PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR JARC FUNDING March 2013
Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) Projects The Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) has issued a 30-day call for proposals for JARC projects for the Houston Urbanized Area Applications for JARC funds are due April 4, 2013 Grant funds currently available through JARC $5,179,916 Proposed METRO projects for JARC applications are: Swiftline Extension Operating Bellaire Quickline Operating Renwick Crosstown Sunday Service Operating 1
TMC/Palm Quickline - Capital Note: Project not moving forward. This project was withdrawn and the information is presented here only for comparative purposes. JARC Committee recommended $2.4 million for this project. Project Description: Replace 426 Swiftline and extend from TMC Transit Center to Palm Center with upgraded Quickline service Estimated Capital Cost: $8,083,835 JARC Funds Available: $5,179,916 Other Assigned Grants Available: $1,271,177 (CMAQ & BBF) Estimated METRO (Local) Cost: $1,632,742 Estimated Annual Operating Cost: $1,718,798 Estimated Ridership: 2015 400 boardings per day; annual boardings 101,600 2035 850 boardings per day; annual boardings 215,900 2
Swiftline Extension Operating & Capital Project Description: Extend current 426 Swiftline service to Palm Center Estimated Capital Cost: $630,000 Estimated Annual Operating Cost (Extension): $356,615 JARC Funds Available: $5,179,916 Est. JARC Operating Funds Est. METRO Operating Cost Year 1 $799,679* $178,308 Year 2 - $178,308 Year 3 - $178,308 Estimated Ridership: 2015 400 boardings per day; annual boardings 101,600 Increase of 125 boardings per day; annual increase of 31,750 2035 850 boardings per day; annual boardings 215,900 Note: CMAQ and BBF funds are assigned to the Signature Service program; funds are at risk *JARC request has been adjusted for overhead costs 3
Swiftline Extension..continued Project Pros: Limited stop service with better connectivity to customers who live and work in the TMC, MacGregor, OST and South Union area Service connects to Downtown and other employment and education centers in the region Provides improved intermodal connections at Palm Center (Southeast LRT) and the TMC (Redline LRT) Project Cons: Low ridership forecast CMAQ and BBF funds are assigned to the Signature Service program; funds are at risk No operating funds currently identified in the 3-year transit plan JARC provides operating assistance for 3 years only Leaves an estimated $3.87M in JARC funding unassigned 4
Bellaire Quickline All Day Service Operating Project Description: Extend operating parameters for existing Bellaire Quickline from peak period to all day service Estimated Annual Operating Cost (Incremental): $631,270 JARC Funds Available: $5,179,916 Est. JARC Operating Funds Est. METRO Operating Cost Year 1 $1,415,570* $315,635 Year 2 $315,635 Year 3 $315,635 Estimated Ridership: 2015 1,200 boardings per day; annual boardings 304,800 Increase 475 boardings per day; annual increase 120,650 2035 1,750 boardings per day; annual boardings 444,500 Note: CMAQ and BBF funds are assigned to the Signature Service program; funds are at risk *JARC request has been adjusted for overhead costs 5
Bellaire Quickline All Day Service..continued Project Pros: Frequent, limited stop service Improved connections to retail and employment centers between TMC, Sharpstown, Westchase and improved transfer connections Project Cons: CMAQ and BBF funds are assigned to the Signature Service program; funds are at risk No operating funds currently identified in the 3-year transit plan JARC provides operating assistance for 3 years only Leaves an estimated $3.76M of JARC funding unassigned 6
Renwick Crosstown Sunday Service Operating Project Description: Addition of Sunday service Estimated Annual Operating Cost (Incremental): $250,904 JARC Funds Available: $5,179,916 Est. JARC Operating Funds Est. METRO Operating Cost Year 1 $553,095* $125,452 Year 2 $125,452 Year 3 $125,452 Estimated Incremental Ridership: 2015 500 to 700 anticipated; annual boardings 29,900 anticipated Note: CMAQ and BBF funds are assigned to the Signature Service program; funds are at risk *JARC request has been adjusted for overhead costs 7
Renwick Crosstown Sunday Service..continued Project Pros: Large number of attractors/generators to and from multi-family homes, retail and other employment centers Enhanced connectivity to 10 or more bus routes Serves area with household incomes lower than METRO service area average Provides Sunday service where none exists Project Cons: CMAQ and BBF funds are assigned to the Signature Service program; funds are at risk No operating funds currently identified in the 3-year transit plan JARC provides operating assistance for 3 years only Leaves an estimated $4.62M in JARC funding unassigned 8
Summary Commitment if the METRO Board of Directors approves moving forward with all three (3) projects presented: JARC provides 50% match for operating cost JARC provides 80% match for capital cost Estimated annual operating cost in Local (METRO) funds $619,395 Estimated capital cost in Local (METRO) funds - $126,000 The Houston Region has Transportation Development Credits (TDCs), available and if granted to METRO, they could cover 100% of eligible project costs. 9