Intercity Bus Route Development Workshop. 2 nd National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference October 27, 2015

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1 Intercity Bus Route Development Workshop 2 nd National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference October 27, 2015

2 2 In-Kind Match

3 Schedule and Ticketing This is an example of a ticket quote on Greyhound.com for the service between Kettle Falls and The Dalles, traveling on both Greyhound and Travel Washington s Gold Line service. Interline ticketing means that when are passengers travel from Kettle Falls to The Dalles (or on to Portland), they can do so on a single ticket. 3

4 Gold Line Service Kettle Falls - Spokane WASHDOT contracts for two daily round trips between Kettle Falls and Spokane. The grant amount generally covers most or all of the deficit to the provider The service makes stops at 10 intermediate communities, and connects to transportation hubs at the Spokane intermodal and the Spokane Airport. 4

5 Gold Line service plus Greyhound match miles The service connects with specific unsubsidized schedules. In this case, the connecting schedule is between Spokane and The Dalles (en route to Portland) 5

6 How we look at it Match Math! Each match calculation is schedule specific SB Gold Line schedule #0001 arrives at Spokane intermodal at 9:50 AM Connects to Greyhound schedule #6911 leaving Spokane at 11:35 AM Greyhound schedule #6912 arrives at Spokane intermodal at 4:45 PM Connects to NB Gold Line schedule #0004 leaving the Spokane intermodal at 5:45 PM The cost to operate the connecting miles determines the amount of the available match Mileage between Spokane and The Dalles (connecting unsubsidized service) is 264 miles each way. Current guidelines allow the use of 50% of the cost of the unsubsidized service If the cost of each mile is approximately $4.00 per mile, the value of the connecting miles is $4.00 x.5 x 264 x 2 x 365 = $385,440 Enough to match a grant amount of $385,440. 6

7 FTA Program FTA Guidance provides two calculation methods Method 1: 50% of fully allocated costs Method 2: Calculated net project costs Greyhound currently uses Method 1 to calculate its in kind match contribution. 7

8 Applying Match Math to Grant Math Yes these numbers are made up for illustration purposes, but what if the Net Project Cost for the subsidized service was $350,000? Operating Expense: Spokane Kettle Falls (before in kind) $ 500,000 less fare box revenue 150,000 Net Project Cost (operating deficit before in kind match) $ 350,000 Plus the 50% of the cost of connecting service between Spokane and The Dalles (in kind match)* $ 350,000 Total Net Project Cost (including in kind match) $ 700,000 Grant Amount Request (50% of Net Project Cost including the in-kind match) $ 350,000 *Available in kind match from the miles between Spokane and The Dalles was calculated as $385,440, but only the match required will be used. 8

Implementation Planning Overview Identified & finalized routing for the rural bus service Acquired (or ordered) buses & equipment (meet ADA requirements) Located and finalized stop locations along

9 Implementation Planning Overview Identified & finalized routing for the rural bus service Acquired (or ordered) buses & equipment (meet ADA requirements) Located and finalized stop locations along the route. (These should provide passengers place to wait out of weather, perhaps restrooms & place to purchase food). Identified potential local & regional transport partners (These can be identified through State s Human Services Transportation Plan HSTP). - Public transit providers(places to coordinate transfers) - Non-profit providers - Tribal transit providers Identified Realistic timeline & service start date 9

10 Implementation Planning Schedule Planning All schedules must have meaningful coordinated connections. Schedules should be designed to meet with Greyhound services within a 2-hour transfer window maximum. -For example, if a Greyhound bus departs at 9:30am, connecting bus should arrive no earlier than 7:30am. IF a bus arrives at 7:00pm, connecting bus should not depart before 7:00pm. Design schedules to connect with the maximum number of trips at connection points. Allow for potential delays, especially in winter. Look for opportunities to coordinate with local and regional partners Such as at a transit center, train station or regional airport. Schedules should be designed to accommodate travel during daylight hours as much as feasible. 10

11 Implementation Planning Ticketing Become a member of the National Bus Traffic Association (NBTA) The national clearing house for ticketing nationwide. Greyhound can sponsor membership. Single ticket for passengers, multiple providers. Pro-rated compensation. NBTA membership schedules are published continent-wide in Russell s Guide. Becoming a Greyhound ticket agent is an option (not required). National Bus Ticketing System (NBTS) is in the process of being rolled out nationwide. Available January NBTS is the successor to MAXX & TRIPS ticketing systems. -Google Chrome based application -Good internet connection, print on regular paper -Greyhound trains your staff on how to use NBTS 11

12 Implementation Planning Legal Documents In-Take application: basic business information. Copy of Insurance certificate. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) number There is assistance available for this. TN-38; lists all stop locations, by address and latitude-longitude. Vendor Form: lists business information, credit background. Contract (standard interline agreement, or sub-contract). Letter of Agreement Bus Terminal Lease Agreement (no fee for public, non-profits, nominal annual fee for profits). Sign, seal, ready to roll!! 12

Implementation Planning Marketing The key to a successful rural bus service

Marketing efforts should be locally focused.

- Website, easy, intuitive to use, link.

13 Implementation Planning Marketing The key to a successful rural bus service implementation is a good marketing strategy. Marketing efforts should be locally focused. -Community newspapers, radio, television, billboards - Unique branding. - Website, easy, intuitive to use, link. -Outreach at community events such as festivals & fairs. -Marketing is an on-going effort, plan and budget accordingly. -Outreach with community organizations and clubs. -Colleges & Universities. 13

14 For More Information Questions? Stephanie Gonterman, Isaacs & Associates Greyhound State Government Affairs Representatives (972) Stephen Abernathy, Greyhound Lines, Inc. Senior Manager, Intermodal Alliances 14

15 Example For Workshop: Colorado Route: Denver-Alamosa Operator: Black Hills Stages Funding: FTA 5311(f) In-kind Match: Yes, provided by Greyhound 15

16 Example for Workshop: Illinois Route: Chicago-Davenport (IA) Operator: Greyhound Lines, Inc. Funding: FTA 5311(f) In-kind match: Yes, provided by Greyhound 16

17 Example for Workshop: Maine Route: Biddeford-Portland (ME) Operator: ShuttleBus Zoom Funding: FTA 5311(f) In-kind match: Yes, provided by Greyhound 17

18 Example for Workshop: Montana Route: Missoula-White Fish Operator: Flathead Transit Funding: FTA 5311(f) In-kind match: Yes, provided by Greyhound 18

Connecting with Greyhound using In-kind Match. National RTAP Webinar September 30, 2015

Connecting with Greyhound using In-kind Match National RTAP Webinar September 30, 2015 A (very) brief history and where it s led Dramatic reduction in communities served by intercity bus Since the 1960