2018 Addendum to 2017-2022 Transit Development Plan (DRAFT)
Introduction
The 2018 Addendum extends the planning horizon for the adopted 2017-2022 Transit Development Plan (TDP) through 2023. This Addendum is limited to technical updates to meet state TDP requirements (RCW 35.58.2795) and supplements, but does not replace the adopted 2017-2022 plan. The following sections provide an overview of 2017 accomplishments, status on action items from the 2017-2022 plan, updates to service and capital forecasts through 2023, and updates to the financial plan.
Contents
Introduction Page 1
2017 Accomplishments Page 2
Status on 2017 TDP Goals and Actions Page 7
Service and Capital Plan Update Page 9
Financial Plan Update Page 11
1 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 2017 Accomplishments
Ridership Community Transit had 10.3 million boardings in 2017, this was a slight increase from 2016.
Fixed-route bus – 9,303,686 boardings, an increase of 1.2%. Community Transit’s bus service is divided into 5 categories: BRT, Corridor, Local Feeder, Suburban/Rural and Commuter. Vanpool – 861,066 trips, an increase of 0.7% Paratransit - 194,471 boardings, an increase of 0.2% over 2016.
2017 Ridership 1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
Bus Vanpool DART
Service Improvements Implemented the March and September 2017 service change. The service changes increased fixed-route bus service by 25,000 hours, including a new route, Route 107, connecting Lynnwood Transit Center with the Everett Boeing Plant and Manufacturing and Industrial Center. Additionally, the vanpool program expanded by 5 vehicles and the DART paratransit hours of operation increased. Employment As the agency continues to increase services, additional employees are needed. During 2017, Community Transit added 36 positions and hired 72 coach operators, 7 mechanics and 20 administration positions. The total number of employees grew from 662.5 in 2016 to 698.5 in 2017.
2 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Fleet During 2017 the bus fleet grew by 9 expansion Double Decker buses and four 40-foot buses. The DART and vanpool fleets did not change. The following graphic illustrates the current bus fleet.
Table 5-1 Revenue Vehicle Fleet Revenue Vehicle Fleet by Type, December 2017 Type Propulsion Count
30 Foot Bus Diesel 13
40 Foot Bus Diesel 99
40 Foot Bus Hybrid 15
60 Foot Bus Diesel 80
Double Tall Bus Diesel 54
Swift Bus Hybrid 15
Fixed-Route Subtotal 276
DART Gasoline 52 & Diesel
Vanpool Gasoline 432
Total Fleet All Types 760
Update on Planning & Projects in Adopted 2017 TDP, Chapters 9 (Service Plan) and 10 (Capital Plan) A Base Master Plan needs assessment was initiated. This work will continue through 2018, and provide guidance for future base expansion and retrofits. Surveying – during 2017, Community Transit completed three major market surveys: 2017 On Board Rider Survey, 2017 Vanpool Rider Survey and the 2017 Travel Conversations.
3 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Began Feasibility Study for the Swift Orange Line to connect the 164th Street and 196th Street (SR-524) corridors and providing a connection to Lynnwood Link at Lynnwood Transit Center. Coordination with Sound Transit, King County Metro and WSDOT relating to Lynnwood Link Station area planning for the stations at 185th in Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood Transit Center. Programs Transportation Demand Management (TDM) - Community Transit’s TDM division accomplishments in 2017:
Door-to-door outreach project targeting 5,000 residents in Mill Creek was completed. The program included personalized travel planning and pre-paid ORCA cards. The team met with 2,672 residents: 853 people requested additional information regarding their travel options. A follow up survey found 52% of participants decreased their drive alone trips.
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) – continue to work with CTR worksite, small businesses and property managers to encourage alternatives to driving alone.
Curb the Congestion – the residential based TDM program continued to work with multi- family complexes, neighborhoods and the agency’s transit emphasis corridors. The following table illustrates the program’s success.
Curb the Congestion Program Results
500,000 460,507465,646 450,000 391,959 400,000 350,000 300,000 272,329 250,000
200,000 Drive Drive Alone Trips - 150,000 126,080 106,200
Non 92,683 100,000 50,000 6,268 13,875 18,069 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017*
* In 2017, the I-405 and SR-522 corridors were removed from the program with the end of Regional Mobility Funding from King County Metro.
