Proposal For Nye County (Pahrump) Public Transportation (Transit) System 2015

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2 Nye County Public Transportation Needs Transportation is a LIFELINE. Without the ability to reach jobs, health care, shopping, educational programs, social outings, recreation, and other community support services, it is difficult for the citizens to join the economic mainstream or to fully participate in community life. Individuals can t get a job if they can t reach a job. Creating affordable transportation options will allow more individuals to access jobs, therefore reducing the demand on state and local human health service programs. Individuals can t avoid acute care medical costs if they can t reach routine, preventative health care facilities. The lack of affordable and useable transportation options frustrates the ability of many citizens to achieve economic and personal independence. Transportation needs as defined by State and local sources: The 2005 Transportation Needs Assessment for the Pahrump Valley Concluded based on present and continued need and growth, the desire for transportation options expressed by Pahrump residents, a public transportation system is recommended Town of Pahrump Community Assessment Outlines the lack of transportation as a main concern for the community. The State of Nevada and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan from 2008, 2011, 2014 Each of these plans have identified the lack of public transportation in the rural communities as areas of concern that need to be addressed Statewide Community Needs Assessment outlines the top 4 rankings for community needs were health/mental health, family support, food security, and support for persons with disabilities and their families. All of which are reliant on public transportation. All surveys found the Lack of Transportation options was a common thread across all survey answers, regardless of service category. Individuals and families, whether able-bodied or coping with a disability, cannot travel to essential services. This is a particularly troublesome barrier in rural and frontier communities. In the last few months the transportation committee has collected 600 signatures and many Letters of Support for public transportation from community organizations and businesses. Transit is a benefit to any community as it creates a system for those who cannot or do not drive a means of transportation. This could be for work, medical, education, shopping and recreation. Many times students can use a transit system to get to afterschool activities because they have two working parents or a single parent that aren t available to drive them around. In an area like Pahrump, the parent(s) may work as far away as Las Vegas, creating further difficulties in transportation.

3 Nye County Transit Oversight For many years the citizens of Nye, specifically Pahrump, have been seeking to establish a public transportation system, also known as transit system. This system would be established and begin in the most populated areas with medium term planning to connect with the other less populated northern areas and potentially with Las Vegas. In November of 2014 the transportation committee submitted a grant application for the USDA Rural Passenger Transportation Technical Assistance Program. This non-financial award offers technical assistance from rural transportation experts from around the country, providing assistance from one day to one year based on need. In their 26 year history they have not been requested to work with a rural transportation program in the state of Nevada. They were excited to receive our application. There is NO match requirement and NO cost associated with this grant. As of 1/13/15 we were awarded this grant. In December 2014, the Nye Communities Coalition s Transit Committee received a 3 day intense education, provided by NDOT and Elko County, which has enabled the committee to compile its work and to understand the phases of planning, budgeting and compliance that are the base components of setting up and operating a transit system. The transportation committee would like to offer this opportunity to the Nye County local government. The purpose of this is that setting up the transit system gives control and oversight to the County, which creates a much more reliable check and balance system, especially when hiring an operations contractor. It also allows the County Commissioners to make decisions in funding, timing and areas of growth. Benefit to Nye County There is potential financial advantage for the County. If the County has facilities and other resources currently not being used, available for the use of a transit system, they can receive income on that property and other available resources provided. In the administration category, which covers the facility, Transit Coordinator, utilities, G & A expenses, printing, marketing and so on, the County would receive up to 80% in reimbursements of allocated costs. There would also be an 80% reimbursement for county owned facilities provided to a contractor to operate from. Aside from the In-kind contributions, the additional 20% would be provided by matching funds. A research study titled Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Rural Public Transportation produced by the Federal Transit Administration provides insight to the economic impact of a transit system. The study concluded the following:

