Updated Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan 2011

Transcription

1 Updated Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan 2011 for the Coastal Bend Region Transportation Inventory & Needs and Gaps Assessment Final September 2010

2 UPDATED REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION PLAN 2011 for the COASTAL BEND REGION Transportation Inventory & Needs and Gaps Assessment Prepared for Transportation Coordination Network of the Coastal Bend Prepared by Texas Transportation Institute The Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas September 2010

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors of this report from Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) would like to thank the members of the Transportation Coordination Network (TCN) of the Coastal Bend for the opportunity to contribute to this project. The authors appreciate the support and guidance of Martin Ornelas, TCN Chairman; Sara Salvide, TCN Inter-County Mobility Director; Richard Bullock of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG); and Brigida Gonzalez and Tom Niskala of the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Transportation Organization (MPO) for their contributions to the project. The report reflects the contributions of over 120 respondents to the 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey and 85 individuals who attended regional meetings to provide comments regarding transportation needs and opportunities in the region. DISCLAIMER This report was performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The authors of this report are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official view or policies of TxDOT, FTA, or FHWA.

4 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... iii DISCLAIMER... iii LIST OF FIGURES... vi LIST OF TABLES... vii 1. INTRODUCTION... 1 Background... 1 Approach... 2 Regional Context... 3 Organization of the Report... 5 Use of Terms INVENTORY OF TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES IN THE REGION... 6 Public Transportation Providers... 6 Intercity/International Bus Carriers Health and Human Services Programs/Medical Transportation Program Client Based Transportation Providers Private for Hire Transportation Providers PUBLIC PROVIDER STATISTICS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES Urban Transportation Providers Rural Transit Providers TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FOR THE COASTAL BEND Agencies Involved in Transportation Planning Medical Transportation Program Statewide Transportation Planning Metropolitan Transportation Planning Regionally Coordinated Transportation Planning POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Population and Demographic Information The Selection of Population and Demographic Variables Health Related Demographics Coastal Bend 2009 Health Policy Summits Population and Demographic Projections... 87

5 Demographic Projections by Public Transportation Provider and by County Journey to Work Data Primary Attractions and Destinations The Effect of Colonias in the Region Summary of Transportation Need Findings RESULTS OF SURVEY OUTREACH ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INEFFICIENCIES AND SERVICE GAPS Needs and Gaps in Transportation Services Suggested Improvements REFERENCES

6 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Coastal Bend Region Figure 2. Public Transportation Provider Service Areas of the Coastal Bend Region Figure 3. RTA Route Figure 4. RTA Stations Figure 5. Greyhound Stations and Route Alignments Figure 6. Location of Client Based and Private Transportation Providers Figure 7. Urbanized Areas in South Texas Figure 8. Rural Transit Districts in South Texas Figure 9. TxDOT Funding Formula for Rural Transit Figure 10. The Decision Making Framework for Transportation Project Implementation Figure 11. Population Density by Block Group Figure 12. Percent Elderly Population by Block Group Figure 13. Percent with a Disability by Block Group Figure 14. Percent below Poverty Level by Block Group Figure 15. Percent of Housing Units with No Vehicle Available by Block Group Figure 16. The Spatial Distribution of Colonias in the Region Figure 17. Clients Served by Respondents to the Survey Figure 18. Counties Served by Respondents to the Survey Figure 19. Survey Respondents: Clients Use Public Transportation for Services Figure 20. Transportation Providers Used by Clients of Survey Respondents Figure 21. Respondents Paying for Public Transportation Figure 22. Respondents Scheduling Transportation Services Figure 23. Respondents Purchasing Transportation Services Figure 24. Transportation Related Issues

7 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. RTA Fare Structure Table 2. RTA Fleet Statistics Table 3. RTA Operating and Capital Expenses Table 4. RTA Federal Fund Apportionments Table 5. Operating Statistics Table 6. RTA Performance Measures Table 7. Bee Transit Service Area and Vehicle Statistics Table 8. Bee Transit Funding, Expenses, and ARRA Funds Table 9. Bee Transit Operating Statistics and Performance Measures Table 10. REAL Transit Service Area and Vehicle Statistics Table 11. REAL Transit Funding, Expenses, and ARRA Funds Table 12. REAL Transit Operating Statistics and Performance Measures Table 13. Paisano Express Service Area and Vehicle Statistics Table 14. Paisano Express Funding, Expenses, and ARRA Funds Table 15. Operating Statistics and Performance Measures Table 16. Rainbow Lines Service Area and Vehicle Statistics Table 17. Greyhound Route 490 Scheduled Departures Table 18. Greyhound Route 494 Scheduled Departures Table 19. Greyhound Route 499 Scheduled Departures Table 20. Urban Transit Provider Operating Characteristics Table 21. Urban Transit Provider Performance Measures Table 22. Rural Transit District Peer Service Area and Operating Characteristics Table 23. Rural Transit District Peer Performance Measures Table 24. TxDOT Funding Formula Need and Performance Measures for Rural Transit District Peers Table 25. Population and Demographic Characteristics for Texas and Selected Regions, Table 26. Population and Demographic Characteristics by Transit Area, Table 27. Coastal Bend Population by County Table 28. Coastal Bend City Populations by County Table 29. Population, Land Area, and Density by County Table 30. Selected Age and Disability Demographics by County Table 31. Selected Poverty and Vehicle Demographics by County Table 32. Race and Ethnicity by County, Table 33. English Proficiency by County Table 34. Selected Health Demographics by County Table 35. Obesity Projections by County Table 36. Texas State Data Center 2010 Population and Demographic Estimates Table 37. Population Projections by County Table 38. Hispanic Population Projections by County Table 39. Elderly Population Projections by County Table 40. Demographic Projections for Nueces County

8 Table 41. Demographic Projections for Bee Transit Table 42. Demographic Projections for Aransas County Table 43. Demographic Projections for Bee County Table 44. Demographic Projections for Live Oak County Table 45. Demographic Projections for McMullen County Table 46. Demographic Projections for Refugio County Table 47. Demographic Projections for REAL Transit Table 48. Demographic Projections for Brooks County Table 49. Demographic Projections for Jim Wells County Table 50. Demographic Projections for San Patricio County Table 51. Demographic Projections for Paisano Express Table 52. Demographic Projections for Kenedy County Table 53. Demographic Projections for Kleberg County Table 54. Demographic Projections for Duval County Table 55. Home County to Work County Matrix Table 56. ACS Journey to Work Trips by County, Table 57. Primary Counties with High Volume Work Trips from the Coastal Bend Region Table 58. Primary Counties with High Volume Work Trips to the Coastal Bend Region Table 59. Employers Interviewed by Workforce Survey, Table 60. Coastal Bend Colonias by County Table 61. Respondents to Online Survey

9 1. INTRODUCTION In 2006, the Coastal Bend Council of Governments produced the Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan for the Coastal Bend in accordance with state and federal regulations. The initial plan developed was a short-range plan, appropriate to provide guidance for regional coordination for approximately four to five years. An update of the plan is necessary in order to continue to be relevant and provide new goals for the future of regional public transportation coordination in the Coastal Bend. CBCOG contracted with TTI to prepare the transportation inventory and the public transportation needs and gap assessment as the first two activities for the updated plan. This report represents the initial two chapters for the Updated Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan Background The 2006 Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan for the Coastal Bend responded to requirements of the House Bill 3588 by the 78 th Texas Legislature (2003) which required regional coordination of service planning to fill service gaps and eliminate overlaps in public transportation services. House Bill 3588 added Chapter 461 to the Texas Transportation Code (1) that requires TxDOT to: identify overlaps and gaps in the provision of public transportation services, including services that could be more effectively provided by existing, privately funded transportation resources; identify underused equipment owned by public transportation providers; identify inefficiencies in the provision of public transportation services by any public transportation provider; and encourage public transportation providers to agree on the allocation of specific services and service areas among the providers. In response to House Bill 3588, TxDOT required each region in the state to develop a coordinated plan for public transportation and human services transportation. TxDOT defined regions by the boundaries of the 24 councils of governments (COG) in Texas. Each region established a lead agency and designated a steering committee to guide regional coordination to improve public transportation in the region by enhancing service delivery, customer satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness, and integration of systems-based and client-based approaches to transportation. Regional public transportation coordination is also consistent with federal requirements. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorizes federal transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and public transportation (2). SAFETEA-LU requires a plan for regional coordination of public transportation and human services transportation as a precedent for a region to be eligible for several federal funding programs for public transportation. The objective of 2006 Regional Public Transportation Coordination Plan for the Coastal Bend was to improve public transportation services for choice riders and transit dependent persons in 1

10 the Coastal Bend (3). The emphasis of the plan was to provide better transportation for individuals traveling for employment, day care, training, non-emergency medical and other destinations as needed. One main theme in the 2006 plan was inter-county coordination that requires regional thinking and planning. The regional lead agency for the Coastal Bend is the CBCOG. The regional group of stakeholders established the Transportation Coordination Network in 2008 to lead the implementation of recommendations from the 2006 plan. The TCN is a group of stakeholders that includes representatives from local transit agencies, health and human services agencies, agencies that provide employment services such as Workforce Solutions, the CBCOG, and the Corpus Christi MPO. Leaders of the TCN work to create a forum for coordination between all stakeholders in the area. TCN sponsored activities include: creation of the TCN website participation in the TxDOT Regional Forum 2008; attendance at two TxDOT sponsored statewide coordination workshops for stakeholder teams in 2008 and 2009; sponsor for the Coastal Bend Rural Health Partnership Health Policy Summit in 2009; pilot coordination of service between two rural transit districts; sensitivity driver training for rural and urban public transportation drivers; community presentations and outreach; and assistance to prepare applications for grant funding. In April 2010, the TCN announced a new director who also serves as the Inter-County Mobility Director. This appointment will assist the region to improve coordination of transportation services. Approach The Updated Regional Plan 2011 is necessary for the plan to continue to be relevant. The update process will take approximately one year due to the comprehensive nature of the effort. The timeline for the updated plan to be complete by August 2011 is as follows: Summer 2010: o engage stakeholders in comprehensive needs assessment o scan transportation needs and identify gaps Fall 2010: o establish vision, mission, goals and objectives o identify measures of performance o identify improvements and prioritize an action plan o prepare funding application for TxDOT Coordinated Call for Projects Spring 2011: o streamline parallel planning program o leverage resources for sustainability beyond 2011 Summer 2011: o complete Updated Regional Plan The initial step in the process to update the regional coordination plan was to meet with stakeholders. The TCN held meetings on June 21, July 26, and August 16, Participants at 2

11 the meetings identified additional stakeholders. Approximately 85 individuals attended regional meetings in Robstown, Refugio, and Falfurrias to provide comments regarding transportation needs and opportunities in the region. In July, TTI posted the online 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey (the survey) for stakeholders to provide information and participate in the identification of transportation needs and current gaps in transportation services in the region. More than 120 respondents representing health and human services agencies and other stakeholders answered the survey and provided information regarding transportation challenges in the region. This report provides an inventory of current transportation providers, describes the transportation planning process, documents existing demographic characteristics, and identifies public transportation needs and gaps in the region. Regional Context Located in southern Texas, the Coastal Bend region consists of 12 counties: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio (Figure 1). The Gulf of Mexico forms the eastern boundary of the region. Interstate 37 is the primary road corridor in the region, linking San Antonio with Corpus Christi, the largest city in the region. U.S. Highway 77 represents a major corridor, linking Kingsville, Sinton, Robstown, and Refugio to Houston to the north, and Brownsville and other Rio Grande Valley destinations to the south. U.S. Highway 281 links Alice, Falfurrias, and George West to San Antonio to the north and McAllen to the south. The Coastal Bend region covers 11,507 square miles, and has an estimated 2009 population of 559,067 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Corpus Christi is the only urbanized area in the Coastal Bend region. The U.S. Census Bureau defines as urbanized area as an area consisting of a place and adjacent territory with a general population density of at least 1,000 people per square mile of land area that together have a minimum residential population of at least 50,000 people (4). The Corpus Christi urbanized area population was 293,925 as of Census The U.S. Census Bureau defines urbanized areas after each decennial census and will next define urbanized areas in Demographers do not expect any other place in the Coastal Bend region to become urbanized areas as part of the 2010 decennial census process. As an urbanized area, Corpus Christi is eligible for the FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funding for public transportation. The remaining urban areas that are not within the Corpus Christi urbanized areas are designated as urban clusters. The U.S. Census Bureau defines an urban cluster as a densely settled territory that has at least 2,500 people but fewer than 50,000 people. Urban clusters in the region (shown in orange in Figure 1) include Alice, Aransas Pass-Ingleside, Beeville, Bishop, Falfurrias, Freer, George West, Kingsville, Mathis, Odem, Port Aransas, Premont, Refugio, Robstown, Rockport, San Diego, Sinton, and Taft. The FTA defines urban clusters as part of the non-urbanized area, eligible for the Non-urbanized Area (Rural) Formula Program (Section 5311). The U.S. Census Bureau defines the remaining territory other than urbanized areas and urban clusters as rural. As with urban clusters, rural areas are eligible for Section 5311 funding for public transportation. 3

12 Figure 1. Coastal Bend Region. 4

13 Organization of the Report This report represents two tasks of the completed Updated Regional Plan The Plan will be completed in its entirety by August As a portion of the updated Plan, this report contains Section 1 is this introduction to the report. Section 2 following this introduction is an inventory of transportation resources in the region, including public, intercity, private, client-based, and other transportation providers. Section 3 documents operations statistics, analyzes performance measures for the public transportation providers in the Coastal Bend, and compares data with the public transportation providers in peer regions in South Texas. Section 4 is a discussion of the process for transportation planning at the state, regional, and local levels. Section 5 uses population and demographic data to provide a comprehensive needs assessment for region, for regional and rural transit districts, and for the counties in the Coastal Bend. The section also documents journey to work data, an analysis of the 2006 Workforce Solutions Transportation Survey, and an examination of the growing number of colonias in the region. Section 6 summarizes the responses to the general questions from the 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey. Section 7 highlights the contributions of stakeholders who participated in the public meetings and the survey to identify public transportation needs and gaps and inefficiencies for current public transportation services in the region. During the next year, the TCN will expand this report to develop the complete Updated Regional Plan Use of Terms Disability under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is defined as either a physical or a mental impairment that substantially limits one or another major life activity of a person. Throughout this report, the use of the term disability refers to all types of physical and mental disabilities. Another term reflecting all disabilities is cross-disability. The terms public transportation and transit are used interchangeably throughout this report. Transit refers most often to public transportation services in an urban area. In this report, the terms public transportation provider and transit provider refer to any entity that provides a public transportation service. 5

14 2. INVENTORY OF TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES IN THE REGION This chapter provides an inventory and assessment of the transportation resources within the Coastal Bend region. The subsections that provide details on the different types of transportation resources are as follows: Public Transportation Providers provides detailed descriptions of the regional transportation authority and four rural transportation districts within the Coastal Bend. Intercity/International Bus Carriers includes descriptions of the bus carriers providing regional and international transportation to the public. Medical Transportation Program (MTP) provides non-emergency medical transportation for categorically eligible Medicaid recipients that have no other means of transportation. Client-Based Providers offers a list of client-based transportation providers and provides a description of the type of transportation resources offered to clients. The subsection includes state agencies that provide financial support to facilitate public or client-based transportation. Private-for-Hire Providers lists the taxicab companies, limousine companies, and charter bus companies in the region. Public Transportation Providers The Coastal Bend region contains five public transportation providers consisting of one regional transportation authority and four rural transit districts. This section contains information on the transportation service area, service description, common destinations, fare structure, maintenance, coordination strategies, and challenges in delivering transportation service. Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the regional transportation authority. Texas contains 38 rural transit districts. The four rural transit districts within the Coastal Bend region are Bee Community Action Agency, Rural Economic Assistance League, Kleberg County Human Services, and Community Action Council of South Texas. Figure 2 displays the service area of each public transportation provider. RTA operates fixed route, park-and-ride, shuttle and circulator, demand response, and ferry boat transportation. Each of the rural transit districts operates demand response service. Other types of transit service include flexible route, in which buses operate along a designated route but deviate from the route for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs. This following section provides details on each service offered by the public transportation providers. 6

15 Figure 2. Public Transportation Provider Service Areas of the Coastal Bend Region. 7

16 Regional Transportation Authority RTA provides public transportation to Nueces County and to the cities of Gregory and San Patricio in San Patricio County. RTA is the only provider in the region to offer fixed route transit. The RTA also operates complementary paratransit service known as B-Line. In addition, RTA also provides commuter, public event, vanpool, and carpool services. RTA is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created in accordance with the Transportation Code, Chapter 451, Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authorities. Voters in Nueces and San Patricio Counties approved the creation of the metropolitan transit authority by a referendum August 10, 1985 and agreed to participate in a ½ percent sales tax as local funding support. RTA commenced operations on January 1, An 11 member Board of Directors governs RTA. The governing body consists of a board chairperson, five City of Corpus Christi appointees, three Nueces County appointees, and two small city mayors appointees 1. The immediate past chair serves as an advisory member. The Corpus Christi RTA service area includes the following areas (5): Corpus Christi; Port Aransas; Robstown; Agua Dulce; Driscoll; Bishop; Unincorporated areas of Nueces County; San Patricio (city) (San Patricio County); and Gregory (San Patricio County). Service Characteristics Corpus Christi RTA operates 35 bus routes. Transit service modes include fixed route, B-Line paratransit, vanpool, and ferryboat (6). The following discussion provides an overview of each service. Corpus Christi Fixed-Route RTA has 24 fixed bus routes operating within Corpus Christi city limits. Ten routes operate Monday through Saturday generally from 5:30am to 10:00pm 2 ; eight routes operate Monday through Sunday 5:00am to 10:30pm; and one route operates Sunday 8:00am to 7:20pm. In addition to these routes, RTA operates four downtown trolleys Monday through Saturday and one route serves Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (discussed later in this section). The fixed routes provide mobility within the city of Corpus Christi. Eleven bus routes operate outside of the Corpus Christi city limits; the bus routes are discussed under Park-and-Ride Bus Service and Rural Bus Service sections (6). 1 Small city mayors consist of mayors from the cities within the RTA service area without dedicated appointee. 2 Varies by route 8

17 Paratransit RTA operates complementary paratransit known as B-Line. ADA requires that a transit provider that operates fixed routes also provide complementary paratransit for people with disabilities who cannot use the fixed routes. Paratransit service must be available within ¾ mile of all fixed routes and at all times when fixed route is available. B-Line is a shared-ride, curb-to-curb transportation service provided to riders who have been determined eligible according to the ADA. Passengers must apply for eligibility in advance of using the service. Once the rider is approved as eligible, the rider may call and schedule trips at least 24 hours in advance. RTA contracts with a private provider, MV Transportation, to operate B-Line. The RTA fleet consists of 33 wheelchair accessible buses. MV Transportation operates and maintains all paratransit vehicles (6). B-Line paratransit will pick up passengers anywhere within Nueces County. Within ¾ mile of fixed-route service, paratransit cost $1.25 per one-way trip. For trips originating outside of the ¾-mile boundary, service is $3.25 per one-way trip (7). Park-and-Ride Bus Service RTA has park-and-ride service available. Park-and-ride service allows passengers to park their private automobiles at a designated parking lot and ride the RTA bus. The locations of the parkand-ride lots are as follows: Calallen parking located off IH-37 at Leopard Street and Rehfield Road. This parkand-ride serves Route 50 Calallen Park-and-Ride. Gregory parking located under the State Hwy 35 overpass north of U.S. Hwy 181. This station serves Route 51 Gregory Park-and-Ride. Robstown parking located at Avenue A and 4th Street. This route serves Route 27 Robstown Northwest, Route 27X Northwest Express, Route 34 Robstown Mini-B, Route 53 Robstown Park-and-Ride, and Route 67 Bishop/Driscoll/Gregory. Greenwood Wal-Mart parking located at 4949 Greenwood Dr. This park-and-ride serves Route 53 Robstown Park-and-Ride and Route 24 Los Encinos. Tuloso Midway High School parking located at 2653 Mckinzie Rd. This park-and-ride serves Route 50 Calallen Park-and-Ride (8, 9). College and University Bus Service The RTA has partnerships with Del Mar College and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi pays RTA $50,000 annually and Del Mar College pays $17,520 in exchange for students, faculty, and staff to the RTA service fare-free. In order to ride the service, students, faculty, or staff must present a valid university ID when boarding the bus (10, 11). Four fixed routes serve the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus. The Wave (Route 63) is a route specifically designed for students at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Campus. The Wave operates during the fall and spring semesters Monday through Thursday from 7:10am to 10:10pm on one-hour headways. On Friday, The Wave operates from 7:10am to 6:50pm on one-hour headways (6). The Wave route changes every few years based on the residential locations of enrolled students (11). 9

18 Del Mar College has four mainline routes serving its East Campus and one route serving its West Campus. Each of these routes operates Monday through Saturday between the hours of 5:00am and 11:00pm. One route operates on Sunday from 8:15am and 7:45pm. An additional route, the Port Aransas Flexi-B, leaves Port Aransas in route to Del Mar College each morning Monday through Thursday (6). Rural Bus Service RTA operates a "route deviation" service to the residents of Bishop/Driscoll/Gregory (Route 67) (Figure 3). Passengers can request curbside pickups at their locations or can board transit at designated stops (12). Route 67 operates Monday through Friday 5:35am to 7:55pm Saturday from 7:00am to 8:20pm. Route 67 has two trips that depart Driscoll in the morning and afternoon. Route 67 begins operation in Driscoll, proceeds to Robstown, downtown Corpus Christi, and terminates in Gregory. The bus then follows the same route back to Driscoll (6). Source: Texas Transportation Institute & Corpus Christi RTA Figure 3. RTA Route 67. In the City of Port Aransas, the Port Aransas Shuttle (Route 94) and the Port Aransas Flexi-B provide residents with a local trolley service. The Flexi-B travels from Port Aransas to Corpus Christi to destinations such as Del Mar College, La Palmera Mall, medical appointments, or recreation. RTA owns the vehicles and the City of Port Aransas operates them. RTA reimburses the City of Port Aransas for operating the buses (6). 10

19 Service within the City of Robstown includes Robstown Northwest (Route 27), which travels Monday through Sunday from Robstown to Corpus Christi stopping in Calallen and other locations. Robstown Express (Route 27X) operates limited-stop service Monday through Friday from Robstown to Corpus Christi. Robstown Express has three inbound buses and three outbound buses. The Robstown Park-and-Ride (Route 53) operates Monday through Friday from Robstown to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. Route 53 has one inbound and one outbound bus. Robstown Mini B (Route 34) operates Monday through Saturday circulating throughout Robstown (6). Vanpool RTA offers vanpool service to residents of the service area. Employers within the service area work with RTA to organize vanpool groups among their employees. The members of the group designate one person to be the regular driver. RTA pays 50 percent of fuel and van lease costs from VPSI (the third-party vanpool provider). Employers pay the remaining 50 percent of the cost of the vanpool. As part of the van lease, VPSI pays for insurance and maintenance costs (11, 12). Seasonal Service During summer months (5/28/10-9/6/2010), the Padre Island Connector (Route 65) provides service from the Southside Station to Padre Island and Port Aransas. The Harbor Ferry is a pedestrian only ferry that operates in Corpus Christi Bay between the People s Street T-Head, and Texas State Aquarium (8, 11, 12). Transit Stations RTA provides transit centers and transit stops to provide transfers to and from routes. These transfer stations include: Staples Street Station opened in January 1994 and is located at Staples and Mestina Streets, immediately east of the Corpus Christi City Hall. Approximately 19 routes stop at the Staples Street Station. Port Ayers Station opened in 1995 and is located at the intersection of Port Avenue and Ayers Street (serves 19 routes). Southside Station opened in 2003 and is located on McArdle Road, immediately north of La Palmera Mall (serves 14 routes). Six Points Station located at the Staples/Alameda/Ayers Street intersection (serves 7 routes) (8). Each station is located within the Corpus Christi urbanized area. The station most accessible by the rural transit providers is the Port Ayers Station or the Southside Station. Figure 4 provides the locations of each RTA station. 11

20 Source: Texas Transportation Institute & Corpus Christi RTA Figure 4. RTA Stations. Fares Corpus Christi RTA prices transit service based on four categories. The fare categories include fixed route, transfers, fixed route trolley fares, park-and-ride, rural, and specialty routes. Table 1 provides the fare cost for each RTA service. 12

21 Table 1. RTA Fare Structure. Fixed Route Fares Cost Adult Singe Fare $0.75 Students, age 6+ (with valid ID) $0.35 Seniors, Persons w/disabilities, Medicare (Peak periods: 6am $0.25 9am; 3pm 6pm; and all Day Saturday/Sunday) Seniors, Persons w/disabilities, Medicare (Off peak periods $0.10 on Weekdays only) Children, 5 and under accompanied by adult FREE Transfers Cost Transfers $0.10 Seniors, Persons w/disabilities, Medicare (With cash FREE payment of fare, upon request for transfer) Fixed Route Trolley Fares Cost All routes except #94 $0.75 #94 Port Aransas Shuttle $0.25 Transfer to regular route service $0.10 Park & Ride, Rural Routes, and Specialty Routes (Rural Routes include Driscoll/Gregory and Port Aransas Flexi B) Cost Adult Single Fare $1.25 Students, age 6+ (with valid ID) $0.60 Seniors, Persons w/disabilities, Medicare $0.25 Children 5 and under (with adult) FREE Paratransit Cost Regular Fare (within 3/4 mile of fixed route) $1.25 Outside 3/4 mile of fixed route $3.25 Source: Corpus Christi RTA, 2010 Fleet Corpus Christi directly operates 81 vehicles. Corpus Christi purchases transportation from MV Transportation for paratransit service and eight fixed routes. MV Transportation operates and maintains 33 demand response vehicles and 13 standard buses. Table 2 provides RTA total operating fleet (13). 13

22 Table 2. RTA Fleet Statistics. Vehicle Number Average Age Average Mileage Average # Seats Sedan ,586 5 Van ,900 7 Minibus , Standard Bus , Source: TTI Public Transportation Inventory 2009 Financial Data The National Transit Database (NTD) provides financial and operating statistics for RTA. Table 3 provides the operating and capital funds expended between the years of 2006 and As mentioned previously, RTA receives a ½ percent sales tax. The sales tax provides the local funds and is the source of funding for a majority of operating expenses for RTA. Table 3. RTA Operating and Capital Expenses. Operating Funds Expended Fare Revenue $1,707,930 $1,602,329 $1,380,241 Local $19,372,534 $17,222,439 $16,446,455 Federal $496,631 $276,340 $16,902 Other $835,036 $1,223,873 $1,037,935 Total $22,412,131 $20,324,981 $18,881,533 Capital Funds Expended Local $2,026,195 $638,228 $311,584 Federal $5,441,116 $2,656,019 $1,202,948 Total $7,469,319 $3,296,254 $1,516,538 Source: National Transit Database The FTA maintains a database of the federal funds apportioned to each transit agency. The federal funds can be expended for a three-year period after grant award. The FTA funding database contains federal fund apportionment through Table 4 provides the federal funds apportioned between 2006 and Table 4. RTA Federal Fund Apportionments. Fund Section 5307 $4,771,992 $4,772,930 $4,556,255 $4,293,492 $4,188,651 Section 5309 $500,000 $564,300 $543,400 $501,600 $555,093 Section 5316 $256,960 $268,754 $228,973 $211,359 $200,511 Section 5317 $113,500 $115,646 $100,328 $92,875 $77,909 Total $5,642,452 $5,721,630 $5,428,956 $5,099,326 $5,022,164 Source: Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database has published data through

