City Council Work Session on the Community Transporation System Design Study
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
April 27, 2000
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager 7/~
SUBJECT: City Council Work Session on the Community Transportation System
Design Study
The City Council scheduled a work session on the community transportation
system design study for May 1, 2000, at 5:30 p.m., prior to their regular meeting.
The purpose of the work session is to present information on the design study to
the City Council and give staff direction for the next step in the process.
The City Council previously set parameters for staff in the design of the
transportation system when it approved four principles for its design. Attached are
the four principles and the actions taken in the plan to abide by the principles.
The proposed design of the transportation system is taken from the
recommendations of the design study. A summary of the recommendations is
attached.
There are several important transportation issues for City Council consideration.
They will be covered in the work session, but generally involve:
· Changes to the fixed route system to decrease the head ways, customize
neighborhood services, and align fixed route schedules with schools and
business schedules
· Conversion of the fixed route fleet to buses which are more comfortable,
accessible and flexible. (Funds for a fleet conversion have been awarded and
are in the City's Capital Improvement Plan budget).
· Use of new technology for a central dispatch communications system and
the use of software to provide the most efficient scheduling and routing of
services
· Building a new partnership with the Regional Transit Authority for
coordinating the transportation services within the Dubuque city limits, in
rural Dubuque county, and in Delaware and Jackson counties
· Changes in the operational role of the City under a new partnership with the
Regional Transit Authority
· Building new partnerships with organizations and agencies who access the
services
Attached is a more detailed summary of the proposed operational changes of the
transportation system for the City of Dubuque.
The creation of a new community transportation system will require the
development of a new relationship with the Regional Transit Authority. This
organization is governed by the three county supervisors from Dubuque, Delaware
and Jackson Counties. The City will have a series of responsibilities in this new
partnership. A summary of the responsibilities is attached.
City staff is requesting direction from the City Council on its position on the City's
role in operating and governing of the transportation system. This direction would
be used as the basis for discussions with the Regional Transit Authority in the
future.
Let me know if you have any questions.
cc: Mike Koch, Public Works Director
Mark Munson, Transit Manager
City of Dubuque
Principles for Developing a New Community Transportation System
Principle 1 The City Council should have significant control over service delivery
operations in which it budgets a significant amount of money.
Action: The City Council has significant control over the service delivery
operations through the day-to-day management of all services in the
Dubuque city limits by the City of Dubuque Transit Manager under the
direction of the City Manager. Budgeting for the operations would
continue to be part of the annual budget proposed by the City
Manager and reviewed and approved by the City Council.
Principle 2 The selected transportation system design should offer the most
efficient and effective delivery of transportation services possible.
Action: The recommendations of the transportation system design study
provide for a new system which will offer services which are (1) more
accessible through shorter headways, expanded hours of operation,
increased coverage, and more comfortable vehicles. The
improvements in the system are accomplished with no increase in the
contribution of the City of Dubuque tax payers.
Principle 3 The persons most impacted by the transportation system should have
some voice in the ongoing operations of the transportation system.
Action: The creation of the Public Transit Operations Input Committee
provides the forum for staff of the transportation system to connect
with the persons impacted by the system and get input on operations.
Principle 4 The solutions should include provisions which mitigate the adverse
impacts to community organizations which may come from the
creation of a more efficient and effective transportation system in the
community.
Action: The recommendations provide for the continued employment of the
employees of Project Concern through the existing contract with the RTA.
A portion of savings generated through the implementation of the new
system can be used to provide limited subsidies to Project Concern as
they build their revenues for administration costs from expanded rural
service.
