service levels on weekends would extend the hours and days in which paratransit service is available for some clients. This expanded access to paratransit service is expected to result in an overall increased number of paratransit trips, which would result in higher costs to VTA to provide paratransit service. VTA projects about 4% or 21,110 more annual client trips will be taken by paratransit due to the bus and rail improvements. These trips could, depending on the option selected, impact VTA s Operations Budget by $865,510 annually. DISCUSSION: The following analysis projects the impacts for current clients as well as the VTA financial impacts. This analysis assumes client travel patterns do not change. Fremont Paratransit Clients VTA s extension of BART to Santa Clara County and proposed discontinuance of transit routes 120, 140, 180 and 181, that serve the Fremont BART Station, will reduces VTA s need of providing paratransit service in Alameda County. Paratransit users in southern Alameda County would retain access to paratransit service through East Bay Paratransit, which is jointly funded by AC Transit and BART. Paratransit trips between Alameda and Santa Clara Counties would require a coordinated transfer from East Bay Paratransit to ACCESS Paratransit vehicles likely at the Warm Springs or Milpitas BART Stations. A total of 2,853 annual trips made by 371 clients are currently provided by Access Paratransit to Fremont. Of these trips, about 43% are to the Fremont BART Station. For these passengers traveling on BART, they can now access either the Berryessa or Milpitas Stations instead of travelling all the way to Fremont. Page 3 of 6

24 9 Santa Clara County Paratransit Impacts and Options The following chart shows the current number of clients and paratransit trips both for the existing service and the new Next Network transit service plan. It also depicts how many of the clients and trips are within the ADA required service area of ¾ mile and how many are in the extended service area. Existing Next Network Inside of 3/4-mile ($4) Extended Service Area ($16) Outside of Extended Service Area Outside of Extended & Not Fremont Trips 527,595 2,549 NA NA Number of clients 7, NA NA Trips 518,030 6,486 5,633 2,780 Number of clients 7, Currently each client in the ADA service area averages 35 round trips annually or about three per a month. The average paratransit client trip costs VTA $45. Ten percent of the cost is covered by paratransit client fares. The remaining balance is roughly: local funds (70%), federal funds (15%) and state funds (5%). The entire paratransit program costs VTA about $23.9 million annually. Policy Considerations Option 1: Continue existing paratransit policy so that paratransit service area is defined by the extent (hours, area) of the fixed-route transit network, with $4 charged for a regular-area fare and $16 charged for the extended-area fare. This option would continue to exceed ADA requirements by including the extended service area at the $16 fare. Under an 85/15 split and the proposed discontinuance of some routes in the Draft Transit Service Plan, 95 current paratransit clients accounting for 2,780 annual trips would no longer be within any paratransit service area. These clients average 29 trips each annually or about one round trip per month. 222 clients, accounting for 3,937 annual trips would shift from the regular fare area to the extended fare area. This would result in $47,244 in additional fares being collected by VTA assuming the same numbers are taken at the increased fare and clients do not arrange transportation within the paratransit service area. Page 4 of 6

25 9 The estimated overall financial impact of Option 1 for one year is shown below: Projected usage increase due to extended hours $865, clients no longer in service area (net decrease after fares) ($80,620) Additional fare revenue collected from 222 clients ($47,244) Net change in one year operating cost $737,646 The estimated financial impact of Option 1 for three years is shown below with the 4% escalation for client ridership increases and software cost inflation per year: Option 1 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Cumulative total Change in operating cost $737,646 $772,266 $808,272 $2,318,184 (additional) Option 2: This option continues the current policy identified in Option 1 and grandfathers paratransit service for the 95 paratransit clients whose trips would fall outside the paratransit service area under the Draft Transit Service Plan. This option would further maintain those 95 clients at their current fare for one year. This option exceeds ADA requirements. Since the grandfathering would last for one year, no cost savings due to a decrease in client trips would be recognized during that period. Modifying the paratransit management software to accommodate grandfathering clients is expected to result in a reoccurring cost of $70,000 to VTA. Projected usage increase due to extended hours $865,510 Additional fare revenue collected from 222 clients ($47,244) Software upgrade $70,000 Net change in one year operating cost $888,266 The estimated financial impact of Option 2 if continued for three years is shown below with the 4% escalation for client ridership increases and software cost inflation per year: Option 2 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Cumulative total Change in operating cost $888,266 $925,686 $964,604 $2,778,556 (additional) Option 3: This option takes what is covered in Option 2 and further grandfathers the existing paratransit clients that would otherwise move from the regular fare area to the extended service area (a total of 222 clients) and maintains them at their current fare of $4 per trip. This results in 222 clients paying $4 and 225 clients paying the $16 fare within the Extended Service area. This option exceeds ADA requirements. Since the grandfathering would last for one year, no cost savings due to a decrease in client Page 5 of 6

26 9 trips would be recognized during that period. Modifying the paratransit management software to accommodate grandfathering clients is expected to result in a reoccurring cost of $90,000 to VTA for additional clients from option 2. Projected usage increase due to extended hours $865,510 Software upgrade $90,000 Net change in one year operating cost $955,510 The estimated financial impact of Option 3 if continued for three years is shown below with the 4% escalation for client ridership increases and software cost inflation per year: Option 3 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Cumulative total Change in operating cost $955,510 $993,730 $1,033,480 $2,982,720 (additional) Summary of Options Net Increase One Year Three Years* Option 1: Continue Existing Policy $737,646 $2,318,184 Option 2: Grandfather Clients that fall outside of any service area $888,266 $2,778,556 Option 3: Grandfather Clients that fall outside of any service area & those impacted by paying the Extended Service surcharge $955,510 $2,982,720 * 4% escalation per year Next Steps: This item will be presented for review at the Committee for Transportation Mobility and Accessibility (CTMA) on February 1, 2017 and March 09, 2017 for CTMA recommendation to the Board. This item will be heard by Board Standing Committees with a final approval by the Board of Directors. Prepared By: Aaron Vogel Memo No Page 6 of 6