HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/08/2022 - ADVANCING TRANSIT INITIATIVESDATE:
STAFF:
February 8, 2022
Drew Brooks, Director of Transit
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Advancing Transit Initiatives.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this work session is to provide an update on the progress of Transit Master Plan (TMP) projects
and seek feedback from Council. Transfort currently has several projects in various stages of completion,
including the West Elizabeth Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, North College Transit Oriented Development
Study, Fleet Electrification, Funding and Fare Study, and others. This work session will provide milestone updates
on all current large projects and briefly preview future projects.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What feedback and questions do Councilmembers have regarding work underway and next steps?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The Transit Master Plan (TMP), adopted by Council in April of 2019, outlines the vision and policies for expanding
the transit system through 2040, according to current and future demand. With the implementation of MAX,
Transfort saw ridership skyrocket, while nearly all transit systems in the country saw declines in ridership. From
2014-2019 Transfort ridership more than doubled.
Building on this success, the TMP is an ambitious plan intended to transform mobility options throughout the City
and region. This plan is also key to the City’s Climate Action Plan. Plan highlights are described in the following
graphic:
February 8, 2022 Page 2
Strategic Alignment
Transit projects currently being advanced are strategically aligned with other key plans and initiatives including:
• 2020 Strategic Plan
o Objective 6.1: Improve Safety for people using all modes of travel
o Objective 6.3: Ensure equitable access to and expansion of all sustainable modes of travel
• City Council 2021 - 2023 Priorities
o Encourage and increase Transfort use / Additional bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors
o Implementation of 15-minute community concept
o Improved air quality
• Transit Master Plan
o In alignment with changing land uses and technologies, Fort Collins will provide safe, attractive, efficient,
equitable, modern, and innovative mobility for people to live, work and play in the City.
• Our Climate Future
o Big Move 4: Convenient Transportation Choices
o Big Move 5: Live, Work and Play Nearby
Current Transit Conditions
Transit ridership was significantly impacted during the early phases of the pandemic. In April of 2020, ridership
plummeted, down 92%. While still in recovery, ridership has slowly returned, today down more than 50% below
2019 baselines. Results from surveys conducted in quarters three and four of 2020 suggest riders will return to
transit when they feel the pandemic is no longer a harm to themselves and their families. The most recent surge
of the Omicron variant has stalled previous growth trends.
Also, current service reductions are heavily impacting ridership. While an estimated 20% of service was
suspended during the first phases of the pandemic, current service reductions are due to extreme bus operator
shortages. Like many service industries around the country and the region, the transit industry has experienced a
similar “great resignation.” Many operators chose to leave the profession for different work or take earlier than
expected retirement.
Further exacerbating the situation, the summer of 2021 saw the slowest recruitment in years, with several months
where zero applicants applied for dozens of open positions. Transfort has responded by raising wages and
creating hiring incentives. The workforce is only now beginning to see impacts as hiring has improved and several
new operators have begun training. Staff are optimistic that some services will return in the coming months.
Despite these setbacks from the pandemic, staff continues work on a variety of projects and plans to advance
initiatives outlined in the Transit Master Plan. With the recent passage of the Federal Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act, many of these projects may come to fruition sooner rather than later. While specific apportionment
tables have not yet been released from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), it is expected that transit grants
for both operations and capital projects could increase by 30-40% each year of the 5-year spending package.
Transfort is well positioned for this increase in Federal support, with several projects likely eligible for grant
funding.
Current Transit Projects
Even with these extreme operational impacts, staff have continued to plan and prepare for a return to past growth
trends and future projections. Several major projects are in various stages of development in support of the
Transit Master Plan, including:
February 8, 2022 Page 3
West Elizabeth Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - This project is near completion of 30% design which will result in
eligibility for Small Starts grant funding (the same program that helped complete MAX) as early as 2023, if local
match can be secured. This project is currently in Project Development with the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA).