4 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Intelligent Transportation Systems Fare Collection Program: Continued to work with regional partners to replace the ORCA electronic fare collection system. This included design meetings to refine the project scope for the Next Generation ORCA system to develop a request for proposals. Community Transit’s Board adopted a fare policy eliminating fare overrides on commuter bus routes for consistency with the regional fare policy to eliminate fare zones. A request for proposals was issued to upgrade the existing Swift Blue Line ticket vending machines and order machines for the Swift Green Line. Work to upgrade the Swift Blue Line ticket vending machines began in 2017 and was completed in spring 2018. The initial mobile ticketing study was completed. Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Program: The existing McCain transit signal priority (TSP) system is being replaced with Opticom. Fifty percent of the existing McCain equipment was decommissioned in 2017, and licenses for the new system are purchased for most of the intersections along the Swift Blue Line. Transit Information Program: The headway management approach for Swift Blue Line was completed providing dispatch and coach operators with clear and consistent procedures to improve the BRT system schedule reliability and customer experience. Development of General Transit Feed Specifications–Real Time (GTFS-RT) kicked off in 2017. Work towards full implementation continues through 2018. Work to update and integrate customer-facing real-time passenger information (BusFinder) with our website continues and is expected to be completed in 2018. Wireless Communications Program: Progress was made with the wireless communication program to transition the bus communication system from a 700 MHz data radio infrastructure to a cellular connection via a Mobile Access Router with Verizon service. During 2017, all functional and technical requirements were gathered from stakeholders, resulting in a vendor selection. The agency also equipped a mini fleet of buses with the cellular technology, and provided Road Supervisors with a mobile office experience that included laptops equipped with real time data. With the success of the test, the agency is continuing to transition to a cellular based communications system.
5 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Facilities Preservation projects:
Replace the bus lifts and windows at the Merrill Creek operations base. Expansion projects: Construction of the Swift Green Line began, building the infrastructure to support the agency’s second bus rapid transit line. This work included:
Completion of right-of-way acquisitions for all the stations Continued to work with the Federal Transit Administration to execute the Small Starts grant Begin construction of the Seaway Transit Center Placed Order for 17 Swift coaches Begin work on 128th Street freeway approach improvements Issued Request for Proposal for additional ticket vending machines Equipment The table below summarizes 2017 revenue fleet acquisitions:
2017 Fleet Received & Put into Service Bus 40 Foot 27 60 Foot 15 Double Talls (Replace 60 foot) 17
DART Paratransit 11
Vanpool 60
6 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Status on 2017 TDP Goals & Actions
The following table provides a status of goals & actions adopted in the 2017-2022 TDP:
Table 12-1 Summary of 2017 Goals & Actions Summary of Goals & Actions Status 1. 36 percent expansion of bus service by 2022. In Progress1 2. Implement approved September 2017 and March Complete 2018 service changes. 3. Refine service change proposals for September 2018 and March 2019, complete public review and Complete process and Board adoption, and implement approved proposals. 4. Develop service expansion proposals for September In-progress 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. 5. Provide complementary paratransit service to meet demands of expanding fixed-route bus service and On-going2 aging population. 6. Expand vanpool program by 30 vans. Maximize number of active vanpool groups and ridership per In Progress van to meet growing demands for service. 7. Complete the Swift Green Line for service in 2019. In Progress 8. Complete Feasibility Study for Swift Orange Line, in In Progress the 196th Street/164th Street corridor. 9. Complete Feasibility Study for Swift Blue Line In Progress Extension to 185th Street Link Light Rail Station 10. Continue working with partner transit agencies and local jurisdictions to improve connections between On-going transit systems and plan for integration with new modes such as light rail. 11. Recruit staff to operate and support service On-going expansion. 12. Continue to monitor economic development, travel demand and transit service potential in areas eligible On-going for annexation to the PTBA. 13. Maintain regular replacement of Fixed-Route, DART On-going and Vanpool fleet. 14. Expand fleet: add 26 Fixed-Route Buses and 30 In Progress Vanpool vans. 15. Study market and operations to inform DART fleet On-going growth. 16. Continue to fund capital facility preservation projects. In Progress 17. Study operating base capacity and complete project and funding plans for future base expansion and In Progress retrofits. 18. Complete design and implementation planning to refine Next Generation ORCA project costs and In Progress identify needed operational changes. 19. Complete Swift TVM Upgrade & Procurement. In Progress 20. Complete mobile ticketing study. Complete
7 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Summary of Goals & Actions Status 21. Complete McCain to Opticom TSP & Queue-Jump In Progress equipment transition 22. Become a provider of GTFS real-time data to software application developers and the community In Progress at large. 23. Implement Passenger Information Control System. In Progress 24. Implement Real-Time Passenger Information for web In Progress & mobile. 25. Complete design, engineering and operational changes to implement cellular voice and data In Progress communications system 26. Complete electric vehicle study. Planned for 2019 27. Continue to monitor regional parking management. On-going 28. Continue efforts to reduce Cost per Rider by controlling cost growth, increasing ridership and On-going increasing fare revenue. 29. Implement scheduled fare increases in 2018, 2020 2018 and 2022. Complete 2020 & 2022 On-going 30. Maintain resilient financial strategies to ensure sustainability of services and programs through On-going future economic downturns. 31. Maintain reserve balances at or above legally On-going required and/or recommended levels.
