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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/12/2009 - 2009 TRANSIT STRATEGIC PLAN DATE: May 12, 2009 WORK SESSION ITEM STAFF: Kurt Ravenschlag FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION 2009 Transit Strategic Plan. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this project is to update the Transit Strategic Plan (TSP), which serves the Fort Collins Urbanized Area and to address adopted City Plan Policies relating to transit services. The TSP update is a collaborative partnership among the City of Fort Collins-Transfort,City of Loveland Transit(COLT),and the Poudre School District(PSD). The planning effort has focused on fostering a dialogue with the community, developing near-term and build-out phases for improvements, and crafting a financial plan that provides practical funding sources for implementation. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED • Does Council need any more information before its consideration of the Transit Strategic Plan on July 7? BACKGROUND The 2009 Transit Strategic Plan is an update to the Council-adopted 2002 Transfort Strategic Operating Plan. City Council approved this update as part of the 2008/2009 Budgeting for Outcomes process to be completed by the end of 2009. The Transit Strategic Plan update addresses specific City policies and objectives; fosters a dialogue with the community and region on transit opportunities and challenges; reviews existing fixed route service and performance standards; examines the existing four-phased approach to a grid transit network; and addresses the financial solutions required to create and sustain a high-performing transit system for our community and region. This update also provides the transit information necessary for successful updates of the City Plan and Transportation Master Plan in 2009/2010. I. TRANSIT STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS FOR CITY OF FORT COLLINS In order to address specific City policies and objectives, the project team developed six primary goals to guide the development of Transit Strategic Plan. Goal 1: Develop an expanded transit system focused on productivity and performance to serve the Fort Collins area that meets the following City Plan and Transportation Master Plan Policies: May 12, 2009 Page 2 PRINCIPLE T-1: The physical organization of the City will be supported by a framework of transportation alternatives that balances access,mobility, safety and emergency response throughout the city, while working towards reducing the rate of growth of vehicle miles of travel and dependence on the private automobile. PRINCIPLE T-2: Mass transit will be an integral part of the City's overall transportation system. Policy T-2.1 Transit System. The City's public transit system will be expanded in phases to provide integrated, high-frequency, productivity-based transit service along major transportation corridors, with feeder transit lines connecting all major district destinations, consistent with adopted transit plans. Policy T-2.2 Transit Stops. Transit stops will be integrated into existing and future business districts and Neighborhood Commercial Centers in a way that makes it easy for transit riders to shop, access local services, and travel to work. Policy T-2.3 Transit Route Design.The City will implement fixed- route transit services through a phased transition to a productivity- based system,where appropriate, consistent with the adopted transit plans. PRINCIPLE T-10: The City will participate in a coordinated, regional approach to transportation planning. Policy T-10.4 Future Regional Transit Service.The City will work cooperatively with the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization and other northern Colorado communities to identify opportunities to provide regional transit connections along regionally significant transportation corridors. Policy T-10.5 Interregional Transit Corridors.The City will work cooperatively with regional partners to identify opportunities to provide interregional transit connectivity along the Front Range. Goal 2: Meet and exceed the 2008 Climate Action Plan Goal for Transportation COz reductions by 2020 by achieving 7,000,000 annual riders. Goal 3: -Provide enhanced mobility for seniors, youth, disabled, and transit dependent. Goal 4: Develop a public transportation system that reduces roadway related costs for maintenance, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. Goal 5: Provide funding recommendations to fully implement the Transit Strategic Plan. May 12, 2009 Page 3 Goal 6: Stimulate the local economy through investment in public transportation infrastructure and operations. II. DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT SERVICES/PROVIDERS Transfort Transfort provides fixed route service (Monday through Saturday) in the City of Fort Collins, with a connecting route (the FoxTrot)to Loveland. Eighteen routes are in service during the Colorado State University (CSU) and PSD school year and 14 routes when CSU is not in session. Annual ridership exceeded 1.8 million in 2008. City of Loveland Transit- COLT COLT provides fixed route service (Monday through Saturday) in the City of Loveland. COLT operates three routes year round, which were reconfigured in August 2008. Annual ridership was nearly 116,000 in 2007. COLT connects to regional service provided by Transfort (FoxTrot) and Greeley (34-Xpress); both of which also operate once an hour. Poudre School District- PSD PSD serves approximately 24,000 students and includes 50 schools. School bus transportation and public transit combine to meet the needs of students attending Poudre High School,Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins High School, and Fossil Ridge High School. PSD has partnered in this study to help identify opportunities to enhance and promote Transfort service to its four high schools. III. PUBLIC OUTREACH SUMMARY Public and Stakeholder Participation In an effort to gain current perspectives and needs regarding transit services in Fort Collins and Loveland, input was gathered from the community at a series of public and stakeholder meetings. Key public and stakeholder activities that were conducted for the Transit Strategic Plan update include: • Four public open house meetings in Fort Collins and Loveland; • Four PSD open houses; and • Stakeholder briefings/interviews with City staff, local and regional governmental agencies, advocacy groups, CSU/ASCSU, regional transit providers, boards and commissions, UniverCity Connections, Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, real estate and development community, transit users, general public, and social service agencies. Input has also been received by email, phone, and postal mail. Frequent comments from the community include: May 12, 2009 Page 4 • Increase service frequency to at least every half hour. • Need to implement a grid system. • Establish regional connections between Fort Collins and Denver Metro. • Provide more transit coverage throughout the community. IV. SERVICE/CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The transit service/concept development process for the Transit Strategic Plan study focused on meeting the identified project goals through analysis of existing and planned facilities and services, incorporating input from the community, identifying desired improvements along enhanced travel corridors, and transportation needs for PSD high schools. Proposed Phased Improvements To address Goals 1-4, the Transit Strategic Plan carries forward the philosophy of productivity- based service as adopted by the Fort Collins City Council and an updated phased approach to grid system build-out within the City; and provides concepts to implement new regional services. A summary of a three-phased approach to development of a comprehensive transit system is provided below. Maps for the existing system and each phase are provided as Attachments 1 - 4. Phase 1: Modest service growth to existing transit services. In Fort Collins, this phase assumes implementation of MAX bus rapid transit (BRT), and refinement of other east/west routes to coordinate with MAX. Fort Collins—Transfort • Relocated South Transit Center to MAX terminus. • New service and realignment of some routes. • Expansion to offer early evening service, including Saturday. Poudre School District Routes • Afternoon service via two dedicated local routes serving Lincoln Junior High School and Poudre High School. • Improved access to Rocky Mountain High School. Loveland - COLT • Improved timed transfers to FoxTrot and Greeley's Route 34-Xpress. • Redesigned routes to provide Loveland with bi-directional service. Minimal early evening Saturday service. Regional Services • New regional route between Loveland and.Longmont with Saturday service. May 12, 2009 Page 5 Phase 2: Expansion of transit services in Fort Collins and Loveland. This phase includes MAX service, expanded route coverage, higher service frequencies and longer service hours in Fort Collins and Loveland. More regional bus service connections to Denver and Longmont are also included under this phase. Fort Collins—Transfort • Fifteen new or reconfigured grid system routes with improved peak hour service frequencies. • Ten routes with early evening service, two routes with late evening service, and sixteen routes with Saturday service. Poudre School District Routes • Expanded and more frequent service to Lincoln Junior High School and Poudre High School. • Greater public transit coverage of high school student origins within high school walk boundaries and overall attendance areas. Loveland - COLT • Facility improvements at transfer stations; and one new transfer facility in Centerra. • New routes with 60-minute frequency providing regional connections between Loveland and Centerra, and expansion of service to the south. Offer early evening service; and Saturday service. Regional Services • New routes connecting Fort Collins-Loveland-Denver. • Regional routes with early evening service; add late evening service between Loveland and Longmont; three regional routes with Saturday service. Phase 3: Builds from Phase 2 with additional transit growth and assumes extension of MAX service to areas outside of the Mason Corridor and improved service along Enhanced Travel Corridors in Fort Collins. Longer hours and limited Sunday transit services in both Fort Collins