HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2003 0205 CC REG ITEM 09AITEM
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Moorpark City Counc:ft
AGENDA REPORT
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: John Brand, Senior Management Analyst*
DATE: January 28, 2003 (CC meeting of February 5, 2003)
SUBJECT: Consider Providing Comments on Possible Unmet Transit
Needs to the Ventura County Transportation Commission and
Receive Report on Unmet Transit Needs Findings and Goals.
SUMMARY
On January 15, 2003, Councilmember Mikos requested that Council
consider providing an opportunity for the public to comment on
possible Unmet Transit Needs. The Ventura County Transportation
Commission (VCTC) will hold its annual public hearing on Unmet
Transit Needs at the Camarillo City Hall on February 3. The public
may also fax, email, or mail comments to VCTC until February 14,
2003. The information on how to submit comments is on the attached
flyer. Staff has publicized the Unmet Needs comment period in the
Moorpark City Transit buses, on the City cable TV channel character
generator, and on the City web site encouraging residents to submit
their comments to the Commission. On April 18, 2002, Council
directed staff to prepare a report on Moorpark City Transit's
performance regarding the findings and goals that VCTC adopted last
year at the conclusion of the Unmet Transit Needs process. Attached
is the report on Moorpark's performance and an overview of the
Unmet Transit Needs process.
BACKGROUND
Two years ago, as a part of its statutorily- required review of the
Unmet Transit Needs comments and findings, the CTAC /SSTAC (Citizens
Transportation Advisory Committee/ Social Services Transportation
Advisory Committee) requested that VCTC prepare a report card on
the previous years' findings and goals. The Committee felt that the
report card would give the public a better understanding of the
process and the status of various transit programs. Last year, a
report card on the previous was not available until after the
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Unmet Transit Needs
CC Meeting of February 5, 2003
Page 2
comment period had closed. The Commission did not take action on
the CTAC /SSTAC recommendation.
A portion of the 1/Y state sales tax authorized by the
Transportation Development Act (TDA) , is distributed based on
population to the cities and counties as the Local Transportation
Funds (LTF) . TDA funds must first be spent on transit needs that
are "reasonable to meet." After those needs are met, any remaining
TDA funds may be used for streets and roads by the receiving
jurisdiction.
The specific requirement of the TDA act, Public Utilities Code
(PUC) Section 99401.5 (c), requires that the transportation
planning agency (VCTC) hold at least one public hearing each year
pursuant to Section 99238.9 for the purpose of soliciting comments
on the Unmet Transit Needs that may exist within the jurisdiction
and that may be reasonable to meet by establishing or contracting
for new public transportation or specialized transportation or by
expanding existing services. All Unmet Transit Needs that are
deemed reasonable to meet must be funded before any allocation is
made to streets and roads pursuant to PUC Section 99401.5 (e).
According to the California Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section
99401.5 (d) the Commission must decide, by adopting a resolution,
either that:
1. There are no Unmet Transit Needs;
2. There are no Unmet Transit Needs that are reasonable to
meet; or,
3. There are Unmet Transit Needs, including needs that are
reasonable to meet.
The resolution must include information that provides the basis for
the Commission decision.
In addition to tracking the formal findings and determinations of
the annual resolution, the CTAC /SSTAC requested that VCTC also
track the progress of the goals adopted along with the formal
resolution. Recognizing that while many of the public comments on
transit do not fall into the category of "Unmet Transit Needs,"
they may be attainable operational comments. VCTC adopts some of
000041L
Unmet Transit Needs
CC Meeting of February 5, 2003
Page 3
these comments as goals.,This year, the report card did not include
VCTC's transit goals.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive comments and direct staff to forward them to VCTC.
000042
Report of Performance
2002 -2003 Unmet Transit Needs
Moorpark City Transit
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)
approved the following Unmet Transit Needs findings that
apply to Moorpark for FY 2002 -2003 on May 3, 2002.
RT'KMTWr_q
• Continue all existing bus services, including all
demonstration services, except the Thousand Oaks Smart
Shuttle, which is to be replaced with a fixed route
service.