23 Operating Data NTD provides operating statistics and performance measures for each mode of transportation offered by RTA. Table 5 displays the operating statistics for bus, demand response (B-Line paratransit), and vanpool. Table 5. Operating Statistics. Bus Revenue Miles 2,778,104 2,787,318 2,750,228 Revenue Hours 194, , ,456 Passenger Trips 5,251,514 4,976,009 5,315,568 Demand Response Revenue Miles 1,320,766 1,253,448 1,277,414 Revenue Hours 68,733 67,422 67,798 Passenger Trips 196, , ,775 Vanpool Revenue Miles 34,785 16,898 19,021 Revenue Hours 1, Passenger Trips 21,166 9,200 7,138 Source: National Transit Database Performance Measures Performance measures provide insight into measures of efficiency and effectiveness. Table 6 provides performance measures for both bus service and demand response service. Table 6. RTA Performance Measures. Bus Operating Expense / Rev. Mile $6.16 $5.56 $5.13 Operating Expense / Pass. Trip $3.26 $3.12 $2.66 Pass. Trip per Rev. Mile Demand Response Operating Expense / Rev. Mile $3.72 $ Operating Expense / Pass. Trip $24.94 $ Pass. Trip per Rev. Mile Source: National Transit Database 15

24 Bee Community Action Agency: Bee Transit Bee Community Action Agency (BCAA) is the provider for the rural transit district including McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Refugio, and Aransas Counties. BCAA is a department of Bee County and provides a variety of services to the region in addition to transportation. Services include programs for Head Start, senior citizens, childcare food, weatherization assistance, energy assistance, emergency food and shelter, and others. This section provides details on the rural transportation service offered by Bee Transit (14, 15, 16, 17,18). Contact: 1701 N.W. Frontage Road, Beeville, Texas Phone: (361) or Fax: (361) or (361) Executive Director: Anna Simo [email protected] Service Area: Bee Transit is a rural transit district providing transit service within McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Refugio, and Aransas Counties. Bee Transit provides transportation to Nueces County (Corpus Christi) on Tuesdays and Thursdays for any purpose. Bee Transit also provides transportation outside of service area for the general public. Service Area Concentrations: The majority of passenger trips are within Bee and Aransas Counties. Within Bee County, common destinations include adult day-care, dialysis centers, and Coastal Bend College. Within Aransas County, common destinations include dialysis centers, medical appointments, grocery, and bank. Trips to Corpus Christi for medical purposes are scheduled from Bee County on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Passenger trips from Aransas County to Corpus Christi are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Bee Transit picks up dialysis passengers in the service area and takes them to needed destinations. Elderly and persons with disability trips (FTA Section 5310) trips scheduled through Live Oak and Refugio Counties are typically outside of the service area. Common destinations include Beeville, Corpus Christi, Portland, Rockport, San Antonio, and Victoria. Service Type: BCAA provides curb-to-curb wheelchair accessible demand response transportation throughout the service area. Service operates from Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Passengers must call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a trip. Passengers must be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Eligibility: Bee Transit provides transportation services to the general public using Section 5311 funds and service for elderly and people with disabilities using Section 5310 funds. Bee Transit serves all trip purposes (adult day care centers, paying bills, shopping, medical, appointments, work, job interviews, etc.). Fares: Bee County Fare Structure: $1.00 one-way within city of Beeville $3.00 one-way within Bee County Trips outside of Bee County and Aransas County are from $6.00 to $20.00 one-way depending on distance. Aransas County Fare Structure: $1.00 round-trip within Aransas County.50 for additional stops $3.00 round-trip to Lamar and Holiday Beach $6 round-trip to Aransas Pass $10 round-trip to Corpus Christi Live Oak Fare Structure: Donations are accepted Refugio Fare Structure: Donations are accepted Suggested donation of $8 for long distance trips to Victoria and Corpus Christi 16

25 Fleet (15) Total number of vehicles 28 Vans (1 wheelchair accessible) 12 Minibus (all are wheelchair accessible) 4 Standard buses (all are wheelchair accessible) 12 Average number of seats 10 Average age 5 years In fiscal 2010, Bee Transit acquired 13 new vehicles. This acquisition allowed Bee to retire 11 vehicles and expand the active fleet by two vehicles. Fleet vehicles include a mix of Chevrolet, Ford, Arboc, Champion, Supreme, and Elkhart. Fleet year models range from with the majority of vehicles purchased between 2005 and 2010 (15). Table 7 provides the vehicle and service area statistics. Table 7. Bee Transit Service Area and Vehicle Statistics. Vehicles Service Area Population Service Area Square Miles Population per Vehicle Square Mile per Vehicle 28 75,844 4,051 2, Source: PTN 128 Refugio Fleet Refugio County has five sedans and two vans. Refugio County applies for individual grants through foundations such as the South Texas Community Foundation to purchase vans. The current fleet consists of the following vehicles: 2006 Buick Lucerne, 2009 Chevy Impala, 2008 Chevy Uplander, 2005 Buick LeSabre, 2008 Chevy Malibu, 2007 Dodge Caravan, 2009 Chevy Impala. None of the vehicles has wheelchair lifts. In order to transport individuals in wheelchairs, drivers help these individuals into the car. Passengers call the county office to schedule trips. Trips average three passengers each (16). Live Oak Fleet Live Oak County has one Dodge Caravan. The county purchased the vehicle with county general funds. The vehicle does not have a wheelchair lift. BCAA provides transportation to individuals that need wheelchair lifts. This service provides several trips to San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Beeville (17). Routing and Scheduling Bee Transit uses Shah Transportation Manager software for routing and scheduling. Dispatchers communicate with drivers through two-way radio. Bee Transit will install Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems on at least 15 vehicles with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding (14). Maintenance Facilities BCAA has a dedicated vehicle maintenance facility located at 509 S. Hillside Dr. in Beeville. The facility is located on Bee County property near the BCCA operations facility. BCAA built the facility with federal and state transit funding in the early 1990s. The facility has two service bays, and Bee Transit employs one full-time mechanic, one part-time mechanic, and one full- 17

26 time shop assistant. The facility is not equipped to do major mechanical work, such as engine or transmission rebuilding or wheelchair lift repair. The mechanics perform preventative maintenance at the facility (14). Coordination with Other Agencies Bee Transit subcontracts to Aransas County Council on Aging to provide transportation service within Aransas County. Bee Transit provides three (of their 28) vehicles and Aransas County operates and maintains the vehicles. Passengers schedule trips within Aransas County directly through Aransas County Council on Aging in Rockport. Bee Transit purchases this transportation service with Section 5311 funds, and service is available to the general public. Trips originating in Aransas County can travel outside of the County. Bee Transit enters into purchase of service agreements with Live Oak and Refugio Counties to provide transportation service to elderly and people with disabilities residing within those counties. These trips can travel outside of those counties. Bee Transit provides general public transportation within these counties on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Coastal Plains Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) Center purchases fares from Bee Transit for client transportation. Additional adult daycare and nursing homes pay the fares for clients. SERCO, Inc. also purchases transportation service (pay per hour) from Bee Transit. BCAA bills SERCO by the hour for the transportation service. The number of these trips taken by SERCO clients has decreased over the last several years (14). Challenges in Delivering Public Transportation Service When asked about challenges in delivering transportation service, a representative from Bee Transit said many people are not aware of the service and more marketing of the transit service would be of benefit. Bee Transit will pursue plans for increased marketing. The transit provider said another challenge is recruiting and retaining drivers. Eligible applicants for driver positions must have a Commercial Driver License and must have P endorsement (passenger). When recruiting drivers, it is beneficial for the drivers to have an S endorsement for school bus operation so that these drivers can operate Head Start transportation services to children. Bee Transit provides drivers to the Head Start Program. These drivers operate Head Start buses during the morning, during the day operate Bee Transit buses, and in the afternoon operate Head Start buses to return children home. Bee Transit drivers provide service to at least 80 Head Start students to Head Start centers in the cities of Beeville, Refugio, George West, and Skidmore. Bee Transit pays drivers from Head Start funds when providing Head Start services and from Section 5311 funds when providing rural transit services. Offering an attractive hourly wage for retaining drivers is an issue. Currently, drivers start at $9.71 per hour and after successful completion of a 90-day introductory period, drivers can make $10.22 per hour. Funding restrictions prohibit Bee Transit from paying higher hourly wages (14). 18

27 Financial Data Bee Transit receives funding from a variety of sources. The majority of funding comes from Section 5311 state and federal funds. Table 8 provides the sources of funding, expenses, and ARRA 2009 funds received. Table 8. Bee Transit Funding, Expenses, and ARRA Funds. Funding Source Federal $309,119 $376,958 $361, State $272,089 $289,673 $290, (Grant) $135,000 $57,782 $45,236 Coastal Bend Workforce and SERCO (Contract) $2,569 $2,722 $11,294 Passenger Fares $29,048 $29,718 $35,083 Local In kind $3,239 $15,211 Local Contribution (cash) $21,870 Total $751,064 $798,809 $766,196 Source: PTN 128 Expenses Capital $90,614 $68,004 $54,735 Operating $443,995 $492,294 $506,605 Maintenance $10,406 $6,525 $4,854 Administrative $120,675 $139,328 $133, (Purchased) $92,330 $80,703 $60,029 Coastal Bend Workforce and SERCO (Purchased) $2,339 $1,592 $11,462 Total $760,359 $788,446 $771,219 Source: PTN 128 American Rehabilitation and Recovery Act (ARRA) 2009 Fleet Facilities Other Capital Total $512,500 $0 $95,465 $607,965 Source: TTI Technical Report

28 Operating Statistics and Performance Measures Table 9 presents the operating statistics and performance measures of Bee Transit. Table 9. Bee Transit Operating Statistics and Performance Measures. Operating Data Projected Revenue Miles 256, , , ,492 Revenue Hours 14,444 14,523 12,839 12,505 Passenger Trips 29,273 26,077 22,914 24,097 Performance Measures Operating Expense/ Rev. Mile $2.62 $2.71 $2.75 Operating Expense/ Pass. Trip $22.72 $23.41 $22.06 Passenger Trips/ Rev. Mile Source: PTN

29 Rural Economic Assistance League: REAL Transit Rural Economic Assistance League (REAL) is the provider for the rural transit district within Jim Wells, San Patricio, and Brooks Counties. In addition to rural transportation, REAL provides several social services within the region. These services include home health care, primary home care, community based alternatives, medically dependent children program, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, housing, and daily activity and health services (18, 19). Contact: 301 Lucero, Alice, Texas Phone: (361) or Fax: (361) Director: Gloria Ramos, R.N. Service Area: REAL Transit is the rural transit district for Jim Wells, San Patricio, and Brooks Counties. REAL Transit provides transportation outside of the service area into surrounding counties for the general public trips and Section 5310 transportation. REAL currently provides service to the following counties: Nueces, Aransas, Kleberg, Kenedy, and Duval. As of September 1, 2010, REAL provides Section 5310 service to Duval County. Service Area Concentrations: The majority of the passenger trips are provided within Jim Wells and San Patricio Counties. Trip purposes include adult daycare, dialysis, grocery, and medical. Within Jim Wells, San Patricio, and Brooks Counties, REAL provides transportation to students to school and home from school. REAL provides demand response transportation to between 10 and 20 passengers to Corpus Christi each week for medical purposes. Service Type: Demand Response REAL provides curb-to-curb wheelchair accessible demand response transportation throughout the service area. Service operates from Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. For demand response service, passengers must call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a trip. Passengers must be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Same day trips may be available. Flexible Service During the school year, flexible school routes provide transportation to elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Jim Wells, San Patricio, and Brooks Counties. School districts do not provide transportation to all parts of each county. Parents pay REAL for providing this service to the students. These flexible routes also provide service to the general public within the flexible route area. Anyone can call 24 hours in advance to schedule a trip on one of these flexible routes. Same day scheduling is available if room permits. Eligibility: REAL Transit provides transportation services to the general public using Section 5311 funds and service for elderly and people with disabilities using Section 5310 funds. The trip purposes served include daycare centers, paying bills, shopping, medical, appointments, work, job interviews, school, etc. Fares: $1one-way within Alice city limits. Service from Alice to surrounding areas is available at a cost ranging from $5.00 to $27.00 one-way. REAL bills for trips originating outside of Alice based on mileage. 21

30 Fleet (19) Total number of vehicles 52 Vans (2 wheelchair accessible) 9 Minibus (all wheelchair accessible) 43 Average number of seats 12 Average age 7 years Table 10 provides service area and vehicle statistics. In 2009 REAL purchased three buses with ARRA funding. Of REAL s 52 vehicles, 20 are year model 2005 or newer. Table 10. REAL Transit Service Area and Vehicle Statistics. Vehicles Service Area Service Area Population per Square Miles per Population Square Miles Vehicle Vehicle 52 96,923 2,491 1, Source: PTN 128 Routing and Scheduling Software Shah Transportation Manager is the software used for routing and scheduling. Dispatch communicates with drivers through cell phones with two-way radios (19). Maintenance Facilities REAL Transit contracts out all maintenance. Local maintenance vendors within Alice provide preventative and other maintenance needs. For intense maintenance, REAL takes vehicles to Corpus Christi. The Mobility Store in Corpus Christi provides wheelchair lift service. ARRA funding purchased security cameras and a fence for the REAL office and parking lot (19). Coordination with Other Agencies REAL has a purchase of service agreement with Kleberg County Human Services Paisano Express using Section 5310 funds for the elderly and people with disabilities. When Paisano Express transports passengers into the REAL service area, REAL transports the passengers for the return trip. Similarly, Paisano Express transports REAL passengers back into the REAL service area (19). As of September 1, 2010 Coastal Bend Rural Health Partnership (CBRHP) will purchase Section 5310 transportation service from a rural provider to transport the MHMR clients from Kingsville to Alice (20). In some instances, Paisano Express transports passengers to the REAL service area, where they can travel with REAL passengers using REAL Transit to Corpus Christi. The town of San Diego is within Duval County and outside of the REAL service area; however, REAL picks up passengers within San Diego, transports them to cities and services within the REAL service area, and returns them to San Diego. Service is provided to San Diego because of its close proximity to the REAL service area. As of September 1, 2010, REAL will provide transit services for elderly and people with disabilities through a Section 5310 purchase of service agreement with Duval County. Duval County will supply the vehicles and REAL will operate them (19). 22

31 REAL provides transportation to Coastal Plains MHMR Clients. REAL bills Coastal Plains MHMR for transportation provided for MHMR clients. Coastal Bend Workforce and SERCO purchases transportation fares from REAL for transporting clients to work. Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi purchases transportation fares from REAL for hospital patients (or the patient pays the fare). When a patient from the REAL service area is brought in by ambulance, REAL returns the patient home (19). Challenges in Delivering Transportation Service When asked about challenges in delivering transportation service, a representative from REAL Transit provided several items that pose challenges. Bus drivers start at minimum wage, which makes it difficult to retain bus drivers. Pay has not increased because of funding limitations. Wheelchair lift failures are common on buses and require maintenance from The Mobility Store in Corpus Christi. Each van takes two or three months for wheelchair lift repair. Currently 13 of 52 vehicles have wheelchair lifts that are down. In addition, knowing how to obtain or use existing sources of revenue for local match money for grants is a challenge for REAL (19). Financial Data REAL Transit receives funding from a variety of sources. The majority of funding comes from Section 5311 state and federal funds. Table 11 provides the sources of funding and expenses. Table 11. REAL Transit Funding, Expenses, and ARRA Funds. Funding Source Federal $395,852 $543,671 $353, State $385,983 $356,358 $362, (Contract) $257,222 $56,494 $99,702 Coastal Bend Workforce and SERCO (Contract) $24,803 $11,982 $25,631 Passenger Fares $45,470 $36,706 $28,342 Local In kind $127,549 $181,723 Local Contribution (cash) $169,158 Total $1,236,879 $1,186,934 $1,038,762 Source: PTN 128 Expenses Capital $178,870 $166,004 $0 Operating $838,642 $837,668 $760,465 Maintenance $78,352 $56,494 $0 Administrative $141,017 $128,043 $130,622 Total $1,236,881 $1,188,209 $891,087 Source: PTN 128 ARRA 2009 Fleet Facilities Other Capital Total $256,000 $0 $83,000 $339,000 Source: TTI Technical Report

32 Operating Statistics and Performance Measures Table 12 displays operating statistics and performance measures of REAL Transit. Table 12. REAL Transit Operating Statistics and Performance Measures. Operating Data Projected Revenue Miles 423, , , ,628 Revenue Hours 29,829 25,313 21,675 27,224 Passenger Trips 185, , , ,563 Performance Measures Operating Expense/ Rev. Mile $2.19 $2.37 $1.86 Operating Expense/ Pass. Trip $7.11 $7.34 $6.08 Passenger Trips/ Rev. Mile Source: PTN

33 Kleberg County Human Services: Paisano Express Rural Transit Kleberg County Human Services operates rural transit service for Kleberg and Kenedy Counties known as Paisano Express. The Kleberg County Human Services is part of Kleberg County and provides a variety of social services. The services include senior citizens services, veteran affairs, welfare services, and other community services. This section provides details on Paisano Express transportation. (21, 22, 18) Contact: 720 E. Lee, Kingsville, Texas Phone: (361) Director: Margie Del Bosque [email protected] Transportation Manager: David R. Garcia [email protected] Service Area: Paisano Express is the rural transit district for Kleberg and Kenedy Counties. Transportation is provided from the service area into Brooks, Jim Wells, Bee, San Patricio, and Aransas Counties. Paisano Express provides transportation service to Nueces County (Corpus Christi) on Tuesdays and Thursdays for any purpose. Service Area Concentrations: The majority of the trips are provided within Kleberg and Kenedy Counties (largely Kingsville within Kleberg County). Trip purposes mostly include grocery and medical trips. At the first of the month, passengers take trips to the bank. Six to eight teenage mothers make trips to HM King High School in Kingsville everyday while school is in session. Sometimes two vans are needed to make the school trips (due to the car seat for the child). The school pays for these passenger trips. Seven to eight passengers per week travel to Corpus Christi for medical purposes. Service Type: Demand Response Paisano Express provides curb-to-curb wheelchair accessible demand response transportation throughout the service area. Service operates from Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Passengers must call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a trip. Passengers must be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. Same day trips may be available. Flexible Route Within the service area, a flexible route provides transportation to HM King High School for teenage mothers. These flexible routes provide pick-up locations for the general public within the flexible route area. The general public can schedule a ride on one of these routes by calling 24 hours in advance. Same day scheduling is available if room permits. Eligibility: Paisano Express provides transportation services to the general public using Section 5311 funds and provides transportation for elderly and people with disabilities using Section 5310 funds. Trip purposes include daycare centers, schools, paying bills, shopping, medical, appointments, work, job interviews, etc. All Medicaid clients are referred to LeFleur, the Medical Transportation Program contractor. Fares: $2one-way within Kingsville city limits $3 one-way Kingsville to Ricardo city limits to FM Road 772 (north of FM 772) $4 one-way to Riviera/Sarita from south of FM 772 $8.50 one-way to Corpus Christi Travel cards are also available for purchase. Clients pay for the whole month of fares in advance. 25

34 Fleet (22) Total number of vehicles 14 Vans (9 wheelchair accessible) 10 Minibus (all wheelchair accessible) 4 Average number of seats 9 Average age 4 years Table 13 provides information on the service area and vehicle statistics. In , Kleberg replaced six vans. Of the vans replaced, Kleberg used ARRA funding to purchase three vans. Table 13. Paisano Express Service Area and Vehicle Statistics. Vehicles Service Area Population Service Area Square Miles Population per Vehicle Square Mile per Vehicle 14 31,963 2,328 2, Source: PTN 128 Routing and Scheduling Software Shah Transportation Manager is the software used for routing and scheduling. Dispatchers communicate with drivers by radio. Drivers use cell phones for communication when in Corpus Christi. Vehicles will be getting GPS for vehicle tracking within the next year (22). Maintenance Facilities Paisano Express contracts out all maintenance. The Eddie Yaklin Ford dealership provides preventative and other maintenance needs. The Mobility Store in Corpus Christi provides wheelchair lift service (22). A new maintenance facility is under construction with ARRA 2009 funding. The new maintenance facility will open in The location of the new facility is at the intersection of 14 th Street and Santa Gertrudis Street in Kingsville. The facility will contain three service bays, enough space to store all 14 vehicles, and a new central dispatching office (22). Coordination with Other Agencies REAL has a purchase of service agreement with Paisano Express for 5310 transportation service. Paisano Express transports Section 5310 passengers into the REAL service area. Paisano Express bills REAL for this service. REAL then transports the 5310 passengers back into the Paisano Express service area. The bills are submitted to TxDOT for reimbursement of the trips with Section 5310 funding. Non-eligible Section 5310 passengers can utilize this service, but they cannot be counted as Section 5310 passengers for reimbursement. Paisano Express, in some instances, brings passengers to the REAL service area, where they can travel together with REAL passengers using REAL Transit to Corpus Christi. Paisano Express provides transportation to Coastal Plains MHMR Center (15 people per week) through a purchase of fare agreement. The fares are $1 more per person because Coastal Plains requires on-time service. 26

35 Kleberg would like to partner with REAL to provide maintenance for vehicles, especially maintenance for wheelchair lifts (22). Challenges in Delivering Transportation Service When asked about challenges in delivering transportation service, a representative from Kleberg Transit stated that hiring and retaining the optimum number of bus drivers is difficult. Currently they could use additional drivers, but do not want to overstaff. Keeping the wheelchair lifts in operation is also a challenge. Vehicles must be taken to The Mobility Store in Corpus Christi for wheelchair lift repair. Wheelchair lift repair takes two or three months per van (22). Financial Data Paisano Express receives funding from a variety of sources. The majority of funding comes from Section 5311 state and federal funds. Table 14 displays the sources of funding, expenses, and American Rehabilitation and Recovery Act (ARRA) 2009 funds received. Table 14. Paisano Express Funding, Expenses, and ARRA Funds. Funding Source Federal $186,740 $199,267 $170, State $200,228 $170,167 $182, (Contract) $21,696 $16,642 $0 Passenger Fares $20,057 $16,249 $12,682 Local Contribution (cash) $17,356 $48,534 Other $33,210 $0 $0 Total $461,931 $419,681 $414,416 Source: PTN 128 Expenses Capital $33,210 $22,237 $0 Operating $268,320 $285,341 $276,097 Maintenance $28,076 $18,892 $15,824 Administrative $130,693 $98,683 $106,566 Total $460,299 $425,153 $398,487 Source: PTN 128 ARRA 2009 Fleet Facilities Other Capital Total $139,000 $275,000 $0 $414,000 Source: TTI Technical Report

36 Operating Statistics and Performance Measures Table 15 presents the operating statistics and performance measures of Paisano Express. Table 15. Operating Statistics and Performance Measures. Operating Data Projected Revenue Miles 101, , , ,412 Revenue Hours 10,781 9,387 10,537 9,070 Passenger Trips 185,585 26,280 25,341 27,597 Source: PTN 128 Performance Measures Operating Expense/ Rev. Mile $4.21 $3.59 $1.91 Operating Expense/ Pass. Trip $16.25 $15.90 $14.44 Passenger Trips/ Rev. Mile Source: PTN

37 Community Action Council of South Texas (CACST) Rainbow Lines CACST is the rural transit provider (known as Rainbow Lines) for Duval, Starr, Jim Hogg, and Zapata Counties. In addition to transportation, CACST provides social services to the region. These services include Meals on Wheels, Healthy Start program, housing services, and other community services. Within Duval County, transportation is the sole service provided by CACST. Rainbow Lines operates within one county (Duval County) in the Coastal Bend Region, therefore, the following description of Rainbow Lines service is on service within Duval County (23). Contact: 609 W. Main Street Phone: (956) Duval County: (361) Director: Noelia Ruiz Service Area: Rainbow Lines is the rural public transportation provider for Duval, Starr, Jim Hogg, and Zapata Counties. Duval is the only county in the Coastal Bend region. Rainbow Lines provides transit service from Duval County into Jim Wells County, Webb County, and Nueces County. Service Area Concentrations (for trips originating in Duval County): Fixed route service was new as of 2009 and currently has low ridership. Fixed route operates from between the cities of Benavides, Freer, and San Diego in Duval County. The majority of demand response trips originating in Duval County are to destinations outside of the service area in Alice, which is within the REAL Transit service area. Other destinations include trips to Laredo in Webb County and an occasional trip to Corpus Christi in Nueces County. Trips purposes to Alice include shopping, medical, and recreational. Trip purposes to Laredo and Corpus Christi are typically medical trips. Service Type (within Duval County): CACST has one fixed route bus that operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00am to 11:30am (one bus). In addition to fixed route service, Rainbow Lines provides curb-to-curb wheelchair accessible transportation within Duval County Monday through Friday 7:00am-5:00pm (2 buses). Passengers must call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a demand response trip. Same day service is available. Eligibility: Service is available to the general public. All markets are served. Trip purposes include daycare centers, schools, paying bills, shopping, medical, appointments, work, job interviews, etc. Fares(within Duval County) : Fixed Route - $2 one-way Demand Response - $2 one-way within Duval County Demand Response to Alice - $6 one-way to Corpus Christi - $10 one-way to Laredo $15 one-way 29