and Loveland. Highlights of Phase 3 include: Fort Collins—Transfort • Express service on five routes, four of which use all or part of the Mason Corridor. • Twelve routes offering early evening service; four routes offering late evening service. • Add more Saturday service routes; Implement Sunday service. May 12, 2009 Page 6 Poudre School District Routes • Expanded service to Lincoln Junior High School and Poudre High School. • Additional public transit coverage for high school student origins, additional service hours and greater opportunity for connections between campuses. Loveland - COLT • Two new routes expanding service to the west along Wilson and Taft; frequency improvements on primary central loop route. • Four routes with early evening service; two routes with late evening service; eight routes with Saturday service; Implement Sunday service. Regional Services • Additional early evening service; late evening service; additional Saturday service; add Sunday service. V. FINANCIAL PLANNING Financial plans for operating and capital revenues and expenses have been developed for each phase of the Transit Strategic Plan. Detailed revenues and expenses can be seen in Attachment 6 of this packet. O&M Expenses to Implement Transit Strategic Plan $2500Q000 $2QOOQ000 $1FAOOQ000 w , C U $1QOOQ000 O O r E O U " O LL o U c LL _ c $5,00Q000 -c- a c. Uo -. o LL m o 0 $• J LL o C Year1 Ymr2 Year Year Year5 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Year May 12, 2009 Page 7 Capital Expenses to Implement Transit Strategic Plan $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 - a m U 0 c c m o O U U U O O O O O $2,000,000 o U U .� LL LL LL LL lL O O $1,000,000 m m > O O J J J J J $• Year Year Year Year Year Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Year 1. Years 2 and 4 are transition years between phases-expectation that 50%of future buildout will be completed in these years. 2. O&M expenses are inclusive of an annual 5%inflationary increase-$per revenue hour calculation. 3.For cost estimating purposes Year I equals 2011 expenses and year 5 equals 2015 expenses. 4. Assumption there is no increases to fares and fee rates and there are no increases to Federal Funding outside of formula increases(non-passenger mile related)over the 5 year period. 5. Assumption that revenue recovery remains at the current average of 12% of operating& maintenance expenses. VI. FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE In order to meet Goals 5 and 6,the project team assembled a citizen Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) to support the project. The FAC was comprised of representatives from both Fort Collins and Loveland. The FAC had open discussions about the required investment for transit strategies, related funding issues,and to identify options to address those issues. The purpose of the FAC was to develop a range of funding mechanisms and ultimate recommendations that will enable proposed operational strategies to be implemented. The recommendations of the FAC can be seen in Attachment 7. The following is a brief summary of the FAC's evaluation criteria and recommendation to implement the Transit Strategic Plan for Fort Collins, Loveland, and Regional service: Evaluation Criteria: • Reliable and dedicated source • Fair: Places burden on users, but not undue burden on those least able to pay • Ease of administration and implementation • Revenue grows with the community • Ability for differentiation by community • Likely success with voters, public acceptance May 12, 2009 Page 8 FAC Recommendation: 1. Immediate Creation of a Regional Transit Provider. 2. Increase funding to implement the Transit Strategic Plan with the following sources: a. Maintenance of Effort b. Fares C. 1/4 cent general sales tax d. Transit Utility Fee e. New Negotiated Agreements f. Special Improvements Districts for Special Transit Corridors Fort Collins Loveland Special Special New Negotiated Improvement Improvement Agreements, Districts, D*114 $500,000 $1M Maintenance of $5 Transit Utility New NegotiatedEffort, Fee, Maintenance of Agreements, $2.6 M $44 M Effort, $500,000 $10.9 M $5 Transit Utilit Fee, 1/4 cent Sales Tax, $22 M $6.2 M ent Sales Tax, $29 M The final Transit Strategic Plan report will contain a staff recommendation that a Feasibility Study for the planning and development of a Regional Transit Provider be completed by January 2010 as an addendum to the Transit Strategic Plan. The Feasibility Study would contain the following scope of work: • Background Analysis • Stakeholder Interviews with Potential Participants in Regional Transit Service • Peer Analysis • Alternatives and Cost/Benefits Analysis, relative to providing local and regional transit services. VII. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Boards that have taken action in support of the Transit Strategic Plan as presented: • Transportation Board • Air Quality Advisory Board Staff will present the plan at the following board meetings through May and June: • Economic Advisory Commission • Commission on Disability • Youth Advisory Board • Senior Advisory Board • Natural Resources Advisory Board • Planning and Zoning Board May 12, 2009 Page 9 VIL NEXT STEPS April- June: • Meet with City Boards and Commissions May -June: • Report preparation July 7: • Council consideration of adoption of the Transit Strategic Plan. ATTACHMENTS 1. Existing System. 2. Proposed Phase I Improvements. 3. Proposed Phase 2 Improvements. 4. Proposed Phase 3 Improvements. 5. Transit Strategic Plan PowerPoint presentation. 6. Operating/Maintenance and Capital Expenses. 7. Financial Advisory Committee Recommendation. 8. Staff summary from the February 10, 2009 work session. 9. Transportation Board minutes, March 18, 2009. 10. Air Quality Advisory Board minutes, April 20, 2009. r 1lqp Attachment 1 -- - WILLOX MOUNTAIN VISTA Existing System � ■ Ra�MCEs w � VINE J VINE z Exis g Downtown w LAPORTE ansif Center 00 pcua4 s ~ MI MIIRPF RY r MULBERRY McaSc CeMena IHS Cob state i Pm°REvuuYa°anru sity 3 ■ Fh PROSPECT ■ SO. mcm a 25 w ■ HUMAMSMMCES m J same°wnRIMM 9Exl°R o=1RIX Nett F DRAKE Schad J Q = Rock urtain HS 3 0 F o LL W F]°IHIIS AMLL ■ Fat ollim HS tin South Transit Center HORSETOOTH (to be relocated) i W 2 J Existing Harmony F Transfer Center ■ o _ umw mEn rn HARMONY ommunity oliegeLi 1 '"�rn■°PNu 1 z Fossil Ridge HS Q � 1 KECHTER j W1 L z of y l uw m I � F TRILBY 1 1 I 1 CARPENTER I I I 1 71 ST ST 1 I 1 25 1 Y 57TH 1 1 y o m wl 0 O o1 z �1 0 1 p LUPSSROADS I 1 1 37TH ST 1 N 37TH 1 1 J � 1 i P� 14THW North Transfer Station 129TH G POSTERLovdaid HS u�cunERNQ� EISM M Hamm Ferg onHs NA4ountaln view HS Existing`East Park and Ride OH1STER0 ThompsonExisting System - Frequency of Service o %111eyHSExisting Transit Center/TransferCenter Existing Park and Ride 14TH Frequency is 15 min. to 30 min. 22ND Frequency is 60 min. tlJm SAMOPMNI Regional Route (Frequencies Vary) 28TH Jr Paratransit Boundary 0 1 0.6 1.2 1.8 2A School/College/University Miles P:\F\FCOLOOO000011,06OOl NFO\GS\pmjects\ServiceFrequency_NlPhases_UpdatedPlan_3-1&09.mzd Attachment 2 WILLOX MOUNTAIN VISTA Proposed Phase 1 ■ .EER�GE� Improvements a VINE VINE w z xi g Downtown w LAPORTE °" sit Center Poudre HS MUSEMUBRARY IN `NCO MULBERRY V Centeno' HS xc Exi ting CSU Transit Center = W >� Colorado State i wE vauer xossimL O University 3 PROSPECT w C7CENTER EMCjfER �p J 25 4�@ O rc w ■ CSU U > anceREwRTrnE <x SERvices -- SEEM CENTER Q Vet DRAKE school J J Rocky Mountain HS 2 a W w Eoomiusi au r 2 Fort Collins HS HORSETOOTH 0 a m Existing Harmony N i W �" o MCN RANGE Transfer Center ��LLIGE HARMONY RE: ION Front Range Community CWlege NARSUS South Transit Center ' z 1 r Fossil Ridge HS m a U WI w KECHTER y c� wl w of J N UI Of W m TRILBY ~ 1 1 1 CARPENTER 1 I I 1 71 ST ST 1 1 I 25 CAL„a T 1 I 57TH <1 � 0 I 0 0 of 1° J W W Q LL � ¢t z OI _ J, �ROSSROADS 1 � I 1 37TH ST 1 1 uzOi 37TH 1 J_ t _ Existing North Transfer Station t Ix 29TH 1 Loveland HIS � 1 zz CAaCENiTER 1 w �l 22ND N ES 1 LL �■MEEMETi cEN ER Proposed East Trans f a EST t w>A a EISENHOWER V � F�r<E�,>E�T\ _ .— J Harold Ferg on HS > m Tw��ua. Mountain View HIS Existing East Park and Ride w J � � 7TH M w Proposed South Transfer stati RUMw Phase 1 System - Frequency of Service 0 1ST HUEAAN MCGENTERERVICES 0 Existing Transit Center/TransferCenter rc Thompson Existing Park and Ride gValley HS EURRROUNES WK z El Proposed Transit Center/Transfer Center zProposed Park and Ride ITOWSONmm.E� 14TH Frequency is 10 min. or Less Frequency is 15 min . to 30 min . 22ND °°°°S""'°"T"" Frequency is 60 min . Regional Route ( Frequencies Vary) 28TH Paratransit Boundary o 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 Miles School/College/University P:AF\FCOL00000001V06001NF-0VG5\projects\ServiceFreq Tien cy_AI I P hases UpdatedP la 3-18 .mxd AV Phase I - Proposed Transit Services o Modest transit service growth over existing service o Implementation of MAX Bus Rapid Transit ( BRT) in Fort Collins o Refinement of other routes to coordinate with MAX • Bi4rectional service for • - . OLT system Fort Collins Services • Relocated South Transit Center (STC) to MAX terminus located off of Fairway Lane . • Mason Express ( MAX) bus rapid transit ( BRT) route service along the Mason Corridor from Downtown Transit Center ( DTC) to the proposed STC . • New service and realignment of some routes (e .g. along Shields, Horsetooth , Drake and Taft Hill) . • Extension of hours to offer early evening service, including Saturday. • Improved frequency on CSU routes . Poudre School District Services • Afternoon service via two dedicated local routes serving Lincoln Junior High School and Poudre High School . • Improved access to Rocky Mountain High School via Shields . Loveland Services • Improved timed transfers to FoxTrot and Greeley's Route 34-Xpress . • Redesigned routes to provide Loveland with bi - directional service . • Minimal early evening Saturday service . Regional Services • FoxTrot route is modified to connect to the proposed STC . • New regional route between Loveland and Longmont with Saturday service . Cott' rf rw Fort Collins �f 1 City of Loveland MEN P:\F\FCOL00000001\06001NFO\0660Non{ADGraphics\Public Meeting #3\Phase I Proposed Transit Services_040609.pdf 04/08/09 r Attachment 3 WILLOX -NSEP MOUNTAIN VISTA Proposed Phase 2 Improvements w w W ? VINE VINE w O z " Existing Downtown w LAPORTE °" �" , � ansitCenter Foudre HS MUSEUM LIBRARY • ��NCOC MULBERRY 0 