ctaa vanpool webinar (march 23, 2010) shamus misek washington department of transportation
TRANSCRIPT
CTAA Vanpool Webinar (March 23, 2010)
Shamus MisekWashington 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)
* 3rd 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
• ADvAntage
Contact Info
Shamus MisekRideshare Program ManagerWSDOTPublic Transportation DivisionP. O. Box 47387Olympia, WA [email protected](360) 705-7346