4 The pervasiveness of rural public transportation operations is a strong testimonial to their perceived value and benefits most rural communities have limited resources, and they spend them on services that are truly useful. To be so widely accepted, rural public transportation has to have been seen as highly beneficial by persons across the broad spectrum of rural communities and their different political persuasions. Direct benefits accrue to the users and providers of the system via the operations of the system. The economic and social services made accessible by transit employment, human investment, health, social services, shopping, entertainment/community, and social visits are each associated with direct users, the riders, who receive the direct economic benefits of the system. The analysis shows the impact of rural public transportation systems on local economies by looking at the differences in economic growth between rural counties with and without public transportation systems. That analysis showed that, within a given communing zone, the average net earnings growth differential between rural counties with transit and rural counties without transit systems was 11%. From the perspective of the total net earnings growth for all the rural counties in the US over the 14 year study, FTA estimates calculated an average annual economic impact per county from public transit of $1,092,293. The Economic Development Circle shows how continued support provides continued growth for our County Coverage of Match for Transportation Employs Transit Coordinator, Operations Management, Staff County receives tax revenues through increased employment and spending The employees live in the area. Increase property and sales tax income Community access to medical, work, shopping, etc.

5 5311 Funding Description The following describes the Rural and Small Urban (5311) Funding Program: This program (49 U.S.C. 5311) provides funding for the purpose of supporting public transportation in areas of less than 50,000 populations. Funding may be used for capital, operating, and intercity bus service. It can also be used for job access and reverse commute projects which is defined as a transportation project to finance planning and operating costs that support the development and maintenance of transportation services designed to transport welfare recipients and eligible low income persons to and from jobs and activities related to their employment. This funding currently requires a 40% match for operating assistance, a 20% match for administrative assistance and a 5% match for capital assistance (maintenance). The goal of the program is as follows: Enhance the access of people in non-urbanized areas to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services and recreation. Assist in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of a public transit system in non-urbanized areas. Encourage and facilitate the most effective use of all transportation funds used to provide passenger transportation in non-urbanized areas through the coordination of programs and services. Assist in the development and support of intercity bus transportation. Provide for the participation of private transportation providers in non-urbanized transportation. NOTE: These are current reimbursement percentages. Subject to change based on NDOT Proposed Transit Program Details The budget workshops led the committee to understand that 9,000 service hours can be offered to the public, which will be broken down into multiple routes over six days per week and adjusted for holidays. The 9,000 hours has a total cost of $715,000, in which Federal Transit Administration Funding (NDOT) would cover approximately $480,000 and a matching funds need of about $235,000, which will be done through existing and new grants, bus advertising, private business support and other small contributions. This DOES NOT include any additional funds from the County or the township at this time. However, it does include some in-kind match from the County as will be discussed later in this document. Name of Program: Nye Ryder Transit Mission Statement: Providing reliable transportation to the communities of Nye County. Vision Statement: Enhancing quality of life through public transportation.

6 Logo Sample: Tag Line: Here for the Ryde and Connecting our Communities Scope of Service Three weekday routes Monday through Friday o Central Route Deviated Fixed route that runs a figure eight route of the central business area of Pahrump including Basin, Wilson, Calvada, 372 and 160. (add ¾ radius deviation, # of deviations and time table) 7AM to 6PM Includes transfer points with the Northern and Southern Routes o Northern and Southern Routes Demand Response Schedule day in advance; same-day based on availability Transfers to the Central and opposing Northern and Southern Routes 6AM to 11AM and 1PM to 7PM Light Schedule Routes Saturdays and Holidays Northern and Southern Routes Demand Response 10AM to 3PM Schedule day in advance; same day upon availability