Centennial HS CiSUTian Centers gag w vwE.xDSP�.AE > Colorado State i 0 O University 3 PROSPECT wDETENTO 0 CENTER JPCDj,ER 25 0 w ■ ANSER CIES CSU > DERWIMENT sExiwaENTER Yet p ■ nDAVE Schoo i J = Rocky Mountain HS r £ ■TME at Collins HS HORSETOOTH i w 2 J Existing Harmony oTARGET z o Transfer Center _ J w t max.RAxrs HARMONY ��-• Front Range = Pro osed PVH Harmony Community College mmm a us Transit Center 1 South Transit Center z I m I _ QFossil Ridg HS � cai - - w KECHTER y 1 w J c� w w JI J N 1 w I I � 1 I � I TRILBY 1 1 I 1 1 1 I 1 1 CARPENTER 1 1 1 I 1 1 I 1 1 1 71 ST ST � i 1 1 25 RALWA w Y 1 1 57TH I � of m I JI w I 1 LL c�l 1 CROSSROADS 1 1 I z 37TH ST 1 O 37TH 1 Vl J I fisting North Transfer Station 1 29TH I Loveland HS 1 z 6RI 22ND O N 1 LL Q •M �EEMED EEN R Proposed East Transf on RAI a MAI! _ EISENHOWER _ _ _ _ EN'.ERsh��nERR>E E. __ Harold Ferg on HS ML MART Mountain View HS ExistingEast Park and Ride sAxsc N 1 O Proposed South Transferstati EUNI 7TH m w Phase 2 System - Frequency of Service LBRAW 0 1ST HUNAN =ENS SERVICES 0 Existing Transit Center/TransferCenter rc Thompson Existing Park and Ride gValley HS FARGR DSRARK J Q Proposed Transit Center/Transfer Center z Proposed Park and Ride THOMPSON ,o.ECE RE 14TH � Frequency isl0 min. orLess Frequency is 15 min. to 30 min. L82 a ANFrequency is 60 min. Regional Route ( Frequencies Vary)1 _ r-I Paratransit Boundary o as 1.2 is 2.4 Mlles 1 School/College/University J P:\F\FCOlD0000001 �06001N FO\GS\pmjeots\ServKeRequenq_AIIPhases UpdatedPlan 3-184.mxd r i Phase 2 — Proposed Transit Services Expansiono greater route Additionalcoverage , higher service frequencies, and longer service hours o Continuation of MAX service in Fort Collins o Expansion of regional connections to Denver, Greeley, and Longmont o - connections Fort Collins Services • Proposed new Harmony Transit Center at Harmony Road and Timberline Road in the vicinity of PVH Harmony Campus. • System shifted to true grid configuration . • Fifteen new or reconfigured grid system routes with improved peak hour service frequencies . • Ten routes with early evening service , two routes with late evening service , and sixteen routes with Saturday service . Poudre School District Services • Increased frequency in vicinity of Fort Collins , Rocky Mountain and Fossil Ridge high schools . • Greater public transit coverage of high school student origins within high school walk boundaries and overall attendance areas . Loveland Services • Facility improvements at three transfer stations . • New transfer facility in Centerra. • Two new routes with 60= minute frequency providing regional connections between Loveland and Centerra, and expansion of service to the south . • Early evening service on Wednesdays and Saturdays for two routes . Regional Services • New route connecting Fort Collins- Loveland - Denver. • More direct connection between Loveland and Greeley. • Two regional routes with early evening service . Late evening service between Loveland and Longmont. • Three regional routes with Saturday service . City of k N1 F�rt�insMILM P:\F\FCOL00000001\06001NFO\0660Non-CADGraphics\Public Meeting #3\Phase 2 Proposed Transit Services_040609.pdf 04/08/09 ., Attachment 4 WILLOX -NSEP,R_ MOUNTAIN VISTA Proposed Phase 3 Improvements VINE VINE w I — J J O Z " Existing Downtown LAPORTE °" : ansit Center PoumeHS NUEEDM.LIDRAR. ■ l7,yCOC ~ MULBERRY Centento HS Rc g CSU Transit CentetM co s > Colorado State i w�vwEvxosPiw L¢� O University 3 PROSPECT w O KTE W r pe EMC(JTER 0 ■ 25 O W W ■ WvAN SERVCE CSU U j J PMEE DERTINENT SExwCENTER 0 ■ Vet School y Rocky Mountain HS ; w w w r £ ■TME Fort Collins HS HORSETOOTH LD � w 2 J c a a Existing Harmony Transfer Center HARMONY ��-• Pro osed PVH Harmony 1 Fmnt Range 1 Community College Ab PDS us Transit Center South Transit Center z 1 r Fossil Rldg HS m a U 1 w KECHTER y wl J w z 1 JI J N 0I w I I � 1 I � 1 TRILBY 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 i I CARPENTER 1 1 1 1 I I I 71ST ST 1 I 1 I ML«A 1 25 W I 57TH I o I o m JI w I w sl z cal I 1 1 CROSSROADS 1 I 37TH ST 1 I 0 37TH rn I I J 1 I 3 fisting North Transfer Station I x 29TH R Loveland HS1EDOLLCEN,ERI XT 22ND I y EMEEIrwEEN 61 a •M RE �R Proposed East Transf on T FAIR z I EISENHOWER — atnERRAEA� — — — — — — — — — - - - I Harold Ferg on HS > SaRs` w `_. Mountain View HS Exisling East Park an d Ride W N J m Pr osedsout Transfer station 7TH m w Phase 3 System - Frequency of Service 0 1ST HWAN UVEGEWER 0 Existing Transit Center/TransferCenter o �" rc Thompson Existing Park and Ride gHS FMRGR ES MR J 0 Proposed Transit Center/Transfer Center zProposed Park and Ride ,N APSENVATOWNECE� - =E 14TH Frequency is10 min. orLess Proposed Thompson Valle Towne Centre Transfer Station Frequency is 15 min. to 30 min. D Frequency is 60 min. — — - Regional Route ( Frequencies Vary) 28TH 1 _ _r-I 1 Paratransit Boundary 0 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 Mlles School/College/University J P:\F\FCOlD0000001106001N FO\GS\projects\ServKeFrequenq_AIIPhases UpdatedPlan 3-18-09.mxd r I (777777 (j Arc (4 F I I f I Phase 3 — Proposed Transit Services longero Additional transit growth in Fort Collins and Loveland including - e hours and limited Sunday transit service o Extension of MAX service to areas outside of Mason Corridor o Improved service along Enhanced Travel Corridors in Fort Collins (Mason , Timberline , Harmony, and Vine to North College) o New regional routes to Berthoud , Windsor and Boulder, and addition trips on other regional • - Fort Collins Services • Two new express routes utilizing Mason Corridor to minimize transfers and increase frequency. • Twelve routes offering early evening service ; four routes offering late evening service . • More Saturday service . • Implement Sunday service for seven routes . Poudre School District Services • Improved connections and frequency to Fort Collins and Fossil Ridge high schools. • Additional public transit coverage for high school student origins, additional service hours and greater opportunity for connections between campuses . Loveland Services • Proposed new South Transfer Station at Thompson Valley Towne Centre ( I 4th SW and Taft) . • Two new routes expanding service to the west along Wilson and Taft. • Frequency improvements on primary central loop route . • Four routes with early service; two routes with late evening service . • Eight routes with Saturday service . • Implement Sunday service for four routes . Regional Services • New route providing connections between South Fort Collins- Loveland (Centerra) - Longmont- Boulder. • Revised regional route connecting Fort Collins- Loveland - Berthoud - Longmont • Additional early evening services late evening service . • Additional Saturday and Sunday service . City of rw Fartiiii, NCitIUE s �J )1 PARFCOL00000001\06001NFO\0660Non-CADGraphics\Public Meeting #3\Phase 3 Proposed Transit Services_040609.pdf 04/08/09 i Attachment 5 C ® al 2009Transit Strategic Plan Project Update May 12, 2009 Fort Collins City Council f Direction Sought by City Council o Does Council need any additional information before action is requested on July 7th? 5\ z C J What Agencies Have Partnered City of Fort Collins Update 2002 Transfort Strategic Operating Plan City of Loveland c Update 2004 Loveland COLT Transit Plan Poudre School District(PSD) Provide Increased Mobility For High School Population rw ?l Project Purpose — City of Fort Collins B Update 2002 Transforl Strategic Operating Plan. o Address specific City Policies and Objectives, m Foster a Dialogue With the Community and Region. o Review Existing Service and Performance Standards, ® Examine the Existing Four Phased Approach to a Grid Transit Network and. Address the Financial Solutions Required. v Dl 4 }1 2 C Project Goals and Objectives o Goal 1: Develop an expanded transit system focused on productivity and performance to serve the Fort Collins area that meets City Plan Policies o Goal 2: Meet the 2008 Climate Action Plan Goal for Transportation CO, reductions by 2020 by achieving 7,000,000 annual riders. o Goal 3: Provide enhanced mobility for seniors, youth, disabled and transit dependant. !1l I C Project Goals and Objectives o Goal 4: Develop a public transportation system that reduces roadway related costs for maintenance, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. ° Goal 5: Provide funding recommendation to fully implement the Transit Strategic Plan. o Goal 6: Stimulate the local economy through investment in public transportation infrastructure and operations. uicaws r 6 C 3 J Existing Fort Collins — Transfort System 0 18 Fixed Routes y. _ 0 23 Vehicles in Peak Service j 1,884,194 Annual I` Ridership in 20082007 7114.8 % increase over 2007 _ rw i Existing Loveland — C.O.L.T System 0 3 Fixed Routes 0 5 Vehicles in Peak Service " i 0 121,530 Annual Ridership in 2008 5% increase over 2007 4xiCdlms � al N 4 C Poudre School District — High Schools o Fort Collins HS— 3 Bus Rts •Poudre HS—24 Bus Rts Now •Rocky Mountain HS—4 Bus Rts 7 ., is Fossil Ridge HS— 10 Bus Rts y r The Process ® Collect input from the community m Examine existing Strategic Plan Goals T .. and Objectives Is Examine Existing conditions © Develop system build out to meet Project Goals Financial planning r u 'al 10 5 I �l Public Outreach (as of May 12) m 7 open house meetings in Fort Collins and Loveland: m 4 PSD open houses: and Is 30 Stakeholder briefings/interviews Fm ELAN a� 11 Public Outreach - Most Frequent Comments m Increase hours of service(evenings and weekends) m Increase frequency to every half hour at least m Need to implement a Grid System m Establish regional connections between Fort Collins and Denver Metro m More transit coverage throughout community and region s v !l 2 6 C Draft Build Out Phases o Phase 1 : Modest service growth. o Phase 2 : Transition to Grid Network and Regional Service o Phase 3 : Full Grid Network and Additional Regional Service 19ililMbm � :Jl AP l C Draft Phase 1: Fort Collins Addition of MAX BRT � I o Additional east/west service Loveland o New bi-directional service o Increase from 3 to 6 buses Regional Is New regional route between Loveland and Longmont ins ELM l 14 C ♦ I Draft Phase 1: Students living within % mile of a Transit Route M Fort Collins High School=768 0% Increase over Existing e Poudre High School =737 1% Increase over Existing o Rocky Mountain High School = 1,149 0% Increase over Existing o Fossil Ridge High School =415 8% Increase over Existing r.