SPOKANE COUNTY COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Transcription

1 SPOKANE COUNTY COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2014 UPDATE Prepared by: Adopted by SRTC Policy Board November 13, 2014

2 Title VI Compliance The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L ), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Materials can be provided in alternate formats by contacting the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) at or

3 Contents Introduction... 1 Purpose... 8 Consistency with Horizon Service Inventory... 9 Emergency Management Technology Needs Assessment Common Origins and Destinations Local Coordinated Planning Strategies Project Priorities Appendix A Regional Priority Projects Appendix B SRTC Public Participation Policy Appendix C Public Comment Maps Fig. 1 Spokane County...2 Fig. 2 Population Age 5 to Fig. 3 Population 65 and Older...5 Fig. 4 Population Below Poverty Level...6 Fig. 5 Disabled Population...7 Fig. 6 Transit Boundaries...16 Tables and Charts Table 1 Senior and Youth Population..3 Table 2 Poverty and Disability Rates 3 Chart 1 Demographic Data Comparison..8 Table 3 Top STA Routes by Ridership...15 FINAL November 13, 2014

4 Introduction The Spokane County Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) was developed through the cooperative efforts of Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) and Spokane Transit Authority (STA). SRTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) serving Spokane County. Spokane Transit provides fixed-route bus, paratransit, and vanpool services within the Spokane County Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA). SRTC was formed to oversee regional transportation planning and federal funding for transportation projects in Spokane County. SRTC receives direction from a board of local officials representing the metropolitan-area cities, small towns, Spokane County, Spokane Transit, Spokane Airports, private transportation providers, rail, Washington State Transportation Commission and Washington State Department of Transportation s Eastern Region. Federal law requires the establishment of an MPO such as SRTC when an urban area s population exceeds 50,000, as certified by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Spokane County PTBA was formed in 1981 by an over-whelming majority of Spokane County voters. At the same time a three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) sales tax was approved to fund the transit authority. In 2004, the voters within the PTBA authorized an additional 0.3% sales tax with a sunset clause to fund STA. This increase was made permanent in 2008 with 65% voter approval. Spokane Transit is governed by a board of directors made up of nine locally elected officials from Spokane County and the Cities within the PTBA and one non-voting labor representative. Community Description Spokane County, Washington is made up of 1,763 square miles of beautiful terrain, surrounded by mountains and lakes. The County seat is the City of Spokane, on the banks of the Spokane River. The County has seen a noticeable growth in the past due in part to the beauty, affordability and "livability" of the area. The population and employment of Spokane County is forecasted to grow by 35% over the next 25+ years. A map of the Spokane County area is contained as Figure 1 of this Plan. Spokane County is the economic hub of the Inland Northwest. The region s largest economic sectors include education, health care, government, services and finance. The largest employers in Spokane County are Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane Public Schools. The Kalispel Tribe employs over 1,700 at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Two of the largest employers in the County are health-care providers: Providence Health and Services, operating Holy Family and Sacred Heart hospitals as well as several other facilities; and Rockwood Health System, which operates Deaconess and Valley hospitals as well as the Rockwood Clinic. FINAL November 13,

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6 Demographics The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) estimates Spokane County s April 1, 2014 population at 484,500. The City of Spokane is Washington s second largest city. According to 2010 Census data, Spokane County grew by nearly 13% percent between the years 2000 and The median age for Spokane County is 37. As of 2010, 12.9% of Spokane County residents were 65 or older, slightly higher than the statewide rate as shown in Table 1. The increase in older citizens translates to a need for increased alternative transportation options as many people rely less on personal vehicles and more on public transportation as they age. Table 1 also lists the number and percentage of young people age 5 to 17 for Spokane County. Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the geographic distribution of these age groups. Table 1 Senior and Youth Population and Rates General Total Population Population Age 5 Percent Characteristics Population Age 65+ to 17 Percent United States 308,745,538 40,267, % 53,980, % Washington State 6,724, , % 1,141, % Spokane County 471,221 60, % 79, % Source: 2010 Decennial Census The percentage of Spokane County residents living below the poverty level (14.8%) is not statistically different than the national estimate (14.9%), but is higher in a number of areas and higher than Washington State (12.9%). Figure 4 illustrates the geographic disparity of poverty levels throughout Spokane County. Table 2 Poverty and Disability Rates 2010 Population Percent of Population with a Disability Percent Below Poverty Level United States 308,745, % 14.9% Washington State 6,724, % 12.9% Spokane County 471, % 14.8% Source: 2010 Decennial Census/ ACS 5 Year Estimates According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 13.4% of Spokane County residents have a disability, which is higher than the rest of the country at 12.0%. In Washington State, 12.0% of total residents have a disability. Figure 5 illustrates the distribution of disability rates in Spokane County. Chart 1 also compares the age, poverty and disability demographics as described above. FINAL November 13,