Recommended Transportation System Changes
and Accompanying ImDlementation Plan
Carter Goble Associates. April 2000
City's Kevline System:
1. Purchase smaller, more comfortable buses for fixed routes
2. Fixed route changes to:
· reduce headways to 40 minutes
· align fixed route schedules with schools and business schedules
· extend the schedules to 7 P.M. on weekdays
· develop a new wests ide circulator
· offer route deviation and point deviation
3. Replace the Orange Line with a demonstration neighborhood shuttle for
Mt. CarmelfTechnology Park
(Potentially offered to Peru Road and the West Industrial Park)
4. Integrate ADA paratransit and contract services with agencies
RTA System:
1. Offer regular service to rural areas on weekdays
2. Integrate intercity service with Keyline system
3. Implement scheduled sectored services for on demand customers
4. Implement route deviation services
5. Integrate scheduled sectored services and route Deviation Services
Coordination of Services Between Svstems:
1. Joint purchase of reservation and scheduling software
2. Shared operation of dispatch/communication center
3. Common use of mobile communications
4. Contracted vehicle maintenance
5. Joint training of drivers
6. Joint travel training for customers
7. Common policies and procedures
8. Single regional public transit image
9. Common vehicle color schemes
10. Common driver uniforms
11. Uniform fare structure
Proposed Operational Changes of the Transportation System
City of Dubuque
1. Operation of a central dispatch center and personnel for the
dispatching and scheduling of transit services within the Dubuque city
limits
2. Conversion of the KeyLine fleet to easily accessible, comfortable, and
smaller heavy-duty buses
3. Adapting Keyline fixed routes and schedules to meet the service needs
of children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and the workforce
4. Addition of flexible transit services beyond the fixed route system
through demonstration projects for circulator service, route deviation
and neighborhood shuttle.
5. Establishment of a 24-hour accessible service for ADA eligible
passengers through a central dispatch
6. Integration of school transportation within the city limits of Dubuque
into fixed-route schedules
7. Development of partnerships with transportation customers to
promote a significant shift of RTA and Minibus ridership to the
improved fixed-route system where it is practical and appropriate
8. Combining the remaining RT A and Minibus ridership into a single
paratransit service through a contract between the City of Dubuque
and the RT A, using the central dispatch for scheduling and an RT A
contract with Project Concern
9. Establishment of contracts with cab companies for public transit
services
10. Provision of core training of staff including: Passenger Assistance
Training, Commercial Drivers License Training, and Drug and Alcohol
Training
11. Billing and collection services of all fares
12. Services for maintenance of accounting and statistical records for
services rendered and fares and other revenues collected
1 3. Potential centralization of maintenance of both City and RT A vehicles
under the authority of the city.
Proposed Partnership on Transportation Between the
City of Dubuque and the Regional Transit Authority
City of Dubuque Responsibilities
1. Contract with the RT A for transit services provided in the Dubuque
city limits
2. Operation of a central dispatch center and personnel for the
dispatching and scheduling of transit services within the Dubuque city
limits
3. Core training of staff including: Passenger Assistance Training,
Commercial Drivers License Training, and Drug and Alcohol Training
4. Billing and collection services of all fares including RT A services in the
Dubuque city limits
5. Services for maintenance of accounting and statistical records for
services rendered and fares and other revenues collected
6. Maintenance services on RT A vehicles operating within the Dubuque
city limits
7. Joint purchase and ownership of central dispatch and accounting
equipment and software
8. Establishment of a Public Transit Operations Input Committee
9. Implement a budgeting framework to ensure that the City of Dubuque
and the RT A have total control over budget and finance functions of
the transit system
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
April 27, 2000
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Work Session on the Community Transportation System Design
Study
Material is attached for the City Council work session on the Community
Transportation System Design Study, which is scheduled for Monday, May 1 at
5:30 p.m. at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Auditorium. Dinner will be served at
5:00 p.m.
,1tJ,A ~[!lI'lJL
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/dd
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
April 13, 2000
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Update on the Community Transportation System Design Study
Assistant City Manager Tim Moerman is requesting that the City Council hold a
work session on May 1, 2000 at 5:30 p.m. preceded by a 5:00 p.m. dinner, for
presentation of the current issues on the Community Transportation System Design
Study.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
/i1Jj &
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/dd
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
April 1 2, 2000
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager /7~
SUBJECT: Update on the Community Transportation System Design Study
Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to request a City Council work session for a
presentation of the current issues on the community transportation system design
study.
Background
The design committee and the core group of stakeholders have been working with
Carter Goble Associates (CGA) for the past several months on a study for the
redesign of the transportation system which serves the citizens of Dubuque,
Delaware and Jackson counties. City staff has had extensive involvement in efforts
to examine the operations of the Keyline system, the coordination opportunities
between the Keyline and RT A systems, and the equipment and technology needs
for making system-wide improvements.
A draft of the final report was presented to the core group of stakeholders in March
with no additional changes. The final report of the design study will be delivered to
the core group by CGA in the next couple weeks.