�riralm; rW �\ u; Ar l Draft Phase 2: — Fort Collins Transition to grid network o Increased span of service, and service frequencies Loveland o Expanded coverage, span of service, and service frequencies Regional New regional route to Denver MLAW kmv 16 8 C Draft Phase 2: Students living within 1/:mile of a Transit Route IS Fort Collins High School =973 27% Increase over Existing c Poudre High School=807 11% Increase over Existing * Rocky Mountain High School= 1,401 22% Increase over Existing O Fossil Ridge High School =844 120% Increase over Existing n C i Draft Phase 3: --- Fort Collins Full Grid Network o Increased span of service, and service frequencies Loveland Is Significant expansion of service 0 1 new transfer facility t Regional c1 New regional route to Berthoud root rooms is C 9 Draft Phase 3: Students living within '/z mile of a Transit Route o Fort Collins High School =986 29% Increase over Existing o Poudre High School =823 13% Increase over Existing IS Rocky Mountain High School =1,404 22% Increase over Existing o Fossil Ridge High School=845 120% Increase over Existing Financial Planning 1S Develop Financial Plans for Expanded Service Phases © Citizen Financial Advisory Committee convened bi- weekly for 6 months to develop a funding recommendation for the expanded service for Loveland and Fort Collins w s O �l 20 O 10 C , Annual Operations and Maintenance Shortfall to Implement Phase III OpernlrnU ncd lisul......tar phis.III l.f uoU.C�u WE UUU UCu - u.f rm eA1a $I].hurl uoo S IU 00000C mill ]`UUC 9CC l url aorun, .urn nn. 9syinirr�� Se ry rae a,- NOW Goi le0ad]yea5 of conapollnOeC Inaallon at 54n 9r,C-M, 21 C Capital Shortfall to Implement Plan Capital 5nonlall to Reach Full Expansion .nno ouo s 12 poo uun Sl o ono on, 3 ]a O000a"e - So 000 0so $a coo ouu . . s. S......Frons Note.Casts reflect]years Of mmpounded Inflation at 5% C ( �l Summary of Operating Expenses to Implement Plan Fort Collins Service Area Existing Phase I Phase II Phase III Cost $8000000 11,773.084 $ 18,012,894 1 $ 22.551.179 Service Hours 72,000 96.100. 14.1,000 162,800 #of Buses 23 27 38 41 Win Cosh render c ompounded,nnanon al V" over a 7 rest period `\ Fryli�dln5 ;J1 23 J a Sister Agency Comparison (2007 Data) Annual UZA Revenue Annual Operating city population Vil"pleA Houm Rltlarsblp Budget Eugene,OR 224,049 91 279.688 9.757984 $32.636,090 Salem.OR 207.229 6, 173,879 5.215.357 S 26,460,727 Ann Arbor.ad 263.904 60 182,471 5.6n.503 $ 23,347,6% Colorado Springs,CO 466,122 ]5 21 J,B77 IMAM S 23;847,404 Champaign,IL 123,938 78 214.214 9.157.011 S 21,150.269 Santa Barbara,CA 196,263 80 185Al2 7,710,062 E 18.361.009 Fart C011inelLoveland,CO 206.757 27 73,991 1,8,15,445 S 8,559,T12 f Milne 24 12 C • I J Financial Advisory Committee Purpose and Responsibility The purpose of the citizen Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) is to develop a set of funding recommendations that will, in turn, enable the operational recommendations to be implemented". co7i cabs, rM ,\ z, C Financial Advisory Committee Evaluation Criteria o Reliable and dedicated source • Fair: Places burden on users, but not undue burden on those least able to pay o Ease of administration and implementation Is Revenue grows with the community ® Ability for differentiation by community ® Likely success with voters, public acceptance rti'r�uns111111111111WIIIII ,l 26 C 13 Financial Advisory Committee Recommendation 1.Immediate Creation of a Regional Transit Provider 2. Increase Funding For Phase III Implementation with the Following Sources: -Maintenance of Effort -Fares -General Sales Tax -Transit Utility Fee -Negotiated Agreements -Special Improvement Districts �� hl �iNli dNi __ 27 I J� Financial Advisory Committee Recommendation Fort Collins Loveland $22.5 Million $9.2 Million n a J.uiT(u M _a. I+r�f"Mlm•, r 28 14 C Why a Regional Service Provider? Meets Partners Objectives IS Would be most direct and effective means of achieving coordinated transit service IS A single service provider would avoid confusion with other regional transportation infrastructure efforts. I Al u 29 AV +1 Why a Regional Service Provider? Meets Partners Objectives e Each entity should provide its own funding for transit service at whatever level it wishes o Should be designed so that additional jurisdictions could join now or later. coFic�ims E 11 so C 15 APO IIrj a ' Why a Regional Service Provider? Governance o Would simplify administration and improve accountability o Would strengthen regional partnerships IS Would better leverages State and Federal funding. u 6\ Why a Regional Service Provider? Operational Efficiencies and Economies of Scale o Shared overhead costs, staffing, and facilities. �v � gal 12 16 C Why a Regional Service Provider? Long Term Opportunities 0 Would allow for long range visions to be achieved for Northern Colorado mobility needs. T;r 33 1AP Potential Intergovernmental Agreements to Provide Service Fort Collins Wellington CSU Larimer County Regional Timnath Provider Berthoud Loveland Windsor F1- E l 3,1 17 i Regional Service Provider? Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that a Feasibility Study be completed analyzing the creation of a consolidated Regional Transit Provider by January 2010 as an addendum to the Transit Strategic Plan with the Following scope of work: -Background Analysis -Stakeholder Interviews -Peer Analysis -Alternatives and Cost/Benefit Analysis -vn]dlmc E �1 35 „ i Benefits of an Expanded Transit System FnrlfglLnn rw r ELM 36 \\ 18 C Each Year, Transit Use in the U.S. Saves: Reducing U.S.oil dependence 0 34 supertankers of oil,or a supertanker leaving the Middle East every 11 days PuWh Vnmplelallon rtdnre.U.T.pe comumptmn by a I.W meal m The equivalent of 300,000 o11.4 h0hon gallon. � - �. of gaaolln!annudly fewer automobile fill-ups each day ftiir`'t- ns rw �\ C Transit Reduction in COZ ® Public transportation is estimated to reduce CO, 3 emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. ji=lnz e Using transit for work commute can reduce COZ j �x a emissions by 20 pounds III per day—more than 4,800 pounds in a year. 11"W �l 78 C 19 Transit Reduction in VMT and COzfor Fort Collins Gotl Co111-M-A VMT RUNwJ Fert L011lm bmunl Tmn W CO2 R.J...11 rw ,l AF �s J Transit Helps Relieve Congestion o Reduces Congestion and C r2 Aw, Travel Time FRO . 60 q., n,,-125 lriRN © Protects Mobility ijW 200.S.w tJ Helps Create Complete Streets no 20 C Transit Provides Benefits for Seniors 2020 m One-fourth of today's 75+ age group Latimer Counry does not drive o By 2011, 20% of Larimer County residents will be seniors. ® In the next 11 years, Larimer County's population over 60 years of age will increase by 115%. «ia v !l C Transit Helps Low Income Individuals m 34,176 Individuals in Larimer County living below the poverty line. to 7,493 Children living below the poverty line in Larimer County. m 2,029 Seniors living below the poverty line in Larimer County. Note:2007 Data C. 21 , Monthly Household Mobility Costs $900 $910 • • $835 $10 Under Developed Transit Full Service Transit at$10/month 1111111161111111 I® I ' � Investment in Transit Helps Build a Strong Economy F.d LOM,RO.m.n Im M.l l lolrea mal,e�l,maMccol Mili�ne °Helps Stimulate Economy FM Ala i) ;.l 22 C Investment in Transit Helps Build a Strong Economy ° Creates and Sustains Employment $1 Million Invested = 16 Jobs $22 Million Invested = 345 Jobs u ,l as C I Investment in Transit Provides Catalyst for Increased Real Estate Values and Development ° Boosts Real Estate Public transportation Values enhances property values ° Stimulates Development it and Redevelopment al -- - er to Rear Crane values o1 properties l Dated ° Fosters More Livable near transit were l3Y higher In Dallas Communities and 17%higher in San Diego. FziCMOns � �� .I IF C 23 Example of Potential Redevelopment Opportunity In i LA BEFORE AFTER r; rw �l 47 Transit Reduces Investment Required for Expansion of Streets t : ' 1•i , Transit use reduces roadway-related costs for maintenance, right-of-way acquisition, and construction by as much as $1 billion to $1.7 billion per year nationwide. r MricdMs N Dl 4a 24 C Demand for ® Economics -Increased Price of Oil Transit Service ! -Increased Price of Commodities ginga ed Population of Living •Aft 1��1�IIAjI O O ® Aging Population L i i yy -Projected arim increase of "/(U■1n ■ll 7iD Seniors in Lorimer County by � ��Is projected to nvi more than a Environmental Concerns double in next -To meet City carbon reduction 10 years goals,over 11,000 residents would have to use alternative modes of transportation ■�� yal as AV Next Steps April -June: Meet with City Boards and Commissions May-June: Report Documentation July 7: Council Regular Session Action Item msIIIILM 50 C 25 J Questions? www.fcgov.com/tsp •, rw 71 51 �J 26 1 Attachment 6 Attachment 6 TRANSIT STRATEGIC PLAN - PROJECTED REVENUE SHORTFALLS City of Loveland (COLT I PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III Year Year Year Year Year Projected Capital Expenses - Vehicles $ 430,627 $ 1,424,351 $ 1,424,351 $ 1 ,570,212 $ 1570,212 Projected Capital Funding - FTA Section 5309 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 $ 130,000 Projected Capital Shortfall $ (300,62]) $ (1,294,351) $ (1,294,351) $ (1,410,2121 $ (1,440,212) Projected Operating & Maintenance Expenses $ 2,762,671 $ 4,324,252 $ 5,985,832 $ 7,810,248 $ 9,734,664 Projected Operating & Maintenance Revenues: General Fund $ 420,000 S 420,000 $ 420,000 $ 420,000 $ 420,000 Fares B Fees It 331,521 S 518,910 $ 706,300 $ 937,230 $ 1,168,160 Federal Fords - FTA Section 5307 It 641,981 S 799,463 $ 956,945 $ 956,945 $ 956,945 JARC B CMAQ Funding It h0,000 S 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 Miscellaneous Revenue $ 25,000 S 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 257000 Sub-Total - Projectetl Operating & Maintenance Revenues $ 1468,502 $ 1813,373 $ 2,158,245 $ 2,389,175 $ 2,620,105 `ejected Operating & Mainte� $ (1,294,170) $ (2,510,879) $ (3,727,587) $ (5,421,074) $ (7,114,560) Fort ColllnslCSUIPSCIMAX PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III Year Year Year Year Year Projected Capital Expenses - Vehicles $ 5,167,524 $ 4,510,444 $ 4,510,444 $ 5,308,510 $ 5,308,510 Projected Capital Funding - FTA Section 5309 $ 550,000 $ 550,000 $ 550,000 $ 550,000 $ 550,000 Projected Capital Shortfall $ (4,617,524) $ (3,960,4") $ (3,960,414) $ (4,7W,510) $ (4,758,510) Projected Operating & Maintenance Expenses $ 11 773,084 $ 14,892,989 $ 18,012,894 $ 20,282,037 $ 22,551,179 Projected Operating & Maintenance Revenues: General Fund $ 5,418,062 S 5,418,062 S 5,418,062 It 5,418,062 $ 5,418,062 Fares B Fees $ 1,249,300 S 1,758,552 S 2,267,804 It 2,427,031 $ 2,45$559 Federal Fords - FTA Section 5307 $ 1,619,490 S 1,907,460 S 2,195,430 It 2,384,220 $ 2,573,010 Advertising Fees It 2497280 S 249,280 S 249,280 It 255,840 $ 26274W JARC B CMAQ Funding It 1257" S 125,0o0 $ 125,000 It 125,000 $ 1257" Earnings on Investments It 5070W S 50,000 S 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 5070W Miscellaneous Rentals It 257000 S 25,000 S 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 257000 Miscellaneous Revenue It 107000 S 10," S Iowa $ Iowa $ 107000 Sub-Total - Projected Operating & Maintenance Revenues $ 8,740132 $ 9,543,354 $ 10,340,576 $ 10695,153 $ 10,922,031 ted Operating 8 Maintenance Shortfall $ (3,026,952) $ (5,349,635) $ (7,672,319) $ (9,586,883) $ (11,629,148) Regional Service PHASE PHASE II PHASE III Year Year Year Year Year Projected Capital Expenses - Vehicles $ 4,443,974 $ 2,878,722 $ 2,878,722 Projected Capital Funding - FTA Section 5309 $ 150,000 $ 150,000 $ 150,000 _Capital Shortfall $ - $ - $ (4,293,974) $ (2,728,722) $ (2,728,722) Projected Operating & Maintenance Expenses $ 3,092,227 $ 3,899,262 $ 4,700297 Projected Operating & Maintenance Revenues: General Fund Fares B Fees $ 670,395 $ 845,360 $ 1,020,325 Federal Funds - FTA Section 5307 $ 229,680 $ 319,725 $ 4097770 Advertising Fees It 52,800 $ 65,760 $ 787720 Section 5311 Fording It 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 507000 Sub Total - Projected Operating & Maintenance Revenues $ 1,002,875 $ 1,280,845 $ 1 558,815 Projected Operating & Maintenance $ - $ - $ (2,089,352) $ (2,618,417) $ (3,147,482) PHASE PHASE II PHASE III Year Year Year Year Year TOTAL OPERATING & MAINTENANCE EXPENSES $ 14,535,755 $ 19,217,241 $ 26,990,954 $ 31,991,547 $ 36,992,'41 TOTAL OPERATING & MAINTENANCE REVENUE $ 10,214,634 $ 11,356,727 $ 13,501,695 $ 14,365,173 $ 15,100,951 WTAL OPERATING & MAINTENANCE SHORTFALL $ (4,321,121) $ (7,860,514) $(13,489,258) $ (17,626,3]4) $ (21,891,189) TOTAL CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS $ 5,598,151 S 5,934,796 $ 10,378,769 $ 9,151,444 $ 9,757,444 TOTAL CAPITAL FUNDING $ 680,000 S 660000 $ 830,000 $ 830,000 $ 830,000 TOTAL CAPITAL SHORTFALL 11L $ (4,918,151) $ (5,254,796) $ (9,548,769) $ (8,927,4") $ (8,927,444) Assuring S 1. Years 2 spur are transition years between phases - expectation that 50% of future buidout will be completed in these years. 2 OS Mexpensesone inclusive ofan annual 5% inflabonaryirncrease - $perrevenue hourcadulabon. 3. For cost estimating purposes Year 1 equals 2011 expenses and year 5 equals 2015 expenses. 4. Assumption Meng are no increases to fares and fee rates and Meng are no increases to Federal Funding outside of formula increases (non-passengermile nelated) overthe 5 yearpenod 5 Assumption Mat revenue recovery remains at Me current average of 12% of operating & maintenance expenses P:%Translort Strategic Plan1P008 Update\Project ManagementlProjecl ReporpBuildout Expenses revised phaseing AsShortfall with OF 4/172009 Attachment 7 MEMORANDUM To: Fort Collins City Council Loveland City Council Fort Collins City Manager Loveland City Manager Poudre School District Superintendent From: Financial Advisory Committee of the Transit Strategic Plan Date: April 4, 2009 Committee report on funding alternatives for transit This letter reports the findings and recommendations of the Financial Advisory Committee of the Transit Strategic Plan for the Cities of Fort Collins and Loveland and the Poudre R-I School District. Our basic assumption in making these recommendations is that expansion of transit service will be an essential means of adapting to future, potentially, disruptive changes in energy economics, environmental policy, and community demographics. Overview: In the immediate time period, the advisory committee recommends establishinent of a consolidated management structure for the area's transit operations. While there are several ways to do so, a Regional Service Authority (RSA) could be created without a concurrent tax increase that would provide the platform for future funding efforts as the economy and conditions warrant. In doing so„an RSA would allow for differing levels of funding and service as each City wishes. This will be discussed in more detail below. The advisory committee also finds that there is no one funding source likely to support the transit improvements envisioned by the Transit Strategic Plan. Instead, a combination of sources will be required. The timing of the funding will have to be informed by the timing of any improvements in the transit system. And, while this advisory committee is forecasting certain levels of support from each potential source, we recognize that further discussion and debate may result in changes to the amounts shown. The committee was given the singular task of making funding recommendations for proposed improvements in the transit systems of Fort Collins and Loveland and better coordination with the Poudre School District. While we were briefed on the progress of developing the Transit Strategic Plan itself, and availed ourselves of those opportunities to comment, we were not charged with recommending any of the design elements, phasing, or other aspects of the plan. While the committee is supportive of improvements in the transportation system, the Transit Strategic Plan stands on its own. 1 Management Structure: The advisory committee looked at several governance options as they might relate to funding possibilities. The three most likely candidates are: Status quo. Each entity operates its own system, raises its own funds, and only limited intergovernmental agreements exist for routes in common such as the Foxtrot line today. The committee believes that a new approach will be needed to meet the growing needs for transit in the area. Combined efforts under an IGA. There are already ongoing discussions between the City staffs seeking to improve coordination, operations and efficiency. The Transit Strategic Plan analyzes those possibilities in more detail. While this is an improvement over doing nothing, it fails to capture the economies of scale that a true consolidation offers. A new operational authority. The committee recommends that a Regional Service Authority (RSA), dedicated to transit with no new funding,be considered as the initial step towards an area-wide transit operation. There appear to be several advantages to this approach for the near term: • An RSA requires a vote to establish but then becomes its own legal entity for future fund raising, operations, etc. Getting public support for a consolidated effort will build knowledge and support for future growth of the system. • The RSA can be structured so that each participating entity provides its own funding and contracts with the RSA to provide transit service at whatever level it wishes. • The RSA starts with an appointed, unpaid board of directors. By contracting with the cities for all staff services, little if any resources are needed to sustain the board itself. • An RSA allows the participating cities to take best advantage of economies of scale in their transit operations. • The need for inter-city mobility and federal funding requirements already favor a consolidated transit operation across the study area. • While this recommendation speaks only to Fort Collins and Loveland, an RSA can be designed so that additional jurisdictions could join now or later. • The tight focus of an RSA on only transit service helps avoid any confusion with any other regional transportation efforts towards infrastructure. The City Transit Staffs have more detail about this option and the requirements to establish such an authority. Potential Revenue Sources: (See Attachment A for summary) The committee recognizes the differences in transit philosophies between the two cities. As a result, the following discussion of possible sources of funding needs to be combined with the concept of an RSA where each city can pick and choose how it raises the funds for the amount of service it wishes to provide. However, in the interest of brevity, the numbers shown below are for combined Fort Collins and Loveland. The Transit Strategic Plan will have more individual city detail. The mission of this committee was to research how all three phases of the strategic plan could be funded—a total annual 2 need of approximately $37 million dollars by 2015. The numbers shown below illustrate at least one route to that amount. (Numbers shown are estimates and subject to further refinement.) Attachment B of this letter lists the most promising revenue sources considered by the committee. In evaluating possible revenue streams for the strategic plan, the advisory committee used several criteria to evaluate each: • Reliable and dedicated source • Fair: Places burden on users, but not undue burden on those least able to pay • Ease of administration and implementation • Revenue grows with the community • Ability for differentiation by community • Likely success with voters,public acceptance In regard to the last item, likelihood of success, the advisory committee is keenly aware of the current economic situation. Timing will require careful judgment. After reviewing a wide range of possible funding sources, the committee recommends further consideration of the revenue sources described below. These recommendations reflect the general consensus of the committee except for the Transit Utility Tax as _ discussed below. Maintenance of Effort: Today both Loveland and Fort Collins are using General Fund revenues along with Federal and occasional State support to operate the current level of transit service. This report anticipates continuation of that effort. However, in packaging a suite of community improvements with a tax increase, it may prove advantageous to combine all transit funding in a common statement of need. Today, the existing sources of funding (local state and federal) contribute$9.5 million to the transit systems. With projected volume and inflationary_increases those sources will produce $15.1 million by 2015. Fares: A fare is the fee someone pays each time they step aboard a vehicle. It can take the form of cash; a pre-paid monthly or yearly pass (with or without a