38 Fleet (within Duval County) (23) Total number of vehicles 3 19 passenger bus 2 10 passenger bus 1 Total Rainbow Lines Fleet (2-9) Total number of vehicles 32 Vans (1 wheelchair accessible) 4 Minibus (1 wheelchair accessible) 3 Standard bus 24 Average age 6 years Table 16 provides vehicles statistics and information on the service area. In 2009, CACST purchased nine vehicles with ARRA funds. Table 16. Rainbow Lines Service Area and Vehicle Statistics. Vehicles Service Area Service Area Square Population per Square Mile per Population Miles Vehicle Vehicle 32 84,180 5, Source: PTN 128 Routing and Scheduling Software Shah Transportation Manager is the software used for routing and scheduling (23). Maintenance Facilities Vehicles in need of maintenance are taken to Hebbronville Auto Repair. If a vehicle cannot be fixed in Hebbronville, the vehicle is transported into Starr County to a local mechanic. Vehicles requiring wheelchair lift repair are taken to Marshall Mobility Plus within McAllen or to Andy s Airbus in La Feria. Rainbow Lines received $84,000 in ARRA funds for rehabilitating the facility in Starr County, including painting the inside of the building, putting in a new floor in the building, and repaving parking lot (23). Challenges in Delivering Transportation Service to Duval County A representative from Rainbow Lines said a challenge in delivering fixed route transportation service to Duval County is many of the people in need of transportation service live in rural or remote locations not near a transit stop. People within Duval County may have the perception that Rainbow Lines provides service only to elderly and people with disabilities. Maintenance is an issue. As of September 1, 2010 REAL Transit will provide Section 5310 funded transportation service to Duval County. Duval County and REAL formed a purchase of service agreement where Duval County supplies the vehicles and REAL operates them. Rainbow Lines transports the general public within Duval County (23). 30

39 Intercity/International Bus Carriers Greyhound is the one American intercity bus carrier serving the region. Greyhound owns other intercity operators such as Valley Transit. Greyhound has 16 stations in the region, in all counties except Kenedy and McMullen (Figure 5). Greyhound has three routes traveling through the region: 490, 494, and 499 (24). Figure 5. Greyhound Stations and Route Alignments. 31

40 Greyhound Route 490, connecting San Antonio with Brownsville and McAllen, is operated by Americanos. The route makes 10 trips in each direction each day, including two trips each direction between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, where riders can transfer to the 499 route linking Corpus Christi to Brownsville. Coastal Bend region stops include Alice, Beeville, Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi West, Falfurrias, Freer, George West, Mathis, Premont, and Robstown (Table 17). The primary Corpus Christi Greyhound station is located downtown, at 702 North Chaparral Street. The Corpus Christi West station is located on the western edge of town, at Interstate Highway 37. All 490 and 499 routes that go through Corpus Christi also make a stop at Corpus Christi West, often either inbound or outbound, and occasionally both. Table 17. Greyhound Route 490 Scheduled Departures. Direction San Antonio Beeville George West Mathis Schedule Number A9589 SB 1:20 4:15 5:15 6:45 V831 SB 5:00 6:35 7:35 8:10 8:25 9:50 11:59 V833 SB 7:15 9:10 9:40 12:50 11:45 11:55 12:15 13:30 14:35 V835 SB 8:30 10:05 10:35 11:00 11:10 A9561 SB 8:30 11:25 12:55 14:15 A9563 SB 12:50 15:45 17:15 18:35 V895 SB 13:00 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 16:15 16:30 19:25 A9557 SB 15:20 18:15 19:45 20:55 V847 SB 15:30 17:05 17:35 18:00 18:15 V897 SB 20:00 21:35 22:05 22:30 23:00 23:00 23:15 2:15 southbound read left to right northbound read right to left V826 NB 14:30 12:55 12:25 11:45 11:45 A9582 NB 12:45 10:20 8:20 7:00 A9568 NB 16:30 14:15 11:55 10:35 V894 NB 18:35 16:50 16:10 15:30 15:15 13:35 11:30 V838 NB 19:00 17:25 16:55 16:10 16:10 V834 NB 21:50 18:30 19:30 19:30 19:15 19:00 17:20 16:15 V836 NB 20:40 18:55 18:15 17:15 17:00 15:30 13:05 V898 NB 4:15 2:10 1:30 1:00 0:45 23:15 21:05 A9572 NB 3:25 1:10 23:10 21:30 A9586 NB 4:15 1:50 0:01 22:40 Source: Russell's Official National Motor Coach Guide, August 2010 Alice Corpus Christi West Corpus Christi Corpus Christi West Robstown Freer Premont Falfurrias Laredo McAllen Brownsville 32

41 Greyhound Route 494, connecting Houston with Corpus Christi, is operated by Valley Transit. The route makes one trip each direction each day, stopping at Aransas Pass and Rockport, in addition to Corpus Christi (Table 18). Table 18. Greyhound Route 494 Scheduled Departures. Direction Houston Rockport Aransas Pass Corpus Christi Schedule Number V849 SB 11:15 15:15 15:35 16:05 V872 NB 17:00 12:30 12:10 11:45 Note: Read left to right for SB trips, right to left on NB trips Source: Russell's Official National Motor Coach Guide, August 2010 Greyhound Route 499, connecting Houston with McAllen and Brownsville, is operated by Americanos and Valley Transit. The route makes 10 trips each direction each day. Coastal Bend region stops include Alice, Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi West, Falfurrias, Kingsville, Odem/Sinton, Premont, Refugio, Riviera, and Robstown (Table 19). The Robstown station has the most stops per day, with 19, and the Riviera station has 18. Located less than a mile from the Kenedy County line, the Riviera station provides convenient access to Kenedy County, one of the two counties in the region without a Greyhound station. Greyhound covers the population centers of the Coastal Bend region, providing service to 10 of the 12 largest towns. Ingleside and Portland, the two largest towns without Greyhound service, are within 20 miles of both the Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi stations. The Corpus Christi West station has 26 Greyhound stops per day, the highest volume in the region. Robstown has 23 stops per day, followed by Corpus Christi with 20 and Riviera with 18. The Aransas Pass, Freer, and Rockport stations have the lowest volumes in the region, each with two trips per day. 33

42 Table 19. Greyhound Route 499 Scheduled Departures. Direction Houston Refugio Odem/Sinton Corpus Christi West Corpus Christi Corpus Christi West Schedule Number A9541 SB 6:25 10:05 11:05 13:00 V841 SB 6:30 10:10 10:40 11:10 11:16 11:16 11:35 12:01 12:15 13:40 A9505 SB 8:15 11:55 12:55 14:30 A9545 SB 10:45 14:25 15:25 17:20 V849 SB 11:15 16:15 16:15 16:35 17:15 17:50 18:05 19:30 V843 SB 14:00 17:25 18:10 18:30 18:45 18:45 19:00 19:30 19:45 21:25 22:00 V851 SB 18:00 21:25 22:10 22:30 23:05 23:10 23:25 0:05 0:35 0:50 2:15 V853 SB 2:30 5:15 6:15 6:45 7:05 7:35 8:50 9:55 A9531 SB 22:05 1:45 2:45 4:20 A9549 SB 23:25 2:50 3:50 5:35 southbound read left to right northbound read right to left V842 NB 15:10 11:35 11:00 10:45 10:30 10:00 9:30 9:00 7:40 7:05 A9540 NB 16:35 12:50 12:01 10:15 V844 NB 20:45 17:15 16:40 16:10 16:10 15:40 15:30 15:00 14:30 13:15 11:45 A9514 NB 17:35 13:55 13:00 10:50 A9546 NB 21:30 17:45 16:55 15:10 V852 NB 23:10 19:35 19:00 18:45 18:30 18:15 17:30 17:00 15:45 15:05 V854 NB 3:45 0:10 23:35 23:20 23:05 22:30 22:00 21:30 20:15 18:45 V872 NB 5:00 23:45 23:25 23:15 22:45 22:15 21:00 20:20 A9550 NB 5:25 1:40 0:50 23:05 A9520 NB 6:00 2:30 1:40 23:55 Source: Russell's Official National Motor Coach Guide, August 2010 Despite the widespread coverage Greyhound provides to the region, a few gaps in service exist. In addition to not traveling through McMullen County, Greyhound does not always provide equal service in both directions in some cities. For example, Greyhound serves Alice, Falfurrias, and Premont with Route 499, stopping twice per day going southbound, but does not stop going northbound. Although Route 490 does make stops going both directions at Alice, Falfurrias, and Premont, the route does not make the connection Corpus Christi, the principal destination of the region, to the extent of Route 499. Riders wanting to travel from Alice to Corpus Christi have one 490 route per day traveling there, and Premont and Falfurrias residents must take a 490 route to Alice, then transfer to the other single 490 route which goes to Corpus Christi. As a result, a major gap in intercity transportation service exists in connecting cities in the southwestern portions of the region to Corpus Christi. Specifically, Greyhound makes eight stops per day in Alice, which provides one opportunity per day for residents of the third largest city in the region to travel to Corpus Christi. International intercity transportation providers play an important role in connecting the region with Mexico. Most of the Greyhound station personnel in the region report no international carriers making stops, although some report as many as 10 international bus trips per day. The only corridor with regular international carrier traffic is U.S. Highway 77, with Refugio and Robstown Alice Premont Falfurrias Kingsville Riviera Harlingen McAllen Brownsville 34

43 Robstown reporting between four and 10 international carriers stopping each day, respectively. The international carriers identified by the Greyhound station personnel as making stops in the region are El Expresso Bus Company, Grupo Senda, and Omnibus de Mexico. Based in the Houston, El Expresso Bus Company provides intercity service to 11 southeastern states (25). Destinations in Texas include Brownsville, Dallas/Fort Worth, Harlingen, Houston, Laredo, Lufkin, McAllen, and San Antonio. El Expresso has Mexican connections in Matamoros, Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, and Reynosa. Charter service is also available. Grupo Senda represents the alliance of Noreste, Sendor, and Turimex international bus carriers. Each is based in Mexico, serving approximately 90 destinations in Mexico and 20 in the United States (26). Destinations in Texas include Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, Eagle Pass, Garland, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, and San Antonio. Grupo Senda routes connecting Mexico with Houston travel through the Coastal Bend region primarily along the U.S. Highway 77 corridor. Omnibus de Mexico is based in Mexico and serves approximately 20 states in northern and central Mexico (27). Destinations in Mexico along the border include Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Miguel Aleman, Reynosa, and Rio Bravo. The international carrier also makes trips across the border to Brownsville, Laredo, McAllen, and occasionally destinations farther north. Health and Human Services Programs/Medical Transportation Program Approximately 62 federal programs allow funds to be used to provide or arrange transportationfor eligible populations (28). Other federal programs provide capital, planning, and technical assistance that can be used to fund vehicles and transportation-related equipment and facilities, and research-related activities (29). The U.S. Department Health and Human Services (HHS) is one of the largest federal departments providing funds that can be used for client-related transportation. HHS agencies provide transportation to clients who cannot access HHS services using personal transportation or by existing public transportation (29). HHS has 23 programs providing transportation funding, organized under the following five divisions: Administration for Children and Families; o 11 programs, including Head Start and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Administration on Aging; o 2 programs, including Grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; o 2 programs, including medical transportation for Medicaid eligible clients; Health Resources and Services Administration; o 6 programs, including Rural Health Care; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and o 2 programs, including Community Mental Health Services Block Grants. Generally, HHS programs provide funding to reimburse clients for bus passes or taxi vouchers. Two programs, medical transportation for eligible Medicaid clients and Head Start, also provide funding to the providers for the purchase and operation of vehicles. Most HHS programs 35

44 provide funding to client-based providers that provide service to a specific segment of the population. In Texas, funding for federal HHS programs is the responsibility of The Consolidated Texas Health and Human Services System. The consolidated system is comprised of the many programs under the auspices of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and four primary departments. Partial listings of the programs by department are as follows: Health and Human Services Commission o Medicaid, including MTP o Children s Health Insurance Program (CHIP ) o TANF o Nutritional Services Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) o Mental Retardation Services o Community Care Services o Nursing Home Services o Aging Services Department of State Health Services (DSHS) o Health Services o Mental Health Services o Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) o Child Protective Services o Adult Protective Services o Child Care Regulatory Services Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) o Rehabilitation Services o Blind and Visually Impaired Services o Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services o Early Childhood Intervention Services MTP is under the oversight of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. MTP provides non-emergency medical transportation to eligible customers. MTP is for categorically eligible Medicaid recipients that have no other means of transportation to access a Medicaidcovered service. Texas is divided into 24 regions and among these regions, 15 Transportation Service Area Providers (TSAPs) deliver the Medical Transportation Program. TSAPs directly provide transportation service or contract out service to public or private providers. The TSAP for the Coastal Bend region is LeFleur Transportation, a private company. In addition to providing service to the Coastal Bend region, LeFleur provides transportation service to seven other counties in the South Texas (18 counties total) (30). Within the Coastal Bend region, LeFleur directly operates approximately 25 vehicles. LeFleur has a subcontractor, Southwest Transportation, who operates 5 vans within the region. A private company, LeFleur does not subcontract to public transportation providers in the Coastal Bend 36

45 region. In addition to the medical transportation program, LeFleur has a contract with the American Cancer Society to provide transportation to their clients (31). Client-Based Transportation Providers The Coastal Bend region contains several agencies that provide client-based transportation resources. The types of resources consist of the following: fund transportation or facilitate access to transportation resources for clients; deliver transportation services to clients directly using agency vehicles and drivers; purchase transportation services for clients by contracting with a transportation provider; and pay for client public transportation fare or reimburse for personal transportation to services. Agencies Funding / Facilitating Transportation Resources The following organizations receive state and federal funding. The funding is distributed to health and human service agencies and can be used for transportation purposes to assist clients. Organization Department of State Health Services 408 North Flournoy Rd, Ste C Alice TX (361) Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend 2910 Leopard St Corpus Christi TX (361) Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services 4410 Dillon Lane Ste 44 Corpus Christi TX (361) Coastal Bend Council of Governments 2910 Leopard St Corpus Christi TX (361) Description Provides financial support to MHMR agencies, alcohol and drug abuse organizations, and other organizations. Responsible for development and administration of a comprehensive and coordinated network of support services for older persons. Recipient of Title 3 funding Purchases transportation service. Provides support to rehabilitation services, blind and visually impaired services, deaf and hard of hearing services, and early childhood intervention services Purchases fares and reimburse clients for travel expenses. See Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend. 37

46 Deliver Transportation Service Organizations delivering transportation to clients provide vehicles and drivers for transportation. The following organizations deliver transportation to their clients: Organization Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) 204 E. First Street Alice TX (877) Coastal Plains MHMR (Alice, Kingsville and Brooks) 614 W. Front St Alice TX (361) Brush Country Cooperative 612 E San Patricio Mathis TX (361) La Amistad Adult Care and Activity Center 403 N Monroe St Beeville TX (361) Maximus Inc S Staples Suite 207 Corpus Christi TX (361) Presbyterian Children s Homes and Services 3707 Santa Fe St Corpus Christi TX (361) Description CACOST serves the communities in the region with a variety of health and community services and programs. CACOST operates 6 vans (not wheelchair accessible) M-F 9:30am to 1:30pm. Demand response. Coastal Plains MHMR provides health services to individuals with mental disabilities. Coastal Plains operates vans out of offices in Alice (3 passenger vans, 1 minivan, 1 sedan), Kingsville (3 sedans, 2 vans), and Brooks (2 vans). Coastal Plains also pays clients transportation fare. Bush Country Co-op provides special education services to students. Operates 1 van and 7 minibuses (wheelchair accessible). Operates M-F 8:00am to 4:00pm. Sometimes pays client transportation fare. La Amistad provides activities to adults who may need companionship during the day. La Amistad operates 1 sedan 4 vans, 1 minibus, and 1 standard bus M-F 7:00am to 4:00pm. Sometimes reimburses clients for transportation. Provides regularly scheduled point-to-point trips for clients. Also, pays for client fare for public transportation. Faith-based family services organization. Licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Operates one vehicle. 38

47 Purchase of Transportation Service Organizations have purchase of service contracts with transportation providers within the Coastal Bend region. The organizations purchase service by the transportation trip or hour. The following organizations purchase transportation service for clients: Organization Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend 520 N Staples Corpus Christi TX (361) Coastal Bend Rural Health Partnership 204 E. First St Alice TX (361) Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi University Center, Suite 304, 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi TX (361) Del Mar College 101 Baldwin Blvd Corpus Christi TX (361) American Cancer Society 4101 S Alameda St Corpus Christi TX (361) Description Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend provides training and employer services to members within the community. Purchases transportation service from BCAA, REAL, Kleberg, and LeFleur Transportation. Reimburses clients for use of personal transportation to access services. Provides services to individuals with severe mental disabilities. September 1, 2010 will purchase transportation for clients with Section 5310 funds. Partnership with RTA. Purchases transportation service from RTA. Students, faculty, and staff ride fare-free. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers higher education opportunities and is part of the Texas A&M University System. Del Mar College provides higher education opportunities as a community college within Corpus Christi. Partnership with RTA. Purchases transportation service from RTA. Students, faculty, and staff ride fare-free. Purchases transportation from Le Fleur and also provides trips in personal vehicles. 39

48 Fare Payment or Transportation Reimbursement Several organizations responded to the 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey as providing fare payments for clients or reimbursing clients for personal travel to services. The following organizations pay for public transportation fares or reimburse clients for transportation: Organization Department of State Health Services 601 W Sesame Dr Harlingen TX (956) Salvation Army 513 Josephine St Corpus Christi TX (361) Corpus Christi Medical Center Northwest Behavioral NW Blvd Corpus Christi TX (361) Centene Star Plus 5350 S Staples St Corpus Christi TX (361) Lighthouse Hospice 210 S Carancahua Ste. 301 Corpus Christi TX (361) South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind 4421 Agnes St Corpus Christi TX (361) Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Education 6300 Ocean Dr, Unit 5818 Corpus Christi TX University of Texas Community Outreach (UTCO) & Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi Prevention and Intervention Program 1322 Comanche St Corpus Christi TX Wesley Nurse Health Ministries 111 N Adams St Alice TX (361) Description The Department of State Health Services manages state funded community mental health centers, health related lab research centers and other health related health services. Purchases fares and reimburses Salvation Army serves community members in need with tax-free donations of fellow community members. Purchases fares and provides bus passes. Corpus Christi Medical Center Northwest Behavioral consists of an adult inpatient program for those in crisis through a therapeutic environment. Occasionally purchases fares. Centene Star Plus serves the elderly, blind, or disabled population and provides specialized and long-term services. Occasionally purchases fares. Lighthouse Hospice provides hospice services to patients. Occasionally purchases ambulatory transportation. South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind employs and educates the blind and visually impaired. Occasionally purchases transportation from Yellow Cab. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Education is part of the Texas A&M University System. Reimburses for use of personal transportation. UTCO and Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi Prevention and Intervention Program Promotes healthy practices and preventative measures for diabetes through intervention and education programs. Purchases fares. The Wesley Nurse Health Ministries promotes health and wellness through services, education, and worship. Occasionally purchases fares 40

49 Organization CHRISTUS Spohn Cancer Center 1415 Santa Fe St Corpus Christi TX (361) Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Inc Leopard St Corpus Christi TX (361) Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living 1537 Seventh St Corpus Christi TX (361) Nueces County Department of Human Services 103 N 6th St Robstown TX (361) Project Ninos 65 N Wright St Alice TX (361) Veterans Commission 5283 Old Brownsville Rd Corpus Christi TX (361) Department of Family Protective Services 4201 Greenwood Dr Corpus Christi TX Christians in Action 428 Ohio Ave Corpus Christi TX (361) Nueces County MHMR 102 N. 4th St. Robstown TX (361) Fleet and Family Support Center E St Corpus Christi TX (361) Description CHRISTUS Spohn Cancer Center provides care and treatment for cancer patients. Purchases fares and reimburse. Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Inc works to provide food, shelter, and spiritual care for homeless individuals. Purchases fares. Provides services such as peer counseling and independent living skills training to assist people with disabilities. Occasionally purchases fares and reimburses. Nueces County Department of Human Services is part of the Nueces County government. Purchases fares. Project Ninos provides an early childhood intervention program. Occasionally purchases fares. The Veterans Commission assists veterans and their families with federal and state benefits and services. Purchases fares. Department of Family Protective Services protects children and adults who have disabilities, and licenses group day-care homes, and registered daycare homes. Purchases fares. Faith-based community service organization. Occasionally purchases fares. Nueces County MHMR provides services and support to individuals with mental health disabilities. Purchases transportation service from Corpus Christi RTA. Pays for clients fares. Provides family support services for Navy families. Occasionally takes clients to services in personal vehicle. The region has 34 client-based organizations providing various forms of transportation to clients. Most of the additional providers represent health and human services agencies. The client-based transportation providers are mostly within five of the six largest cities, in Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties (Figure 6). 41

50 Figure 6. Location of Client Based and Private Transportation Providers. 42

51 Private-for-Hire Transportation Providers The region has 30 private-for-hire transportation providers such as taxicab, limousine, and charter bus companies. Private-for-hire transportation provides transportation to individuals needing an exclusive trip to a destination within the region. This section provides a list of the private-for-hire companies within the Coastal Bend region and the services they provide. Taxicab Companies Alice Coyote Cabs 500 Nayer St Alice TX (361) One vehicle. Stays close to Alice. Grocery, doctor, getting people to work. Many regulars. Aransas Pass Silver Taxi 412 N 8th St Aransas Pass TX (361) City Cab 1259 N Commercial St Aransas Pass TX (361) Coastal Bend Taxi 1907 Sherwood Forest Aransas Pass TX (361) Yellow Cab 130 E Wheeler Ave Aransas Pass TX (361) Super Cab 118 E Yoakum Ave Aransas Pass TX (361) Two Sedans. Operates within 100-mile radius. Several Trips to Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. Several hotel and port trips. Two Sedans. Common Destinations include airport, around town, grocery, doctor, to and from bar. One sedan. Operates within Aransas Pass and Eagle Side, drop-offs in Corpus (not allowed to pick up), trips to grocery and doctors offices. Four sedans. Operates within a 40-mile radius. Most trips are local to the grocery or doctor. Some trips to Corpus Christi Airport. No answer. 43

52 Corpus Christi Super Yellow Cab 516 N.A.S. Dr Corpus Christi TX (361) (multiple names and phone numbers) Alpha-A Taxi Corpus Christi Green-N-Go Cabs 4905 Neptune St Corpus Christi TX (361) Aranda's Taxi Corpus Christi (361) American Cab Corpus Christi (361) I'm Palacio's Taxi Service Corpus Christi (361) Corpus Christi Taxi Timbergrove Ln Corpus Christi (361) Red Cab Star Cab Company Pinkie's Taxi Port Aransas Gulf Coast Taxi & Shuttle Service 302 E Avenue C Port Aransas TX (361) City of Rockport City Cab of Rockport 1100 S Church St Rockport TX (361) vehicles. Mix of sedans and mini-vans. Trips are mainly to/from airport, doctor, grocery, work, and mall. Covers the surrounding area not limited. Majority of trips come within Corpus Christi. One vehicle. Mainly airport transportation. Can travel wherever customer wants. 25 vehicles. Common destinations include airport, grocery, doctor, all types of trips, all the way to Houston in some instances. Majority of trips begin and end in Nueces County. 24 hour airport service. Two sedans. Mainly airport trips. One van and five sedans. Mainly airport trips but serves all of Corpus Christi and the Port. Two sedans. Mainly airport trips, but has several doctor and grocery trips. Would not provide information over the phone. No answer. No answer. One van. Common Destinations include airport, around town, grocery, doctor, to and from bar. 44

53 Limousine and Party Bus Providers Corpus Christi First Choice Limousine Services Inc 5230 Kostoryz Rd Corpus Christi TX (361) Corpus Christi Party Bus 4346 S Alameda St Corpus Christi TX (361) TLC Limo (see also The Limousine Company Robstown) 4222 Ocean Dr Corpus Christi TX (361) Highway 79 N Robstown TX (361) Corpus Christi Limousines Unlimited 4001 Leopard St Corpus Christi TX (361) Avanti Charter Caliente Coaches Odem First Choice Limousine Services Inc 102 Church Ave Odem TX (361) Portland Sunset Limousine 116 Timberview Dr Portland TX (361) Coastal Limousine Service 1814 Dolphin Dr Portland TX (361) Would not provide information over phone. Would not provide information over phone. Two buses - 13 and 24 passenger. Three 10-passenger limos. Two limousines. Funerals or wherever passengers want to go. No answer. Would not provide information over phone. Five vehicles. Three limousines and two sedans. Service covers 75-mile radius. Weddings, dances, conventions, funeral. Three limousines mile radius, funerals, weddings, anniversaries. 45

54 Corpus Christi Fun Time Tours Coach USA 505 Palm Dr Corpus Christi TX (361) Sparkling City Charter Co 1726 Rhew Rd Corpus Christi TX (361) Daisy Charters 1602 N Tancahua Corpus Christi TX (361) Garcia Holiday Tours LLC Coach USA office out of San Antonio sends vehicles to Corpus Christi. Tours stay within Corpus Christi. Would not provide information over the telephone. Four charter buses mile radius. Takes groups to Orlando, Memphis, Las Vegas, etc. No answer. Corpus Christi has 19 taxicab and limousine service providers (Figure 6). Aransas Pass has the next highest concentration, with five private providers. Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Live Oak, McMullen, and Refugio Counties form a ring of counties not containing private providers. While residents may still contact these providers to receive transportation, they must pay higher fares in order for these private providers to take them to their destinations. 46

55 3. PUBLIC PROVIDER STATISTICS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES The purpose of this section is to compare each public transportation provider within the Coastal Bend region to peer transit systems. Each public transportation provider receives public funding and this makes it important to analyze each transit system s utilization of resources. Performance measures indicate levels of efficiency and effectiveness. This section first provides a performance measure assessment for RTA as compared to other urban transit systems within the South Texas region, followed by a comparison of the rural transit districts to peers. Urban Transportation Providers RTA is the regional transportation authority within the Coastal Bend region. Peer comparisons with other urban transit systems in South Texas are somewhat problematic because of the significant the differences in size and funding sources for each system. The following urban transit systems are included in the peer comparison: City of Laredo (El Metro); Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC); and Brownsville Urban System (BUS). Figure 7 illustrates the locations of the urbanized area for each peer urban transit system. The data used for comparing urban transportation providers to RTA in Table 20 are available from the National Transit Database. Figure 7. Urbanized Areas in South Texas. 47

56 Table 20. Urban Transit Provider Operating Characteristics. Transportation Provider Population Land Area Density Pop/Sq Revenue Revenue Passengers Vehicles Sq Mile Mi Miles Hours Trips Corpus Christi RTA 293, ,098, ,380 5,448,505 LRGVDC 523, , ,606 37, ,518 Laredo El Metro 175, , ,895, ,248 4,408,655 Brownsville 165, , ,715 83,688 1,779,931 Source: National Transit Database