Moorpark City transit continued its previous levels of
service, operating two fixed route buses on Monday -
Friday. Route 1 operates from 6:00 A.M. to 5:20 P.M.,
and Route 2 operates from 6:40 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
• Continue general public senior and disabled services in
all jurisdictions in the county.
This Fiscal Year Moorpark expanded its dial a ride
services to include a general public senior dial a
ride service. All other senior and disabled services
continued, including the ADA disabled dial a ride
service, the extended disabled dial a ride service to
Thousand Oaks, and discount rates on Moorpark City
Transit for seniors and disabled. A workshop was held
at the Moorpark Senior Center to introduce the senior
dial a ride service. Twenty -six seniors have signed up
for the service.
GOALS
VCTC will also continue efforts to meet the following
goals:
• Install more bus benches and shelters.
The City's Transportation and Streets Committee
explored bus shelter options and selected a design
concept. Staff is finalizing the shelter
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FY 2002 -03 Unmet Transit Needs Report
Page 2
specifications for Council consideration for bid
authorization. If approved, approximately seven bus
shelters could be installed with funds in the current
Fiscal Year budget.
• Improve schedule coordination and transfer connections
between different bus systems.
VISTA -East connects with Moorpark City Transit. City
staff requested that Antelope -Coach USA use the same
radio frequency for both services (VISTA and Moorpark
City Transit) so that bus drivers can better
coordinate transfers between the services. This has
improved inter -city connections. However, VISTA -East
continues to have schedule adherence problems of
greater than ten minutes at certain times, resulting
in broken trip links. City staff had preliminary
discussions with VISTA staff and Thousand Oaks about
future communications and scheduling improvements.
• Adjust VISTA stops and schedule as needed and
operationally feasible.
City staff scheduled the Moorpark City transit routes
so that each route connects with VISTA -East as closely
as possible. In most instances, one Moorpark route
arrives at the same stop just before VISTA, and the
other Moorpark route arrives at the stop just after
VISTA, allowing a rider to link up to the other
service going in either direction. City staff
requested that VISTA consult with the Moorpark City
Transit prior to future schedule changes. VISTA
reported that they make schedule changes in August of
most years.
• Adjust the VISTA stops on the CSUCI to respond to growing
and changing needs of the campus, including linkages to
Oxnard College.
Not Applicable to Moorpark.
• Continue community outreach and marketing efforts to
increase awareness of the availability of transit
services for the general public, seniors and the
disabled, to be coordinated by VCTC.
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FY 2002 -03 Unmet Transit Needs Report
Page 3
VCTC implemented its "Ask Gordon" TV and radio
promotion of VISTA. City staff promotes the City
Transit, VISTA, Metrolink, senior and ADA disabled
services in every edition of the quarterly City
newsletter, as well as on the City TV channel, and the
web site.
• Work with the County of Ventura and the City of Ojai to
determine if it is feasible to provide transit services
to the east Ojai area, including specifically the San
Antonio School.
Not Applicable to Moorpark.
• Support SCAT in its continued improvement of the SCAT
Access program, and invite SCAT to provide the VCTC with
a status report on the system and its ongoing
improvements and achievements.
Not Applicable to Moorpark.
• Continue implementation of NEXTBUS�') countywide and the
provision of NEXTBUS(d) signs at appropriate locations.
City staff publicizes information about Nextbus in the
quarterly City newsletter, City channel and web site.
Staff uses the Nextbus computer to assist a resident
when there is an inquiry about when a bus will arrive
at a certain stop. Staff also uses Nextbus to monitor
bus performance and investigate complaints.
• Insure that bus stops and bus signage are in compliance
with the ADA requirements.
City staff inventoried all bus stops to confirm that
no barriers exist at bus stops. Bus stop signs were
installed at all bus stops except some provisional
stops.
Following is a discussion of the comments received,
organized by operator, and if appropriate, the recommended
"Finding" associated with each issue. Specific responses to
each of the comments received are contained in the Matrix
(Attachment) .