North College BRT extension - A transit-oriented development (TOD) study is currently being conducted and is
expected to complete in quarter 2 of 2022.
North Transit Maintenance Facility - Transfort has exceeded capacity at the Transit Maintenance Facility on
Portner Road and further service expansion will require an additional facility. Staff are currently identifying
potential locations for the new facility and will soon have a funding need to purchase this real estate. Once design
is complete, staff will seek federal grant funding to build this project.
Fleet Electrification - Phase one of the Transfort Fleet Electrification Plan is complete with phase two expected
in quarter 3 of 2022. Staff have had great success securing grant funding for battery electric buses and charging
equipment. The first two electric buses were delivered in January and will be in service this spring. Over the next
two years nine more electric buses will be purchased which will replace approximately 20% of the Transfort fleet
of diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled buses.
Poudre School District Collaboration Study - A 2022 budget offer was advanced to perform an in-depth study
of the operations, planning and budgets of PSD student transportation and Transfort to determine areas where
improved efficiencies and collaboration could occur. This study will research and examine models in cities where
there is more robust use of the public transit system by K-12 students, and where both physical and financial
resources are better coordinated between the transit provider(s) and the school district(s). The study should also
examine relevant federal regulations and case law that may create barriers to collaboration in this area.
This offer supports the Council Priority within Transportation and Mobility, “Advance Transit Initiatives that
Remove Barriers.” The specific item addressed is, “2022: Budgeting For Outcomes Offer submitted with a focus
on collaboration with Poudre School District.”
Funding and Fare Study - It is important to note that the cost estimates outlined in the TMP were based on 2016
operating figures and assumptions. These projections also did not account for the transition of the Transfort fleet
from CNG to zero-emission vehicles, which have a significantly higher up-front cost, but an expected lower
operating and maintenance cost over the life of the vehicle. Staff have hired a consultant to conduct a
comprehensive study which will include:
• Updated capital, operating and maintenance estimates for the 20-year span of the TMP
• Identification of a preferred, dedicated, and permanent funding source or sources, including extensive public
outreach
• Full analysis of the current fare structure and associated costs, as well as feasibility of a fare-free system
The Funding Study is expected to conclude no later than quarter 4 of 2022.
Future Transit Projects
Beyond the projects listed above, there are several initiatives from the TMP that will begin development soon:
Micro Transit Pilot - As noted above, there are areas of the City that do not currently meet the conditions for
fixed route bus service, identified as Innovation Zones. While they might not have the population density to
support traditional bus service, these residents still need better transportation options. Micro Transit is a relatively
new concept where shared, on demand services can be provided to quickly connect to the rest of the
transportation network.
February 8, 2022 Page 4
Mobility Hubs - Designed locations where Micro Transit, bus services and other mobility services can connect
are called Mobility Hubs. These locations can concentrate the various mobility options in one location, including
ebikes and scooters, transportation network companies (such as Uber and Lyft), car shares, regional transit, and
bike lockers. These hubs can come in a variety of sizes and built infrastructure.
Mobility As a Service (MAAS) - These various mobility options can all be connected through technology. Mobile
phone apps or internet connected kiosks can allow customers to purchase a bus ticket, rent a scooter or hail a
taxi, all through the same interface. This creates the concept of Mobility As A Service with options and scheduling
all in one space.
More Regional Connections - One of the most successful routes in the network is the regional FLEX route.
During the pandemic, when other routes were suspended, FLEX was the first route returned to service due to
customer demand. Transfort will continue to work with partners to connect mobility across the region and state.
This could be expansion of existing regional bus services, developing new routes and/or support for front range
passenger rail projects.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
Advancing Transit InitiativesFebruary 8, 2022City Council Work SessionDrew Brooks – Transfort & Parking Services DirectorATTACHMENT 1
Key Questions for City CouncilWhat feedback and questions do Councilmembers have regarding work underway and next steps?