discount); a transfer from another bus; or a waiver based on some factor such as age. Typically the fare-box revenues cover 10% to 15% of the cost of operating the system. Commuters taking a lengthy inter-regional bus to work might pay most of the cost of the trip, while a fully subsidized local service that caters to tourists and shoppers might not charge at all. Too high of a fare becomes a regressive burden on the low-income transit-dependent population and discourages choice riders from giving up their alternatives, typically automobiles. As a result, setting of fares is a philosophical question regarding the overall mission of the transit system as it relates to mobility, congestion, economic development, air quality, etc. For the purposes of this study, the advisory committee recommends continuation of the existina, fare levels which will grow by an additional $Imillion by the time the system is built out. General Sales Tax: This has the greatest capacity to raise funds. It is also the most sought after revenue source and competition by other City needs will be intense. Any increase in the rate of sales tax, or redirection of an existing sales tax, will require a 3 i public vote. The advisory committee recommends by the time of the final build out of Phase 3 of the strate,,ic plan, $11.2 million additional dollars per year for transit should be funded by sales tax which is lust over a 'A cent tax on non-grocery sales. This would be about $11 per month per household. Transit Utility Fee: A fee would be added each month to an existing utility bill to pay for the basic mobility service provided by the transit system. • The majority of the committee supports this approach on the belief that all members of the community receive direct and/or indirect benefits of the fully- developed transit system. The benefits apply to drivers as well as non-drivers since the reductions in congestion, improvement in air quality, etc. extend beyond the transit ridership. The fee would be applied as a flat rate for households, but may vary for businesses based on their traffic generation potential. Properly designed, a fee can be assessed by the City Council without a public vote. Up to $6.7 million dollars per year can be raised by a 5% utility fee which would cost just under $7 per month per household—or perhaps as low as $3 per month if businesses are assessed at a hi€=her level commensurate with their traffic needs. • Two committee members do not support this approach for several reasons. For one, in difficult times like this, it is felt that citizens should vote on any fee or tax increase since many,households already have to make difficult spending decisions. Also there is the concern that such a fee is not a stable resource since new councils can redirect or stop the funding. And, finally, there is a concern that assessing fees on businesses based on volume of rides generated could be subjective and place an undue burden on businesses. Negotiated Agreements: Today the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) pays a fee to Transfort in exchange for which all students with a current I.D. can ride any Transfort bus without paying a fare. The bus routes serving CSU are the most heavily used, and Transfort is able to share the economies back to the students with a collective fee that is much lower than if all riders paid the current fare box rates. Also, as a marketing tool, businesses are offered the opportunity to buy highly discounted annual passes for their employees. The advisory committee believes there may be a few places where special, additional service might be offered in exchange for a flat fee such. as used with CSU. Following an extensive analysis of this option the conunittee was disappointed to find that negotiated agreements can generate no more than an additional $1 million per year, and it could be some time before that level of funding could be reached. The committee notes that the existence of an area-wide RSA would improve the ability to recruit new partners thanks to the broader service area. Special Improvement Districts: There is already a great deal of interest in the development and business community around the Transit Oriented Development possibilities of the Mason Corridor and its Bus Rapid Transit system. Other transit corridors, such as along Harmony Road in Fort Collins are envisioned in the long-term Transit Strategic Plan. Additional revenues are possible in such a district through either an increase in property values such as the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, or through a tax increment financing, or even a special district sales tax. This source could ultimately have considerable potential. In the time horizon of the study, by 2015 Special Improvement Districts could generate $2 million per year of revenue. 4 Implementation: If a Regional Service Authority is to be established, additional study will be needed with legal and operational experts to design the underlying agreements and ballot language. Then a campaign effort will be needed to present the concept and benefits to the voters. The committee recommends that other potential partners, such as Larimer County and the City of Berthoud be contacted to see if their transit operations would be candidates for inclusion. Once the governance structure is decided, timing and approach to funding and service levels then revert to local leadership: • Transit Utility Fees, fares, and negotiated agreements are within the purview of the City Councils and thus the quickest sources to raise additional funds. • Special improvement districts typically require a vote of the property owners within the district. While these sources individually and in combination can fund a number of improvements, they are not sufficient to fund the full build out of the transit system as envisioned in the strategic plan. • Sales tax increases or redirections will require a popular vote which can be held on a city by city basis. The timing of such votes must coincide with established elections and generally require a non-governmental organization to champion and fund the campaign. The advisory committee noted that the City of Denver successfully used a multiple choice tax referendum called "A to I" where voters could chose among several options. Knowing there are other varying calls for funding in Fort Collins, Loveland and Larimer County (police,jails, pavement, parks, mental health, etc.) structuring a common, singular campaign seems problematic across all jurisdictions. However, the concept of ' increased voter choice within each individual jurisdiction warrants additional study. Justification and conclusion: Double digit increases in transit ridership followed the spike in gasoline prices last year. In the future our communities will likely see the return of higher fuel costs, continued air quality and climate issues, increasing road congestion, and an aging population. The need for, and growing value of, mass transit options is clear. According to the American Automobile Association, it costs a family about$500 per month to own and use an automobile. Use of a high service transit system by family members can offset the need to fuel, or even own, one or more automobiles. This can free up a considerable amount of household wealth for other needs. To a low income family that might mean the difference in finding and holding a job, or qualifying for a mortgage or educational loan. To an upper income family, elimination of the second or third family vehicle would put funds currently being exported to car manufacturers and oil companies back into the local economy. 'Whatever route is pursued, improved transit service must in`the end make sense to the population. Any endeavor to ask officials and voters for additional funding will have to connect the benefits of transit back to the individual. 5 The advisory committee wishes to compliment the City and School District staffs for their professionalism and dedication to their work. It has been a pleasure to work with them on this effort. Our community is already the richer for having sucfi people in its employ. Thank you for considering this recommendation. We will be happy to answer any questions at your convenience. On behalf of the Financial Advisory Committee, Gary D. Thomas 757 Cherokee Drive Foil Collins, CO 80525 Home 970-482-7125 Work 970-223-8604 Attachment A: Recommended possible revenue sources Attachment B: All revenue sources considered Attachment C: Roster of advisory committee 6 Attachment A Recommended possible revenue sources vs. needs Phase Annual Costs Sources Revenues Balance needed 2009 Existing local and Current 9,500,000 federal funds 9,500,000 0 2015 Phase III 37,000,000 37,000,000 Maintenance of Effort 15,100,000 21,900,000 Add'] fares 1.000.000 20,900,000 '/4 +cent sales tax 11,200,000 9,700,000 5% utility fee 6,700,000 3,000,000 New negotiated agreements 1,000,000 2,000,000 Special improvement districts along corridors 2,000,000 0 Amounts shown are projected estimates including inflation. 7 Attachment B Funding Sources Considered with Strengths and Weaknesses General Fund ■ Has ability to raise large amounts of revenue. (sales tax) ■ Majority of regional retailers are located in Fort Collins and Loveland. ■ Diffuses funding burden over many people and businesses, including out-of-region visitors. Easy to administer. ■ Represents majority of existing revenue and unable to keep pace with rising costs. ■ Requires City Council to allocate additional funding to transit budget. Competes with other City services. ■ Subject to changes in biennial City budget(BFO). ■ Vulnerable to business cycles and may stagnate or decline during economic downturn. Seen as regressive but rebates possible to lessen impact. ■ Historically reliable source of funds. ■ 5307 Funding is formula based, so as revenue hours increase funding increases. • Generates decent revenue,but would not keep pace if system were to grow. Federal Funding • Easy to administer. ■ Federal funding is generated from national sources not just local. Mostly only available for capital assistance. Does not provide enough funding to meet capital needs. ■ No guarantee of increased annual amounts. ■ Users are paying for service. • Discounted pass sales has resulted in a growing segment of fare revenue and large increase in�ridership. ■ New Technology could increase fare recovery rate. Fares and Passes ■ Represents only 5%of current operating costs. • Limited in amount that can be increased due to impacts on ridership. ■ Not keeping pace with increased operating costs. • Challenging to have 100% fare recovery except on long distance lines. ■ Represents approximately 16% of the costs to deliver service to campus. f ■ Provides a higher revenue recovery than if we collected fares from ASCSU Agreement riding students. ■ Contracts are negotiated regularly_(strength and weakness) ■ Easy to administer. ■ Contracts are negotiated with students who have short tern interests. 