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FY 2002 -03 Unmet Transit Needs Report
Page 4
Metrolink
Requests were made for increased Metrolink service within
Ventura County, including having increased Metrolink train
service in West Ventura County. The Montalvo layover
facility does not have the capacity for the additional
trains at this time. However, an additional peak -hour trip
and one off -peak hour round -trip to Oxnard is planned to
begin service as soon as the Camarillo station and
Montalvo Stations and layover facility improvements are
constructed, and permission for the additional service is
approved by the Union Pacific Railroad. The existing
Metrolink service will have stops added in Montalvo as soon
as construction of that station is finished later this
year. This is not an Unmet Transit Need because service
improvements are anticipated for implementation as soon as
feasible. Even if it were an Unmet Transit Need, it would
not be reasonable to meet because it does not meet the
following criteria:
Feasibility
• The proposed service can be provided with the existing
fleet or under contract to a private provider.
An additional midday train began service between
Moorpark and Union Station.
Moorpark City Transit
There was a citizen request for evening service in
Moorpark, and from city staff a report of rider requests
for holiday service. The demand for later evening/
nighttime and holiday service is minimal. These are not an
Unmet Transit Need. Even if they were an Unmet Transit
Needs it is not reasonable to meet them because they do not
meet the following criteria:
Performance
• The proposed service will not unduly affect the
operator's ability to maintain the required passenger
fare ratio for its system as a whole.
It would be cost prohibitive for Moorpark City Transit
to provide evening, weekend or holiday service. The
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FY 2002 -03 Unmet Transit Needs Report
Page 5
ridership characteristics of Moorpark City Transit do
not indicate enough demand for these services. This
would jeopardize the City's ability to meet its fair
box ratio requirement of 14.95 %.
Moorpark City transit does not operate on City -
observed holidays. These holidays include:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President's Day
Caesar Chavez Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
The Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve (half day)
Christmas Day
As indicated, holiday service will tend to lower the
system's fare box ratio. There are also concerns about
the lack of staff coverage in case of an incident and
the handling of the fare box vaults on City holidays.
Students, by far the largest ridership demographic,
observe the same holidays. On the other hand, transit -
dependent adults are undoubtedly inconvenienced by the
lack of holiday service. However, at this time, there
is insufficient evidence that there would be enough
ridership on holidays to justify the expense of
Moorpark City Transit providing service.
• The estimated number of passengers to be carried will be
in the range of other similar services.
The last trip of the day for each route is lightly
used. As indicated, there is no evidence that there
would be a great enough number of passengers to
support evening service in Moorpark. In local transit
services such as Moorpark, weekend and holiday
ridership tends to be much lower than weekday service.
O 647
TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT
PUBLIC HEARING
UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS IN VENTURA COUNTY
VENTURA COUNTY TRANSPORTATION CONBMISSION
TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND PLANNING CO1I.NIITTEE
SUNi1LARY INFORMATION PACKkGE
Overview of the Transportation Development Act (TDA)
This overview of the TDA and public hearing process is provided only for the purpose of the public hearing
on unmet public transportation needs. It represents only a brief summary of the_ TDA program. For more
details, please refer to the State's TDA Statutes and Government Code.
State Transportation Development Act (TDA)
The California Transportation Development Act (TDA) of 1971, as a mended, provides a major source of
funding for local transit and streets and roads projects. The legislation as amended authorizes the Ventura
County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to administer the local TDA program.
The TDA sets forth several funding programs available to the cities and County. For example, the
cities /County may use TDA funds to support public transit systems by filing Article 4 transit operator claims
or Article 8 transit contract claims to help cover the cost of transit services provided by contract with private
companies. Other TDA claims may be filed for local streets and roads projects, and for bicyclist and
pedestrian facilities.
Legislative Intent for Use of TDA Funds
The legislative intent for use of TDA money is stated in the law as follows:
It is in the interest of the state that funds available for transit development be fully expended to meet the
transit needs that exist in California.
Furthermore, it is also in the interest of the State that such funds be expended for physical improvement - to
improve the movement of transit vehicles, the comfort of the patrons, and the exchange of patrons from one
transportation mode to another. To assure full consideration is given to meeting the intent of the law, a public
hearing to discuss transit needs must be held every year.