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11 Chart 1 compares the percentage of people with special transportation needs in Spokane County with the state and national rates. 20.0% 15.0% Chart 1: Demographic Data Comparison 16.8% 17.0% 17.5% 14.8% 14.9% 13.8% 12.9% 13.4% 12.3% 12.9% 12.0% 12.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Spokane County Washington State United States Percent of Population Age 5 to 17 Percent of Population with a Disability Percent of Population Age 65 and Older Percent of Population Below Poverty Level Purpose The purpose of the HSTP is to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with lower incomes in Spokane County. People with special transportation needs are defined in RCW 47.06B as people "including their personal attendants, who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or purchase transportation. 1 The HSTP provides the guidance that will aid communities, agencies and service providers in coordinating transportation resources provided through multiple federal programs. Coordination will enhance transportation access, minimize duplication of services, and facilitate the most appropriate cost effective transportation possible with available resources. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, SRTC and STA have agreed to cooperatively develop the HSTP. The HSTP meets federal requirements for coordinated transportation planning as detailed in the following section. MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century) In 2012 President Obama signed into law the transportation funding bill HR 4348 known as Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century (MAP-21). MAP-21 became effective October 1, 2012 and remains in effect until September 30, Under MAP-21, coordination with human services is a requirement for FTA grantees as well as for metropolitan and statewide transportation planning. The three FTA grant programs requiring the coordination of human services transportation are: 1 Human Services Transportation Plan: Template with Instructions, page 4. Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation. FINAL November 13,

12 Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program: Provides funding to urbanized areas for public transportation capital, planning, job access and reverse commute projects (transportation to jobs and employment opportunities for welfare recipients and low-income workers) 2. Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities: Provides funding for programs which serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services 3. Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas: Provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations 4. Consistency with Horizon 2040 The HSTP is consistent with the metropolitan and regional transportation plan, Horizon Horizon 2040 s Guiding Principles, Policies and Strategies, specifically Strategy 4, support the HSTP by emphasizing transit investments that enhance the region s quality of life. Service Inventory Currently, there are a number of organizations providing transportation services in Spokane County. Several of these providers offer transportation only to specific client groups, charge for their services, or restrict use based on specific eligibility requirements. Spokane Transit Authority is currently the only service open and affordable to all members of the general public. However, STA s service area does not extend throughout Spokane County. A map of the Spokane County PTBA is included as Figure 6. The inventory of service providers in this section does not attempt to be comprehensive. For another listing of providers (e.g. Amtrak) and other agencies involved in public transportation, please see the WSDOT Public Transportation Directory. 5 Care Cars Care Cars is a program that utilizes volunteers to transport persons requiring door through for escort transportation to and from medical or mental health related appointments, or have a disability and live outside of the paratransit service area in Spokane County. Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles, however wheelchairaccessible transportation has been provided as funding allows. Care Cars provides _Enhanced_Mobility_of_Seniors_and_Individuals_with_Disabilities.pdf WSDOT 2014 Washington State Public Transportation Directory 4C8D-96B8-731EBE7175C7/0/2014PTDirectoryoptimized.pdf FINAL November 13,

13 over 4,500 trips per year for over 400 ambulatory seniors and disabled adults who are medically fragile. Clients are pre-screened over the telephone, must be eighteen years of age or older, need an escort and cannot utilize other modes of transportation. Volunteer drivers are recruited, screened, and complete a training program before transporting individuals. In 2013, Frontier Behavioral Health/Elder Services was selected to receive Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) funding to provide the services described above. The contract period is for two years and allows Care Cars to provide services across Spokane County. WSDOT funding does not cover total program costs, therefore fund raising events are conducted and proposals for other available funding are submitted. In addition, program donations assist in covering operational costs. Caring Concierge Caring Concierge is a for-profit, fee-based business that provides a variety of personal services to the general public, including transportation for ambulatory clients. People, including those who are elderly or disabled, call in advance to set up transportation to their destination, whether to medical appointments, shopping or personal errands. The owner of the local Caring Concierge franchise is a social worker, willing to attend appointments with clients, in order to facilitate conversations with medical staff, especially for seniors with dementia. Services can be retained on a routine basis or individually as needed. Caritas Center Churches in northwest Spokane County united to form Caritas Center, a neighborhood center serving the area north of Wellesley and west of Division and the Spokane County portion of the zip code, on the east side of the river. One of the services provided by the Caritas Center is limited, ambulatory transportation for seniors or people who are disabled who require transportation help in order to remain living in their own home. This service is part of Catholic Charities Volunteer Chore Services program. Citizens wishing to use the services must be pre-approved Caritas clients and are required to call approximately two weeks in advance to set up transportation for medical appointments and necessary shopping trips. The service is free to clients, but is constrained by limited resources. Catholic Charities Volunteer Chore Services Catholic Charities Volunteer Chore Services is a partnership between volunteers and individuals in need. Volunteer drivers transport ambulatory senior citizens on a lowincome and adults with disabilities from their homes to medical appointments and to the grocery store. Drivers also deliver bags of food/commodities monthly to clients who are confined to their home. Drivers provide the vehicle and auto insurance and must pass a Washington State Patrol background check. Clients are screened over the telephone to determine eligibility and then are required to call 48 hours in advance to schedule transportation. FINAL November 13,