8 ■ 20 year Contract with Next Media covers all bus stop installation costs, and generates revenue. Increased opportunities for additional advertising with new technology at stops and transit centers. ■ Easy to administer. Advertising • Funds coming through commercial advertising. Revenue represents a little over 2'Y0 of total operating costs. ■ Growth in advertising revenue is limited to space available to advertise. ■ Does not keep pace with increased operating costs. ■ Provides unexpected revenue primarily for capital needs. Misc. Grants Very unreliable. ■ Has ability to raise large amounts of revenue. • Majority of regional retailers are located in Fort Collins and Loveland. • Diffuses funding burden over many people and businesses, Sales Tax (Other than including out-of-region visitors. General Fund) • Considered a regressive tax but rebates possible to lessen impact. • Vulnerable to business cycles and may stagnate or decline during economic downturn. • Potential for substantial reliable revenue. • Revenue will rise with rising property values. ■ Can be imposed on those that benefit most from property value increases related to transit. ■ Is a regressive tax, affecting lower income households more Property Tax than higher income households. ■ Fully funded by landowners in taxing jurisdiction. ■ Commercial landowners pay higher property tax per dollar due to Gallagher Amendment. • If a district is used, could have equity arguments. ■ Directly tied to transportation. Assessed on motorists who contribute to congestion of roadways. Motor Vehicle Not as productive as sales or property tax. Registration Fee Fee is capped at $10 per registered vehicle per year. ■ Similar problem as Gas Tax, as more people ride transit fewer autos are being purchased. • State just added a new fee. 9 ■ Requires new growth to"pay its own way' for transit infrastructure. ■ Captures both residential and commercial development. ■ Only available for capital assistance. Impact Fees ■ Not as productive in revenue generation as sales or property tax. ■ Must demonstrate rational nexus and rough proportionality in the fee amount. ■ Would provide a higher revenue recovery than if we collected fares from passengers. • Would potentially increase ridership, which would in turn increase Federal funding. New Negotiated • Could target apartment complexes, school districts, CSU admin., . Agreements existing districts (DDA), business parks, etc. ■ Agreements can be terminated at any time. ■ Agreements can be renegotiated. ■ Could increase overhead costs to manage various agreements and contracts. Improvement See property tax. Districts • Visitors, not residents, will fund improvements. ■ Reliable revenue source. Visitor Benefit Tax Could face lodging industry opposition. ■ Lodging industry claims high visitor benefit taxes hurt tourism. • Steady revenue stream,keeps pace with growth. ■ Relatively easy to administer with existing utilities already in place. Transit Utility Fee Relatively low revenue production with a flat fee. ■ Can be regressive, rebates can lessen impact on low income households. ■ Direct link to transportation impacts. • Residents and commuters pay the fee. Head Tax Fee Employer and employee share the fee (Denver model). • Potential citizen aversion to a"new"tax. • Not as productive as sales or property tax. ■ Direct link to transportation. ■ Residents and commuters pay the fee. ■ Will keep pace with growth. ■ Reliable revenue stream. Congestion Fee ■ Exogenous benefits. ■ Unprecedented in the United States. ■ Upfront infrastructure investment-How do we collect this revenue? ■ Potential adverse effects on businesses. Carbon Credits N/A 10 Attachment C Roster of Advisory Committee Mary Atchison Larimer County United Way, Senior Vice President for Community Investment Donna Chapel Chapel and Collins Wealth Management,Co-Founder Board of Directors for the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce Dan Gould CSU Professor, Retired Former Fort Collins Transportation Board Member Robert Heath Heath Construction, Founder Daniel Hill Loveland Outlet Malls, General Manager Loveland Transportation Advisory Board Member Doug Johnson UniverCity Connections, Director of Implementation Gary Thomas SAINT, Executive Director Loveland Transportation Advisory Board, Chair Fort Collins Transportation Board, Chair Kitty Wild Wild Real Estate Services, Broker/Owner 11 ATTACHMENT 8 L Ci• Transfort I Dial-A-Ride ty. of 6570 Partner Road Fort Collins.CO 80522 F6n . Collins 970.221.6620 970.v.corn 85•fax fcgov.com Memorandum DATE: February 13,2009 TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager� � . Diane Jones,Deputy City Manager, Community Services FROM: Kurt Ravenschlag, Assistant General Manager,Transfort/DAR/,� . SUBJECT: February 10,2009 Work Session Summary-Transit Strategic Plan Update The following memorandum summarizes the February 10, 2009 Work Session regarding the 2009 Transit Strategic Plan. Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Ohlson, Councilor David Roy,Councilor Ben Manvel, Councilor Wade Troxell, Councilor Lisa Poppaw. Staff Present: Darin Atteberry, City Manager; Jeff Scheick,Planning Development and Transportation Director; Marlys Sittner, Transfort'Dial-A-Ride General Manager; Kurt Ravenschlag, Transfort/Dial-A-Ride Assistant General Manager. Direction Sought from Council: The agenda item was informational only, with no action by Council required. The feedback received from Councilmembers will be incorporated into the plan development. Council Feedback and Key Discussion Points: • Regional service should be funded through a partnership of various agencies participating in service. • Regional service should be implemented only after local service has been fully improved. • Focus on providing east/west connections to serve the Mason Corridor in Phase I, rather than in later phases. • Pursue additional coordination with Front Range Community College, Colorado State University, Poudre School District, State of Colorado, and Larimer County. Fort Collins Next Steps: February: • 10— Incorporate comments from February 10 Work Session • 13 —Poudre School District Briefing • 24—Loveland Open House • 25—Fort Collins Open House March: 24—Loveland City Council Meeting to Provide Project Overview/Status 26—Citizen Financial Advisory Committee Provides Final Funding Recommendation April—May: • Board and Council Adoption Process ATTACHMENT 9 Transportation Board 'AFT** t o March 18, 2009 hJ Page 4 minutes nable the developments to move forward, but based/onCccvelopment will overload the intersections. There are alstorm water requirements. Most development in the area is on hold right now. Providing ade public facilities has always been an issue in the northeast area. Steen: Are the major routes going to be in place? Wempe: The only road currently designed is Vine from Lemay to College due to pro sed development. Wray: There has been right-of-way dedication for part of the grade separated c ssings on Vine. The Greeley water line is being installed following the Vine Drive alignme est of Lemay. Duvall: Could there be limitations on the road for trucks? Wempe: We need to look at that. Slower speeds are being considered t ough the commercial area; improvements like roundabouts,signalized intersections, etc. 11 be decided when the road is designed. VanTatenhove: In terms of the school location,are you in co et with PSD about their plans? It doesn't seem to be on their radar right now. Schools aren' capacity in the area now. Wempe. Those are demand-driven uses. Tavelli Eleme, ry is in the area. Wray: We are meeting regularly with the School Di jt ict.This is a long-term plan for the community.The elementary school would proba be built first, followed by a junior high and finally a high school. Looking out+/-15 years. Lund: What problem are we trying to solve putting this in?What is the difference between using this and using Mulberry?Are we viding incentive for someone to develop in the area? Wempe.- Staff believes truckers will c - inue to use the State Ilighway because of distance, safety, and time benefits.The road ould serve the proposed development. Most of the undeveloped land in the GMA i�Vlta n this sector. We are over the recommended 15,000 average daily vehicles on Mountain and Vine. Robert: On Mountain Vis goes to Tumberry, is[here a connectivity issue? W/heir�tial Parks doesn't nt a road through their property. 