1. “In-progress” refers to a project that is started, but not complete, and has an end date. 2. “On-going” refers to programs or projects that are completed every year as part of going on operations.
8 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Service & Capital Plan Update
The following charts and graphs update the service and capital information provided in the 2017-2022 TDP, and extend the planning horizon through 2023. Service Bus
Table 9-1 Bus Service Additions and Fleet Annual Bus Service Annual Bus Service Total Bus Year Hours Added Total Hours Operated Fleet Baseline 2017 400,900 276 March 2018 1,500 402,400 284 September 2018 14,000 416,400 296 March 2019* 41,900 458,300 301 September 2019 6,500 464,800 304 2020 18,000 482,800 307 2021 18,000 500,800 313 2022 18,000 518,800 313 2023 0 518,800 313 * Swift Green Line begins service. DART Paratransit
Table 9-7 DART Service Levels DART Service Hours Actual Planned 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 82,000 85,000 87,000 90,000 92,000 95,000 98,000
Vanpool
Figure 9-1 Vanpool Program 600
500
400
482
477
472
467
462
457
452
447
442
437
432 432 300 427 Active Vanpools 367 Total Fleet Vanpools 200
100 (total fleet includes 30 spare vans for 0 maintenance needs) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
9 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Equipment
Figure 10-1 Revenue Vehicle Fleet Forecast Revenue Vehicle Fleet Forecast 600 477 482 500 457 462 467 472
400 298 304 307 313 313 313 300
200
100 52 52 52 52 52 52
0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Bus DART Vanpool
The following table illustrates the Fleet Replacement & Expansion schedule through 2023 (year of order):
Table 10-1 Fleet Replacement & Expansion (Year of Vehicle Order from Manufacturer) YEAR: 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
BUS FLEET REPLACEMENT 40 Foot Bus 21 12 12 60 Foot Bus 26 16 8 Double Tall Bus (replace 60’) 6 Swift BRT 15
BUS FLEET EXPANSION 40 Foot Bus 3 60 Foot Bus Double Tall Bus 2 6 Swift BRT*
VANPOOL REPLACEMENT Vanpool Van 55 55 56 57 57 57 VANPOOL EXPANSION Vanpool Van 25 5 5 5 5 5 DART REPLACEMENT DART Paratransit Vehicles 15 13 13 11 *Swift Orange Line and Swift Blue Line Extension expansion buses not shown but expense is included in capital program.
10 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Financial Plan Update
The following charts and graphs update the financial information provided in the 2017-2022 TDP. Funding sources have not changed, cost control is limited to 3.3% annual growth per unit of service. Operating expenses are updated to reflect the current six-year time frame, 2018- 2023.
Figure 11-1 Hourly Cost of Bus Service
Fully-Allocated Cost: one hour of bus service Average of directly operated & contracted bus revenue service, operating expense only $350 $289 $298 $300 $280 $262 $271 $246 $254 $250
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 actual forecast
Figure 11-2 Cost per Rider Cost Per Rider (Net Cost per passenger trip, after fare payment)
$45.00 $40.17 $40.00 $37.55 $37.07 $37.54 $35.00 $30.00 $25.00 $20.00 $15.00 $8.22 $8.29 $10.00 $6.40 $6.57 $7.02 $7.06 $7.26 $7.36 $5.00 $1.63 $1.18 $1.71 $1.87 $0.00 2014 2015 2016 2017
Bus Vanpool DART Total Agency
11 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Figure 11-3 Operating Expense, Baseline + New Total Operating Expense: Baseline + New $250.0
$201.3 $192.1 $200.0 $180.9 $170.3 $35.1 $31.1 $158.8 $25.1 $144.8 $19.5 $12.7 $150.0 $0.0
$100.0 $160.9 $166.2 $144.8 $146.10 $150.8 $155.8 $50.0
$0.0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Baseline Operating Expense New Service Expense
Figure 11-4 Operating Revenues, Forecast 2018 Operating Revenue Forecast, 2018 (in millions)
Investment Income, $1.2 Other misc. revenues (expenses), $3.1 State & Local, $2.2 Federal, $2.1 Fares, $22.3 Sound Transit Contract, $19.9
Advertising, $0.5
Sales Tax, $137.0
Total: $188.3 million
12 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Retail Sales Tax In 2017, Community Transit collected $129.3 million in local retail sales tax revenue, exceeding budget projections by $2.3 million. The underlying growth rate for retail sales tax in the PTBA is forecast to be 6% in 2018, 5% in 2019, and 4% in 2020 through 2023. With the underlying growth and expanded taxation authority, revenue from retails sales tax is forecast to exceed $168 million by 2023.