14 There is no charge to the client for the service and mileage reimbursement is available to drivers. The program is funded primarily through state funding with some additional funding from the Catholic Charities Christmas collection. There are Volunteer Chore Services offices serving all of Eastern Washington. The Spokane Chore office has approximately 100 different clients using their transportation services each month and thirty volunteer drivers. DAV Transportation Network The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Network provides rides for veterans from all over the area to Spokane County s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. The network is administered by DAV Hospital Service Coordinators (HSCs) at the VA's 172 medical centers across the United States. Veterans are asked to call several days in advance to arrange for transportation. All DAV van drivers are volunteers and do not receive payment for the services they provide. The program is funded by DAV Departments and Chapters, which purchase and donate vans to the VA medical facilities for use in the Transportation Network. DAV HSCs also help veterans file claims for VA benefits and refer veterans to DAV National Service Officers for professional benefits assistance. Greyhound Greyhound provides intercity and interstate bus service with several daily departures from the City of Spokane to cities in Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Kalispel Tribe (KALTRAN) KALTRAN is a public transportation service operated by the Kalispel Tribal Planning Department under the Kalispel Tribal Business Council. All members of the general public are welcome to ride aboard the Kalispel Transit System (KALTRAN). The fleet consists of two 22-passenger buses, one 7-passenger van, one 15-passenger van, one 15-passenger bus, one 38-passenger bus and two more buses being delivered soon. All KALTRAN vehicles are ADA compliant. KALTRAN is currently funded through FTA Tribal and Formula programs, as well as the Washington State Department of Transportation. KALTRAN provides fixed route service from the Tribal Wellness Center to the Wal- Mart near the North Division Y in the City of Spokane every day. Service is also provided to Ione with 2 round trips 4 days per week. Deviated services are also available up to 3/4 of a mile off the normal fixed route, or within the boundaries of the Kalispel Indian Reservation. All deviated route services must be scheduled with the KALTRAN office prior to the requested pick-up time, so vehicles can be appropriately dispatched. New Hope Resource Center The New Hope Resource Center is a non-profit conglomeration of churches in far north Spokane County (Mead, Colbert, Elk, Chattaroy, and Riverside) who have FINAL November 13,

15 united to offer a variety of services. One of those services is providing transportation for ambulatory seniors and people who are disabled. Pre-approved clients must call in advance to set up rides to services of any kinds, whether medical related or just to run errands. There is no set limit on mileage and transportation services are free. Northwestern Trailways Northwestern Trailways provides intercity and interstate bus service with several daily departures from the City of Spokane to cities in Washington and Idaho. Omnibus, Inc. Omnibus is a tour, charter and shuttle operation. They provide individual or small group shuttles in North Idaho including service to and from the Spokane International Airport and Coeur d Alene Airport. Our Place Our Place is a non-profit ecumenical effort of seven churches in the West Central area of the City of Spokane. Among its services, Our Place offers very limited local transportation assistance for residents of West Central only. Clients who qualify and show proof of insurance, title and license can receive a $15 gas voucher once per year. Individual bus passes are also provided to clients who demonstrate that they have no other form of transportation, up to 32 two-hour passes per year. Precious Cargo Precious Cargo is a for-profit, fee-based transportation service for people who are elderly and/or disabled in Spokane County, Coeur d Alene, and Davenport. Precious Cargo is able to transport wheelchairs. Senior Residential Facilities A number of senior residential and assisted living facilities have vans to provide transportation for their residents. Most provide shopping trips once or twice a week and regularly scheduled medical trips. Special Mobility Services Special Mobility Services (SMS) is a non-profit agency that acts as the Medicaid transportation broker for Spokane County and its surrounding counties and is a transportation service provider. As a Medicaid transportation broker, SMS sets up transportation for Medicaid clients who are attending medical appointments paid for by Medicaid who have no other means of transportation. There is no cost to the client for transportation. SMS may arrange for clients to be transported by public transit, commercial service providers (taxi, etc.), social service agencies, or volunteer drivers. In addition, SMS may issue fuel vouchers for clients who own a vehicle, but cannot afford to purchase gas. Clients are required to call two business days in advance to arrange service. Approximately 216,000 rides will be provided to Medicaid clients in Spokane County in FINAL November 13,