Discussion
The design study provides recommendations for improving the operations of the
transportation system. It addresses route changes to the fixed-route system,
purchase of new technologies and vehicles for the system, coordination of RT A and
Keyline operations, partnering on Keyline and RT A staff training issues, etc. The
design study does not, however, address which entity performs the various parts of
the operations or how the overall system is governed. These decisions are to be
made by the governing bodies of the Dubuque City Council and the members of the
RT A Board.
One of the next steps in the process is for the City of Dubuque and the RT A to
have a discussion on the operations and governance of a new transportation
system. These issues need to be resolved before the core group can take any
actions toward implementing the recommendations of the design study. At these
discussions, the City could present its positions and preferences for the
transportation partnership with the RT A and work toward a structure with which
both parties are comfortable.
Prior to the discussions with the RT A, the City Council would have to formulate
positions on the operations and governance issues of the transportation system.
These positions could be developed at a City Council work session. City staff can
provide an overview of the issues, the options of the City for the operations and
governance of the system, and the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
The goal of the work session would be to receive direction from the City Council on
their positions on the issues for future discussions with the RT A.
Recommendation
I am recommending a work session of the City Council for May 1, 2000 to define
these positions and give City staff direction.
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CITY OF DUBUQUE,
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vJ'rlC,arch 8, 2000
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Community Transportation Study
A draft of the Transportation system design study of the Community Transportation
Improvement Program will be presented to the Transportation stakeholders on
March 9, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. at the Five Flags Civic Center. The consultant from
Carter Global and Associates will present the information and get input before the
final report of the study is presented to policy makers and the general public. .
Attached is correspondence from Assistant City Manager Tim Moerman concerning
the use of an advisory board for service delivery issues and Transit Manager Mark
Munson with a-summary of the key issues and information from the design study.
The City Council will be provided more in depth information on the design study
when it is completed.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/dd
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
1
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 7, 2000
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Discussions on a Transit Advisory Board
The consultant for the transportation system design study will meet with the
community transportation stakeholders on Thursday, March 9, 2000 at 9:00 a.m.
at the Five Flags Civic Center. The purpose of the meeting is to present the third
technical memorandum and a draft summary of the final report to the stakeholders
for their comments. Transit Manager Mark Munson will be providing you with a
brief overview of the final report.
The process to improve the community's transportation system has had the
involvement of most of the transportation stakeholders. They have served on
committees, conducted research, surveyed riders, and performed many tasks to
better understand the needs and opportunities of the transportation system.
Throughout the discussions on the design of the transportation system, City staff
has used four principles for making decisions. These principles were approved by
the City Council in 1999. One of the principles is, "The persons most impacted by
the transportation system should have some voice in the ongoing operations of the
transportation system." This principle is also supported by the stakeholders, who
have an interest in how transportation services are delivered.
One way to include transportation stakeholders in the service delivery issues is
through the creation of a Transit Advisory Board. The purpose of the advisory
board would be to serve as the link between the service providers of Keyline and
the Regional Transit Authority and the organizations and their members who use
the services.
Attached is a draft of a potential transit advisory board. This draft will be shared
with the transportation stakeholders at the March 9 meeting and tested for its
feasibility and effectiveness. The advisory board would be chaired by a board
member with support by the City's Transit Manager and the RT A's Transit
Manager. They would meet monthly and focus on service delivery issues.
They would give input on service delivery issues and make recommendations on
how to better meet the needs of persons using transportation services. They may
also have recommendations on policy issues. Their recommendations on policy
issues and major service delivery issues would be presented by the staff leadership
to the City's Transit Board and the RTA Board for consideration.
The concept of a transit advisory board is still in the formative stage. I will keep
you informed as it is developed. Let me know if you have questions or concerns on
this issue.
