Okaloosa County BOCC — August 16, 2016 — Access EC Rider TDP - August Board — reading text

Access EC Rider Okaloosa County 10‐Year Transit Development Plan Board of County Commissoners August 16, 2016 Presentation Overview • What is a TDP • Baseline Conditions • Public Outreach • Transit Demand Assessment • 10‐Year Needs • Needs Evaluation Process & Criteria • Cost Feasible TDP • Next Steps Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 1 August 2016  What TDP is Not • Not a Budget • Not a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) • Not a binding agreement Ok. What is it, then? What is a TDP? • 10‐year Strategic Plan for Transit – Evaluate demographics & travel behavior – Assess existing transit options – Conduct public involvement & outreach – Determine transit needs – Develop service & implementation plans • FDOT Requirement • Incorporates Best Practices Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 2 August 2016  Access EC Rider TDP Process: Evaluated baseline conditions Assessed existing transit options Conducted public outreach Developed transit needs plan Evaluated & prioritized needs Develop draft financial & implementation plans Baseline Conditions Population and Housing Trends Employment Trends Limited English Minority Under Poverty Level Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 3 August 2016  Baseline Conditions Activity Centers Local/Regional Studies/Plans Land Use Existing Transit Services Congestion Levels and Commuting Patterns Public Outreach • Public workshops • Discussion groups • Bus rider survey • General public survey • Bus operator survey • Stakeholder interviews • Website/email/Facebook • Grassroots efforts – Open House at Niceville City Hall – Open House Okaloosa & Walton Counties – Home Show at the Emerald Coast Convention Center Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 4 August 2016  Public Input • Bus Riders – Where are they going? Other, 9% Home, 15% Work, 32% College/technical school, 3% School, 2% Medical, 11% Social/personal, 6% Shopping/errands, 23% Public Input • What is the most important reason you ride the bus? Bus is more Other, 4% convenient, 11% Traffic is too bad, 1% I don't have ECR is more driver's license, economical, 1% 21% I don't drive, 25% I don't have access to a car, 38% Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 5 August 2016  Public Input • Improvements bus riders want? Wi-Fi on board Other, 3% buses, 9% Improved security at stops and on More frequent buses, 2% service, 15% Better sidewalk connections to bus stops, 2% More bike racks at Later service on bus stops, 3% existing routes, 15% More routes/service, 9% More benches/Shelters, Better connections 12% to other New weekend cities/counties, 4% service, 27% Public Input • General Public – Why do you need additional transit services? Enhance connectivity to Provide a more military dependable establishment source of s, 9.1% transportation Enhance for me, 30.3% tourism and other industries, 19.7% Be better for the environment, 3.0% Allow better commuting options/access to job opportunities, 37.9% Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 6 August 2016  Public Input • General Public – What type of transit service would you like to see? Other , 1.5% More frequent bus service, 32.3% Increased coverage area , 49.2% Express service , 15.4% Later service, 1.5% Bus Operators Input • Needs – Frequent service – Weekend & later service – Better on‐time performance – Understanding bus schedule – Better bus stop amenities – More bus stop safety/lighting – Connectivity to Walton & Santa Rosa – Lack of awareness in the community • Especially in Crestview Tindale Oliver, Inc. Access EC Rider TDP 7 August 2016  Stakeholder Input • 10 Stakeholders interviewed – County/city governments, business, military • Needs identified: – High tourism locations can greatly benefit – Safe shelters and benches – Park‐and‐ride lots – Improved technologies like GPS and real‐time bus tracking – Key areas include Destin, Crestview and low‐income areas Public Outreach Summary