57 Several differences exist between RTA and the selected urban transit systems. The differences in operating characteristics influence the performance measures. RTA is a regional system that receives ½ percent sales tax for transit funding. RTA operates within all of Nueces County and parts of San Patricio County. As seen in Table 20, RTA has a service area of 838 square miles, which is more than twice as large as the next largest service area. RTA operates the highest number of revenue miles and revenue hours. El Metro is the other South Texas urban transit system receiving a sales tax for service. El Metro differs from RTA in that it receives ¼ percent sales tax and the system operates strictly within the City of Laredo jurisdictional boundaries. Table 20 displays this system operating within a much smaller service area than RTA and this leads to much higher density. LRGVDC is a regional transit service that provides transportation to the McAllen-Pharr- Edinburgh urbanized area and the Harlingen-San Benito urbanized area. LRGVDC subcontracts to the City of McAllen to operate the McAllen Express within the city limits. The LRGVDC service area has the highest population, yet has the lowest level of service. Table 20 displays LRGVDC having the fewest revenue hours and miles, and in turn has the lowest number of passenger trips. BUS is the final urban transit system used for comparison. BUS operates within the City of Brownsville jurisdictional boundaries. Table 20 displays the BUS service area as the smallest and the population density being the highest. Operating and service area characteristics affect transit system performance. Table 21 provides performance measures to show the efficiency and effectiveness of each transit system. RTA has the highest level of service in revenue miles per capita. This measure indicates RTA operates the most service as compared to the population within the service level. When looking at operating effectiveness in passenger trips per revenue mile, RTA is behind both El Metro and BUS. RTA has a lower operating effectiveness because the service area is larger and the population density lower than El Metro and BUS. The revenue miles per revenue hour (MPH) also reflect this observation. El Metro and BUS lower operating speeds indicate that each of those services has short routes with several stops. The higher operating speed in both RTA and LRGVDC confirms these services have a larger service area with routes travelling longer distances with fewer stops. Operating expense per revenue mile, shown in Table 21, is a measure of operating efficiency. RTA operates service at less expense per mile than both BUS and El Metro but higher than LRGVDC. BUS and El Metro are lower performing within this category because they operate at lower speeds in higher density areas. Table 21 displays cost-effectiveness in operating expense per passenger trip. RTA is slightly higher than both BUS and El Metro, but much lower than LRGVDC. Again, this measure is reflective of the operating characteristics of each transit provider. BUS and El Metro have small, high-density service areas, which lead to short trips with high ridership compared to operating expenses. LRGVDC has the fewest number of passenger trips and the highest operating speed, which indicates LRGVDC has long trips with few passengers. RTA s service area size dictates its cost-effectiveness. RTA has the largest service area, which increases its trip lengths and decreases its density leading to lower cost-effectiveness. 49

58 Table 21. Urban Transit Provider Performance Measures. Transportation Provider Revenue Miles/ Operating Expense/ Operating Expense Per Pass. Trips/ Rev. Miles/ Revenue Capita Rev. Mile Pass. Trip Revenue Mile Hours Corpus Christi RTA $5.37 $ LRGVDC 1.43 $3.27 $ Laredo El Metro $6.94 $ Brownsville 6.02 $6.66 $ Source: National Transit Database

59 Rural Transit Providers Bee Transit, Paisano Express, and REAL Transit are the rural transit providers located within the Coastal Bend region. Community Action Council of South Texas operates within Duval County, which is located within the Coastal Bend region, but for the purpose of this comparison, CACST serves as a peer transit provider. Measures of operating efficiency, operating effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness provide indicators for comparison. The rural transit districts in South Texas near Coastal Bend are as follows: Community Action Council of South Texas (Rainbow Lines); Webb County Community Action Agency (El Aguila); Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (Rio Transit); and Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission (RTRANSIT). Figure 8 is a map of the peer rural transit districts. Figure 8. Rural Transit Districts in South Texas. 51

60 LRGVDC is discussed in the previous section as a peer for RTA because of the McAllen Express urban operating characteristics. LRGVDC Rio Transit Rural Transportation System is the rural transit service provided by LRGVDC. This section provides operating characteristics and performance on the rural transit service of LRGVDC. Table 22 contains the service area and operating characteristics of each of the transit agencies. As compared to each of the peer systems, REAL Transit has the second highest number of vehicles, revenue miles, revenue hours, and passenger trips, while Paisano has the lowest within each category due to its small land area and low density. RTRANSIT has the largest service area and population and has the highest revenue miles, hours, and passenger trips of the peer group. Revenue miles per capita is a level of service indicator. Table 23 displays the amount of revenue miles each rural transit provider operates as compared to the population within the service area. El Aguila shows to have the highest level of service based on population, but El Aguila service area s low population as compared to the peers increases this number. The next highest level of service provided is RTRANSIT, followed by REAL Transit, Bee Transit, and Paisano Express respectively. Table 23 displays operating efficiency as operating expense per revenue mile; cost-effectiveness as operating expense per passenger trip; and operating effectiveness as passenger trips per revenue mile. As compared to peers, REAL Transit is second in operating efficiency, the most cost-effective, and above the average in operating effectiveness. Bee Transit is average in operating efficiency and below average in both cost-effectiveness and operating effectiveness. Bee Transit s performance appears to be a result of few passengers per trip, long trip distances, or a combination of both. Paisano Express is above average in operating effectiveness, but below in both operating efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 52

61 Table 22. Rural Transit District Peer Service Area and Operating Characteristics. Rural Transit District 2009 Population Land Area Density Revenue Revenue Passenger Fleet 2000 Sq Mi Pop/Sq Mi Miles Hours Trips Bee Transit 75,844 4, ,111 14,523 29,472 Paisano Express 31,963 2, ,389 9,387 26,280 REAL Transit 96,923 2, ,069 25, ,803 Rainbow Lines 84,180 5, ,101 10,633 67,694 El Aguila 17,531 3, ,150 13, ,157 Rio Metro 122,660 2, ,302 13,309 51,282 RTRANSIT 160,333 7, ,027,494 54, ,619 Source: PTN Rural Transit District 2009 Table 23. Rural Transit District Peer Performance Measures Revenue Miles/ Capita Operating Expense/ Rev. Mile Operating Expense Per Pass. Trip Pass. Trips/ Rev. Mile Rev. Miles/ Rev. Hours (MPH) Bee Transit 3.38 $2.62 $ Paisano Express 3.17 $4.21 $ REAL Transit 4.99 $2.19 $ Rainbow Lines 2.12 $4.71 $ El Aguila 15.3 $3.10 $ Rio Metro 3.04 $2.41 $ RTRANSIT 6.41 $1.91 $ Average 5.49 $2.62 $ Source: PTN 128

62 Figure 9 illustrates the Texas Rural Transit Funding Formula for both federal and state funds. TxDOT allocates Section 5311 funds based on needs and performance. Rural systems receive the needs allocation based upon population (weighted 75 percent) and land area (weighted 25 percent). Several measures are used to allocate funding based upon the performance. These measures include revenue miles per operating expense, riders per revenue mile, and local investment per operating expense. Needs 65% 75% Population (Decennial Census) 25% Land Area (Square Miles) Rural Transit District Funds Effectiveness Passenger Boardings/Revenue Mile Performance 35% Efficiency Revenue Miles /Operating Expense Local Investment Local Investment/Operating Expense Figure 9. TxDOT Funding Formula for Rural Transit. Table 24 displays TxDOT formula funding performance measures. The first column of Table 24 provides the amount of local investment as compared to the total operating expense. REAL Transit exceeds the average in this category while Bee Transit and Paisano Express are below average. Paisano Express is the lowest performing of the peers in this category. This means that Paisano Express receives a low amount of passenger fares, local cash, or local in-kind contributions as compared to its total operating expense. Revenue miles per operating expense is a measure of operating efficiency. REAL Transit is above average in the category, while Bee Transit and Paisano Express are below the average. The final formula funding measure is passenger trips per revenue mile (discussed previously) which is a measure of operating effectiveness. REAL Transit and Paisano Express are above average while Bee Transit is below average. Bee Transit s low operating effectiveness is a reflection of trip characteristics. A low number in this category indicates long trip lengths, few passengers in each vehicle, or a combination of both. 54

63 Table 24. TxDOT Funding Formula Need and Performance Measures for Rural Transit District Peers. Measures of Need Measures of Performance (2009) Rural Transit District Population 2000 Land Area (Sq Mi) Local Investment/ Operating Expenses Revenue Miles/ Operating Expense Pass. Trips/ Revenue Miles Bee Transit 75,844 4, % Paisano Express 31,963 2, % REAL Transit 96,923 2, % Rainbow Lines 84,180 5, % El Aguila 17,531 3, % Rio Metro 122,660 2, % RTRANSIT 160,333 7, % Average 31.9% Source: PTN

64 4. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FOR THE COASTAL BEND Transportation funding comes from a variety of sources, necessitating cooperation and coordination across jurisdictions, agencies, and levels of government. Federal programs are typically the primary funding source for major transportation plans and projects. Federal funds are transferred to the state and later distributed to metropolitan areas. Transportation planning processes are required at the state and metropolitan levels to be eligible for federal funding. Transportation planning fosters involvement by all users of the system through a cooperative process conducted by TxDOT, the Corpus Christi MPO, and transit operators. The decisionmaking framework for transportation project implementation is illustrated in Figure 10. Figure 10. The Decision Making Framework for Transportation Project Implementation. Most federal funding for transportation is provided to TxDOT, either to be spent by TxDOT on its projects or to be disbursed to the various local governments that are implementing projects. TxDOT then allocates the money to urban and rural areas based on state and local priorities established by the planning process. Transit funds to large urbanized areas (Corpus Christi, for example) are sent directly from the FTA to the transit operator. Transit funds for small urban and rural areas are administered by TxDOT. The fact that most federal funding comes to metropolitan planning organizations through TxDOT creates an environment in which cooperation between the state, the Corpus Christi MPO, and local governments (cities and counties) is necessary. This cooperation is reflected in the statewide and regional planning processes. 56

65 Planning for rural transit districts is not generally included in the metropolitan planning process. The responsibility for planning may be addressed by the state DOT or through a local initiative. Regional service planning for coordinated public and human service transportation is the planning process designed to foster involvement by both urban and rural agencies. Projects selected for FTA funding under human service transportation programs (Section 5310 Elderly and People with Disabilities, Section 5316 Job Access and Reverse Commute, and Section 5317 New Freedoms) are required to be derived from a region s locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan (32). The plan is to be developed for each region through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers and participation by the public. CBCOG served as the regional service planning lead agency from 2005 through August Agencies Involved in Transportation Planning Multiple agencies are responsible for some aspect of transportation planning for the Coastal Bend, including TxDOT, the Corpus Christi MPO, RTA, Coastal Bend Council of Governments, and city and county governments. TxDOT Each of the U.S. states (and Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) has an agency or department with official transportation planning, programming, and project implementation responsibility for that state. In Texas, TxDOT provides statewide transportation planning and is responsible for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of state facilities for all modes of transportation. As part of the planning process, TxDOT prepares and maintains a long-range statewide transportation plan (LRSTP). TxDOT also develops the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), a listing of transportation projects designed to serve the state s goals, using spending, regulating, operating, management, and financial tools. For metropolitan areas, the STIP incorporates the transportation improvement plans developed by each MPO in the state (see discussion below for Corpus Christi MPO). The TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming (TPP) Division administers planning funds and programs projects. TPP also develops the STIP, as well as statewide urban and rural multimodal transportation systems planning, and long-range programming (33). The TxDOT Public Transportation Division provides financial and technical assistance to a variety of public transportation entities. These include small urban (population 50,000 to 200,000) and rural transit providers, as well as intercity carriers and other public transportation industry related organizations. In addition, the division also administers and oversees various programs which are financed with funds and monies appropriated and made available from both the Texas Legislature and the FTA. In supporting public transportation in Texas, the division represents transit in the planning and programming process including the preparation of a statewide comprehensive master plan and in rail safety oversight. It also represents the state in public transportation matters with federal officials, other state agencies, transit organizations and local communities; monitors and sponsors research and development activities; and assists in the development of policies by the commission, the governor, and the legislature. The public transportation coordinator assigned to the TxDOT Corpus Christi District represents PTN to administer public transportation grant activities and provide technical assistance to rural transit districts and other providers of specialized transportation programs. 57

66 TxDOT is responsible for involving the general public and all of the affected constituencies in the essential functions for planning and programming. TxDOT also follows requirements to consult with officials from local governments outside the metropolitan area. This process provides an opportunity for local officials to participate in the development of the long-range statewide transportation plan and the STIP. Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization An MPO is a transportation policy-making body made up of representatives from local government and transportation agencies with authority and responsibility in the metropolitan planning areas. Federal legislation requires an MPO for any urban area with a population greater than 50,000 in order to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs are based on a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process (32). Federal funding for transportation projects and programs is channeled through the MPO. The Corpus Christi MPO is one of 25 MPOs in Texas, responsible for the transportation planning process for the Corpus Christi metropolitan planning area. The planning area includes portions of Nueces, San Patricio and Kleberg counties. The Corpus Christi MPO has five core functions: Establish and maintain a fair and impartial setting for effective regional decision-making in the metropolitan area. Use data and planning methods to generate and evaluate alternative transportation improvement options. Planning studies and evaluations are included in the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) each year. Develop and maintain a long-range transportation plan for the metropolitan area covering the planning horizon of at least 20 years. The long-range plan is often referred to as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan or Long-Range Transportation Plan. Develop a short-range (four-year) program of transportation improvements based on the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) defines the region s spending program for federal, state, and local funds for transportation. Involve the general public and other affected constituencies in the four essential functions above. In accordance with federal regulations, the MPO is required to carry out metropolitan planning in cooperation with the state and with operators of publicly owned transit services. In the Corpus Christi metropolitan planning area, the public transit system is the RTA. The Corpus Christi urbanized area is over 200,000 population, and so the area is designated as a transportation management area (TMA). TMAs must have a congestion planning management process that identifies actions and strategies to reduce congestion and increase mobility. Regional Transit Authority RTA is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, created in accordance the Transportation Code, Chapter 451, Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authorities. The agency provides public transportation to Nueces County and to the cities of Gregory and San Patricio in San Patricio County. RTA is also the designated recipient for federal funds for transit in the Corpus Christi urbanized area. As the designated recipient for an urbanized area, RTA receives formula Section 58

67 5307 Urban Area funds directly from FTA. This status makes RTA responsible for working with the Corpus Christi MPO to ensure a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process for the urban transit area. Coastal Bend Council of Governments CBCOG is a volunteer association of local governments, cities and counties, and other public and private entities. Formed in 1966, the CBCOG provides plans, coordinates, and implements regional projects and provides technical assistance within the region. CBCOG is comprised of the 12 counties in the Coastal Bend and 32 member cities. CBCOG is a designated Area Agency on Aging and an Economic Development District. The organization is also a designated water quality management agency and provides regional solid waste management planning, coordination, and implementation of projects. CBCOG also delivers criminal justice services, emergency communications (9-1-1) planning and implementation, and Department of Homeland Security services. From 2005 through August 2010, CBCOG acted as the lead agency for Regional Transportation Coordination Planning for the region. As required in SAFETEA-LU and the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 461, the Coastal Bend region must develop a Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan. The current plan was completed in December 2006, and will be updated by August In 2008, a regional group of stakeholders established the Transportation Coordination Network to lead the implementation of recommendations from the 2006 Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan. The TCN is a group of stakeholders that includes representatives from local transit agencies, health and human services agencies, the CBCOG and the Corpus Christi MPO. Leaders of the TCN work to create a forum for coordination between all stakeholders in the area. At the start of fiscal 2011, CBCOG is no longer the lead agency for the Coastal Bend region. Stakeholders in the region are in the process of designating a new lead agency. Municipalities A municipality in Texas may adopt a comprehensive plan for the long-range development of the municipality. Municipalities are responsible for public transportation planning if the city is the municipal transit operator. There is no city or small urban transit provider in the Coastal Bend. Municipalities in the metropolitan area participate in the metropolitan planning process through the Corpus Christi MPO, and all cities are part of the statewide transportation planning process through TxDOT. Cities from outside the metropolitan area may also participate directly in Regional Transportation Coordination Planning (discussed below). Counties The state of Texas does not does not give authority to counties to create formal planning or zoning. However, counties often take the lead in providing public transportation in rural areas. For example, Kleberg County Human Services Department operates Paisano Express. Counties in the metropolitan area participate in the metropolitan planning process through the Corpus Christi MPO, and all counties are part of the statewide transportation planning process through TxDOT. Counties may also participate directly in Regional Transportation Coordination Planning. 59

68 Rural Transit Districts Unlike RTA, the four rural transit districts in the Coastal Bend region do not directly receive funding from FTA. Instead, funds pass from FTA to TxDOT, on behalf of the state. TxDOT allocates federal and state funding to all rural transit providers. TxDOT funds may include Rural Transportation Assistance Funds (RTAP) to help with capital and service planning for public transportation. Medical Transportation Program The Health and Human Services Commission is responsible for policies and planning for the MTP. Neither federal nor state laws require HHSC to participate in regional transportation coordination planning. The Texas Transportation Code Chapter 461 requires the lead agency for regional public transportation coordination to include health and human services agencies in the development of the Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan. State health and human service agencies participate at the regional and local level in the interest of improving access to services for clients. Statewide Transportation Planning TxDOT must develop a long-range statewide transportation plan. The statewide plan addresses: Policies and strategies, or future projects; Projected demand for transportation services for 20 or more years; A systems-level approach by considering roadways, transit, non-motorized transportation, and intermodal connections; Cost estimates and reasonably available financial sources for operation, maintenance, and capital investments; and Ways to preserve existing roads and facilities and make efficient use of the existing system. TxDOT also prepares the STIP. The STIP identifies statewide priorities for transportation projects and must be fiscally constrained. TxDOT solicits or identifies projects from rural, small urban, and urbanized areas of the state. Projects from every TxDOT district are selected for inclusion in the STIP based on adopted procedures and criteria (32). TIPs developed by MPOs must be incorporated directly, without change into the STIP. Under federal law and regulation, the STIP must be must be approved by the FHWA and FTA, along with an overall determination that planning requirements are being met. STIP approval must be granted before projects can proceed from the planning stage to the implementation stage. Metropolitan Transportation Planning The Corpus Christi MPO is responsible for three documents produced by the transportation planning process: Unified Planning Work Program - The UPWP lists the transportation studies and tasks to be performed by the Corpus Christi MPO staff or a member agency. The UPWP covers a one- to two-year period. The UPWP usually contains all federally funded studies as well as relevant state and local planning activities conducted without federal funds, funding 60

69 sources for each project, a schedule of activities, and the agency responsible for each task or study. Long-Range Transportation Plan - The Metropolitan Transportation Plan or Long-Range Transportation Plan documents the ways the region plans to invest in the transportation systems. The plan must include both long-range and short-range program strategies/actions that lead to the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods. The plan must project demand for transportation services for 20 or more years and include cost estimates and reasonably available financial sources for operation, maintenance, and capital investments of the transportation network in the metropolitan area. Transportation Improvement Program - In the TIP, the Corpus Christi MPO identifies the transportation projects and strategies from the MTP that it plans to undertake over the next four years. All projects receiving federal funds must be in the TIP. The TIP is the region s way of allocating its limited transportation resources among the various capital and operating needs of the area. Regionally Coordinated Transportation Planning Coordination is the efficient and effective use of transportation resources for getting people to important destinations, such as jobs and medical appointments. Coordination means working with transit providers, human service agencies, private institutions, businesses, volunteers, and political leaders to broaden transportation options. Federal and state legislation require coordination between public transportation and human, workforce and medical services. Federal Coordination Requirements On February 24, 2004, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order on Human Services Transportation Coordination which directed multiple federal departments and agencies to work together to ensure that transportation services are seamless, comprehensive, and accessible (34). The goal is to reduce duplication among federally funded human service transportation services, increase the efficient delivery of such services, and expand transportation access for older individuals, people with cross-disabilities, people with low incomes, children, and other disadvantaged populations within their own communities. In August 2005, President Bush signed into law the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L ) (35). This federal transportation law, commonly referred to as SAFETEA-LU, authorizes federal expenditures for a wide range of transportation programs, including public transportation. Consistent with Executive Order 13330, SAFETEA-LU requires the establishment of a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan for human service transportation programs funded through the FTA. Projects selected for funding under these programs must be derived from a region s locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan. The plan is to be developed for each region through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers and participation by the public. Specifically, federal transit laws require coordination between public transportation and human services in statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, in the provision of urban and 61

70 rural public transportation, and in the provision of specialized transportation services to elderly individuals, people with cross-disabilities, and people from low-income households accessing jobs or job-related activities. The following sections are citations directly from federal transit laws that spell out the statutory requirements to coordinate public transportation and human services (36). Coordination is required in metropolitan transportation planning: 49 USC 5303(g)(3) "Under the metropolitan planning process, transportation plans and TIPs shall be developed with due consideration of other related planning activities within the metropolitan area." Coordination is required in statewide transportation planning: 49 USC 5304(e) "In carrying out [statewide transportation] planning under this section, each State shall consider, at a minimum...coordination of transportation plans, the transportation improvement program, and planning activities with related planning activities being carried out outside of metropolitan planning areas and between States." Coordination is required for urban public transit: 49 USC 5307(c)(5) "[Each recipient of a grant for urban public transit] ensure that the proposed program of projects provides for the coordination of public transportation services assisted under formula-based grants for public transportation in urbanized areas with transportation services assisted from other United States Government sources." Coordination is required in designing and providing transportation for the elderly and people with disabilities: 49 USC 5310(d)(2) and 49 USC 5310(e)(2) "[Each] grant recipient under Section 5310 shall certify that--(i) the projects selected were derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan; and (ii) the plan was developed through a process that included representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the public." Coordination is required for rural public transit: 49 USC 5311(b)(2)(C) "The Secretary [of Transportation] may not approve [a State's] program [of projects to be supported with funds apportioned to the State under this section] unless the Secretary determines that...the program provides the maximum feasible coordination of public transportation service assisted under this section with transportation services assisted by other federal sources." Coordination is required in designing and providing Job Access and Reverse Commute transportation services: 49 USC 5316(g) "The Secretary [of Transportation] shall coordinate activities under this section with related activities under programs of other federal departments and agencies...a recipient of funds under this section shall certify to the Secretary that...the projects selected were derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan...and the plan was developed through a process that included representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the public." 62

71 Coordination is required in designing and providing New Freedom transportation services for people with disabilities: 49 USC 5317(f) "The Secretary [of Transportation] shall coordinate activities under this section with related activities under programs of other federal departments and agencies...a recipient of funds under this section shall certify to the Secretary that...the projects selected were derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan...and the plan was developed through a process that included representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the public." Non-DOT Programs Requirements to Coordinate Public Transportation Although federal spending on transportation in human services, workforce development, and health care is on par with spending through programs of the FTA, none of these non-dot programs has a statutory mandate to provide transportation. Therefore, it is not possible to point out non-dot legal language that has as much statutory clarity as the provisions of the Federal Transit Act cited above. Nevertheless, in 2003, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified 62 programs outside the DOT that are authorized to spend federal funds on transportation (28). In quite a few cases, federal agencies have issued regulations or guidance documents that spell out how program resources can be used for transportation. From a practical perspective, it is difficult for most of these programs to succeed in the transportation aspect of their mission without coordinating services with the activities of state or local transit agencies, but this coordination is not specifically required of non-dot programs. Statutory requirements in federal transit law have the best chance of being successfully implemented when there is genuine cooperation from funding and programmatic partners. The federal departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, and others have been working together since the 1980s in the Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. The Coordinating Council's United We Ride initiative has been promoting partnerships since State of Texas Coordination Requirements The Texas Legislature established requirements for public transportation coordination prior to the mandates from the federal executive order and SAFETEA-LU legislation. The Legislature passed House Bill 3588 in May 2003 and the statute took effect in September 1, Article 13 of HB 3588 amended Subtitle K, Title 6, Transportation Code by adding Chapter 461, titled Statewide Coordination of Public Transportation. This chapter detailed the state s legislative intent and construction (1). The rationale for the creation and passage of this chapter was because Public transportation services are provided in this state by many different entities, both public and private. The multiplicity of public transportation providers and services, coupled with a lack of coordination between state oversight agencies, has generated inefficiencies, overlaps in service, and confusion for consumers. The intent of the legislation is to achieve the following goals for coordinated public transportation: to eliminate waste in the provision of public transportation services; to generate efficiencies that will permit increased levels of service; and to further the state s efforts to reduce air pollution. 63

72 The responsibility for implementing the provisions of Article 13 of HB 3588 falls to TxDOT. According to Section , Chapter 461, TxDOT is responsible for identifying: overlaps and gaps in the provision of public transportation services, including services that could be more effectively provided by existing, privately funded transportation resources; underused equipment owned by public transportation providers; and inefficiencies in the provision of public transportation services by any public transportation provider. To eliminate waste and maximize efficiency, TxDOT is required to encourage public transportation providers to agree on the allocation of specific services and service areas among the providers in an area. The department may incorporate these discussions in planning processes such as the development of the statewide transportation improvement program or a local transportation improvement plan. If public transportation providers do not reach an agreement on a service plan, the department may develop an interim service plan for that area. Section of the Transportation Code states the duties of public transportation providers and requires them to cooperate with the department to achieve the chapter s intent. The remaining section of Chapter 461 states that funding for public transportation providers is dependent upon compliance with the coordinated planning process. The Texas Transportation Commission believed that to achieve meaningful outcomes, regional service planning should be a locally driven process. Accordingly, TxDOT Commissioner Hope Andrade formed the Regional Planning and Public Transportation study group in 2004 comprised of members with diverse areas of experience and expertise. The study group recommended the state be divided into 24 regions and each of the regions establishes a local steering committee to help drive the service planning process. Council of government boundaries define the regions. The mission of each regional steering committee is to enhance service delivery, customer satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness, and integrate systems-based and client-based approaches in public transportation. Each region developed and produced a regional public transportation coordination plan (sometimes referred to as a regional service plan for coordination of public transportation) by December Each of the regional steering committees is responsible for implementation of the plans to ensure coordination. Federal requirements served to reinforce the state s efforts and increase the credibility of the planning effort and resulting plans regional service plans for coordination. TxDOT continues to support the process for regional coordination by each of 24 regions with funding and planning oversight consistent with federal coordination requirements. The requirement to update regional plans is necessary for the plans to continue to be relevant. 64

73 5. POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Compiling and analyzing population, demographic, and health-related data can reveal areas within a region with the need for public transportation. In addition, journey to work data can provide a representation of travel patterns, indicative of the demand for higher levels of public transportation service to support high volume connections. Other available data, such as the findings of the 2006 Workforce Solutions Transportation Survey, and the locations of colonias within the region, can also identify areas of need for public transportation. The following section will provide in depth analysis of population and demographic numbers and estimates, followed health related-demographics and demographic projections for the region. The section will then examine journey to work data, as well as document the findings of the 2006 Workforce Solutions Transportation Survey, followed by an examination of colonias and the effect they exert on the region. The section will conclude with a summary of all findings indicating a need for public transportation. Population and Demographic Information The Coastal Bend region has numerous population and demographic characteristics that make it different from other regions. For comparative purposes, the region is compared with the regions covered by Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission (Golden Crescent), Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (Lower Rio Grande Valley), and South Texas Development Council (South Texas). These regions were selected due to their proximity to the Coastal Bend region, and their relative similarities in overall population and size. Lower Rio Grande Valley has the largest population of the peer regions, followed by Coastal Bend (Table 25). Golden Crescent includes the following counties north of the Coastal Bend: Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, and Victoria. The Lower Rio Grande Valley includes the following counties south of the Coastal Bend: Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy. The South Texas region is southwest of the Coastal Bend and includes four counties: Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr. In addition, the population and demographic characteristics of the service areas of each public transportation provider vary significantly within the Coastal Bend region. Therefore, RTA, Bee Transit, REAL Transit, Paisano Express, and the Duval County portion of CACST are examined to identify key similarities and differences that are important to providing public transportation. RTA has the highest population among the transportation providers, with more population than the other four service areas combined (Table 26). 65