16 In addition, SMS provides emergency transportation to clients of Spokane Community Mental Health. SMS also operates dial-a-ride transportation in Deer Park and a fixed route between Deer Park and the City of Spokane. The Deer Park service operates weekdays and is open to the general public. The vehicles are equipped to accommodate wheelchair users. Approximately 12,000 annual rides are provided to Deer Park. In addition, SMS operates routes between the City of Spokane and Ritzville, Davenport, Newport and Priest River, Idaho. These services are also open to the general public and are wheelchair accessible. Specialty Transport Specialty Transport is a for-profit business that contracts with Specialty Mobility Services to provide transportation services to the elderly and disabled. Specialty Transport has been operating for several years and, at last report, has six vans in steady use. Clients schedule rides by appointment in advance. Spokane Tribe The Moccasin Express is the Spokane Tribe s transit program. Consisting of two (2) buses, four (4) vanpools, and one (1) paratransit van, the Moccasin Express serves the transportation needs of individuals living on and off the reservation. Bus service consists of Reservation transit between the hours of 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Additionally, there is a route providing access from the Reservation to Airway Heights every Friday. The Moccasin Express Vanpool Program provides a reliable commuting option for Tribal employees who live in and around the Spokane area. Although the Tribe s administrative headquarters is located within Wellpinit, Washington, a significant number of employees commute to and from Spokane County on a daily basis. Therefore, the Moccasin Express Vanpool Program serves to reduce vehicular congestion, commuter mileage, and trip-demand throughout the Spokane area. Finally, the paratransit program serves as an on-call transportation provider for those living on the Reservation. Washington State Department of Transportation s Travel Washington Gold Line Travel Washington s newest route began service from the City of Spokane to Kettle Falls in early September Named for one the oldest natural resources in northeastern Washington, Gold Line runs two round-trips daily along US 395, connecting Kettle Falls, Colville, Arden, Addy, Chewelah, Loon Lake and Deer Park to the City of Spokane and key transit hubs, including Greyhound, Amtrak, Northwestern Trailways, Spokane Transit and Spokane International Airport. Wheelchair Transport - Quality Wheelchair Transport - Quality provides door-to-door service for clients that are wheelchair bound. Wheelchair Transport - Quality operates 6:00 am to 10:00 pm seven days a week. Wheels R Turning Wheels R Turning is a for-profit, fee-based, non-emergency medical transportation service for people who are ambulatory, use wheelchairs, or need transport using a FINAL November 13,

17 gurney to locations within Washington and Idaho. Wheels R Turning is able to transport larger wheelchairs. Spokane Transit Authority (STA) The Spokane Transit Authority PTBA includes the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Medical Lake, Millwood, Liberty Lake, Spokane, Spokane Valley, and some unincorporated areas of Spokane County. See Figure 6 for a map of the STA service area. Spokane Transit operates seven days a week, 365 days a year. STA also provides Paratransit service, a wheelchair-accessible shared ride service for individuals who are determined to be eligible for service because the effects of their disabilities prevent them from using the regular fixed route bus service. Paratransit operates in a service area that is comparable to that of the fixed route service and follows the rules required through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Vanpools are another transportation resource offered by STA for people who commute at least 10 one-way miles to work. Vanpool riders who live and work in approximately the same area commute together in an STA 7- or 15-passenger van. Each rider pays a low monthly fare based on daily travel distance and number of riders using the van. Fares cover the costs of operating the van, including gas, maintenance and insurance. One of the van s commuters volunteers to drive and receives defensive driving and safety training from STA. Another program offered through the combined efforts of the paratransit and vanpool departments is Special Use vanpools. This limited number of vans is offered to local social service agencies that serve clients who also are eligible for STA paratransit services. The Special Use vans operate similarly to the commuter vanpools, except the Special Use vans can be used for any purpose as long as the trip would otherwise be taken on paratransit. At this time, a Washington State Special Needs Transportation grant covers the costs of operating the van, including gas, maintenance and insurance. Mobility Training is a free Spokane Transit program that helps seniors and persons with disabilities gain more independence by assisting them to become fixed route bus riders. Program participants learn how the system works and most importantly, how the bus system works for the customer s specific needs and schedule. For each training, the STA Mobility Trainers design a one-on-one, individualized training plan, which includes accompanying the customer on the bus. Spokane Transit operates 34 bus routes. 11,087,049 passenger trips were taken on fixed route buses in Table 4 shows the route numbers, names, and passenger boardings for the top ten routes by ridership. Also in 2013, STA s paratransit service provided 483,038 passenger trips and the vanpool service provided 241,257 passenger trips. FINAL November 13,