Background - Strategic Alignment3• Encourage and increase Transfort use / Additional bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors• Implementation of 15-minute community concept• Improved air qualityTransit Vision...provide safe, attractive, efficient, equitable, modern, and innovative mobility for people to live, work and play in the City.Strategic PlanCity Council PrioritiesTransit Master PlanTransportation & Mobility • 6.1 Improve Safety for people using all modes of travel• 6.3 Ensure equitable access to and expansion of all sustainable modes of travel
4Our Climate Future AlignmentThis project supports...
5Current Transit ConditionsTransfort Current Conditions •Recovering from COVID lost ridership•At less than 50% of pre‐COVID ridership•Route restrictions due to driver shortages•Service reduced 30%Transformative Federal Investment •260% increase in grant funding•With Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Expect 30‐40% increase in Federal transit funding• 5-year spending bill•Apportionment tables expected soon $- $5,000,000 $10,000,000 $15,000,000 $20,000,000 $25,000,000 $30,000,0002017 2018 2019 2020 2021Transfort Grant Funding
6Transit Master Plan Build-Out
7Mode Shift Potential
8Current Transit ProjectsWest Elizabeth BRT• In FTA Project Development• 30% design complete spring 2022• Small Starts eligible• Identify 100% design funding• Developfunding strategy• Potential for construction 3-5 years
9Current Transit ProjectsNorth College TOD• Analysis of how to bring more frequent (15 minutes or less), direct bus service to the North College area.• Using dedicated or shared bus lanes.• Considering impact to land uses and strategies to maintain affordability, minimize displacement.• Rethink how existing bus service (Routes 8 and 81) will operate.• Plan completion Summer 2022
10Current Transit ProjectsNorth Transit Maintenance Facility• Needed for continued transit service expansion• Possibility for more:-Transit center -Affordable housing-Daycare• Currently identifying potential sites
11Current Transit ProjectsFleet Electrification• Fleet Electrification Master Plan-Phase 1 complete-Phase 2 complete Q3 2022• First two buses delivered - In service spring 2022• 11 total Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) in the fleet in the next 18-24 months
12Current Transit ProjectsPSD Collaboration Study• Advanced 2022 BFO Offer• Work to begin Q2 of 2022
13Current Transit ProjectsTransit Funding Study• Update capital and O&M cost projections• Analysis of possible funding sources• Analysis of potential for a fare-free system• Complete Q4 of 2022
14Transit Plan Implementation StrategyTMP Objectives West Elizabeth BRTNorth College BRTNorth Transit Maintenance FacilityFleet ElectrificationPSD Funding StudyExpand Bus Rapid TransitXXIncrease FrequenciesXX XExpand CoverageXAdd Regional RoutesXImprove ConnectionsXX X XModernizeXXXXXXFundingXX
15Transit Projects TimelineDec2021Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct NovDec2022•W. Elizabeth Design Complete•Delivery of first E-BusesNorth College Plan CompleteStart PSD Collaboration StudyFunding & Fare Study CompleteFleet Electrification Plan Complete
16Future Transit Projects• Micro Transit Pilot• Mobility Hubs• Mobility As A Service (MAAS)• More Regional Connections
17Transit Funding Need2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040Base FundingOperations - Local MatchCapital Project - Local MatchAdditional Anticipated Federal FundsCurrent Level of FundingNew Level of Funding- The area between the lines represents new funds needed to build & operate the TMP- A significant amount of federal grant funding is anticipated: current assumed matches range from 80/20 to 50/50 (grant/local)- Capital projects will be the initial focus with service levels increasing as capital projects are completed- Some service level increase is anticipated due to population growth, higher frequency routes, and route extension~$17.5M (2019 operating budget)~$8M - $10M
Key Questions for City CouncilWhat feedback and questions do Councilmembers have regarding work underway and next steps?
For Questions or Comments, Please Contact:THANK YOU!Drew Brooksdbrooks@fcgov.com