7 Closed Sunday Proposal For Nye County (Pahrump) Public Transportation (Transit) System Fare and Fare Media $2.00 per one way ride, includes one transfer, for Deviated Fixed Route Up to $4.00 per one way ride may be charged for Demand Response service Use of punch passes Discounts or rides at no charge depending on grant source may be available (such as Disabled, Veterans, Seniors, Students, etc) Youth 6 and under ride for free with paying adult, up to two children per adult. Additional children will be charged half of the standard fare.* *Exceptions apply for eligible group trips *Fares may be adjusted Number of Vehicles There will need to be three vehicles for route services. It would be best to have no less than 2 additional vehicles. The additional vehicles will be needed for preventative maintenance and other mechanical cycling. Also, many times transit systems can pick up additional work with eligible group trips, special events. Suggested number of vehicles: 5-6 Holidays Light Service: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Family Day Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year s NOTE: Scope of change based on availability. Project and Staff NYE COUNTY Oversight & Control Receives a portion of funding for time and facilities allocated to transit service subject to funding Management Organization TRANSIT COORDINATOR Funded by grants and match CONTRACTOR & OPERATIONS MANAGER Funded by grants and match DISPATCHER Funded by grants and match DRIVER Funded by grants and match

8 Nye County would have control and employ the Transit Coordinator. The Coordinator would provide oversight to a contractor as well as develop the plans, budget, reporting and other requirements of the supervision and coordination of a transit system. This position is fully funded through the NDOT grant and matching funds contributions. The County would supply a facility, furnishings, hardware, software and communication equipment for the contractor. Supply phone number, phone systems, etc. The more resources the County has the ability to provide, the more they will have reimbursable at 80%. The County would supply the vehicles. Vehicles may be procured trough donation or purchase. The Contractor will carry additional liability insurance on the facility, as well as liability insurance for the operation. In the contract, the contractor would also be held responsible for any damages beyond normal wear and tear of the facility, furnishings and any equipment. The Contractor would be responsible for operations, passenger relations, employment, training and compliance for the transit system. They would coordinate maintenance with the County maintenance facility, or other designated facility and fuel the vehicles at the County assigned pump, or other designated vendor. The Contractor would insure the vehicles in compliance with grant requirements. Phase 1 First Year The first year of service needs to include the employment of the Transit Coordinator in order to begin the procurement and set up of the operational transit system. This position would begin once the 5311 grant was approved and implemented and include: The Coordinator would set up the facility, furnishing and office equipment, including hardware and software, issue RFP, select contractor, negotiate contract, write policy and procedure, define any final scope of service questions, prepare ridership guides, and market the service. This time will also allow some time to apply for or implement other grant sources and matching fund sources. (It is important to note that the ElKo County Transit program and the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition (SNTC) have offered access to all of their RFPs, contracts, policies and procedures, rider handbooks

9 and internal documentation for duplication and adaption to our program. This will save time and effort and greatly reduce up front costs.) April, is when the NDOT 5311 application is due. The funding begins in October, and runs through September 2016, of the following year. From the time the funding is available in October, it could take about 6 months to establish the setup, procure equipment and select the contractor. The transit system would begin rolling wheels in about March of 2016, should this plan to be adopted. Between April and the time funding is approved in October of, the NyE Communities Coalition Transportation sub-committee and the Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Southern Mobility Manager will be involved to assist in the prestart process. NDOT Funding sources identified are annual applications. So by December, the process of application and planning for the , will begin again. For the regular service, with the estimated 9,000 hours, the budget is outlined in the summary. However, in the first year of service, most likely, the operational and maintenance expense will be cut in about half due to the fact it will take the time to set up. Plan on keeping the administration budget intact. The other portion of available funding would be used for startup costs like purchasing needed equipment and supplies. Matching funds would be used as seed money to operate the program until reimbursements are received. Phase 2 Year 2 Fully operational; less capital expense Planning detail of future years and projected growth Advocating for transit Marketing services to the public and human service organizations Procuring other sources of funding Writing managing grants Reporting on grants Reporting at public meetings Phase 3 Years 3 5 Fully operational Capital Expense includes planning replacement vehicles o Additional vehicles for growth to Amargosa, Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah Planning detail of future years and projected growth Coordinating services with Amargosa, Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah Possible service to Las Vegas Possible connection with other communities; networking with state-wide transit initiatives

10 Advocating for transit Marketing services to the public and human service organizations Procuring other sources of funding Writing and managing grants Reporting on grants Reporting at public meetings Transition Demand Response routes into Deviated Fixed Routes - rider statistics *Please see separate Deviated Fixed Bus Route for Pahrump central route map