Figure 11-5 Sales Tax, History and Forecast Sales Tax: 2017 Actuals & 2018 - 2023 Forecast $195.0 $168.3 $161.8 $175.0 $155.6 $149.6 $143.8 $155.0 $137.0 $129.3 $135.0 $115.0 $95.0 $75.0 $55.0 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Actuals Forecast
Passenger Fares In 2018, the Board of Directors approved a fare change for October 1, 2018 that increases Local bus fares by 25 cents, simplifies commuter fares, and eliminates fare overrides on commuter service. It is estimated that these changes will increase revenue by $300,000 on an annual basis.
Figure 11-6 Fare Revenue Forecast Fare Revenue Forecast $35
$30
$25 $30
$28 $26
$20 $24
$23 $22 $22 Fare Revenue $15
$10 Bus & DART fares assessed every 2 years $5 Vanpool rates $0 adjusted annually 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
13 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Grant Funding The following graph illustrates the updated grant funding between 2017 actuals and the 2023 forecast. The plan reflects the $43.1 million Small Starts grant received in 2018 for the Swift Green Line, and continues to assume a Small Starts grant for the construction of the Swift Orange Line in 2021.
Figure 11-7 Grant Revenue Forecast Grant Funding Forecast (in millions) $80.0 $70.0 $60.0 $50.0 $57.4 $40.0 $51.5 $30.0 $6.5 $8.5 $20.0 $2.4 $1.5 $1.5 $3.3 $3.0 $2.8 $3.0 $2.9 $2.9 $3.2 $10.0 $11.8 $12.5 $12.9 $13.3 $13.9 $14.6 $15.0 $0.0 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Federal Formula Grants State Formula Grants Competitive Grants
Reserves All reserves meet agency policy guidelines. The following graphs illustrate fund levels for 2018- 2023 for operation of service, vehicle replacements, facility preservation, infrastructure and technology expansion, and the sum of all reserves together.
Figure 11-12 Reserve and Fund Summary Reserve & Fund Summary: 2018 - 2023 (in millions)
$207 $200 $185 $179 $160 $164 $164 $62 $9$7 $150 $58 $21 $9$5 $22 $44 $14 $12 $10 $41 $14 $100 $41 $40 $41 $36
$50 $104 $115 $71 $83 $80 $87 $0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Operating Veh. Replacement Facility Preservation Facility & Technology Expansion Workers Comp. ($7M annually) Bond ($1M annually)
14 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 The following graphs provide more detail regarding the various reserve and fund balances and forecasts.
Figure 11-8 Operating Reserves Operating Reserve: 2018 - 2023 (in millions)
$140.0 $111.2 $101.2 $120.0 $84.1 $100.0 $81.7 $78.3 $69.9 $80.0 $81.3 $72.0 $60.0 $55.2 $50.8 $55.8 $45.5 $40.0 $5.0 $5.0 $5.0 $5.0 $20.0 $5.0 $5.0 $20.2 $22.3 $24.2 $25.8 $27.5 $28.9 $0.0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
2 Months Operating Fuel Reserve Future Service Expansion
Figure 11-9 Vehicle Replacement Reserve Vehicle Replacement Reserve: 2018 - 2023 (in millions) $50.0 $43.6 $45.0 $41.5 $40.7 $39.8 $41.2 $2.8 $40.0 $2.6 $2.7 $35.9 $2.4 $2.5 $4.5 $4.4 $4.5 $35.0 $2.3 $4.3 $4.2 $2.8 $9.3 $30.0 $8.8 $9.1 $9.3 $9.5 $25.0 $9.0 $20.0 $15.0 $27.0 $25.2 $24.0 $25.2 $24.6 $10.0 $21.8 $5.0 $0.0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Bus Vanpool DART Support Veh.
15 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023 Figure 11-10 Facility Preservation Reserve Facility Preservation Reserve: 2018 - 2023 (in millions) $16.0 $14 $14 $14.0 $12 $12.0 $6.2 $5.9 $10 $10.0 $3.8 $9 $9 $1.8 $1.0 $1.0 $8.0 $1.7 $1.8 $1.9 $1.9 $1.9 $1.9 $6.0
$4.0 $3.5 $3.7 $3.7 $3.7 $3.7 $3.7
$2.0 $2.6 $2.6 $2.6 $2.6 $2.6 $2.6 $0.0 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
1.5% Replacement 2-Year Look Ahead Current Year Projects Other
Figure 11-11 Facility & Technology Expansion Fund Facility & Technology Expansion Fund: 2018 - 2023 (in millions) $62.1 $60.0 $57.9 $2.9 $2.9 $9.2 $5.0 $50.0
$40.0
$30.0 $50.0 $50.0 $22.1 $20.9 $20.0 $2.9 $2.9 $10.0 $7.4 $10.0 $18.0 $5.1 $9.2 $2.9 $5.1 $0.0 $2.2 $2.3 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Base Expansion ngORCA Future Swift Development Other
16 Transit Development Plan Addendum 2018-2023