74 Table 25. Population and Demographic Characteristics for Texas and Selected Regions, Demographic Census 2000 Texas Coastal Bend Golden Crescent Lower Rio Grande Valley South Texas Total Population 20,851, , , , ,177 Land area (square miles) 261,797 11,507 6,025 3,072 6,713 Population density per sq mi Age Children Age % 28.3% 27.6% 34.7% 36.2% 65 years and over 9.9% 11.8% 14.9% 10.3% 8.2% Median age* Ethnicity/Race Hispanic 32.0% 56.1% 34.0% 86.9% 94.6% Non Hispanic White 52.4% 37.9% 57.7% 11.9% 4.7% Black 11.3% 3.7% 6.5% 0.4% 0.1% Asian 2.6% 0.9% 0.7% 0.5% 0.3% Other 1.7% 1.3% 1.1% 0.3% 0.2% Civilian population age 18+ Civilian veterans 11.8% 14.0% 13.5% 7.5% 5.4% Population 25 years and over High school graduate or higher 75.7% 72.0% 71.7% 52.2% 49.5% Population 5 years and over Spanish spoken at home 27.0% 42.7% 23.6% 80.7% 90.3% Speak English less than "very well" 13.9% 14.4% 8.6% 37.3% 45.1% Disability status 19.2% 21.7% 21.3% 21.2% 22.2% Economic Median household income** $39,927 $33,587 $34,739 $25,288 $25,493 Per capita income* $19,617 $15,706 $17,044 $10,273 $10,026 Individuals below poverty level 15.4% 19.9% 14.9% 34.8% 35.3% Total Households Average household size** With individuals age % 24.3% 28.3% 25.8% 22.4% Total Housing Units With no vehicle available 7.4% 9.3% 7.7% 10.4% 12.7% Commuting to Work Workers 16 years and over Drive alone 77.7% 76.0% 76.6% 73.5% 71.5% Carpool 14.5% 16.3% 16.8% 19.2% 19.3% Public transportation 1.9% 1.3% 0.2% 0.5% 2.0% Walk 1.9% 2.3% 2.1% 2.1% 2.5% Other means 1.3% 1.6% 1.3% 2.4% 1.9% Work at home 2.8% 2.5% 3.0% 2.3% 2.8% Mean travel time to work (min)*** *Weighted average by population for counties in region **Weighted average by households for counties in region ***Weighted average by workers 16 years and over for counties in region 66

75 Table 26. Population and Demographic Characteristics by Transit Area, Coastal Bend Region RTA (Nueces County) Bee REAL Paisano Duval Demographic Census 2000 Transit Transit Express County 1 Total Population 549, ,645 75, ,440 31,963 13,120 Land area (square miles) 11, ,052 2,499 2,328 1,793 Population density per sq mi Age Children Age % 28.4% 23.6% 31.2% 27.3% 29.5% 65 years and over 11.8% 11.2% 14.9% 11.4% 10.9% 14.0% Median age* Ethnicity/Race Hispanic 56.1% 55.7% 40.2% 61.5% 65.8% 88.2% Non Hispanic White 37.9% 37.7% 51.6% 35.3% 28.2% 11.1% Black 3.7% 4.0% 5.7% 1.8% 3.5% 0.4% Asian 0.9% 1.1% 1.1% 0.5% 1.1% 0.0% Other 1.3% 1.5% 1.3% 0.9% 1.3% 0.4% Civilian population age 18+ Civilian veterans 14.0% 14.3% 15.5% 13.1% 11.7% 10.4% Population 25 years and over High school graduate or higher 72.0% 74.4% 72.3% 67.6% 68.1% 59.7% Population 5 years and over Spanish spoken at home 42.7% 41.0% 30.0% 48.8% 53.5% 78.0% Speak English less than "very well" 14.4% 13.7% 10.4% 16.8% 17.8% 26.7% Disability status 21.7% 21.1% 23.5% 22.3% 20.0% 24.9% Economic Median household income** $33,587 $35,959 $30,054 $31,615 $29,259 $22,416 Per capita income* $15,706 $17,036 $14,214 $13,973 $13,599 $11,324 Individuals below poverty level 19.9% 18.2% 20.6% 21.7% 26.6% 27.2% Total Households Average household size** With individuals age % 22.7% 30.3% 24.9% 22.1% 31.6% Total Housing Units With no vehicle available 9.3% 9.5% 7.5% 8.9% 12.3% 12.9% Commuting to Work Workers 16 years and over Drive alone 76.0% 76.4% 75.1% 76.1% 75.1% 71.0% Carpool 16.3% 15.9% 16.9% 16.8% 15.8% 20.4% Public transportation 1.3% 1.9% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.0% Walk 2.3% 1.9% 2.6% 2.7% 5.1% 3.3% Other means 1.6% 1.5% 2.0% 1.6% 2.2% 2.1% Work at home 2.5% 2.3% 3.2% 2.7% 1.6% 3.2% Mean travel time to work (min)*** Duval County is one county in Community Action Council of South Texas RTD *Weighted average by population for counties in service area **Weighted average by households for counties in service area ***Weighted average by workers 16 years and over for counties in service area 67

76 The Coastal Bend region covers 11,507 square miles, and has an estimated 2009 population of 559,067 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nueces County has a population of 323,046 (Table 27), more populous than the other 11 counties combined. Kenedy and McMullen Counties have populations of 369 and 810, respectively, and constitute two of the six least populated counties in the state. Table 27. Coastal Bend Population by County. Population Absolute Percent County Change Change Aransas 22,497 24,826 2, % Bee 32,359 32, % Brooks 7,976 7, % Duval 13,120 12,010 1, % Jim Wells 39,326 41,001 1, % Kenedy % Kleberg 31,549 30, % Live Oak 12,309 11,046 1, % McMullen % Nueces 313, ,046 9, % Refugio 7,828 7, % San Patricio 67,138 68,223 1, % Total 549, ,067 10, % Texas 20,851,820 24,782,302 3,930, % Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; U.S. Census Estimates, 2009 Located in Nueces County along the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi is the largest city in the region (Table 28). Corpus Christi has a 2009-estimated population of 287,438, and is the eighth largest city in the state. Kingsville, in Kleberg County, is the second largest city in the region, with a population 24,591. Other cities in the region with populations greater than 10,000 include Alice in Jim Wells County, Portland in San Patricio County, Beeville in Bee County, and Robstown in Nueces County. All principal cities in Aransas and Jim Wells Counties gained population during the last decade. The cities in Nueces and San Patricio Counties saw mixed growth, with approximately one-half gaining population. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates a loss in population for all cities in the remaining eight counties, with George West and Three Rivers in Live Oak each experiencing at least a 12 percent decline in population. 68

77 Table 28. Coastal Bend City Populations by County. City Population Absolute Percent County City Change Change Aransas Rockport 7,385 9,846 2, % Fulton 1,553 1, % Bee Beeville 13,129 12, % Brooks Falfurrias 5,297 4, % Duval San Diego 4,753 4, % Freer 3,241 2, % Benavides 1,686 1, % Jim Wells Alice 19,010 19, % Premont 2,772 2, % Orange Grove 1,288 1, % Kenedy Sarita* % Kleberg Kingsville 25,575 24, % Live Oak George West 2,524 2, % Three Rivers 1,878 1, % McMullen Tilden* % Nueces Corpus Christi 277, ,438 9, % Robstown 12,727 12, % Port Aransas 3,370 3, % Bishop 3,305 3, % Refugio Refugio 2,941 2, % Woodsboro 1,685 1, % San Patricio Portland 14,827 16,451 1, % Ingleside 9,388 8, % Aransas Pass 8,138 8, % Sinton 5,676 5, % Mathis 5,034 5, % Taft 3,396 3, % Odem 2,499 2, % Gregory 2,318 2, % Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000; U.S. Census Estimates, 2009 *Sarita and Tilden population source: Texas State Historical Association The Selection of Population and Demographic Variables This section will include an in-depth analysis of six population and demographic variables. TTI selected the following variables due to their tendency to indicate facets of need for public transportation. Population Density: Areas with high population density tend to have a higher need for public transportation, due to high concentrations of people in small areas. Population density is also a formula factor in the determination of federal funding for urban public transportation (Section 5307). Elderly Population: Defined as people age 65 and older, the elderly population has a higher need for public transportation, due to an increasing inability to operate an automobile without the assistance of others. 69

78 Youth Population: Defined as people age 17 and younger, the youth population has a higher need for public transportation, due to an inability to operate an automobile without the assistance of others. People with Cross-Disabilities: The non-institutionalized population with a disability has a higher need for public transportation due to an inability to operate or ride an automobile without the assistance of others. In addition, people with crossdisabilities tend to need trips more frequently for medical purposes. Population below Poverty Level: Individuals below the poverty level have a higher need for public transportation due to not having the financial means of owning and maintaining an automobile. No Vehicle Available: Occupied housing units with no vehicle available have a higher need for public transportation because the household is occupied, but the residents of the household do not have a vehicle available for means of transportation. As a result, public transportation becomes a more likely option. This section will also include a demographic analysis of race, ethnicity, and language spoken at home. Population Density With a land area of 11,507 square miles, the population density of the region is 47.7 people per square mile, significantly below the state average of 79.6 people per square mile (Table 29). Table 29. Population, Land Area, and Density by County. County Population Land Area (sq mi) Density Aransas 22, Bee 32, Brooks 7, Duval 13,120 1, Jim Wells 39, Kenedy 414 1, Kleberg 31, Live Oak 12,309 1, McMullen 851 1, Nueces 313, Refugio 7, San Patricio 67, Total 549,012 11, Texas 20,851, , Source: U.S. Census Bureau,

79 The home of Corpus Christi, Nueces is the most densely populated county in the region, with people per square mile. San Patricio and Aransas Counties are also more densely populated than the state average. Although Aransas is sixth in population, the county has a relatively high population density by virtue of its small land area. As the result of the low population in parts of the region, some counties have very low population densities. Four counties forming the west and southern edges of the region have fewer than 10 people per square mile, including Kenedy and McMullen Counties that have less than one person per square mile. Said another way, Kenedy County has approximately three square miles per person. The population density of Kenedy and McMullen Counties is less than that of Mongolia, the least densely populated country in the world. Beyond Corpus Christi and the surrounding area, the population density is very low when viewed at the Census block group level (Figure 11). Population density is below 400 people per square mile outside of the urban areas. The rural areas become exceedingly sparse to the south and west. The four counties with single digit population densities have a combined 13 block groups with a population density greater than 400. The vast amount of land with such sparsely populated settlements presents a challenge to efficiently providing public transportation coverage. 71

80 Figure 11. Population Density by Block Group. 72

81 Elderly Population The population age 65 and older represents 11.8 percent of the population (Table 30), slightly higher than the state average of 9.9 percent. Aransas County has the highest percentage, at 19.9 percent, just over twice the state average. No counties in the region fall below the state average, with Bee and San Patricio Counties each at 10.4 percent. The highest concentrations of elderly population reside in the northern and southwestern counties, with the lowest concentrations around Corpus Christi and the coastal areas of Nueces and San Patricio Counties (Figure 12). The U.S. Census Bureau publishes demographic data through the American Community Survey (ACS) for 2006 through 2008 for counties with a population of at least 20,000 (37). Each of the six counties with ACS data reports an increase in the percentage of the elderly population. Table 30. Selected Age and Disability Demographics by County. Population Elderly (Age 65+) Children (Age 0 17) With a Disability County 2000 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent* Aransas 22,497 4, % 5, % 4, % Bee 32,359 3, % 7, % 5, % Brooks 7,976 1, % 2, % 1, % Duval 13,120 1, % 3, % 2, % Jim Wells 39,326 4, % 12, % 8, % Kenedy % % % Kleberg 31,549 3, % 8, % 5, % Live Oak 12,309 2, % 2, % 2, % McMullen % % % Nueces 313,645 35, % 89, % 60, % Refugio 7,828 1, % 2, % 1, % San Patricio 67,138 6, % 20, % 12, % Total 549,012 64, % 155, % 106, % Texas 20,851,820 2,072, % 5,886, % 3,605, % *Percent With a Disability is a percent of the non institutionalized population age 5 and older Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Youth Population The population age younger than 18 represents 28.3 percent of the population (Table 30), slightly higher than the state average of 28.2 percent. Brooks County has the highest percentage, at 31.6 percent, followed by Jim Wells County, at 31.4 percent. Half of the counties in the region fall below the state average. Each of the six counties with ACS data report a decrease in the percentage of the youth population. People with Cross-Disabilities The region has 21.7 percent of the civilian non-institutionalized population age five and older with a disability (Table 30), slightly above the state average of 19.2 percent. Kenedy County has the highest percentage of people with a disability at 28.3 percent, while its neighbor to the north, Kleberg County, has the lowest percentage 19.9 percent. The highest concentrations of people with cross-disabilities are predominantly in rural areas in the north and southwestern portions of the region (Figure 13). The lowest concentrations of the disabled population are in and around Corpus Christi and Kingsville. 73

82 Figure 12. Percent Elderly Population by Block Group. 74

83 Figure 13. Percent with a Disability by Block Group. 75

84 Population below Poverty Level The region has 19.9 percent of the population for whom poverty status is determined below poverty level (Table 31). The poverty rate for the region is well above the state average of 15.4 percent. Brooks County has by far the highest poverty rate, which at 40.2 percent is more than twice the state average. The next highest counties are Duval and Kleberg, which are at 27.2 and 26.7 percent, respectively. The only county in the region below the state average poverty rate is Kenedy County, at 15.3 percent. The highest concentrations of population below the poverty level are throughout Brooks and Duval County, with scattered clusters in Jim Wells and Nueces Counties (Figure 14). The poverty rate is lowest predominantly within and around Corpus Christi. Of the six counties with ACS data, Kleberg and Nueces Counties saw an increase in the percentage of the population in poverty, and the other four counties experienced a decrease. Table 31. Selected Poverty and Vehicle Demographics by County. Population Below Poverty Level Occupied No Vehicle Available County 2000 Number Percent* Housing Units Number Percent Aransas 22,497 4, % 9, % Bee 32,359 5, % 9, % Brooks 7,976 3, % 2, % Duval 13,120 3, % 4, % Jim Wells 39,326 9, % 12,961 1, % Kenedy % % Kleberg 31,549 8, % 10,896 1, % Live Oak 12,309 1, % 4, % McMullen % % Nueces 313,645 56, % 110,365 10, % Refugio 7,828 1, % 2, % San Patricio 67,138 11, % 22,093 1, % Total 549, , % 189,277 17, % Texas 20,851,820 3,117, % 7,393, , % *Percent below Poverty Level is percent of non institutionalized population (less unrelated children under age 15) living below poverty level Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 No Vehicle Available The region has 9.3 percent of occupied housing units with no vehicle available (Table 31), above the state average of 7.4 percent. Brooks and Kenedy Counties both have more than twice the state average, at 18.5 and 16.7 percent, respectively. Aransas and Live Oak are the only counties in the region below the state average. The highest concentrations of housing units without vehicles available are in the rural portions of the south and western counties (Figure 15). The lowest concentrations are scattered around the central and northern portions of the region. All ACS counties except Jim Wells saw a decrease in the percentage of housing units with no vehicle available. 76

85 Figure 14. Percent below Poverty Level by Block Group. 77

86 Figure 15. Percent of Housing Units with No Vehicle Available by Block Group. 78

87 Race/Ethnicity Racially, the region consists of 37.9 percent White, 3.7 percent Black, 0.9 percent Asian, and 1.3 percent of another race (Table 32). The region has 56.1 percent Hispanics, well above the state average of 32.0 percent. The counties with the highest percentages of Hispanics are the three closest to the United States-Mexico border. Brooks, Duval, and Kenedy Counties each have Hispanic populations representing greater than 86 percent of the total population. The only county in the region with a Hispanic percentage below the state average is Aransas County, with a 20.4 percent Hispanic population. Generally, the concentrations of Hispanics are highest in the southern half of the region and in portions of some northern cities. According to ACS, all Coastal Bend region counties with data available report increases in the percentage of the Hispanic population. Table 32. Race and Ethnicity by County, White Black Asian Other Race Hispanic County Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Aransas 16, % % % % 4, % Bee 11, % 3, % % % 17, % Brooks % 0 0.0% 0 0.0% % 7, % Duval 1, % % 4 0.0% % 11, % Jim Wells 8, % % % % 29, % Kenedy % 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% % Kleberg 8, % 1, % % % 20, % Live Oak 7, % % % % 4, % McMullen % 4 0.5% 0 0.0% 7 0.8% % Nueces 118, % 12, % 3, % 4, % 174, % Refugio 3, % % % % 3, % San Patricio 30, % 1, % % % 33, % Total 208, % 20, % 5, % 7, % 308, % Texas 10,927, % 2,349, % 549, % 355, % 6,669, % Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Language Spoken at Home All programs and activities of entities that receive federal financial assistance must comply with Executive Order Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. All recipients of federal funds must take reasonable steps to ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) persons have meaningful access to programs, services, and information provided. Persons who do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English may be considered LEP. As a result, all transportation providers in the region that receive federal funds must make sure they make information regarding their services as readily available for the language predominantly spoken in the language as it is for English. Therefore, transportation providers must take steps such as printing brochures in Spanish, having bilingual telephone operators, and having a Spanish option on the website in order to ensure that persons with LEP receive the same access to public transportation services as those who speak English as their primary language. 79

88 English is the most common language for the region, with 55.6 percent of the population speaking only English at home. However, 42.7 percent of the population speaks Spanish at home, well above the state average of 29.0 percent (Table 33). All other language groups combine to represent less than two percent of the population. No counties in the region have more than three percent of the population speaking a language other than English or Spanish. Table 33. English Proficiency by County. Population 5 Years and Spanish Spoken at Home Speak English Less Than "Very Well" County Over Number Percent Number Percent Aransas 21,309 2, % 1, % Bee 30,465 12, % 4, % Brooks 7,326 5, % 2, % Duval 12,153 9, % 3, % Jim Wells 36,159 22, % 7, % Kenedy % % Kleberg 29,149 15, % 5, % Live Oak 11,718 3, % % McMullen % % Nueces 289, , % 39, % Refugio 7,343 2, % % San Patricio 61,822 23, % 7, % Total 508, , % 73, % Texas 21,869,156 6,338, % 2,669, % Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Kenedy County has the highest percentage of the population speaking Spanish at home, at 85.4 percent. Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, and Kleberg Counties also have the majority of the population speaking Spanish at home. Aransas County represents the other end of the spectrum, with 14.0 percent speaking Spanish at home. The region is only slightly above the state average of the population age 5 and over speaking English less than very well, at 14.4 percent compared to the state average of Kenedy County is also the highest in the percent speaking English less than very well, which at 36.5 percent is more than twice the average for the region. Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, and Kleberg Counties are also above the state average. Aransas, Live Oak, and McMullen Counties each have less than 10 percent speaking English less than very well. As with the percent Hispanic population, both the percent of the population speaking Spanish at home and the percent of the population speaking English less than very well tend to have the same spatial distribution. The highest percentages speaking Spanish at home are highest in the southern counties, and are lower in the north. Due to the above average percentage of the population speaking Spanish at home, the region has an above average need for transportation providers and other agencies receiving federal funds to accommodate the LEP population. 80

89 Overall, the Coastal Bend region is above the state average with percent elderly, percent below the poverty level, percent with a disability and with percent with no vehicles available. The results of these demographic variables suggest that the Coastal Bend region as a whole has a greater than average need for public transportation. In addition, the Census block group demographic maps suggest the need for public transportation is not evenly distributed throughout the region. Isolating the areas of highest need according to demographics will contribute to determining the areas with the highest demand for increased levels of public transportation service. Health-Related Demographics The Coastal Bend region faces health-related transportation challenges as well. Residents often dependent on public transportation must travel to appointments with doctors, clinics, hospitals, and other medical trips. Identifying which counties have the greatest health needs can assist in isolating areas of highest health-related transportation need. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has collaborated with University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to publish materials that determine the overall health rankings for almost every county in the nation. The rankings are calculated by combining the scores of approximately 30 health-related variables, relating to mortality, morbidity, health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment (38). The Coastal Bend region has 10 counties ranked by the County Health Rankings. Kenedy and McMullen Counties are among the 33 Texas counties not ranked due to small sample size. Of the 10 ranked counties in the region, Live Oak is 47 th out of the 221 counties ranked for overall health in Texas (Table 34). Refugio County is ranked 64 th, with Bee, San Patricio, and Kleberg also ranking in the top 100. Duval and Jim Wells Counties are lowest in the region, ranked 191 st and 193 rd, respectively. 81

90 Table 34. Selected Health Demographics by County. Premature Adult Diabetic Teen Birth Children in Primary Care Provider Overall Health Rank County* Death 1 Obesity 2 Screening 3 Rate 4 Poverty 5 Rate 6 (of 221) Live Oak 6,504 27% 87% 56 25% Refugio 8,340 27% 91% 61 24% Bee 7,510 29% 77% 76 29% San Patricio 7,235 27% 83% 82 25% Kleberg 8,285 27% 80% 65 33% Brooks 7,690 26% 83% % N/A 104 Nueces 8,061 27% 80% 70 28% Aransas 9,839 27% 80% 70 32% Duval 9,820 26% 75% 87 37% N/A 191 Jim Wells 9,635 27% 80% 84 31% Texas 7,340 29% 78% 65 23% 96 *Data not available for Kenedy and McMullen Counties 1 National Vital Statistics System, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care using Medicare, National Vital Statistics System, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, Health Resources and Services Administration, 2006 Source: countyhealthrankings.org, 2010 The premature death rate is calculated as the number of years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population, and represents 50 percent of the Health Factors scoring in the overall county health rankings. Aransas, Duval, and Jim Wells Counties have the highest rates in the region, and therefore rank as the bottom three for the overall health rank due to the heavy weighting assigned to this variable. Live Oak County, ranked as the healthiest in the region, also has the lowest premature death rate. San Patricio County is the only other county in the region with a premature death rate lower than the state average. Adult obesity is calculated as the percent of the population age 20 and older that has a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30/kg/m 2, and represents 10 percent of the Health Factors scoring in the overall county health rankings. All Coastal Bend counties are tightly concentrated at or below the state average adult obesity of 29 percent. Bee County has the highest obesity rate, at 29 percent. Brooks and Duval Counties have the lowest obesity rates, at 26 percent each. Diabetic screening is calculated as the percent of diabetic Medicare patients whose blood sugar control was screened in the past year. Diabetic screening represents 2.5 percent of the Health Factors scoring in the overall county health rankings. Just as adult obesity rates for the region are slightly above the state average, diabetic screening for most counties is slightly above the state average of 78 percent. Patients who regularly receive diabetic screening tend to have less likelihood of becoming obese. Refugio has the highest rate of diabetic screening in the region, 82

91 and fourth in the state, at 91 percent. The region has seven additional counties above the state average. Bee and Duval Counties are slightly below the state average, at 77 and 75 percent, respectively. The teen birth rate is calculated as the number of births per 1,000 females age and represents 2.5 percent of the Health Factors scoring in the overall county health rankings. Brooks County, with a teen birth rate of 122, has the highest rate in the state, and is almost twice the state average of 65. Duval, Jim Wells, and San Patricio Counties each have teen birth rates over 80, but still well below that of Brooks County. Refugio and Live Oak Counties are the only two counties in the region below the state average. In general, the teen birth rate is highest in the southwestern counties, and lower in the northern counties. Children in poverty is calculated as the percent of children under age 18 living below the Federal Poverty Line, and represents 7.5 percent of the Health Factors scoring in the overall county health rankings. The variable is likely to have a correlation with the teen birth rate, since a higher birth rate among teenagers means the parents are less likely to be able to support their offspring financially. Accordingly, Brooks County has the highest percentage of children in poverty in the region, and fourth in the state, which at 47 percent is more than twice the state average. With 37 percent of children in poverty, Duval County is second in the region, followed by three other counties over 30 percent. No counties in the region fall below the state average of 23 percent, but Refugio has the lowest percentage of children in poverty, at 24 percent. As with teen birth rate, the southwestern counties have the highest percentages of children in poverty, with most of the northern counties having the lowest percentages. The primary health care rate is calculated as the number of practicing physicians in general practice medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology per 100,000 population and represents five percent of the Health Factors scoring in the overall county health rankings. Nueces County has the number of health care providers in the region, with 138 per 100,000 population. Kleberg County has the second highest rate, which equals the state average. The remaining counties in the region have fewer primary health care providers per population than the state average, with Live Oak County having the least. Generally, the Coastal Bend region has a higher need for health-related public transportation than most other portions of the state. The need is highest in the western counties, due to the high premature death rates in Duval and Jim Wells County, and the high teen birth rate and children in poverty in Brooks County. Aransas County also represents an area of high need, with above average ratings in each of the selected variables. The Texas State Data Center (TSDC) publishes obesity population projections for all counties in Texas. The obesity projections are based on the assumption that migration in Texas will continue at the rate that it did from 2000 through 2004, known as the Migration Scenario (39). The projections, which start in 2010, show the counties of the Coastal Bend region as having a slightly higher obesity percentage than the state average (Table 35). The region is projected to remain slightly above the state average, increasing from 29.8 percent to 37.5 percent in