18 Route # Table 3 Top STA Routes by Ridership Route Name 2013 Annual Passenger Boardings 25 Division 1,043, Sprague 1,038, Cheney/EWU 718, Monroe 704, Wellesley 696, Hillyard 530, Highway 2 via Browne s Addition 449, th Avenue 417, Regal 409, Spokane Falls Community College 360,999 Spokane Transit offers a variety of fare options to accommodate all riders. The adult fare is currently $1.50. The reduced fare for those aged 65 or over, those with qualifying disabilities, and/or those with valid Medicare documents is currently $0.75. The paratransit fare is $1.50 each way. Monthly passes are available for all fare types. In addition, STA offers the City Ticket pass for $30 a month. City Ticket drivers park their personal vehicles outside the downtown core at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena and ride to downtown on a STA shuttle bus. Service is as frequent as every five minutes during peak commute hours. The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Eagle Pass program allows EWU faculty, staff and students to ride free by swiping their EagleCard when boarding the bus. The partnership between Spokane Transit and EWU is designed to reduce additional parking lots, lower student living costs and meet the state-mandated commute trip reduction goals for reducing employee commuter traffic. The program is paid for by EWU Parking Services, the University, and the Associated Students of EWU. Two other student pass programs are also currently available for Washington State University (WSU) Spokane and the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS). These two are part of STA s recently implemented Universal Transit Access Pass (UTAP) program. Several other colleges, universities and training/technical schools offer reduced fare passes. FINAL November 13,

19 Emergency Management Spokane County s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) are responsible for coordinating and facilitating resources to minimize the impact of major emergencies and disasters on people, property, and the environment. DEM promotes a Comprehensive Preparedness Guide that provides guidance to local jurisdictions about response and recovery planning for possible natural and human-caused disasters. The Spokane County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan has a section devoted to transportation. The Plan defines the responsibilities of the primary (lead) and support agencies to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. The responsibilities include: Local jurisdictions Identify transportation needs which could result from various major disasters Maintain transportation resource lists and plans Coordinate with private industry on use of privately owned vehicles Coordinate with Law Enforcement Agencies, Fire Services and Public Works Spokane County Public Works Coordinate and report damage assessment of land transportation routes Identify alternate emergency land transportation routes FINAL November 13,

20 Deploy Public Works units to areas in need of debris removal or road restoration operations Task other department units for assistance when necessary Deploy personnel and equipment to evaluate damaged bridges and roadways, and to take actions to restore them to a usable condition Spokane Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Coordinate resource use Support Incident request Activate the Emergency Coordination Center Law Enforcement Agencies Provide damage assessment of transportation routes Provide traffic control Escort emergency transport vehicles when needed Provide security for transportation staging areas when needed Fire Services Coordinate ambulance transportation support Provide damage assessment of transportation routes Ambulance Companies Provide vehicles and personnel for emergency use Provide medical transport Commercial and Private Bus Companies Provide vehicles and personnel for emergency use STA Provide bus transportation resources Serve as Transportation Operations Center (Command Post + Dispatch Center) when needed Provide Support in the Emergency Coordination Center Uses transportation communication links to provide damage assessment information Coordinate recovery/replacement of emergency vehicles transporting people Coordinate mobilization of emergency transportation services Coordinate resource lists with the Spokane County DEM In addition to their participation in the Spokane County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, STA complies with the State s Safety Transportation Goal. STA was a recipient of the Gold Standard Award from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for achieving the highest rating a mass transit system can achieve under the TSA s Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) program. STA s Security Coordinator facilitates resources to be utilized in case of emergency or disaster. STA responds to emergencies using an All Hazards approach. That means there are basic response actions taken initially on most emergencies, regardless of what the emergency or disaster is. Once the situation is assessed and FINAL November 13,

21 identified, individualized response guidelines particular to each emergency type (e.g. medical assistance, vehicle collisions, fire, severe weather, earthquake, hazardous materials spills, etc) are implemented. The Kalispel Tribe (KALTRAN) has also participated in drills and training exercises. Technology The use of technology benefits travelers throughout the region, especially users of public transportation. The STA SmartBus project involves customer information components that provide real-time bus location information and trip planning services to passengers over multiple venues. It also allows Fixed Route dispatch to manage fleet performance in real time which will result in better service reliability and timeliness. The SmartBus project is expected to be complete in late STA Paratransit has used computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and on-board mobile data computers (MDCs) for numerous years. This system has helped STA Paratransit to more efficiently schedule the pickup and drop off of customers while combining trips and utilizing the best routing. Paratransit passengers and personal care attendants can now use their smartphones to receive real time arrival and departure times. The Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center (SRTMC) was created as a multi-jurisdictional control facility to enhance and support advanced transportation management capabilities. The SRTMC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The center operators coordinate closely with local first response agencies, the regional 911 center, and the state police from Washington and Idaho. From the center, the operators have access and control to most of the regions devices used to monitor and control traffic, which include nearly three dozen closed-circuit TV cameras, six dynamic message signs, twenty traffic measurement stations, and three highway advisory radio stations. 7 The Spokane Region Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan describes other planned technological improvements for public transportation. 8 Needs Assessment The information compiled to create this plan was obtained from a number of sources used during the preparation of a variety of other plans and reports in recent years and conversations with stakeholders including those specifically affected by this plan as well as anyone who has an interest in, or is affected by, SRTC s or STA s actions. 9 This includes: 6 STA 2014 Transit Development Plan SRTC s Public Participation Policy is referenced in Appendix B of this Plan. FINAL November 13,