Requirement of the Public Hearing
Before the VCTC may approve the use of any TDA money for streets and roads purposes, a public hearing
must be held. From review of regional and local transportation plans, and the testimony received at the
hearing, the VCTC must make a determination in the public record that there are unmet public transportation''
needs which can reasonably be met: through expansion of existing transportation systems, by establishing
new systems, or by contracting for services from common carriers and others as provided by the
Transportation Development Act.
-2-
0®G ®49
The determination about reasonable unmet transit needs will take into consideration goals, policies, and
actions identified in appropriate local transportation plans. Additionally, the determination about unmet
transit needs which can reasonably be met must make reference to the efforts undertaken to identify the
public transportation needs of groups likely to be transit dependent (i.e., the physically /cognitively
challenged, senior citizens and low income individuals).
Following the Public Hearing, the VCTC's Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee /Social Service
Transportation Advisory Council (CTAC /SSTAC) and the Transit Operator's Committee (Transcom) will
review the findings and develop recommendations for consideration by VCTC.
VCTC Definitions of "Unmet Transit Needs" and "Reasonable to Meet"
"Unmet Transit Needs" are, at a minimum, those public transportation or specialized transportation services
that have been identified by substantial community input through the public hearing process or are identified
in an adopted Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) or Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and have not yet been
implemented or funded.
000050
-3-
Reasonable to Meet
An unmet transit need shall be considered reasonable to meet if the proposed service"" is in general
compliance with the following criteria:
Equity
The proposed service will not cause reductions in existing transit services that have an equal or higher
priority.
The proposed service will require a subsidy generally equivalent to other similar services.
Timing
The proposed service is in response to an existing rather than future transit need.
Feasibility
The proposed service can be provided within available funding.`'-'
The proposed service can be provided with the existing fleet or under contract to a private provider.
Community Acceptance
The proposed service has community acceptance and /or support as determined by the unmet needs public
hearing record, inclusion in adopted programs and plans, adopted governing board positions and other
existing information.
Performance
The proposed service will not unduly affect the operator's ability to maintain the required passenger fare ratio
for its system as a whole.
The estimated number of passengers to be carried will be in the range of other similar services, and /or the
proposed service provides a "link" or connection that contributes to the effectiveness of the overall transit
system.
The proposed service will meet the scheduled passenger fare ratio standards as described below:
It is desirable for all proposed transit services in urban areas to be achieving a 20% passenger fare ratio by
the end of the third year of operation. "' A passenger fare ratio of 10% is desired for special services (i.e.,
elderly and disabled) and rural area services."" More detailed passenger fare ratio standards, which will be
used to evaluate services as they are proposed and implemented, are described below. Transit serving both
urban and rural areas, per state law, may obtain an "intermediate" passenger fare ratio...
OW0 51
-4-
Performance Level
Urban Service Rural Service
Less than 6% Less than 3 %
6% or more 3% or more
Performance Level
Urban Service Rural Service
Less than 10%
10% or more
Less than 5 %
5 % or more
Performance Level
Urban Service Rural Service
End of Twelve Months
Recommended Action
Provider may discontinue service
Provider will continue service, with
modifications if needed.
End of Twenty -Four Months
Recommended Action
Provider may discontinue service
Provider will continue service, with
modifications if needed.
End of Thirty -Six Months'
Recommended Action
Less than 15% Less than 7 % Provider may discontinue service
15%_ 19% 7% -9% Provider may consider modifying
and continuing service.
20% or more 10% or more Provider will continue service, with
modifications if needed.
(1) "Proposed Service" is defined as the specific transit service identified as unmet needs (as defined) and
which requires evaluation against this definition of "reasonable to meet."
(2) Per state law, the lack of "available resources shall not be the sole reason for finding that a transit need is
not reasonable to meet."
(3) Costs for all ADA- required services are excluded from the passenger fare ratio calculations.
(4) Per statute, the VCTC may establish a lower fare ratio for community transit (dial -a -ride) services.
(5) A review will take place after 30 months to develop a preliminary determination regarding the
(dis)continuation of proposed services.