92 The state is expected to nearly double in obese population over the next 20 years, and is projected to have an obese population of more than 10 million by By contrast, the Coastal Bend region is projected to see a 30 percent increase during the same period. Despite dwindling total populations in most counties Coastal Bend counties from 2010 through 2030, all counties in the region are expected to experience an increase in the obese percentage of the population. Table 35. Obesity Projections by County County Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Aransas 5, % 6, % 7, % Bee 8, % 9, % 10, % Brooks 1, % 2, % 2, % Duval 3, % 3, % 3, % Jim Wells 9, % 10, % 12, % Kenedy % % % Kleberg 8, % 8, % 10, % Live Oak 2, % 2, % 2, % McMullen % % % Nueces 71, % 80, % 94, % Refugio 1, % 1, % 2, % San Patricio 15, % 16, % 19, % Region 127, % 142, % 165, % Texas 5,338, % 7,223, % 10,337, % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The southwestern portions of the region contain the highest obese percentages of the population. Brooks and Duval Counties are projected to have the highest obesity percentages from 2010 through 2030, each of which approaching 40 percent. Nueces County is expected to have the largest jump in percentage, from 29.9 percent to 38.6 percent. Aransas County is projected to have the population with the lowest obesity percentage from 2010 through 2030, increasing from 25.5 percent to 29.3 percent. Based on the projections, obesity is a health-related issue that will play an increasingly significant role over the next 20 years. As the obese percentage continues to grow, so will the diagnosis rates of diabetes and other illnesses related to weight gain. Corresponding demand will grow for public transportation designed to transport residents to health clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities. The persisting emergence of obesity and other health-related issues represent a major challenge to serve a growing market of the population dependent on public transportation while the overall population declines, along with the tax revenues to support them. 84

93 Coastal Bend 2009 Health Policy Summits In December 2009, the Coastal Bend Rural Health Partnership sponsored Health Policy Summits in Alice and Beeville. The primary goal of the summits was to create a community forum to identify emerging health and transportation needs in rural areas of the Coastal Bend (40). Specifically, the forums sought to address three key health issues: access to care, teen pregnancy, and obesity. Participants in the discussions also identified transportation needs. Participants included representatives from local and state transportation agencies, local and regional public health and primary care agencies, hospitals, school districts, regional education centers, mental health/mental retardation centers, consumers of mental and physical health services, faith-based organizations, state and local policymakers, civic organizations, and community action agencies. Participants collaborated to establish priorities, develop solutions, propose policy recommendations to address the issues, and formulate performance or outcomes measures. The sponsor of the summits asked all participants to complete transportation survey. Access to Care Participants in the summits identified challenges to providing access to affordable health care, including cost, distance, linguistic, cultural, scheduling, health literacy, and other barriers, as well as a lack of primary health care physicians and other health professionals, lack of reimbursement for preventive services, and a lack of health care professionals to serve lowincome patients. Teen Pregnancy The Coastal Bend region has a high teen birth rate. The participants in the summits developed a model for preventing teen pregnancy. The model included a culturally appropriate, bi-lingual campaign, led by teens, which includes early intervention, parental involvement, and societal support, among other factors. Obesity The summit participants identified strategies to combat obesity: increasing the availability of fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity among the obese population, and reducing high-energy-dense foods. Findings for the Transportation Survey The sponsor for the summits surveyed participants about knowledge of public transportation. The following are questions excerpted from the survey. The questions focus on knowledge about public transportation in the community. Are you aware of the public transportation service provider in your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 73% 89% No 27% 11% 85

94 Have you ever used public transportation in your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 44% 49% No 56% 51% Are you aware of the transportation service days in your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 50% 71% No 50% 29% Are you aware of the transportation service hours in your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 34% 74% No 66% 28% Do you know how much it costs to use public transportation in your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 36% 54% No 64% 46% Are you aware of where the transportation service provider can take you in your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 31% 63% No 69% 37% Are you aware of where the transportation service provider can take you outside of your community? Alice Summit Beeville Summit Yes 28% 62% No 74% 38% 86

95 Recommendations Based on the discussions by participants attending the summits, the CBRHP developed the following recommendations regarding transportation: Ensure health providers are represented in development of the Regionally Coordinated Public Transportation Plan; Use TCN to address gaps in the formal transportation system, by o integrating volunteer resources; o developing innovative models for encouraging volunteers; o integrating with 211 information system; o educating providers and residents about sources of transportation information; o routinely surveying to determine transportation needs and satisfaction; o seeking funding opportunities for the Coastal Bend communities; Determine what the community and the intermediaries know about the rural transportation resources; Develop an integrated/seamless transportation system with a single point of contact; and Provide evening school bus transportation for parents to attend school events and parent/teacher meetings. A coordinated transportation plan can benefit local communities by helping individuals and families gain access to healthy food, pregnancy prevention counseling services, and necessary medical services. Outcomes The CBRHP initiated a bus driver program that prepares drivers to address the special needs of users who may be mental health clients or may have medical conditions that affect their behavior. Drivers are taught to be sensitive to cancer patients who may become ill following a day of chemotherapy. This program can serve as a model for other rural transportation regions. Population and Demographic Projections The Coastal Bend region population grew 1.8 percent growth between 2000 and The Texas State Data Center projects a similar population growth in the near future. The growth rate for the region is approximately one tenth of the growth rate for the state population, which grew 18.8 percent during the same period. TSDC publishes population and demographic projections at the county level. The latest set of projections, published in 2008, forecasts projections based on the assumption that migration in Texas will continue at the rate that it did from 2000 through 2007 (41). The Migration Scenario will document and analyze population and demographic projections for the region, as well as for each county within the region. Population and demographic projections are available from the TSDC for the year 2010, which provide a more current snapshot of the region (Table 36). Due to the age of the Census 2000 data, and the lack of ACS data for six of the 12 Coastal Bend counties, the TSDC 2010 projections will provide a more complete and more recent perspective of the region given the changes that have taken place since the 2000 Census. 87

96 Table 36. Texas State Data Center 2010 Population and Demographic Estimates. County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly Percent With a Disability Aransas 27, % 23.2% 26.8% Bee 34, % 10.6% 22.5% Brooks 7, % 16.3% 22.0% Duval 12, % 15.2% 23.5% Jim Wells 42, % 13.0% 22.1% Kenedy % 17.9% 23.0% Kleberg 31, % 12.1% 20.6% Live Oak 12, % 17.5% 25.3% McMullen % 27.3% 28.7% Nueces 323, % 10.4% 20.0% Refugio 7, % 19.0% 24.9% San Patricio 70, % 10.6% 19.8% Total 571, % 11.8% 20.9% Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects a 2010 population for the region of 571,654, a 4.1 percent growth rate from Nine counties experienced population growth during the last decade, while Brooks, Duval, and Refugio Counties declined in population. The TSDC projects the region to have 61.1 percent of Hispanics of the population, a steady increase from 56.1 percent in All counties except Brooks, Duval, and Kenedy saw an increase in the Hispanic percentage of the population. Nueces County experienced the largest jump in percentage between 2000 and 2010, from 55.7 to The TSDC projects the elderly population for the region to remain at 11.8 percent of the total population in Despite the fact that 10 counties saw an increase in the elderly percentage of the population, Nueces and San Patricio, the two most populous counties, offset them. Nueces and San Patricio were the only counties to experience a decrease in the elderly percentage of the population, neutralizing the increase of the other 10 counties. The TSDC projects the percent of the non-institutionalized population with a disability to decline slightly from 21.7 to 20.9 in Aransas, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, and Refugio Counties are expected to have an increase in percent with a disability, while the remaining seven counties are expected to experience decline. Generally, the northern portion of the region has seen an increase in percent with a disability over the last decade, while the rest of the region has seen a decrease. As far as projections beyond 2010 are concerned, the TSDC forecasts the region as a whole to experience continued growth until 2018, when the TSDC projects the region to commence a steady rate of population decrease (Table 37). Aransas is the only county in the region projected to maintain population growth from 2010 to The TSDC projects Bee, Jim Wells, Kenedy, McMullen, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties to gain population until By 2027, the 88

97 TSDC projects all six counties to start losing population. Kleberg and Live Oak Counties saw population growth from 2000 to 2010, but the TSDC projects a decline in population from 2010 to Brooks, Duval, and Refugio Counties experienced population decline from 2000 to 2010, and the TSDC projects a continued population decrease from 2010 to 2030, with each declining by at least 17.0 percent. Overall, the TSDC projects the region to lose 1.3 percent of its population from 2010 to 2030, at the same time that the state is expected to grow 46.9 percent. Table 37. Population Projections by County. Population Population Change Population Change Population Change County Aransas 22,497 27, % 32, % 33, % Bee 32,359 34, % 34, % 34, % Brooks 7,976 7, % 7, % 6, % Duval 13,120 12, % 10, % 9, % Jim Wells 39,326 42, % 44, % 43, % Kenedy % % % Kleberg 31,549 31, % 29, % 26, % Live Oak 12,309 12, % 12, % 11, % McMullen % % % Nueces 313, , % 329, % 323, % Refugio 7,828 7, % 6, % 5, % San Patricio 67,138 70, % 71, % 68, % Region 549, , % 579, % 564, % Texas 20,851,820 25,373, % 30,858, % 37,285, % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario As with the state, the TSDC projects the region to see a higher Hispanic percentage of the total population over time. The TSDC projects the population to add an additional 38,000 Hispanics, an increase from 61.1 to 68.7 percent of the total population (Table 38). The TSDC projects all counties except Brooks, Duval, and Refugio to see an increase in Hispanic percentage of the population from 2010 to The TSDC projects Aransas County to experience a region-high 39.4 percent growth rate, with Nueces County at 10.3 percent. Despite the projected overall population decline for the region, the TSDC projects the Hispanic population to grow 11.0 percent from 2010 to 2030, a modest growth rate compared to the projected 92.7 percent increase in the Hispanic population statewide during the same period. 89

98 Table 38. Hispanic Population Projections by County County Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Aransas 4, % 5, % 7, % 8, % Bee 17, % 19, % 21, % 21, % Brooks 7, % 7, % 6, % 5, % Duval 11, % 10, % 9, % 7, % Jim Wells 29, % 33, % 35, % 35, % Kenedy % % % % Kleberg 20, % 21, % 19, % 17, % Live Oak 4, % 5, % 5, % 5, % McMullen % % % % Nueces 174, % 204, % 229, % 240, % Refugio 3, % 3, % 2, % 2, % San Patricio 33, % 38, % 41, % 42, % Region 308, % 349, % 378, % 387, % Texas 6,669, % 9,847, % 13,940, % 18,973, % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC also projects the region to experience an increase in elderly population, adding another 25,000 people over the age of 65 from 2010 to 2030 (Table 39). The TSDC projects all counties except Duval and Refugio to have an increase in the elderly population. The TSDC projects the elderly population in Aransas County to almost double from 2010 to 2030, with a 98.4 percent growth rate. The TSDC projects the region as a whole to have a 37.1 percent growth rate in elderly population, a relatively small amount compared to the state, which the TSDC projects to double its elderly population before Table 39. Elderly Population Projections by County County Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Aransas 4, % 6, % 9, % 12, % Bee 3, % 3, % 4, % 5, % Brooks 1, % 1, % 1, % 1, % Duval 1, % 1, % 1, % 1, % Jim Wells 4, % 5, % 6, % 8, % Kenedy % % % % Kleberg 3, % 3, % 4, % 4, % Live Oak 2, % 2, % 2, % 2, % McMullen % % % % Nueces 35, % 33, % 40, % 43, % Refugio 1, % 1, % 1, % 1, % San Patricio 6, % 7, % 8, % 10, % Region 64, % 67, % 81, % 92, % Texas 2,072, % 2,516, % 3,724, % 5,524, % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario 90

99 Demographic Projections by Public Transportation Provider and by County The following section will summarize TSDC population and demographic projections by public transportation provider. Projections for each county fall alphabetically within each respective service area. Examining population and demographic projections by provider and by county will determine which providers and which counties will have the highest need for public transportation over the next 20 years. Corpus Christi RTA The TSDC projects Nueces County to have population growth from 2010 through 2020, and then experience population decline between 2020 and 2030 (Table 40). Overall, the TSDC projects the county to see a net increase of 43 people over the next 20 years. The TSDC projects the Hispanic population of the county to grow during the same period, representing nearly three quarters of the total population by The TSDC projects Nueces County to remain the county with the lowest elderly percentage of the population in the region, with a gradual increase through Table 40. Demographic Projections for Nueces County. Nueces County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 10.4% , % 11.1% , % 12.1% , % 13.1% , % 13.4% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario Based on the population and demographic projections, Nueces County, representing the Corpus Christi RTA service area, represents an area with moderate transit need as compared to other counties in the region. The highest population total in the region indicates a need for public transportation, despite the low elderly percentage of the population. Bee Transit Based on the population and demographic projections, the TSDC projects the five counties representing the Bee Transit service area to represent moderate transit need (Table 41). The area represents the third largest population in the region, with most counties in steady decline. However, the elderly percentage of the population is the highest in the region, representing a segment of the population with increased need for public transportation. 91

100 Table 41. Demographic Projections for Bee Transit. (Represents Aransas, Bee, Live Oak, McMullen, and Refugio Counties) Bee Transit Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 16.8% , % 18.6% , % 21.3% , % 24.0% , % 26.0% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Aransas County to have continuous population growth from 2010 through 2030 (Table 42). In contrast, the TSDC projects all other counties in the region to lose population between 2025 and The TSDC projects Aransas County to experience an increase in the Hispanic percentage of the population, but by 2030 to decline to less than half the state average, despite being less than 200 miles from the United States-Mexico border. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to grow significantly, remaining second highest in the region, two and a half times the state average. Table 42. Demographic Projections for Aransas County. Aransas County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 23.2% , % 26.3% , % 30.2% , % 34.4% , % 37.4% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Bee County to see an increase in population from 2010 through 2020, before declining in population between 2020 and 2030 (Table 43). Overall, the TSDC projects the county to experience a net loss of 42 people over the next 20 years. The TSDC projects the county to see a small increase in the Hispanic population, representing a gradual increase in the Hispanic percentage of the population. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population for Bee County, the lowest in the region in 2000, to remain second lowest in the region through 2030, despite a large increase in the elderly percentage of the population. 92

101 Table 43. Demographic Projections for Bee County. Bee County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 10.6% , % 11.2% , % 12.7% , % 14.2% , % 15.1% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario After experiencing population decline since 2000, the TSDC projects Live Oak County to continue to decrease in population through 2030 (Table 44). The TSDC projects the county to lose 10.9 percent of its population between 2010 and 2030, which still represents a less sharp decline than five other counties in the region. The TSDC projects Live Oak County to see a relatively unchanged Hispanic population, but an increase in the Hispanic percentage due to the loss in total population. The TSDC expects the elderly percentage of the population to grow, and by 2030 to be the fourth highest in the region. Table 44. Demographic Projections for Live Oak County. Live Oak County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 17.5% , % 18.6% , % 21.1% , % 23.4% , % 25.2% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects McMullen County to see a population increase until 2015 before experiencing population decline through 2030 (Table 45). Overall, the 14.1 percent decline from 2010 to 2030 represents the fifth steepest in the region. The TSDC projects the Hispanic population to shrink slightly, despite the increase in percentage, due to the loss in total population. The TSDC projects the Hispanic percentage of the population to remain the second lowest in the region, and below average in the state. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to see a large increase, remaining the highest in the region, and almost three times the state average. 93

102 Table 45. Demographic Projections for McMullen County. McMullen County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly % 27.3% % 30.9% % 34.3% % 39.2% % 43.1% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Refugio County to have a significant decline in population over the next 20 years (Table 46). The 22.7 percent decline represents the second greatest drop from 2010 to 2030 in the region. The TSDC projects the Hispanic population to decline at about the same rate, so the TSDC projects the overall Hispanic percentage to remain relatively unchanged. The TSDC projects Refugio as one of two counties in the region to see a decline in the elderly population between 2010 and 2030, but the elderly percentage of the population will increase slightly due to the loss of total population. Table 46. Demographic Projections for Refugio County. Refugio County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 19.0% , % 20.3% , % 21.6% , % 22.4% , % 22.8% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario Rural Economic Assistance League Based on the population and demographic projections, the TSDC projects the three counties representing the REAL Transit service area to experience moderate transit need (Table 47). The relatively stable population represents the second highest total in the region, while the relatively moderate Hispanic and elderly percentages of the population represent concentrations of the population in need of public transportation. 94

103 Table 47. Demographic Projections for REAL Transit. (Represents Brooks, Jim Wells, and San Patricio Counties) REAL Transit Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 11.8% , % 12.8% , % 13.9% , % 15.5% , % 16.9% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Brooks County to experience a significant population decline over the next 20 years (Table 48). The 17.0 percent decline from 2010 to 2030 represents the third steepest drop in the region. The TSDC also projects the Hispanic population to decline, but the Hispanic percentage of the population will remain the highest in the region. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to see a slight increase over the next 20 years. Table 48. Demographic Projections for Brooks County. Brooks County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 16.3% , % 17.1% , % 18.1% , % 19.3% , % 19.9% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Jim Wells County to increase in population until 2020, and decrease in population from 2020 to 2030 (Table 49). The modest 2.4 percent growth rate from 2010 to 2030 is the third highest in the region, and represents the second largest net population increase in the region. The TSDC projects the Hispanic percentage of the population to increase slightly, representing the third highest percentage in the region. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to increase, but remain near the lowest in the region. 95

104 Table 49. Demographic Projections for Jim Wells County. Jim Wells County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 13.0% , % 14.2% , % 15.6% , % 17.4% , % 18.8% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects San Patricio County to see population increase until 2020, and then experience a decline from 2020 to 2030 (Table 50). The 3.1 percent population drop from 2010 to 2030 is less severe than six other counties in the region. The TSDC projects the Hispanic population in the county to see continued growth through 2030, with the Hispanic percentage exceeding 60 percent of the population. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to grow, while representing the third lowest percentage in the region, slightly above the state average. Table 50. Demographic Projections for San Patricio County. San Patricio County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 10.6% , % 11.4% , % 12.4% , % 14.0% , % 15.5% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario Paisano Express Based on the population and demographic projections, the TSDC projects the two counties representing the Paisano Express service area to experience moderate transit need (Table 51). The TSDC projects the area, representing the fourth highest population total, to have moderate increases in the Hispanic and elderly percentages of the population, representing concentrations of the population in need of public transportation. 96

105 Table 51. Demographic Projections for Paisano Express. (Represents Kenedy and Kleberg Counties) Paisano Express Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 12.1% , % 13.8% , % 15.5% , % 17.1% , % 18.4% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Kenedy County to increase in population until 2025, and decrease in population between 2025 and 2030 (Table 52). Overall, the TSDC projects Kenedy County to grow by 7.9 percent from 2010 to 2030, the second highest growth rate in the region. The TSDC also projects the Hispanic population to increase, with a slight increase in the Hispanic percentage of the population. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to grow significantly, representing the third highest percentage in the region. Table 52. Demographic Projections for Kenedy County. Kenedy County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly % 17.9% % 22.8% % 23.6% % 25.7% % 27.0% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario The TSDC projects Kleberg County to decrease in population from 2010 through 2030 (Table 53). The 16.8 percent decrease in population represents the fourth steepest decline in the region. The TSDC also projects the Hispanic population to decline. The Hispanic percentage of the population will remain at two thirds of the total population. The TSDC projects the elderly percentage of the population to increase at a steady rate, staying slightly above the state average. 97

106 Table 53. Demographic Projections for Kleberg County. Kleberg County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 12.1% , % 13.7% , % 15.4% , % 16.9% , % 18.2% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario Community Action Council of South Texas (Duval County) Based on the population and demographic projections, the TSDC projects Duval County to experience high transit need. Despite having the lowest population among the service areas, Duval County has a high Hispanic percentage of the population, representing an area of high need for public transportation. The TSDC projects Duval County to decrease in population from 2010 to 2030 (Table 54). The 23.1 percent decline from 2010 to 2030 represents the sharpest drop in the region. The TSDC also projects the Hispanic population to see population decline, with the Hispanic percentage of the population remaining the second highest in the state. The TSDC projects Duval as one of two counties in the region to have a decline in elderly population from 2010 through 2030, despite the increase in elderly percentage due to the loss in total population. Table 54. Demographic Projections for Duval County. Duval County Total Population Percent Hispanic Percent Elderly , % 15.2% , % 16.2% , % 17.0% , % 18.0% , % 18.9% Percent Change % Source: Texas State Data Center, Migration Scenario Overall, the TSDC projects the Coastal Bend region to see increases in Hispanic and elderly percentages of the population. The TSDC also projects the region to experience a 37.1 percent increase in the elderly population from 2010 to 2030, almost twice the state average of 19.5 percent. The growing elderly and Hispanic populations, in context with the decline of the overall population, indicate an increasing need for public transportation for the entire region over the next two decades. 98

107 Journey to Work Data The analysis of journey to work data also provides an image of transportation needs in the region. Examining trip patterns can identify high volume areas within and between counties, which represents a demand for public transportation to provide higher levels of service to the high volume areas in order to serve residents within the region commuting to work. The U.S. Census Bureau released home residence to work data within and between counties in 2003 (42). Table 55 depicts a matrix of home to work trips within the 12 counties of the Coastal Bend region. From Nueces Table 55. Home County to Work County Matrix. San Patricio Jim Wells Kleberg Bee To Aransas County Nueces 122,370 4, , , ,006 San Patricio 9,013 14, ,066 26,377 Jim Wells 1, , ,994 Kleberg 1, , ,647 Bee , ,748 Aransas 1,325 1, , ,473 Duval , ,226 Live Oak , ,175 Refugio , ,210 Brooks , ,409 McMullen Kenedy Out of Area 2, Total 140,283 21,964 13,105 12,093 8,912 6,550 3,519 3,514 2,753 2, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, March 2003 According to the matrix, Nueces County generates the most trips to work destinations, with 140,283. San Patricio County generates approximately one-seventh as many work trips, at 21,964, with Jim Wells and Kleberg Counties each exceeding 10,000. McMullen and Kenedy Counties each generate less than 500 work trips, due to lack of population and employment destinations, in addition to being located on the edges of the region. Work trips made entirely within counties tend to have the highest volumes, representing 83.4 percent of all work trips. The 122,370 trips made within Nueces County represent 56.7 percent of all work trips made within the region. San Patricio County has the second most number of work trips within the county, with 14,986 trips representing 6.9 percent of work trips made within the region. Jim Wells County has the third most number of work trips within the county, with 10,107 trips representing 4.7 percent of work trips made within the region. Trips between counties represent 14.2 percent of all work trips. The link from San Patricio to Nueces County represents the most trips between counties, with 9,013 work trips. The reverse link, from Nueces to San Patricio County, represents the second most trips between counties, with 4,033 work trips. Links from Aransas, Kleberg, and Jim Wells to Nueces County are all Live Oak Duval Refugio Brooks McMullen Kenedy Out of Area Total 99

108 among the top seven number of work trips between counties. The highest link between counties not involving Nueces County is the connection from Duval to Jim Wells County, with 854 work trips. Trips from beyond to within the region represent the remaining 2.4 percent of work trips. Trips from Nueces County account for almost half of the total. The U.S. Census Bureau created ACS commute to work data for all counties with a population greater than 20,000. Despite the lack of availability of the data for six of the 12 Coastal Bend counties, the data presents a more current representation of trip patterns within the region. Trips within Nueces County remain the highest volume in the region (Table 56), increasing slightly from 122,370 in 2003 to 133,025. Trips within San Patricio, Jim Wells, and Aransas Counties have also increased, while trips within Kleberg and Bee Counties have decreased slightly. Nueces and San Patricio Counties continue to have the highest volume between counties. The number of trips from San Patricio County to Nueces County has increased, while the number of trips from Nueces County to San Patricio County has declined, likely representing a reduction in jobs available in San Patricio County. Table 56. ACS Journey to Work Trips by County, To From Nueces San Patricio County Nueces 133,025 3,120 1,135 1, San Patricio 10,865 16, Jim Wells 1, , Kleberg 1, , Aransas 1,050 1, ,425 Bee ,410 0 Jim Wells Kleberg Bee Aransas Trips from the Coastal Bend Region According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2003 data, the Coastal Bend region collectively generates 2,262 trips to the 11 contiguous counties, representing approximately 32 percent of the out of area trips. Trips to Victoria, Karnes, and Calhoun Counties each represent approximately one fifth of the contiguous county out of area total. Hidalgo County represents 14 percent. More work trips from the Coastal Bend region go to Harris County than any other county outside the region, with 791 (Table 57). Bexar County has the second highest total, with 578, with Victoria and Karnes Counties each generating more than 400. Other counties generating at least 200 trips include Hidalgo, Dallas, Webb, and Travis. These links demonstrate the need for good transportation connections, especially linking Nueces and San Patricio Counties with Houston and San Antonio. Another significant transportation need exists linking Bee County with Karnes County. 100

109 Table 57. Primary Counties with High Volume Work Trips from the Coastal Bend Region. To From Harris Bexar Victoria Karnes County Aransas Bee Brooks Duval Jim Wells Kenedy Kleberg Live Oak McMullen Nueces ,233 Refugio San Patricio Total ,401 Hidalgo Dallas Webb Travis Cameron Total Trips to the Coastal Bend Region Hidalgo County has more work trips going to the Coastal Bend region than any other, with 576 (Table 58). Bexar and Harris Counties generate 386 and 376 trips, respectively. Other counties with at least 200 trips include Karnes, Victoria, Webb, and Cameron. These links illustrate the demand for good transportation connections, especially between Nueces County and McAllen and Brownsville. Other important links include connecting Nueces County to San Antonio, Houston via Victoria, and Laredo. The work trips from other counties to the region contrasts significantly with the work trips from the region to other counties. Harris and Bexar Counties represent the largest links for Coastal Bend region residents commuting to work outside the area, demonstrating the importance of the Houston and San Antonio job markets to the region. The urban theme of the trips from the region continues, with Dallas and Travis Counties also among the top eight work trip generators. 101

110 Table 58. Primary Counties with High Volume Work Trips to the Coastal Bend Region. To From Aransas Bee Brooks Duval Jim Wells Kenedy County Hidalgo Bexar Harris Karnes Victoria Webb Cameron Goliad Jim Hogg Starr Kleberg Live Oak McMullen Nueces Refugio San Patricio Total The work trips to the region have a different distribution, with Bexar and Harris Counties ranked second and third, and with Dallas and Travis Counties with insignificant totals. Hidalgo County has the most work trips to the region, with Webb and Cameron ranked sixth and seventh, respectively. More workers commute to work from the Rio Grande Valley than from the large cities, identifying the importance of workers living in the Rio Grande Valley to the economy of the Coastal Bend region. The journey to work data emphasizes the demand for good transportation access both within and to Nueces County. As a result, public transportation services will require stronger connections to Nueces County from San Patricio and other surrounding counties. The analysis of trips beyond the region reveals the need for providing good transportation access to urban areas for the local commuters, as well as from the Rio Grande Valley for commuters working within the region. In addition, the region needs strong public transportation service that will provide connections with Brownsville, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, San Antonio, and Victoria. High volumes of trips also exist between Bee and Karnes Counties, indicating a demand for public transportation connections in that portion of the region as well. 102