22 Citizens who attend public meetings or submit input during public comment periods Local business owners and managers Area land and real estate developers Users of public transportation Representatives from social service agencies Input received at the Horizon 2040 roundtables Reponses from the Horizon 2040 survey Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington s Area Plan SRTC technical analysis and other data sources (e.g. Census) Overwhelmingly, the lack of available funding for expanded and additional public transportation, especially human services transportation, is the most common need identified in the HSTP. Stakeholders identified the following needs for public transportation and public transportation alternatives in Spokane County 10 : General Needs Due to declining resources, additional funds will be needed to provide public transportation services to rural areas. Increased numbers of Special Use vans. Provide transportation services connecting Kootenai County to Spokane County and Spokane Transit. Need to assist with relocation of potential employees as well as current employees that lose or may lose transit service to urban centers in order to provide better access to jobs and services. Transportation is needed from rural areas, such as outside of Spokane County lines, to locations within the urbanized area. There is significant demand for medical transportation in Spokane County, which is relatively well served by SMS and other agencies, but could use additional providers. Consider the needs of individuals with language barriers and/or multicultural considerations within our community. Except for STA and local taxi services, there is very little transportation service that can be reserved on the same day that service is needed. Increased options for basic non-medical trips such as groceries or prescriptions or for non-emergency medical services such as alternative health care, elective procedures, and dental services. There are companies who charge to take clients to do everyday errands, but not many who do it free-ofcharge or for reduced rates. Increased transportation options for juveniles and young adults in the county who are unable to drive and have difficulties improving their lives because they do not have reliable transportation to employment. 10 Comments used to compile the Needs Assessment list were gathered from public input received through various SRTC transportation studies and surveys, STA s On-Board Passenger Survey, the STA TDP, STA one-on-one provider meetings, the SRTC Transportation Vision Project, and the Horizon 2040 roundtables, workshop and survey. Please see Appendix C for the most recent public input. FINAL November 13,

23 Better coordination, connectivity and communication between all service providers, for example tribal transit and STA. Increased education and communication about all services that are available. Better coordination between land use and transportation planning. Locate new housing, employment and other services or facilities for low income persons, the elderly or people with disabilities in close proximity to existing transportation services, particularly STA fixed routes. Improve access to and from regional Indian reservations to medical, retail, educational, and employment services within Spokane County. Implement future STA High Performance Transit Network infrastructure improvements in order to make transit more accessible and useable for passengers of all abilities. Elderly/Disabled/Low-Income Mobility Additional transportation providers for people who are elderly or disabled or on a low-income. Several of the non-profit providers contacted for this plan said that the need far exceeds available funding. As one program director described it, Business is too good. Access to transportation is a significant challenge for people who are disabled or elderly and live outside of the paratransit service area. Providing adequate volunteer services to areas not served by STA s fixed route and paratransit service. Inadequate funding for volunteer organizations presents a significant barrier for persons living outside of STA s service area and for persons needing escort or door-through-door transportation. 11 An alternative to STA is needed when fixed route and Paratransit rides are too long for people who are ill or extremely frail. Better access to and communication with Medicaid broker. Significant dissatisfaction has been voiced about current Medicaid brokerage system, There is significant demand for transportation in Spokane County for citizens not qualified for Medicaid. Many of the current non-medicaid providers say their budgets are extremely tight and they aren t sure from year to year if they will be able to retain funding. There are growing concerns regarding the future transportation needs of an increasingly aging population, particularly those with low incomes. Transportation options are needed for clients who are not allowed to use STA services due to behavioral problems. Access to jobs for people on low-incomes and residents who are disabled is a major concern. Provide for transit access at locations throughout STA s fixed-route network by constructing new park and ride facilities, installing additional stops and shelters, and providing additional transit amenities such as lighting, security cameras and striping for safe convenient access. Infrastructure/Safety/Security Sidewalk improvements for increased accessibility. 11 ALTCEW Area Plan. FINAL November 13,