DO YOU HAVE TRANSIT NEEDS?
Ventura County Transportation Commission Announces Its Public
Hearing On Transit Needs
The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) would like to hear your views on public transit
service needs within Ventura County, and between Ventura County and Los Angeles /Santa Barbara counties
as part of its process to identify unmet transit needs which it can reasonably meet.
Are transit services adequate, or are there specific areas in which unmet transit needs could be reasonable to
meet through the expansion of existing transportation systems, by establishing new systems, or by
contracting for service from private operators? VCTC is especially interested in hearing about the specific
transit needs of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, persons of low income, and for environmentally
sensitive areas.
There are several ways you can submit your comments:
Send them by mail to the Ventura County Transportation Commission, Unmet
Transit Needs Process, 950 County Square Drive, Suite 207, Ventura CA 93003
E -mail us at"vkarnhi @goventura.org or through our web site at
t www.goventura.org
L
Fax us at (805) 642 -4860
Call us at 1 -800- 438 -1112
Come to our public hearing (and check our web site for opportunities to provide
comments directly to City Councils and the County Board of Supervisors)
M'
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2003
1:30 P.M.
CAMARILLO CITY HALL - COUNCIL
CHAMBERS
DRIVE 601 CARMEN
�CAMARIL O, CALIFORNIA
We look forward to hearing from you. All comments must be received by February 14, 2003.
000053
iNECESITA SERVICIOS DE TRANSPORTE?
La Comision de Transporte del Condado de Ventura
le invita a presentar sus comentarios ante una Audiencia
Publica acerca de los Servicios de Transporte
La Comisidn de Transporte del Condado de Ventura (VCTC) le invita a participar en un
foro acerca de los servicios de transporte publicos dentro del Condado de Ventura, y
entre el Condado de Ventura y los Condados de Los Angeles y Santa Barbara. Es parte
del proceso para identificar servicios de transportacion que faltan que pueden proveer
razonablemente.
Son adecuados los servicios de transporte? 6Son suficientes? 6Existen aun sectores
especificas que no cuentan con medios de transporte adecuados? 6Se podria
proporcionar un mejor servicio de transporte a traves de la expansion de los sistemas
actualmente en existencia, a traves del establecimiento de nuevos sistemas, o
mediante los servicios de operadores del sector privado? A VCTC le interesa
especialmente saber cuales son las necesidades de transporte de las personas de la
tercera edad, de las personas discapacitadas, personas de bajos ingresos y la
necesidad de transporte en las regiones con condiciones ambientales vulnerables.
Existen varias formas de presentar sus comentarios:
LUNES, 3 DE FEBRERO DE 2003 1:30 P.M.__�
CAMARILLO CITY HALL - COUNCIL�rr�r�r
CHAMBERS: "_���
601 CARMEN DRIVE
CAMARILLO, CA - _ ........_ ._ _...,_
Esperamos su participacion. Todos los comentarios deberan ser recibidos
Para el 14 de Febrero de 2003.
000054
Envielos por correo a: Ventura County Transportation
y� x �°
Commission, Unmet Transit Needs Process, 950 County
t -
fSquare
I
Drive, Suite 207, Ventura CA 93003
Un mensale por el correo electrdrnco a
lmm"
vkamhi@goventura.org o por nuestra telarana de pagina a
AM r
www.goventura.org
Llamenos al 1- 800 - 438 -1112
Enienos un Fax al (805) 642 -48600
- - --
—!
Asista a nuestra audiencia publica (v visite nuestra pagina
electronica Para tener la oportunidad de hacer comentarios al
Conceio Municipal v a la Mesa Directive de Supervisores del
Condado).
J
LUNES, 3 DE FEBRERO DE 2003 1:30 P.M.__�
CAMARILLO CITY HALL - COUNCIL�rr�r�r
CHAMBERS: "_���
601 CARMEN DRIVE
CAMARILLO, CA - _ ........_ ._ _...,_
Esperamos su participacion. Todos los comentarios deberan ser recibidos
Para el 14 de Febrero de 2003.
000054