111 Primary Attractions and Destinations Serving the 12 counties of the Coastal Bend region, Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend represents one of 28 local workforce boards in the state of Texas (43). Workforce Solutions is a non-profit organization, providing regional business services such as connecting employers with prospective employees, facilitating employee access to jobs, training, and other employer services. Coastal Bend residents rely on public transportation to serve variety of work trip purposes to destinations throughout the region. Workforce Solutions conducted a transportation survey of the region in December 2006, identifying 50 employers, and making transportation inquiries relating to their respective businesses (Table 59) (44). When asked about a perceived lack of public transportation, 58 percent of employers responded the lack of public transportation adversely affects staffing needs. The majority of employers in Kingsville and Sinton noted a lack of public transportation, as well as employers in Ingleside, Mathis, Portland, and Rockport. Alice and Falfurrias were the only two cities in which the majority of employers did not indicate a perceived lack of public transportation affecting their businesses. When asked about the availability of public transportation services, 18 percent of employers were aware of public transit service in the area. Of the nine employers who were aware of public transportation services, one third each were located in Falfurrias and Kingsville. Sixty percent of employers indicated that their employees commute to work from places other than the local city. When asked about ideal hours for public transportation service, 84 percent of employers stated hours or days beyond the spans of service currently operated by the rural transit districts. 103

112 Table 59. Employers Interviewed by Workforce Survey, Name City Name City Haliburton Alice O'Reilly Auto Parts Kingsville Lacks Furniture Alice Apple Creek Apartments Kingsville City of Alice Alice Carquest Auto Parts Kingsville Fesco Alice Dollar General Kingsville Dixie Metal Iron Alice Gems Pancake House Kingsville Wal Mart Alice EconoLodge Kingsville HEB Alice Howard Johnson Kingsville Anteon Corp Aransas Pass Motel 6 Kingsville Southland Fabrication Ingleside Burger King Kingsville Day & Zimmerman Ingleside Church's Fried Chicken Kingsville Mile 553 Marine Ingleside TX Visiting Nurses Services Kingsville Downtown Ingleside Apartments Ingleside Kingsville Nursing & Rehab Kingsville H & R Block Mathis Payless Shoe Store Kingsville City of Mathis Mathis Zarsky Lumber Construction Kingsville Donna Bailey Health Care Portland Kingsville Publishing Kingsville Charter Communications Portland Kwik Pantry Falfurrias Chili's Bar & Grill Portland HEB Falfurrias Best Western Inn Rockport Circle K Falfurrias Sonic Rockport Wal Mart Falfurrias Gulf Point Rockport Palm Valley Health Care Falfurrias Caprock Home Health Sinton Alamo Lumber Co Falfurrias REAL, Inc. Sinton Whataburger Falfurrias San Pat County Protective Services Sinton Brushland Community Health Care Falfurrias Legacy Home Health Sinton Barnes Ins & Realty Falfurrias Firestone Tires & Serv Kingsville Cantu Super Market Falfurrias Source: Workforce Solutions, December 2006 The 2006 Workforce Survey also included surveys of residents in Alice, Kingsville, and Sinton. When asked whether residents currently have access to reliable transportation to meet their needs for work related activities, the response was between 59 and 66 percent for all 3 cities. However, more variation existed when asked about public transportation. Seventy percent of respondents in Kingsville and 60 percent of respondents in Alice were aware of public transportation services in the area, compared with 35 percent in Sinton. When asked about private transportation providers, such as taxi cab service, between 60 and 76 percent of residents in each city responded that they would prefer using private transportation to meet their transportation needs for work, despite acknowledging the generally higher cost of service as compared to public transportation. The findings of the 2006 Workforce Survey illustrate a need for public transportation in the region. Transportation needs appear to be highest for employers in smaller cities such as Ingleside, Mathis, Portland, and Rockport. The results from both employers and residents indicate a need for more public transportation service in Mathis. In addition, a need exists in making the general public more aware of existing public transportation services. The rural transit districts likely would need to increase span of service in order to capture more work trips. However, public transportation services are in place to serve employees in need of a means of 104

113 transportation to work. Overall, the survey demonstrated the importance of public transportation in supplying a workforce to employers. Providing greater access for employees to jobs could stimulate economic development in the region. The Effect of Colonias in the Region Due to its proximity to the United States-Mexico border, the Coastal Bend region contains a widespread distribution of colonias. Colonias have several definitions, but generally are small, unincorporated residential developments housing primarily Mexican immigrants (45). Almost all colonias are within 150 miles of the United States-Mexico border and lack basic living necessities, such as electricity, paved roads, potable water, and wastewater systems. Unemployment among colonias residents can range from 20 to 60 percent, and the majority of a colonias population typically lives below the poverty line. Colonias started appearing in the 1950s when rural developers began to sell agricultural land with little or no infrastructure improvements (41). Residents were thus able to purchase the land at a minimal cost, with the expectation that one day the infrastructure improvements would be made. However, infrastructure still has not been provided to most colonias. Texas has more than 400,000 people living in colonias, more than any other state in the nation (46). Colonias cover 32 Texas counties, with the densest concentrations in the Rio Grande Valley. Hidalgo County has the most colonias in the state, with more than 800. Population and demographic data for colonias are unavailable and generally difficult to acquire. Most colonias contain 100 to 500 residents, and can cover as little as few square blocks within an urban environment to several acres in a rural setting. Based on combined lists from the Texas Secretary of State and the Attorney General of Texas, the Coastal Bend region has 271 colonias spanning eight counties (Figure 16). Most colonias in the region are within or near the moderately sized cities, such as Alice, Falfurrias, Freer, San Diego, and Sinton. Jim Wells County has the most colonias in the region, with 99 (Table 60). San Patricio County has 73 colonias, which is the second most in the region. Kenedy, Live Oak, McMullen, and Refugio Counties do not have any colonias, mostly due to the lack of population and employment centers in those counties, as well as the distance from the border in the case of the four northern counties. 105

114 Table 60. Coastal Bend Colonias by County. County 2009 Population 2010 Colonias Jim Wells 41, San Patricio 68, Nueces 323, Brooks 7, Duval 12, Bee 32, Aransas 24,826 1 Kleberg 30,647 1 Kenedy Live Oak 11,046 0 McMullen Refugio 7,225 0 Total 559, Source: Attorney General of Texas, 2010 Texas Secretary of State, 2010 Colonias present a challenge to providing transportation access, due to the typical lack of infrastructure. Most public transportation providers cannot drive into colonias due to the lack of paved road networks, leaving potential riders with longer walk distances to access the service. However, public transportation is vital for colonias residents, many of whom do not have vehicles and need access to employment centers and places to purchase food and potable water. As a result, the colonias in the Coastal Bend region represent concentrations of extreme need for public transportation. Generally, colonias in the Coastal Bend region receive less public transportation services than the colonias along the border. Most transit agencies are reluctant to provide public transportation to colonias, especially those in remote locations, due to the inability to provide a cost-efficient service. 106

115 Figure 16. The Spatial Distribution of Colonias in the Region. 107

116 Summary of Transportation Need Findings When examining demographics, the Coastal Bend region ranks significantly above the state average in the percentage of elderly population, the percentage of people with a disability, the percentage of individuals living below the poverty rate, and the percentage of occupied housing units with no vehicle available. The characteristics of the region for each of these variables indicate a high need for public transportation. The need is highest in the south and western portions of the region, particularly in Brooks, Duval, and Kenedy Counties. These counties require increased levels of public transportation, in order to serve the higher percentages of the transit dependent segments of the population. Analyzing health demographics reveals similar trends for the region. Jim Wells, Duval, and Aransas Counties are all in the bottom quarter of counties in the state in terms of overall health rankings. Counties with lower health rankings tend to need public transportation, especially for medical purposes. In particular, Brooks County has the highest teen birth rate in the state and is among the top five counties for percentage of children in poverty. The TSDC projects the region to include a population that will become more obese over the next 20 years. The obese population is expected to increase through 2030, at the same time that overall population is projected to decrease. A larger obese percentage of the population also indicates an increased need for public transportation over time, due to the increase of diabetes and other illnesses connected to obesity. More residents will have a need for public transportation to serve medical trips, while at the same time the decline in overall population will lead to a lack of public resources to support them. Examining the spatial distribution of colonias provides a clear perspective on the need for public transportation. The colonias in the region are scattered throughout the southwestern and central portions of the region, especially in Jim Wells, San Patricio, and Nueces Counties. Most colonias are located in or near the mid-sized cities in the region, including Alice, Falfurrias, Sinton, Beeville, San Diego, Aransas Pass, and Freer. The counties and cities with significant numbers of colonias represent a need for public transportation due to the high percentage of migratory workers living below the poverty level and with no means of transportation. 108

117 6. RESULTS OF SURVEY OUTREACH Identification of stakeholders was the initial task for the Updated Regional Plan Stakeholders are individuals or representatives from organizations from the following: users of public transportation and human service transportation services; public transportation authorities and rural transit districts; agencies that fund public transportation; client transportation providers; recipients of FTA Elderly and Disabled Transportation (Section 5310) to provide client transportation; health and human service agencies that fund or purchase transportation for clients; agencies that provide employment services; regional transportation planning organizations; agencies that provide services for clients who need transportation; advocates for those who use or need public transportation and advocates for transit coordination; university transportation providers; private sector providers (taxis, charter, buses); faith-based transportation providers; sponsors of volunteer driver programs; student transportation providers; and representatives of the business community. The initial list of stakeholders was from the Regional Plan Additionally, organizations were identified by TCN, CBCOG, and the Corpus Christi MPO. Existing stakeholders including members of TCN were asked to identify additional stakeholders in the region. TTI also found contacts by performing internet searches using the key words from the descriptions above. In order to reach out to all stakeholders and collect data from each one, TTI posted the online 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey in July. The TCN Inter- County Mobility Director invited stakeholders by mail, phone, the TCN newsletter, and the TCN website to log into the survey and complete the questions. The survey asked stakeholders to provide information about existing needs and gaps in transportation service in the region and to identify others who can contribute to the discussion. TTI followed up to contact all referrals. For the purposes of this report, survey responses were collected through a survey cut-off date of August 24, The Appendix contains a complete copy of the survey. As of that date, 123 respondents initiated a survey response online. Not all surveys were completely filled out, therefore, the number of respondents varies per question. Missing information in some of the responses included the agency name and therefore could not be included in this report. More than one person from some agencies responded to the survey. The respondents to the survey represented 82 unique agencies/offices. If an agency has more than one office in the region, each of the offices is treated as unique. Table 61 provides the name of the organization, the location, and the type of service offered by each respondent. 109

118 Table 61. Respondents to Online Survey. Organization Home Location Services Offered Texas/United Way HELPLINE Houston Other social or human service American Cancer Society Corpus Christi Transportation, Education/training, Other social or human service American Cancer Society San Antonio Transportation, Other social or human service Aransas County, Counseling and Rockport Other social or human service Educational Support Services (ACCESS) Aransas County Veteran Service Rockport Other social or human service Office Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend Corpus Christi Transportation, Medical/health services, Senior services Bee Community Action Agency Beeville Transportation, Head Start, Senior services, Economic assistance, Housing, Other social or human service Brush Country Co-op Mathis Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children, Economic assistance, Rehabilitation services CCMC-Northwest Behavioral Corpus Christi Medical/health services Centene Star Plus Corpus Christi Medical/health services, Senior services, Services for children Christians In Action Corpus Christi Transportation, Medical/health services, Senior services, Services for children, Economic assistance, Housing CHRISTUS Spohn Cancer Center Corpus Christi Medical/health services Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living (CBCIL) Corpus Christi Coastal Bend College Beeville Education/training Coastal Bend Council of Governments Corpus Christi Education/training, Employment/ workforce development, Senior services, Housing, Other social or human service Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Senior services, Economic assistance Education/training, Other social or human service Coastal Bend Rural Health Alice Partnership Coastal Plains MHMR Alice Rehabilitation services Coastal Plains MHMR Center Kingsville Transportation, Education/training, Employment/workforce development Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) Alice Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Head Start, Employment/workforce development, Senior services, Services for children, Economic assistance 110

119 Organization Home Location Services Offered Connections Individual and Family Services Beeville Services for children, Other social or human service Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Inc. Corpus Christi Transportation, Medical/health services, Economic assistance, Housing, Other social or human service Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Corpus Christi Other social or human service Organization Corpus Christi Regional Corpus Christi Transportation Transportation Authority Department of Aging and Disability Services Falfurrias Senior services, Rehabilitation services, Other social or human service Department of Aging and Disability Corpus Christi Other social or human service Services Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services - DARS Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services - DARS Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services - Division for Blind Services Department of Family and Protective Services Department of Family and Protective Services APS Department of Family and Protective Services CPS Department of Family and Protective Services APS Department of Family and Protective Services CPS Department of Family and Protective Services CPS Department of Family and Protective Services Kingsville Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Kingsville Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Beeville Beeville Robstown Corpus Christi Medical/health services, Education/training, Employment/ workforce development, Rehabilitation services Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Head Start, Employment/workforce development, Rehabilitation services Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Employment/ workforce development, Senior services, Services for children, Rehabilitation services Education/training, Services for children, Rehabilitation services Senior services, Other social or human service Education/training, Services for children, Other social or human service Other social or human service Transportation, Education/training, Services for children Transportation, Education/training, Services for children, Economic assistance, Housing, Other social or human service Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Employment/ workforce development, Services for children, Economic assistance, Housing Department of State Health Services Corpus Christi Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children, Other social or human service Department of State Health Services Rockport Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children 111

120 Organization Home Location Services Offered Department of State Health Services /Children with Special Health Care Needs Corpus Christi Medical/health services, Services for children Department of State Health Services /WIC Falfurrias Education/training, Services for children, Other social or human service Department of State Health Services Alice Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children, Rehabilitation services, Other social or human service Department of State Health Services Harlingen Transportation, Medical/health services, Services for children, Other social or human service Department of State Health Services Beeville Medical/health services, Education/training, Other social or human service Department of State Health Services Goliad Medical/health services, Education/training Department of State Health Services Alice Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children, Rehabilitation services, Other social or human service DSI Central Dialysis Clinic Corpus Christi Other social or human service Dubuis Hospital Corpus Christi Medical/health services Duval County Duval County County government Elizabeth Buckley Counseling Corpus Christi Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children Fleet and Family Support Center Corpus Christi Transportation, Education/training, Employment/workforce development, Services for children Food Bank of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Other social or human service Fresensius Medical Care - Alice & Alice Medical/health services Falfurrias clinics Karnes/Wilson Juvenile Probation Karnes City Education/training, Head Start, Services for children Kleberg Human Services Kingsville Transportation, Senior services, Economic assistance La Amistad Adult Care & Activity Center Beeville Medical/health services, Education/training, Senior services, Rehabilitation services, Housing, Other social or human service Lighthouse Hospice Corpus Christi Medical/health services Maximus, Inc. Corpus Christi Transportation, Education/training, Senior services, Services for children, Other social or human service 112

121 Organization Home Location Services Offered MHMR of Nueces County Corpus Christi Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children, Rehabilitation services Nueces County MHMR Center Robstown Medical/health services, Education/training, Services for children, Rehabilitation services Nueces County Community Action Corpus Christi Other social or human service Agency Nueces County Human Services Corpus Christi Transportation, Economic assistance Nueces County Department of Human Robstown Transportation, Economic assistance, Services Other social or human service O.A.T.H. Program Beeville Medical/health services Physicians Health Choice Corpus Christi Medical/health services Presbyterian Children's Homes & Corpus Christi Education/training, Services for children, Services Other social or human service Project Ninos Alice Services for children Project Ninos Kingsville Education/training, Services for children Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. Salvation Army for Southern Territory Alice Corpus Christi Transportation, Medical/health services, Housing, Other social or human service Transportation, Education/training, Services for children, Economic assistance, Rehabilitation services, Housing, Other social or human service Medical/health services, Education/training South Coastal Area Health Education Corpus Christi Center South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind Corpus Christi Education/training, Employment/workforce development, Rehabilitation services TAMUCC College of Education Corpus Christi Education/training, Employment/workforce development, Senior services, Services for children Texas A&M University-Corpus Corpus Christi Transportation Christi Texas Department Of Transportation Corpus Christi Transportation Texas Veterans Commission Corpus Christi Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Economic assistance, Employment/workforce development The Women's Shelter of South Texas Sinton Education/training, Services for children, Other social or human service 113

122 Organization Home Location Services Offered University of Texas Community Outreach Banquete Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Employment/workforce development, Senior services, Services for children, Economic assistance, Rehabilitation services, Housing, Other social or human University of Texas Community Outreach Program (UTCO) Corpus Christi service Transportation, Medical/health services, Education/training, Economic assistance, Housing, Services for children, Other social or human service Uresti Senior Assistance Kingsville Medical/health services, Senior services, Other social or human service VGFL Enterprises Corpus Christi Other social or human service Wesley Nurse Health Ministries Alice Education/training Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend Corpus Christi Transportation, Education/training, Employment/workforce development, Senior services, Services for children, Economic assistance, Other social or human service 114

123 Summary The respondents represent a variety of services offered throughout the Coastal Bend region. Respondents represent the following stakeholder categories: users of public transportation and human service transportation services; public transportation authorities and rural transit districts; agencies that fund public transportation; client transportation providers including Section 5310 recipients; health and human service agencies that fund or purchase transportation for clients; regional transportation planning organizations; agencies that provide services for clients who need transportation; advocates for those who use or need public transportation; representatives of higher education institutions; faith-based transportation providers; sponsors of volunteer driver programs; and representatives of the business community. The following pages document the responses to questions that profile the agencies that responded to the survey. 115

124 Who are the clients that you serve? Low income families People with disabilities General public Youth (ages 14 21) Children (less than 14 years of age) Seniors or older adults Students Veterans Individuals with medical appointments Other please specify Head Start 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Figure 17. Clients Served by Respondents to the Survey. The organizations responding to the survey serve a variety of clients with varying needs. The respondents identified all (multiple) types of clients. Figure 17 shows what percentages of the 82 unique agencies that responded to the survey serve each of types of clients in the region. As seen in Figure 17, the respondent agencies serve clients from low income families, people with cross-disabilities, general public, youth, children, seniors, students, veterans, and Head Start program participants. 116

125 What counties does your organization serve? Nueces San Patricio Jim Wells Kleberg Aransas Bee Live Oak Duval Brooks Kenedy Refugio McMullen Other 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Figure 18. Counties Served by Respondents to the Survey. Agencies responding to the survey were asked to identify the counties where their services are provided for clients. Respondents could select multiple counties. As seen in Figure 18, the county that most agencies reported serving is Nueces County. Nueces County s population represented 57 percent of the Coastal Bend s population in the 2000 Census. Nueces County has the greatest population density, by far, of all of the Coastal Bend counties with people per square mile. San Patricio has second highest number of agencies serving the county and the second highest population density with 97.1 people per square mile. The counties of San Patricio, Jim Wells, Kleberg, and Aransas are served by approximately 63 to 57 percent of the agencies responding to the online survey. 117

126 Do your clients use public transportation? 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Yes Sometimes No N/A Figure 19. Survey Respondents: Clients Use Public Transportation for Services. To determine if the clients of respondents used public transportation to access services, those who took the survey were asked if their clients used public transportation specifically to access the agency s services. The responses are yes, sometimes or no. Respondents that did not answer the question are represented as N/A or no answer. Figure 19 shows that approximately 75 percent of the respondents report their clients use public transportation to access services at least sometimes. Almost 25 percent of respondents answered no. Due to the large percentage of agencies that serve low income clients, it is not surprising that the three quarters of the agencies have clients that need to use public transportation. 118

127 What is the public transportation provider or providers that your clients ride to use your services? Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Fixed Routes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) B Line Paratransit La Fleur Transportation (Medical Transportation Program) Bee County Community Action Council (Bee Transit) Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. (REAL Transit) Kleberg County Human Services (Paisano Express Rural Transit) Community Action Council of South Texas Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Figure 20. Transportation Providers Used by Clients of Survey Respondents. The 61 respondents that answered yes or sometimes in response to the question do your clients use public transportation? were asked to identify which providers their clients used to access their services. The respondents had seven transportation providers to chose from and were allowed to specify if their clients used other transportation providers. Over 50 percent of the respondents to the question said clients use RTA s fixed routes and approximately 50 percent of the respondents said clients use RTA s B-Line paratransit (Figure 20). LeFleur Transportation (the MTP provider) was identified by approximately 45 percent of the respondents. Other transportation providers mentioned by the respondents include family, friends and agency staff. 119

128 Does your agency help your clients pay the fare for public transportation by providing a bus pass card, voucher, or other form of payment? 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Yes Sometimes No N/A Figure 21. Respondents Paying for Public Transportation. More than 25 percent of the 61 respondents whose clients use public transportation to access their services report helping clients pay for public transportaion (Figure 21). A little more than 25 percent say they sometimes help clients pay for public transportation. Almost 40 percent of respondents responded no to helping clients pay for transportation and three respondents did not answer the question. 120

129 Does your agency work directly with the public transportation provider to schedule transportation services for your clients? 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Yes Sometimes No N/A Figure 22. Respondents Scheduling Transportation Services. More than half of all the respondents answering the online survey report working directly with the public transportation providers to schedule transportation services for their clients (either yes or sometimes ) (Figure 22). 121

130 Does your organization purchase transportation services for your clients from another organization or company? 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Yes Sometimes No N/A Figure 23. Respondents Purchasing Transportation Services. Out of the 82 total respondents to the online survey, approximately 37 percent reported purchasing transportation services from another organization or company for their clients (Figure 23). In another question, three respondents answered yes to reimbursing clients for transportation and six responded sometimes. 122

131 What are the most common transportation related issues that you or your clients or constituents face? Public transportation services not available at the times needed Lack of any public transportation service in the areas needed Public transportation does not go to the places needed Cost of transportation to the rider Public transportation requires advance reservation Our clients need transportation specifically to meet their travel needs Public transportation services not available on the days needed Lack of accessible transportation for people with disabilities Cost of transportation for my organization 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Figure 24. Transportation Related Issues. To determine needs and gaps in transportation services in the Coastal Bend, the respondents to the online survey were asked to identify transportation issues experienced by the agency or its clients (Figure 24). Each of these issues will be dicussed further in the following needs and gaps section of this report. These issues are from the online survey, follow up interviews with agency personnel, and public meetings with stakeholders. 123

132 7. ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INEFFICIENCIES AND SERVICE GAPS The purpose of this section is to document the transportation inefficiencies and service gaps within the Coastal Bend region, as identified by respondents to 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment Survey, individuals who attended public meetings, and the research findings by TTI. The section lists needs and gaps with corresponding causes, followed by a series of suggested improvements for each category of transportation need and service gap. The words in parentheses are quotes from respondents to the survey. Needs and Gaps in Transportation Services Needs and Gaps Lack of service for needed days and times Need daily service including weekends Need longer span of service in rural areas Need 24 hour service for shift workers Need more fixed route frequency From the rural area, clients still must travel to Six Points to activate the vouchers we provide. Most transportation issues are caused due to the lack of availability at times/dates needed. The rural transportation provider agreed to pick him up five days a week even though they only served the area M W F. Despite paying for the trips, the provider stopped providing Tues/Thur. service. 1. Services Not Available When Needed Causes Number one transportation issue identified by respondents of online survey 63 percent of respondents (52 agencies) reported not enough public transportation available RTA has 35 fixed routes. Just 7 routes operate 7 days a week, typically 5:00am to 10:30pm Rural transit providers all operate Monday through Friday, typically between 8:00am and 5:00pm Of the 21 agencies that self-identify as providing transportation, only six operate on the weekend o 13 of the 21 agencies providing transportation reported times of operation o 10 out of 13 respondents provide service only between the hours of 7:00am and 6:00pm Workforce Solutions conducted a survey in which 84 percent of employers stated hours of rural transportation should be expanded to help meet employment needs Workforce Solutions survey additionally found a lack of transportation for employment in Alice, Kingsville and Sinton, which are located in both REAL and Kleberg service areas Public transportation services are not available in rural areas at the hours needed for trips to/from work Public transportation services are not available at the times for people with cross-disabilities to get to/from work for full-time employment Suggested Improvements: Additional funding for expand daily hours of service by rural transportation providers. Rural providers operate at least one vehicle on Saturday and Sunday. Increase span of service on selected RTA fixed routes. 124

133 Needs and Gaps Areas have no transportation [although a transit district exists to serve every rural county and RTA serves all of Nueces County] Need public transportation for residents in colonias Need more transportation in rural areas Must travel to metro areas to get transportation Need to extend bus routes outside of Corpus Christi Need local transportation in Kingsville, Alice and Beeville No private providers in some rural areas 2. Service Area Coverage Suggested Improvements: Increase service levels for rural public transportation. Causes Lack of transportation service in areas needed was the second largest transportation issue identified by 62 percent of respondents (51 agencies) 59 percent of respondents (48 agencies) identify public transportation not going to places needed as the third largest transportation issue Survey respondents and participants in public meetings identify specific needs in Banquete, Nueces County Majority of private transit providers are located in eastern section of the region Research feasibility of local transit service in small cities (Alice, Kingsville, Beeville). RTA work with outlying areas to address their independent needs and expect those communities to help financially support the extension of needed services. Provide rural connections to RTA, for example to park and rides or into RTA transit stations. Encourage RTA efforts to address needs in Banquete. RTA is investigatng flexible routes and options to access employment and higher education programs. 125

134 3. Services Need to Focus on Specific Customer Needs Needs and Gaps People with cross-disabilities: Lack of accessible alternative modes of transportation, such as accessible taxis Lack of consumer education programs/passenger training Inadequate maintenance of existing transportation infrastructure; lack of incentives for accessible streetscape design; lack of funding Need for accessible parking; placard abuse Large groups of clients going to the doctor have to wait on each other before going home No shelters for waiting Elderly: No shelters for waiting Causes Most taxi companies do not have accessible vans 63 percent of agencies responding to the survey serve people with cross-disabilities 21.7 percent of Coastal Bend population report a disability status as compared to state average of 19.2 percent 29 percent of survey respondents identified a lack of accessible transportation for people with crossdisabilities Transportation provider inventory found wheelchair lift maintaintance problematic across providers Only one private wheelchair lift maintenance provider in Coastal Bend, which typically requires two or three months downtime Shortage of vehicles with wheelchair lifts among rural providers (A disability specific service would not be needed in the area with) increased emphasis on better transportation coordination, better utilization of transportation resources and mobility management. Needs and Gaps Elderly: No shelters for waiting Causes 11.8 percent of regional population is over age 65 All counties are higher than state average of 9.9 percent Aransas County has highest concentration of elderly persons with a 19.9 percent Elderly population continues to grow 126

135 Needs and Gaps (cont.) Low Income: Need transportation at a cost reasonable to the ability to pay Often rely on public transportation due to the lack of personal vehicles Do not have means to access information or call for transit services Clients for state health services need access to Corpus Christi on a regular basis No public transportation is available, as many low income families do not have transportation to attend the meetings or have single car households. Causes (cont.) 65 percent of agencies responding to the online survey serve low income families Fourth biggest transportation issue identified by online survey respondents is the cost of transportation to the rider (52 percent) 19.9 percent of population lives below poverty level compared to state average of 15.4 percent Median household income of the area is $33,587 with an average household size of The median household income for the state is $39,927 with an average of 2.74 individuals per household Colonias: Need transportation service to colonias Our Nueces County residents who live in the rural areas and colonias have no transportation closer than Robstown. This is a barrier to all services including buying groceries and prescription medications. More than 200 colonias in the region, concentrated in southwestern and central rural areas of region Extremely low automobile availability Many colonias residents do not have access to employment due to lack of transportation Colonias do not have proper infrastructure for transit service (i.e.: paved roadways) Service to remote colonias is not cost-effective for rural transit districts Medical or Social Service Appointments: Larger percentage of population needing transportation for medical and social service appointments The Wave (TAMU-Corpus Christi): Students in off-campus housing need transportation during the summer Veterans: Need transportation to VA clinic and hospital Obesity rates are rising Diabetes rates rising with obesity Teen birth rate above state average The Wave does not operate during summer break Only one VA clinic in the Coastal Bend area in Corpus Christi Closest VA hospital outside region is in San Antonio 127

136 Suggested Improvements: More coordination between agencies. Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living has secured JARC funding from TxDOT to implement small pilot program that will offer transportation providers subsidies to meet cutomer needs for people with cross-disabilities in Nueces and San Patricio Counties. Improve customer service: Recognize the needs of people with cross-disabilities and the medically ill to accommodate personal needs; and Help consumers to be stronger advocates for service, ask for mobility options. Provide travel training take potential transit users for a ride on the system and teach the user how to ride transit. This teaching technique will create more competent riders. Provide more information to transit users via variety of media. Prepare pamplets to distribute to low income areas where internet and phone are not readily available. Improve preventive maintenance and repair for accessible vehicles. Coordinate maintenance for wheelchair lifts (and other maintenance needs) between rural transit districts and RTA. Provide more shelters at fixed route stops and at possible transfer locations where demand response passengers wait for trips home. Provide more reduced fare opportunities to match income. For example, Section 5310 service in Refugio and Live Oak Counties operate on a donation-only fare system. Research options to fund transportation for colonias. Assist veterans with coordination of transportation to San Antonio VA hospital and Corpus Christi VA clinic for veteran needs. See example Gulf Coast Center (Texas City) service by and for veterans. 128

137 4.Advance Reservation Requirements are Difficult Needs and Gaps Difficult for clients to make advance reservations Scheduling ahead many users do not/cannot remember to make appointments or to keep them Wait times are long Inconvenient No spontaneity for trips Suggested Improvements: Improve communications regarding reservation system for demand response. Causes The issue of clients needing an advanced reservation tied for the fourth biggest transportation issue among survey respondents (52 percent): the need for an advance reservation Rural transit districts provide primarily demand response requiring an advance reservation (rural riders can schedule recurring trips by subscription). Demand response providers request a 24 hour advanced reservation but do provide same-day service if available Kleberg and REAL have flexible bus service that delivers recurring trips that can deviate from route Provide travel training to help those who need transit to better understand how to use demand response and fixed route services. Travel training is one-on-one individualized training that gives people with disabilities the skills required to travel safely on public transportation. Travel training programs enhance independence through greater mobility options. In higher density areas, set up more flexible routes. Improve customer service: Increase efficiency for coordination of pick-up/delivery of clients; and Improve coordination of scheduling for clients by health and human service providers and transportation providers. 129

138 5. Services Do Not Cross Jurisdictional Boundaries Gaps and Needs Territorial mindsets Lack of services across county lines Need for rural transit interface with RTA services Causes Lack of connections between rural transit districts and RTA All RTA transit stations are within Corpus Christi urbanized area and city limits Rural transit districts generally do cross jurisdictional boundaries for specialized medical trips Suggested Improvements: Improve coordination of existing rural transit: Coordinate travel across county lines; Combine scheduling and dispatch to improve service; and Provide one access point, one contractor. Use routing and scheduling software to full potential Shah Transportation Manager software system to coordinate across service areas. See example of central call-in/ dispatching case study in Paducah, Kentucky. Improve communication of services provided by rural agencies due to perception of no crossing of jurisdictional boundaries. Provide connections at outlying RTA Park and Rides located in Robstown, Gregory and Calallen (within Nueces County). 130

139 Needs and Gaps Lack of rural connectivity to RTA Need transportation to Laredo from some areas Laredo is location of regional public agencies for some counties Need transportation to Veteran s Hospital in San Antonio Duval County is in a rural transit district in another region Need for intercity connections 6. Need for Regional Connections Suggested Improvements: Improve coordination of existing rural transit: Coordinate travel across county lines; Combine scheduling and dispatch to improve service; and Provide access points for timed transfers. Causes Lack of connections between rural transit districts and RTA All RTA transit stations are within Corpus Christi urbanized area and city limits Greyhound routes do not provide enough options Greyhound lacks northbound service connecting Alice, Premont, and Falfurrias with Corpus Christi Provide connections at outlying RTA Park and Rides located in Robstown, Gregory and Calallen (within Nueces County). Use routing and scheduling software to full potential Shah Transportation Manager software system to coordinate across service areas. Investigate opportunities for rural transit agency sale of interline tickets (also known as a thru tickets) for intercity bus lines. An interline ticket allows a passenger to buy a single ticket to travel to a final destination that may require transportation from two or more bus service providers. 131

140 7. Services Not Coordinated Needs and Gaps Medical services and public transportation need to coordinate schedules Riders must reserve appointment for transportation to get to medical appointments Need to share resources among transportation providers Causes Medical appointments and transportation providers do not coordinate times to improve customer Increasing demand for non-emergency medical transportation Privacy of personal information can restrict the ability to coordinate and jointly schedule services Suggested Improvements: Improve customer service: Increase efficiency for coordination of pick-up/delivery of clients; and Improve coordination of scheduling for clients by health and human service providers and transportation providers. Improve coordination of existing rural transit: Coordinate travel across county lines; Combine scheduling and dispatch to improve service; and Provide one access point. Set higher standards and new policies for coordination by public transportation authorities: Cost-sharing; Sub-contracting/interlocal agreements; and Re-prioritize service delivery and work with others to address consumer needs. Improve oversight by funding agencies to monitor for coordination: Funding sources must include incentives and also tie continued funding to accomplishments; and Encourage competition for existing funding of public transportation. Use routing and scheduling software to full potential Shah Transportation Manager software system to coordinate across service areas. 132

141 Needs and Gaps Eliminate territorial mindsets Need to focus on consumer Lack of one point of information for all services Lack of awareness of services Agencies have restrictions on information sharing Need information available in various forms Low income populations may not have telephones or computers for internet access Boundaries between cultural backgrounds 8. Need for Improved Communication Causes Workforce Solutions survey noted that many people are not aware that transit services are available Awareness of transit ranged from 70 percent to 35 percent by city Many Texas Health and Human Services System agency data falls under HIPAA Each transit agency has Shah software but is not using to communicate and coordinate services BCAA has plans for a marketing campaign but lacks sufficient funding Suggested Improvements: Provide more information on transportation services: Develop single source of public information for all transit information including medical, intercity and transfer; Share transportation information at local events; and Establish a network of enrolled volunteers to provide transit travel training. Improve customer service: Help consumers to be stronger advocates for service, ask for mobility options. Use TCN to address gapes in the formal presenatation system: Integrate volunteer resources; Develop innovative modes for encouraging volunteers; Integrate with 211 information system; Educate providers and residents about sources of transportation information; Seeking funding opportunties. Improve coordination of existing rural transit: Coordinate travel across county lines; Combine scheduling and dispatch to improve service; and Provide one access point, one contractor, Use routing and scheduling software to full potential Shah Transportation Manager software system to coordinate across service areas. Provide information in multiple media forms. Low-income populations may not have telephones or computers for internet access. Elderly may have age related disabilities (visual, cognitive) that make it difficult to use some media formats. Increase funding for more communications and marketing. 133

142 Needs and Gaps Need better coordination of pick-up times to ensure people with cross-disabilities could use the service Improve efficiency for coordination of pickup/delivery Improve communication with clients to let them know when and if they will be picked up after appointments 9. Demand Response Inefficiencies Causes Rural providers tend to carry fewer passengers and often have longer trips due to the average distance of passenger trips Rural providers and RTA generally do not coordinate services Rural providers make trips to destinations in Corpus Christi; there may be opportunities to coordinate a point of transfer to regularly scheduled fixed route for non-medical trips. Medical transportation trips often require a full day for one appointment. Medical Transportation Program is ineffective and becomes an all day trip for appointments from Alice or rural communities to Corpus Christi. Suggested Improvements: Improve customer service: Increase efficiency for coordination of pick-up/delivery of clients. Improve coordination of existing rural transit: Coordinate travel across county lines; Combine scheduling and dispatch to improve service; and Provide one access point, one contractor. 134

143 Needs and Gaps Coastal Bend could access additional funding for public transportation Funding should be tied to coordination and innovation Provide incentives to encourage coordination Discussions of transportation coordination have not resulted in action Identify opportunities to combine resources; this may required a systemic change in philosophy about coordinated services 10. Better Utilization of Existing Resources Causes REAL stated in an interview a lack of knowledge regarding available local match funds Rural providers have vans with wheelchair lifts out of service for two or three months at a time All transit providers in the Coastal Bend region have the same dispatch and scheduling software but do not use full capability of the software Suggested Improvements: Use routing and scheduling software to full potential Shah Transportation Manager software system to coordinate across service areas. Develop incentives to encourage coordination of existing rural transit: Coordinate travel across county lines; Combine scheduling and dispatch to improve service; and Provide one access point, one contractor. Strengthen infrastructure to encourage coordination: Cost-sharing; Sub-contracting/interlocal agreements; and Have the political will to re-prioritize service delivery and work with others to address consumer needs. Improve oversight by funding agencies to monitor for coordination: Funding sources must include incentives and also tie continued funding to accomplishments; and More competition for existing funding of public transportation. Train existing mechanics to repair wheelchair lifts in-house. 135

144 Gaps and Needs Driver recruitment and retention problematic for rural transit districts and RTA paratransit 11. Other Needs and Gaps Causes Providers have difficulty providing drivers with competitive wages Hard to find drivers with proper certifications and endorsements Medical Transportation Program policies Only covers patient and one escort Does not allow siblings Can keep medically ill clients waiting for several hours after their appointments Investigate driver pay and benefits best practices. Are wages for drivers consistent with lower wage rates in rural communities for any type of employment? Could higher wages mean better drivers, more reliable, longer tenure and therefore lower long-term cost? There may be opportunities to share drivers with school district transportation departments. Discuss MTP policies with HHSC. 136

145 Suggested Improvements The suggested improvements are summarized below. Improve coordination between agencies: Expand opportunities to travel across county lines; Provide coordinated points of access; Increase efficiency for pick-up/delivery of clients; Coordinate maintenance for wheelchair lifts (and other maintenance needs) between rural providers and RTA; Provide connections at outlying RTA park-and-rides located in Robstown, Gregory and Calallen (within Nueces County); and Use routing and scheduling software to full potential Shah Transportation Manager software system to coordinate across service areas. Expand transportation provided in the Coastal Bend area: Identify sources of additional funding for expanded hours and days of service; Evaluate the feasibility of local transit in small cities; and Increase frequency on RTA routes to create a regional network. Connect rural transit providers with RTA: Investigate the feasibility of RTA expanding services to additional areas if the communities fund the cost of providing the service; and Increase timed transfer connections to RTA, for example at park-and-rides or transit stations. Improve customer service: Recognize the needs of the disabled and medically ill to accommodate personal needs; Help consumers to be stronger advocates for service, ask for mobility options; Provide transit-use training take potential transit users for a ride on the system and teach the user how to ride transit; and Improve coordination of scheduling for clients by health and human service providers and transportation providers. Improve communication: Provide more information to transit users via variety of media. Prepare pamplets to distribute to low income areas where internet and phone are not readily available; Improve communications regarding reservation system for demand response; Improve public information about the services provided by rural agencies; Resolve the perception that rural transit agencies do not cross jurisdictional boundaries; Develop a single point of public information for all transit information; Share transportation information at local events; and Establish a network of enrolled volunteers to provide transit training. 137

146 Raise the bar for coordination by public transportation agencies: Encourage cost-sharing; Encourage sub-contracting/interlocal agreements; Work to address consumer needs; Improve oversight by funding agencies to monitor for coordination; Include incentives and tie continued funding to accomplishments; and Encourage competition to increase existing funding of public transportation. Look for innovative solutions to problems: For example, CBCIL has secured JARC funding from TxDOT to implement small pilot program that will offer transportation providers subsidies for meeting customer needs for people with cross-disabilities in Nueces and San Patricio Counties. Other suggested improvements: Improve maintenance for accessible vehicles; Train existing mechanics to repair wheelchairs lifts in-house; Provide more shelters at fixed route stops for transfers between transportation providers; Provide more reduced fare opportunities to match income; Investigate ways to provide public transportation to colonias; Assist veterans with coordination of transportation to San Antonio VA hospital and Corpus Christi VA clinic; Set up more flexible routes in higher density areas; Increase funding for more communications and marketing; Increase wages to help recruit and retain drivers; and Discuss MTP polices with HHSC. 138

147 REFERENCES 1 Texas Transportation Code Retrieved August 23, 2010, from 2 Federal Highway Administration Retrieved August 23, 2010, from 3 Regional Service Planning for the Coastal Bend Regional Public Transportation Coordination Study. 4 U.S. Census Bureau Retrieved September 27, 2010, from U.S. Census Bureau: 5 Texas State Comptroller Transit Sales and Use Tax. Retrieved August 20, 2010, from Window on State Government: 6 Corpus Christi RTA Retrieved August 20, 2010, from Corpus Christi RTA: 7 Vidaurri, B. (2010, August 19). Executive Assistant, Corpus Christi RTA. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 8 Connetics Transportation Group Comprehensive Service Assessment and Operational Analysis. 9 Jimenez, G. (2010, September 1). Corpus Christi RTA Representative. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 10 Drum, A. (2010, August 27). Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Director of University Housing. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 11 Klinger, T. (2010, August 30). Manager of Purchased Transportation. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 12 Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization Metropolitan Transportation Plan Fiscal Year Corpus Christi: Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization. 13 Texas Transportation Institute Public Transportation Inventory Simo, A. (2010, August 22). Director of Bee Community Action Agency. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 15 Segovia, I. (2010, August 25). Bee Community Action Agency Transportation Clerk. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 16 Collins, E. (2010, August 25). Refugio County Director of Elderly Services. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 17 Solis, M. (2010, August 25). Live Oak County. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 18 Transportation Coordination Network of the Coastal Bend TCN Service Providers. Retrieved August 20, 2010, from 19 Ramos, G. (2010, August 25). Rural Economic Assistance League Director. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 20 Ornelas, M. (2010, August 27). Community Action Corporation for South Texas Coordinator for Community Health Workers. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 21 Bosque, M. D. (2010, August 27). Kleberg County Human Services Director. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 22 Greif, B. (2010, August 27). Kleberg County Human Services Director. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 23 Ruiz, N. (2010, August 27). Community Action Council of South Texas. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 139

148 24 Russell's Official National Motor Coach Guide. August Cedar Rapids: Russell's Guides, Inc. 25 El Expresso Bus Company Retrieved August 9, 2010, from El Expresso Bus Company: 26 Grupo Senda Retrieved August 9, 2010, from Grupo Senda: 27 Omnibus de Mexico Retrieved August 9, 2010, from Omnibus: 28 United States General Accounting Office. June Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations. 29 Transit Cooperative Research Program. April Coordinating Public Transportation with Other Federal Programs. 30 Keel, J Texas State Auditor. Austin: State Auditor's Office. 31 Escobar, B. (2010, September 17). LeFleur Representative. (M. Sandidge, Interviewer). 32 U.S. Department of Transportation The Transportation Planning Process Key Issues. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation. 33 Texas Department of Transportation Transportation Planning and Programming Division. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from 34 The Federal Register Executive Orders Disposition Tables. Retrieved September 3, 2010, from 35 U.S. Department of Transportation Public Law (as passed by Congress and signed by President). Retrieved September 23, 2010, from 36 GPO Access U.S. Code Browse, Title 49 Transportation. Retrieved September 23, 2010, from 37 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Retrieved August 2, 2010, from 38 County Health Rankings Retrieved August 13, 2010, from County Health Rankings: 39 Texas State Data Center Publications and Reports. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from 40 Texas Health Institute Coastal Bend Rural Health Partnership Health Policy Summit. 41 Texas State Data Center Texas Population Projections Program. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from 42 U.S. Census Bureau County-to-County Worker Flow Files. Retrieved July 22, 2010, from 43 Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend Retrieved September 17, 2010, from Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend: 44 Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend Workforce Solutions Transportation Survey. 140

149 45 Texas Transportation Institute Transit Services for Sprawling Areas with Relatively Low Demand Density: A Pilot Study in the Texas Border s Colonias. College Station, TX: The Texas A&M University System. 46 Texas Secretary of State Retrieved July 23, 2010, from Texas Secretary of State: 141

150 APPENDIX: COASTAL BEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT (SURVEY) 142

151 TCN stakeholders from the 12 county Coastal Bend area (Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Kenedy, Kleberg, Jim Wells, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, & San Patricio), work cooperatively to promote transportation coordination for the region. The TCN website is Please give us your input about public transportation needs in the Coastal Bend Region The Transportation Coordination Network of the Coastal Bend Region (TCN) is conducting a survey to document the needs for public transportation in the region. The survey will also identify the transportation resources that are available. That is, some churches or community organizations have vans or cars that are made available to transport their members to medical appointments, to buy groceries, or to go to senior day care facilities. We need to find out about these resources. The survey is short and designed to collect your information quickly. We appreciate if you can give us a few minutes of your time to complete the survey. You can find the survey by clicking on this link or you may copy the link and paste it into your web browser. Survey will remain open until August 10 If possible, please complete the survey by Friday, July 23 Please share this information with your networks so that we may gather the most comprehensive data possible in order to develop a plan that will effectively and efficiently serve all of the residents of the Coastal Bend. Contact Sara Salvide at ( ; [email protected]) if you would like a copy mailed to you or if you have any other questions/requests. If you complete this survey in writing, please U.S. Mail to: Linda Cherrington, P.O. Box 16169, Galveston, TX

152 2010 Coastal Bend Public Transportation Needs Assessment 1. Contact information, please share the following: a. Organization b. Website c. Street address d. City e. Zip code f. Mailing address (if not the same) g. City h. Zip code i. Contact person j. Title/Department k. l. Office phone m. Fax n. Cell phone 2. What types of services does your organization provide to your clients in the Coastal Bend? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Transportation b. Medical/health services c. Education/training d. Head Start e. Employment/workforce development f. Senior services g. Services for children h. Economic assistance i. Rehabilitation services j. Housing k. Other social or human service please specify 144

153 3. Who are the clients that you serve? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. General public b. Seniors or older adults c. People with disabilities. Disability under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity d. Low-income families e. Individuals with medical appointments f. Veterans g. Students h. Head Start i. Children (less that 14 years of age) j. Youth (ages 14-21) k. Other please specify 4. What counties does your organization serve? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Aransas b. Bee c. Brooks d. Duval e. Jim Wells f. Kenedy g. Kleberg h. Live Oak i. McMullen j. Nueces k. Refugio l. San Patricio m. Other please specify 5. Where do your clients need to go to receive the services that your agency provides? Please list up to five locations. If this does not apply, go to Question 6. a. Street address, City, Zip: b. Street address, City, Zip: c. Street address, City, Zip: d. Street address, City, Zip: e. Street address, City, Zip: 145

154 6. Do your clients use public transportation to travel to use your services? a. No Go to Question 7. b. Sometimes c. Yes 6.A. If Yes or Sometimes, what is the public transportation provider or providers that your clients ride to use your services? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Bee County Community Action Council (Bee Transit) b. Community Action Council of South Texas c. Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Please circle all that apply. i. Fixed Route ii. B-Line Paratransit d. Kleberg County Human Services (Paisano Express Rural Transit) e. Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. (REAL Transit) f. LeFleur Transportation (Medical Transportation Program) g. Other please specify 6.B. Does your agency help your clients to pay the fare for public transportation by providing a bus pass, card, voucher or other form of payment? a. No. Our clients must pay for their own fare for public transportation b. Sometimes c. Yes 6.C. Does your agency work directly with the public transportation provider to schedule transportation services for your clients? a. No b. Sometimes c. Yes 7. Does your organization directly operate transportation services for your clients? a. No b. Yes. If Yes, we would like to ask some additional questions at the end of this survey. 146

155 8. Does your organization purchase transportation services for your clients from another organization or company? a. No Go to Question 9. b. Sometimes c. Yes 8.A. If Yes or Sometimes, from what transportation provider does your organization purchase transportation services? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Bee County Community Action Council (Bee Transit) b. Community Action Council of South Texas c. Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) d. Kleberg County Human Services (Paisano Express Rural Transit) e. Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc. (REAL Transit) f. LeFleur Transportation g. Other please specify 9. Does your organization reimburse clients for personal transportation to travel to use your services? a. No b. Sometimes c. Yes 10. What are the most common transportation related issues that you or your clients or constituents face? a. Lack of any public transportation service in the areas needed b. Public transportation services not available on the days needed c. Public transportation services not available at the times needed d. Public transportation does not go to the places needed e. Public transportation requires advance reservation f. Lack of accessible transportation for people with disabilities g. Cost of transportation for my organization h. Cost of transportation to the rider i. Our clients need transportation specifically to meet their travel needs h. Other please specify 11. Please tell us more about the transportation related issues that your organization or your clients or constituents must address. 147

156 12. Have you or your organization prepared any written documentation or collected data about transportation needs of your clients or constituents? a. No Go to Question 13. b. Yes 12.A. If Yes, we would very much like to receive a copy of the documentation or data. Please circle the letter for the most convenient way for us to gather the documentation: a. Electronic file b. Available on website c. U.S. Mail d. Fax e. Pick-up a copy f. See a copy at your office i. Other please specify 13. Can you think of any other source for a report or data that will help us to document transportation needs in the Coastal Bend? We will appreciate any suggested contacts or references so that we can follow-up. 14. Does your organization coordinate with other organizations or agencies to meet the current transportation needs of your clients or constituents? a. No Go to Question 15. b. Sometimes c. Yes 14.A. If Yes or Sometimes, we would like to learn more about your coordination. Please tell us how you coordinate to meet transportation needs. 14.B. How is coordination for transportation a benefit to your organization and to your clients or constituents? Please go to Question

157 15. How is the lack of coordination a problem or obstacle for your organization or your clients or constituents? 16. How do you think public transportation providers in the Coastal Bend could increase coordination? 17. TCN wants to reach out to as many organizations that provide health and human services or transportation services and those who advocate for people who need public transportation in the Coastal Bend so that we can learn more about transportation needs and opportunities to coordinate transportation services. TCN welcomes any suggestion you make for another agency or person you recommend that TCN contact: Thank you very much for taking the time to complete the Transportation Needs Assessment. If your organization provides transportation services (you answered Yes to Question 7), please answer a few more questions. 149

158 2010 Coastal Bend Transportation Inventory The following questions are only for organizations that provide transportation (answered Question 7 Yes ) 18. For which type(s) of clients do you provide transportation? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. General population b. Seniors c. People with disabilities. Disability under the ADA includes a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. d. Students e. Children f. Employees going to work g. Persons from low income families h. Clients of your agency only i. Clients of other agencies please specify j. Other please specify 19. Are there specific requirements for your riders to be eligible for your transportation services? Please describe briefly. 20. What trip purposes do you serve? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Work/seeking employment b. Medical/health services c. Education/training d. Shopping/personal business e. Social/recreational f. Senior activities g. Congregate meals/nutrition h. Other please specify i. All trip purposes 150

159 21. In what counties do you provide transportation? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Aransas b. Bee c. Brooks d. Duval e. Jim Wells f. Kenedy g. Kleberg h. Live Oak i. McMullen j. Nueces k. Refugio l. San Patricio m. Other please specify 22. What category of transportation services do you provide? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Client transportation: transportation as needed for the clients of your organization or another organization b. Demand response: operate point-to-point for trips scheduled by the rider in advance c. Regularly scheduled trips: operate point-to-point trips at the same times and at regular intervals, for example every week d. Fixed route: operate along the same routes and serve specific stops at specific times e. Flexible route or route deviation: operate along a route but can deviate off that route within limits f. Other please specify 23. What days do you operate transportation? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Monday b. Tuesday c. Wednesday d. Thursday e. Friday f. Saturday g. Sunday 151

160 24. What times is your transportation available? A general indication of begin/end times is OK. a. Time service begins: : AM/PM b. Time service ends: : AM/PM 25. What are the sources of funds to operate your transportation service? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Passenger fares or fare equivalents b. Federal funds for public transportation c. State of Texas funds for public transportation d. Other specific grants for transportation e. Donations or private foundations f. Agency operating funds g. Local government funds h. Other please specify 26. How many of each of these types of vehicles do you operate? Please complete all that apply. a. Sedans, station wagons, and SUVs: How many are wheelchair accessible? b. Vans: How many are wheelchair accessible? c. Minibuses (less than 30 feet): How many are wheelchair accessible? d. Standard (typically 35 to 40 feet): How many are wheelchair accessible? e. Over-the-road coaches: How many are wheelchair accessible? f. Specialty vehicles (e.g. trolley): How many are wheelchair accessible? g. Other please specify type and number: How many are wheelchair accessible? 152

161 27. Are you interested in RECEIVING assistance from another agency in any of the following areas? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Delivery of transportation services b. Routing/scheduling c. Dispatching d. Routing/dispatch training e. Driver training f. Vehicle preventive maintenance g. Routine vehicle repairs h. Major repair/component rebuild for vehicles i. Vehicle parts purchasing j. Parts inventory management k. Customer information/ referral services l. Information technology support m. Billing/accounting n. Marketing o. Planning and programming p. Grant writing/grant applications q. Performance data collection/reporting r. Other - please specify 28. Are you interested in PROVIDING assistance to another agency in any of the following areas? Please circle the letter for all that apply. a. Delivery of transportation services b. Routing/scheduling c. Dispatching d. Routing/dispatch training e. Driver training f. Vehicle preventive maintenance g. Routine vehicle repairs h. Major repair/component rebuild for vehicles i. Vehicle parts purchasing j. Parts inventory management k. Customer information/ referral services l. Information technology support m. Billing/accounting n. Marketing o. Planning and programming p. Grant writing/grant applications q. Performance data collection/reporting r. Other - please specify 153

162 29. What was your 2010 approximate annual agency cost to provide transportation (in dollars)? THANK YOU for taking the time to complete this inventory. If you complete this survey in writing, please U.S. Mail to: Linda Cherrington, P.O. Box 16169, Galveston, TX If you have any questions, please contact Sara Salvide at or 154