24 Sidewalks installed on streets that don t currently have any. More safe, convenient and informative locations to wait for the bus. Better snow storage and/or removal where appropriate to ensure accessible pathways for all users. Some elderly/disabled people aren t able to get around in winter due to snowy sidewalks and unsafe conditions (e.g., ice on curb cuts, snow berms). Transportation services, with increased security, when required for mental health patients. Upgrade existing transit stop and shelter locations to ensure there is access to stops and shelters, ample lighting, and enhancements such as security cameras. Rural Areas Sustain fixed route and paratransit service to rural areas including small cities and towns. Transportation in areas outside the STA service area is lacking, making it difficult for residents to travel within their community or to access services not available in their areas. This need is especially acute for the transportation disadvantaged population that is not affiliated with a sponsoring agency like Medicaid. Service operated by SMS between Deer Park and the City of Spokane has been reduced because of funding cuts and demand for the service cannot be adequately met with current funding. Increasing cost of gas is discouraging volunteers who use their own cars to transport other people in need. Volunteers who provide rides to Medicaid clients are not reimbursed for deadhead mileage which can be significant in rural areas. Affordable transportation is lacking from areas outside of Spokane County into the Cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley to access medical services and other essential services. Services like those operated by SMS have been reduced because of lack of funding. Implement future STA High Performance Transit Network infrastructure improvements in rural areas including Four Lakes, Cheney, and Medical Lake in order to make transit more accessible and useable for passengers of all abilities. Improvements may include construction of a new park and ride or transit center, shelters, lighting, signage, ADA accessibility, sidewalks, striping, bus turnouts, and street improvements coordinated with jurisdictions in order to provide safer and more efficient transit service. Implement transit improvements such as shelters, sidewalks, ADA accessibility, lighting, etc. along corridors not on the High Performance Network in rural areas to include Cheney, Medical Lake and Four Lakes. Urban Areas Expanded STA routes (coverage), frequency and hours of service. Additional options for helping pay transit fares is needed for persons who are living on low incomes. FINAL November 13,

25 Additional capacity for more than two bicycles on buses. Implement a streetcar system (aka High Performance Transit) through downtown Spokane to the U-District and other districts. Place shelters at more bus stops. Increased transit funding. For example, explore the option of including a transit component to a potential future countywide transportation benefit district. Coordinate bus arrivals and departures at the STA Plaza to minimize missed connections and long layover times. Need to simplify or streamline the STA paratransit and SMS eligibility processes. More room on buses for wheelchairs, strollers and shopping bags. Install sidewalks and stop/shelter pads to ensure pedestrians have an accessible path to stop locations. Make accessible improvements to major transit corridors and intersections where such facilities are currently lacking, such as sections along Division St., Monroe St, Sprague Ave, and Alberta/Cochran St. Increase access to STA s High Performance Transit Network facilities and infrastructure through the construction of new park and ride facilities, safety and accessibility improvements to existing park and ride facilities and the installation of additional stops and shelters which access the network. Implement transit improvements such as shelters, sidewalks, ADA accessibility, lighting, etc. along corridors not on the High Performance Network. Tribal Transit Spokane Tribe Current and potential Moccasin Express users have communicated their desire to increase service to medical, retail, educational, and employment opportunities within Spokane County while maintaining the current level of service on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Reliable, daily routes to and from Spokane County will not only provide access to increased services, but will also provide connectivity to Spokane Transit Authority and KALTRAN routes. Additionally, because a significant population of Spokane Tribal members live within Spokane County, providing regular Moccasin Express service to and from the Reservation will likely increase ridership in both directions. Finally, with the onset of the Midnite Mine Superfund remediation, projections indicate increased trip-demand and commuter miles due to a high demand for labor from the Spokane County market. Specific recommendations for improving service are as follows: Establish daily route(s) to Spokane County from the Spokane Indian Reservation. Providing several routes per day will optimize ridership and access to services. Coordinate with STA and KALTRAN to optimize connectivity, ease of use, and ridership. FINAL November 13,