cc: Mike Koch, Public Works Director
Mark Munson, Transit Director
-
Draft of a Potential Transit Advisory Board
Organizational Chart
Advisory Board Membership (including a chairperson)
Social Services Agency e.g. Department of Human Services
Persons with Disabilities e.g. Area Residential Care
Workforce Development e.g. Iowa Workforce Dev., GDDC, Chamber of Commerce
Senior Citizens e.g. Area Agency on Aging
Youth Activity Services e.g. St. Marks or the Boys and Girls Club
Senior Citizen Housing e.g. Mt. St Francis, Ecumenical Towers, Stonehill Care Center
Mercy Hospital
Finley Hospital
Medical Associates
Ex officio Membership
City Leisure Services
Transit Provider Labor
Schools
Transit Board Member
RTA Board Member
Staff Support
City of Dubuque - Transit Manager
Regional Transit Authority - Transit Manager
Features of the Advisory Board
Monthly meetings
Facilitated by Transit Managers of Key line and RTA
Focus on service delivery issues
Serve as the link between the service users and the service providers
Continue the Dubuque Transit Board and the RT A Board for policy making
Keyline Transit
2401 CentrJI Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001.3302
(319) 589-4196
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March 6, 2000
To; Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Fr; Mark Munson, Transit Manager t\~\
RE: Summary of Draft Final Report - Transit Design Study
On March 9, 2000, Sheldon Crum from Carter Goble Associates will be
presenting a summary of the draft final report of the Design of A Community
Transportation System. This report covers the recommended plan prepared by
CGA for KeyLine Transit and the Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson County
Regional Transit Authority. In advance of this meeting I want to provide you an
overview of what will be presented and discussed by the 30 stakeholders
involved in the transit study.
Key to the redesigned initiative to will be a plan to improve the fixed route service
with more user friendly schedules and buses and to move as many riders from
minibus and contract service to fixed routes as is appropriate. This shift will open
up service on the minibus for more ADA service and allow for eventual general
public access to demand response service at a fare to equal cost 24 hours/day,
7 days/week. The City would govern services within the city limits and the RTA
would govern service outside the city with an integration plan for intercity
transportation between KeyLine and the RTA to be developed.
Stakeholder interviews, surveys and focus groups revealed these general
opinions and facts about the KeyLine system:
- slow with long headways and gaps in service
- lacking evening and weekend service
- in need of 2nd and 3rd shift service hours
- in need of more marketing, public relations and education activities
- 85% of riderShip were seniors, children and persons with disabilities
- 83% of the KeyLine riders surveyed do not drive
- primary use for the service was for work, shopping and social purpose
- ADA service under Project Concern slow and constrained
The stakeholders felt it would be beneficial to coordinate the fixed routes,
paratransit and contract services in Dubuque and develop a "one stop shop" for
users and purchasers of transit service.
Service
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
---
After reviewing the input from the stakeholders, Carter Goble Associates
developed coordination recommendations that include:
- governance by the City for services within the city limits
- centralized dispatch and scheduling
- operational control of the delivery of service in Dubuque by the City
- service operation by single entity or through subcontract(s).
- joint purchase of scheduling software
- joint dispatch/communications center
- common communications system
- City maintenance of RTA vehicles used in City services under contract
In addition to the coordination recommendations, CGA recommends the
following services for the City to address stakeholder concerns:
- purchase of smaller more comfortable buses
- revised fixed routes with a west side circulator
- alignment of fixed route schedules with schools and business schedules
- schedules extended to 7 P.M. weekdays & increased frequency to 40 minutes
- replacement of the Orange Line with a pilot neighborhood shuttle service
- expansion of minibus services to include all minibus and RTA contract service
- eventual demand response service to general public for a fare to equal cost
As a basis for making the fixed route more user friendly, comfortable and
accessible, CGA recommends a city fleet consisting of:
- nine new medium duty buses to replace most of the current fixed route fleet
- one neighborhood shuttle
- four minibuses for ADA paratransit service
- two staff cars for on road supervision and service management
- electronic fareboxes for smart card fare system
- partransit software and computers for scheduling
Most of these capital items are either already funded or in the TIP for future
funding. Any fleet conversion would require DOT concurrence, DMATS approval
and come with a vehicle disposition plan to address remaining useful life and
reimbursement for city portion of current vehicles in KeyLine fleet.
Also derived from the input from the stakeholders are key features of the RT A
design which include:
- integration of intercity service with KeyLine system
- integration of route deviation and sector services in outlying communities
- regular service to rural areas on weekdays
- sector services on demand
- route deviation service for premium fare
--
Implementation times for the design recommendations are approximately:
- 6 to 9 months for the fixed route seNice and neighborhood shuttle
- 1 to 1 1/2 years for City to assume current RTA contract seNices within city
- 2 years for RTNCity coordination
- 3 years for general public demand response seNice on the minibus
- 4 years for providing 24 hour/day, 7 day/week demand response seNice.
I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have in this regard. My
number at KeyLine is 4196.
cc: Michael Koch, Public Works Director
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager