CTAA Vanpool Webinar March 23 2010 Shamus Misek

CTAA Vanpool Webinar (March 23, 2010) Shamus Misek Washington Department of Transportation

Vanpool Related Experience • Developed, Implemented & Managed Pace Vanpool Incentive Program (1990 -2001) • Manager, Research Transportation Programs University of Illinois, Chicago (2001 -2008) • Rideshare Program Manager, WSDOT (2009 Present)

Washington State Vanpools • First Public Vanpool in Operation (Commuter Pool (1979) • State Vanpool Investment Program (VIP) – 10 Year $30 million capital program – Goal – 3, 200 vanpools in operation by 2013

Washington State Vanpools (cont) • 2009 -2011 Biennium Budget for Vanpooling * $7 million * Capital expenditure & incentives to expand vanpooling • To Date (Through January, 2010) * Vanpools in operation statewide: 2, 560 * Average occupancy/van: 8. 3

Washington State Vanpools (cont) • 20 Transit Agencies Operate Vanpool Programs • Smallest – Valley Transit – 3 Vanpools in Operation • Largest King County Metro – 950 Vanpools in Operation – 150 Vanshares

Key Considerations Is It Marketable? Is It Transit? Is It Cost Effective? Can It Be Integrated With Other Transit Offerings? • Can It Meet Title VI Regulations and NTD Reporting Requirements? • •

Funding/Financing Sources Options • Local Transit Agency Funding (Sales tax, gas tax, etc. ) • Federal Funding (ISTEA, CMAQ, JARC, New Freedom, Stimulus (capital), FTA-UZA Formula Funds) • State Funding (Capital Purchase, Operations)

Funding/Financing Sources (cont) • Capital Cost of Contracting (5307 , 5311, or sections of 5313 (b), 5310 ) • Toll Revenue Credits (Use as Match) • Advertising Revenue

Operational Considerations • Internal (In-House) • External (Turnkey) * 3 rd party private operator (e. g. VPSI or Enterprise) • Hybrid (Internal with External) * Internal with outside vendor provided support

Non - Traditional Approaches to Vanpool Program Management • Vehicle Procurement, Fleet Maintenance & Management Handled By A Private Fleet Leasing/Management Firm • Van Procurement Bid Award Based on $$ Over/Under Manufacturer Invoice • Each Rider Receives a Monthly Fare Invoice

Non - Traditional Approaches to Vanpool Program Management (cont) • Bill Riders Directly (Internally or Utilize An Outside Vendor) • Administer It Like Other Transit Services (Passes, Electronic • Payments – Credit/Debit Card, Payroll Deduction, Etc. ) • Oversight & Control – Establish/Set Rider Fares, Approve Van Routes, Etc.

Program Management Related • Fleet Management Company – Handles Van Maintenance, Billing, Van Repair Cost & Info Data Entry & Tracking – Assists Drivers with all (Scheduled/Non-Scheduled) Van Repairs – Coupon Booklets for Van PMs – Handles Emergency Roadside Assistance – Van Procurements – Accident & Subrogation Management – Tax Exempt Fuel Cards – Tax Exempt Maintenance Purchases – Rental Car/Taxi/Limo Arrangements – Personal Computer Information System (Vanpool Fleet Maintenance Tracking) • Van Drive-Away Service to Deliver Loaner Vans

Primary Driver Program Feature Considerations • Allow Driver to Purchase Van at Discounted Price at End of Van’s Useful Life • Annual Driver Award Brunch – Honors all Primary Drivers for Their Efforts – Safe Driving Awards – Primary/Back-Up Driver of the Year Award • Driver Personal Miles Related – 300 miles/month plus 100 buffer miles/month – Personal miles can be banked up to 500 miles – 300 bonus miles given at start-of new year

Primary Driver Related Program Feature Considerations (cont) • Pays no Fare • No Responsibility to Collect Fares from Riders • Comprehensive Support Program – – – – – Insurance Fuel/Maintenance Cards Emergency Roadside Assistance Accident Management Spare/Loaner Vans Van Drive Away Service Annual Van Wash Cards Tollway Cards/I-Pass Units Car Rental Service

Rider Related Program Feature Considerations • • • Invoice Riders on a Monthly Basis Rider Receives a Monthly Vanpool Pass Annual Rider Fare Discount Ability to Purchase Discounted Transit Pass Flexible Monthly Payment Options – Payroll Deduction – Debit/Credit Card Payment Option – Electronic Payment Options

Program Feature Considerations • Emergency/Guaranteed Ride Home Program • Bookkeeper (Reward them for doing a good job) • Bi-Monthly/Quarterly Newsletters to Vanpool Participant Community • Early Vanpool Starts

Program Fare Related Feature Considerations • Varying Recovery Rates/Rider/Van • Rider Fare Category Related • Individual Based (4, 5, 6 … etc. ) • Combination Based (4 -5, 6 -7, … etc. ) • Reduces Fare Volatility • Allow/Encourage Employers to Subsidize • Rider Fares • Empty Seats • Maintain Rider Fare Stability • Meet/Maintain Established Minimum Rider/Van Requirement

Vanpool Van Related • Minivans (5 Passengers plus Driver) • Conversion Vans (10 Passengers plus Driver) – – Captain Chairs Running Boards Each Seat Has Its Own A/C, Heat and Reading Lights Window Blinds • Maxivans (15 Passengers plus Driver) • After Market Equipment Added to Vans – – – Telematics Fire Extinguishers Safety Triangle Kits First Aid Kits Back-Up Beepers Cut-Off Switches

Measure/Determine Success and Address Customer Concerns/Needs • Utilize Various Feedback Tools • Conduct Participant Surveys • Riders • Drivers • Conduct Participant Exit Surveys • Conduct Amenities Surveys • “Air It Out” Postcards Available on Van

How To Be Successful? • Once Your “Core “ Program is Operational Remember to be: • Be Flexible • Listen to Your Customer(s) • Be Creative • Be Responsive

Other Vanpool Service Related Applications • Traditional • Subscription Shuttle/Feeder Services • Employer • Not-For-Profit • Welfare-to-Work • Homeless to Work • Non-Emergency Medical • ADv. Antage

Contact Info Shamus Misek Rideshare Program Manager WSDOT Public Transportation Division P. O. Box 47387 Olympia, WA 985004 -7387 miseks@wsdot. wa. gov (360) 705 -7346