1, here is a ne ption to extend Country Club Road from Turnbeny to Giddings. RIf the gra 'separator at Vine and Lemay goes independently of the other plans, what do to Vi- ?Could you do that? Wempe: Tec ically, you could. If you rebuild the intersection, it might put off the grade sd ssing until the Vine realignment is justified. Thomas he initial Vine relocation called for it to shift to the north and then continue east. Whe wetlands and buffer are in the way. Most of the traffic is traveling east/west from CAvenue.T When you come back next, we would like to hear more about why this is not a truck route. IMOMM b. Transit Strategic Plan— ch This is a partnership projectct with with the City of Fort Collins, City of Loveland, and Poudre School District. Please refer to the materials handed out. Project Purpose: To update the 2002 Transfort Strategic Operating Plan, address specific City policies and objectives, foster a dialogue with the community and region, review existing service and performance standards, examine the existing four-phased approach to a grid transit network, and address the financial solutions required. Public Outreach as of today: 5 public open houses 4 PSD open houses 26 stakeholder briefings/interviews **DRAFT** Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 March 18, 2009 Three phases to address build-out: Phase 1: Modest growth Phase 2: Transition to grid network and regional service Phase 3: Full Grid network and additional regional service Financial Plannins Detailed plans for each phase Financial Advisory Committee FAC will meet biweekly for 6 months to develop a funding recommendation Two costs: Operations & Maintenance and Capital. There is+/-$I i million dollar shortfall to fund the build-out. Spike in capital expenditures in. 2012 and 2013 is due to expansion of maintenance facilities. Sister Agency Comparison: Fort Collins Operating Budget $8,559,712 Eugene, OR$32,636,090 March 26—Financial Advisory Committee Recommendation April— Presentations at Boards and Commissions Public Open house on April 9 at CSU Transit Center April 15—Transportation Board for recommendation May— Council on the 19" Lund: This is all bus oriented. Is there an,option for light rail? Ravenschlag: Rail would occur beyond the 5 —7 year time frame we are projecting. We are looking for connectivity in the near-term. Lund• A lot of students utilize Transfort. We also subsidize school buses through taxes. Are we looking to shift students to Transfort? Ravenschlag: That was one premise we decided to examine. The purpose of this study is to examine redundancies and how service can be provided more efficiently.There is a significant high school population that can use public transportation. Students can ride them now, but the issue is whether the School District can/should pay us for.it. We can't provide student only service. vanTatenhove: Students ride for free,subsidized by The Bohemian Foundation. Ravenschlag: There is a lot to consider with what money can be used for what. We want to reduce redundancy of service. Duvall: Why is there such a shortfall of funding in Fort Collins and not Loveland? Ravenschlag.- Fort Collins offers more service, which costs more. Robert: Would you be serving Timnath? Ravenschlag: They can access it at the Harmony Transfer. Jackson:The developer at the Stoner project is talking about developing an internal system. York: I read about expansion of the south maintenance facility. Can you expand? Ravenschlag: We received some funding in the Stimulus Package to replace aging buses. In 2012 and 2013,the south maintenance facility would need to be expanded. There is a new south transit center planned to replace the one currently at The Square. It will be south of Harmony Road near Woodley's Fine Furniture where the Mason Trail parking area is. ATTACHMENT 10 Air Quality Advisory Board April 20, 2009 ,r planned for this area and the resulting impacts minutes (' lity issues from V t�eealse> PSfi p l area.- • In summary, the AQAB no ave enough inforn�ation to make a rec is time. The AQAB will email any more questions to Matt Wempe and ete Wray through their staff liaison Brian Woodruff. Transit Strategic Plan Transfort Assistant General Manager Kurt Ravenschlag was present to update the Board on the Transit Strategic Plan (TSP), including recommendations from the funding committee. New planner Scott Weeks also attended. Kurt stated the first half of his presentation is the same as when he previously presented to the board several months prior. To summarize: • The Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) is a partnership between Fort Collins, Loveland and the Poudre School District. • The purpose of the plan is to: o Update the 2002 Transfort Strategic Operating Plan o Address specific City Policies and Objectives o Foster a Dialogue With the Community and Region o Review Existing Service and Performance Standards o Examine the Existing Four Phased Approach to a Grid Transit Network o Address the Financial Solutions Required. • Project goals and objectives o Goal 1: Develop an expanded transit system focused on productivity and performance to serve the Fort Collins area that meets City Plan Policies. They will focus on the high schools to see if Transfort can be an option for them. o Goal 2: Meet and exceed the 2008 Climate Action Plan Goal for Transportation CO2 reductions by 2020. o Goal 3: Provide enhanced mobility for seniors, youth, disabled and transit dependant. o Goal 4: Develop a public transportation system that reduces roadway related costs for maintenance, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. o Goal 5: Provide funding recommendation to fully implement the Transit Strategic Plan. o Goal 6: Stimulate the local economy through investment in public transportation infrastructure and operations. • The process is to: o Collect input from the community. They will have seven open house meetings in Fort Collins and Loveland; four PSD open houses and 30 stakeholder briefings/interviews. o Examine existing Strategic Plan goals and objectives o Examine Existing conditions o Develop system build-out to meet project goals o Financial planning • Most frequent comments from public outreach . o Increase hours of service (evenings and weekends) o Increase frequency to a minimum of every half hour o Need to implement a Grid System o Establish regional connections between Fort Collins and Denver Metro o More transit coverage throughout community and region \ . 5 • Draft Build-out phases o Phase 1 - Modest service growth. o Phase 2 - Transition to grid network and regional service o Phase 3 - Full grid network and additional regional service • Costs o The annual operating and maintenance costs for phase III for Fort Collins is predicted to cost about$22 million; $10 million for Loveland and $5 million for regional service. They anticipate shortfalls for each o They also anticipate a $13 million capital shortfall to implement the plan for Fort Collins; $5.7 million for Loveland and $6.6 million for regional. They are pursuing grants. o Operating expenses to implement the plan in Fort Collins are: ■ Existing: $8 million—72,000 service hours and 23 busses ■ Phase I: $11,773,084—96,100 service hours and 27 busses ■ Phase 11: $18,012,894— 141,000 service hours and 38 busses ■ Phase 111: $22,551,179— 162,800 service hours and 41 busses • Financial Planning o Developed Financial Plans for each Expanded Service Phase o Citizen Financial Advisory Committee convened bi-weekly for 6 months to develop a funding recommendation for the expanded service for Loveland and Fort Collins. Their recommendations were: ■ Immediate Creation of a Regional Service Authority ■ Increase Funding For Phase III Implementation with the Following Sources: Maintenance of Effort; Fares; General Sales Tax; Transit Utility Fee; Negotiated Agreements and Special Improvement Districts • Why a centralized service provider o Meets Partners Objectives ■ Most direct and effective means of achieving coordinated transit service ■ A service provider avoids confusion with other regional transportation infrastructure efforts. ■ Each entity provides its own funding and contracts with the service provider for transit service at whatever level it wishes ■ Can be designed so that additional jurisdictions could join now or later. o Governance ■ Simplifies administration and improves accountability • Strengthens regional partnerships ■ Better leverages State and Federal funding. o Operational Efficiencies and Economies of Scale ■ Shared overhead costs, staffing, and facilities. o Long Term Opportunities ■ Fully achieving long range visions for Northern Colorado mobility requires the formation of one regional transit provider. • Staff Recommendation o Staff recommends that a Regional Service Authority Feasibility Study be completed by January 2010 as an addendum to the Transit Strategic Plan with the following scope of work: Background Analysis; Stakeholder Interviews; Peer Analysis; Alternatives and Cost/Benefit Analysis • Benefits—based on ridership projections o Reduced dependency on oil 6 o Reduction in CO2 and o Transit reduction in VMT and CO2 o Relieves congestion o Benefits to seniors and low income individuals o Builds strong economy and saves money by having one less car/family ■ Greg McMaster suggested they be clear with this argument o Increased real estate values and development o Reduces investment required for expansion of streets • Summary—demand will increase in next few years—need to prepare now o Economics— increase in oil increases commodities and cost of living o Aging population o Environmental concerns—city council goals CAP • Next steps o April - June: Meet with City Boards and Commissions o April 28th: City Council Work Session o May -June: Documentation o July 7: Council Regular Session for Adoption Discussion: • Greg McMaster asked where the BFO process fits into this plan for the next 2 years. Kurt responded that the Citizen Financial Advisory Committee recommended to target revenue that may or may not come from the general fund such as sales tax dedicated to transit or from a future tax initiative for overall City improvements. They are prepared with projected costs and options. • Eric Levine pointed out the 2008 Scorecard in the AQAB packet predicted a $5 million revenue shortfall for the City and asked, if that is not remedied, would Transfort services go down. Kurt pointed out at the beginning of 2009, 50% of the fleet was past its useful life and will need to be replaced. Transfort got stimulus funding to replace 5 busses but they need 10 more and will also need to make facility and fueling upgrades. The dilemma is that increased ridership will require more busses to provide more convenient service. They will also focus on the densest corridors to make the system more productive. • In answer to a question by Eric Levine, Kurt Ravenschlag stated the 2020 goal to reduce transportation CO2 by 14,000 tons over the 5 year expansion period will require multiple solutions. Increases in ridership would be tied to the reduction of vehicle miles not traveled and corresponding reduction of COz. • In answer to a question from Dave Dietrich, Kurt explained the capital costs projected are for purchase of busses only. • Dennis stated he was not ready to take action until this plan was reworked to be more productive and several AQAB members were concerned about the expensive cost per ton of CO? reduced. Kurt stated that this was a satisfactory framework from which to develop further actions and funding. Greg McMaster moved and John Schroeer seconded the following motion: From an air quality perspective, the Air Quality Advisory Board supports a phased transit plan, managed by a regional service authority, that will productively and measurably reduce overall vehicle miles travelled (VMT) in Fort Collins and throughout the northern front range. Motion passed unanimously. 7