26 Provide increased services to medical facilities for elders and veterans living within or near the Reservation. Provide increased access to educational institutions in and around Spokane County. Provide increased access for student ridership to Reardon area K-12 schools. Provide increased access to employment opportunities within Spokane County. Provide increased access to retail opportunities such as shopping centers. Provide bus shelters to service transit stops located within the Reservation. Continue to build and maintain the Moccasin Express fleet to provide for increased services. Hire additional personnel to provide for increased services. Anticipate an increased demand for services due to the Midnite Mine Superfund site. Kalispel Tribe The Kalispel Tribe has held public hearings and they have completed yearly community outreach for their KALTRAN service to identify unmet transportation needs within local communities. There are numerous identified needs or gaps in service reported throughout this process including: Difficulty for passengers getting to/from KALTRAN bus stops or for allowing door to door service. Increased need for transportation on weekends. Strong need for transportation for veterans from rural areas to the Spokane Veterans Hospital. Transportation challenges for Tribal Elders, especially to/from Spokane County. Unmet needs for transporting young persons, particularly for their Early Learning Center. Requests for service on LeClerc Road. Need for official bus stops throughout their service area to keep passengers safe and informed. Need for service from the Diamond Lake area to the Tribal Wellness Center. Requests for transportation for special needs students from Metaline and Ione to Community Colleges of Spokane. Increased need for a larger vehicle for their Tribal Elders Program. Transportation to/from the Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Need to secure stable, long term funding to preserve their routes. Need for additional capital projects (storage and maintenance facilities) and vehicle purchases for fleet replacements to keep up with increasing demand for their service. Need for service extension from Ione to the towns of Metalline and Metalline Falls, so that they can access already existing routes. FINAL November 13,

27 Need for commuter service from the North end of Pend Oreille County to the Wellness Center. Common Origins and Destinations The HSTP describes common origins and destinations for persons with special transportation needs. The prior Demographics section details the number of persons and percentage of the population with disabilities, ages 5 to 17 and over 65, and below the poverty line. The maps (Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5) illustrate these demographics and represent some of the common origins and destinations for persons with special transportation needs. Other common origins and destinations for persons with special transportation needs include: employment training centers, schools and other education facilities medical offices, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities areas of concentrated employment (e.g. downtown central business district) human services agencies areas of concentrated retail/commercial land use (e.g. shopping centers) childcare centers cultural and recreational locations The following table lists the most common origins and destinations for persons with special transportation needs that are transported by STA s paratransit service. Common Origins and Destinations ARC Community Center Inland Northwest Lighthouse For the Blind East Central Community Center Frontier Behavioral Health Adult Day Health North Wal-Mart - various locations Centerpointe Rockwood Clinic - main Northwest Center Fred Meyer - various locations SFCC Lodge Home Away From Home West Central Community Center Valley Kidney Center Artisan Ark Deaconess Health & Education Building Spokane Kidney Center Northtown Mall Northpoint Dialysis Pepsi Co VA Hospital STA Plaza Evergreen Club Fairchild Air Force Base Bldg 2451 D Northeast Community Center F. O. Berg Mission YMCA/YWCA Downtown The Academy DSI Renal Downtown Mid City Concerns Center SKILS KIN Sacred Heart Doctors Building Waste Management Smart Center Sinto Senior Center Mirabeau Park Dialysis Spokane Valley Mall Home Is Where the Heart Is Northern Quest Mission Park Sharp Shelter Adult Day Care FINAL November 13,

28 Local Coordinated Planning The Spokane County HSTP builds on cooperative efforts already visible in the Spokane region. Agencies that provide transportation services in Spokane County recognize the need for coordination and fill in accordingly, in an effort to plug gaps in transportation needs. Some examples are: Special Mobility Services contracts with smaller agencies such as Specialty Transport. The City of Spokane, Spokane County and Eastern Washington University have made special arrangements with STA to provide free bus passes to students in an effort to reduce vehicle miles traveled and address its parking shortage. A few STA vanpools currently run between Kootenai County and Spokane County, reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles on Interstate 90 during the workweek. SRTC and STA have coordinated surveys of STA riders to gauge public transportation users wants and needs. Local agencies such as SRTC, STA, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, and Washington State Department of Transportation work with the County s Commute Trip Reduction program to encourage citizens to bike, walk, carpool, vanpool, and ride the bus to work or use any other alternative to driving alone. STA has provided a limited number of accessible Special Use vans to social service agencies to help fill the transportation gaps faced by their clients. STA pays for the vehicle maintenance, insurance and fuel and the service agencies provide the driver. Strategies In an effort to meet the needs listed above and implement additional public transportation and alternative public transportation services in Spokane County, the following strategies are recommended: Conduct surveys in order to better understand unmet service needs specifically common origins and destinations in relation to existing transportation services. Provide more extensive training for drivers who work with citizens in wheelchairs. Coordinate Medicare, Special Mobility Services, and Spokane Transit to provide better, more expansive service. Meet with employers to discuss where transportation boundaries are and what is available to get employees and/or customers to their businesses. Consider compensating family members, friends, neighbors, etc. for providing transportation. Create private/public partnerships to provide transportation services. Provide more special needs vans to agencies. Develop a pool of personal care attendants for all agencies to use when an attendant is needed to accompany clients to medical appointments. Create a program for agencies to share vans. FINAL November 13,