LAKE COUNTY TRANSIT DIVISION P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, Florida 32778 2440 U.S. Highway 441/27, Fruitland Park, Florida 34731 Telep

LAKE COUNTY TRANSIT DIVISION P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, Florida 32778 2440 U.S. Highway 441/27, Fruitland Park, Florida 34731 Telephone: 352.323.5733; Facsimile: 352.323.5755 www.ridelakexpress.com

2016 TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN ANNUAL UPDATE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION 3

2016 TDP Annual Update Requirements 3

Organization of Report 4

SECTION 2. 2016 TDP ANNUAL UPDATE OVERVIEW 4

Public Involvement Summary 4

Regulatory & Legislative Context 5

Mission, Goals & Objectives 6

PROPOSED New Mission, Goals & Objectives 11

SECTION 3. SERVICE OVERVIEW & PAST YEAR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS 13

Service Overview 13

FY 2016 Accomplishments 15

FY 2015 LakeXpress and Lake County Connection Operating Statistics 20

SECTION 4. EMERGING ISSUES 25

Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation (NEMT) 25

Use of For-Hire & Car Sharing Services for Last-Mile/First-Mile Transit Trips 25

SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR 2017-2026 & VARIANCE BETWEEN 2015 PLAN UPDATE 26

2016-2025 Implementation Plan 26

2017-2026 Implementation Plan and Variance Between 2015 Update 26

SECTION 6. 2016 TDP ANNUAL UPDATE FINANCIAL PLAN 29

APPENDIX A. Lake-Sumter MPO Public Involvement Plan (Link) 30

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SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

The Transit Development Plan (TDP) serves as the strategic guide for public transportation services in Lake County over a 10-year horizon. Development of the TDP includes the development of goals and objectives for transit service in Lake County based on land use plans, demographic and economic development changes and engagement with the public, to identify transit priorities and trends in public transit use and demand. The TDP is developed within the context and framework of regional transportation goals and objectives with an eye to- wards maximizing federal, state and local funding to enhance LakeXpress fixed route and Lake County Connec- tion paratransit services. All of the goals and objectives of the TDP should reflect the current climate and priorities of our federal, state and local sponsoring agencies which have oversight of our delivery of safe, compliant, and efficient public transit services to the citizens, employees and visitors of Lake County.

The 2016 TDP Annual Update serves as the first TDP Update completed independently by the Lake County Transit Division. This Annual Update will build upon past TDP Updates developed by the Lake-Sumter MPO, while outlining new goals and objectives that reflect the trends in federal and state oversight priorities and specific transit development priorities of Lake County.

2016 TDP Annual Update Requirements In addition to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements promulgated in 49 CFR Section 5303 and the most recent reauthorizations (2005 – 2016) of the federal transportation act (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST), all public transit service providers are required to develop and adopt, within the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) process, a 10-year TDP. The requirement for a TDP is consistent with the State of Florida Public Transit Block Grant (PTBG) program which provides public transit funding support. Additionally, the development of the TDP is consistent with the TDP requirements adopted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on February 20, 2007, as outlined in the Florida Administrative Code, Rule 9J-5, the Chapter 14-73.001 , and all applicable State and Federal requirements.

An additional requirement for the TDP was added by the Florida Legislature in 2007 when it adopted House Bill 985. This legislation amended Section 341.071 of the Florida Statutes (FS), requiring transit agencies to “… specifically address potential enhancements to productivity and performance which would have the effect of increasing farebox recovery ratio.” FDOT subsequently issued guidance requiring the TDP and each annual update is required to include a summary report on the farebox recovery ratio, and strategies implemented and any plans to improve (raise) the ratio.

This Annual Update is developed as a progress report on the adopted TDP and includes the following elements as specified in the Florida Administrative Code: Rule 14-73.001:

1. Past year's accomplishments compared to the original implementation program; 2. Analysis of any discrepancies between the plan and its implementation for the past year and steps that will be taken to attain original goals and objectives; 3. Any revisions to the implementation program for the coming year;

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4. Revised implementation program for the tenth year; 5. Added recommendations for the new tenth year of the updated plan; 6. A revised financial plan; and 7. A revised list of projects or services needed to meet the goals and objectives, including projects for which funding may not have been identified.

Organization of Report The report is broken into seven sections, including the following: 1. Section 1 – Introduction a. Annual Update Requirements b. Organization of Report 2. Section 2 – 2016 TDP Annual Update Overview a. Public Involvement Summary b. Regulatory & Legislative Context c. Mission, Goals & Objectives 3. Section 3 – Service Overview & Accomplishments FY 2016 4. Section 4 – Emerging Issues 5. Section 5 – Implementation Plan for FY 2017-2026 and Variance Between 2016 Plan Update 6. Section 6 – Financial Plan for FY 2017-2026 7. Appendix A – Lake-Sumter MPO Public Involvement Plan (PIP)

SECTION 2. – 2016 TDP ANNUAL UPDATE OVERVIEW

Public Involvement Summary The 2016 TDP Annual Update for the Lake County Transit Division is occurring late in the calendar year because of several significant events which have required the full time and attention of Lake County leadership and the Transit Division staff, to include:  Hiring of new Transit Division Manager, Transit Operations Supervisor and Fixed Route Coordinator;  Planning and Implementation of new Routes (1A, 50E and 50W) to address chronic on-time performance issues with LakeXpress fixed route service;  Preparation for the first FDOT Triennial Audit and Vehicle Safety Inspection of the County’s 74-vehicle transit fleet;  Procurement and transition process for a new operations and maintenance provider to begin in January 2017; and  Completion of Phase III ADA bus stop, bench and shelter installations by September 2016.

Upon approval by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners (LCBCC), Lake County Transit Division will utilize the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Public Involvement Process (PIP) and its Advisory Committees and Task Forces as the vehicle to engage stakeholders on the proposed DRAFT 2016 TDP

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Annual Update. The MPO’s Public Involvement Plan (PIP) was amended by the MPO Board on January 28, 2015 under Resolution 2015-1. The MPO’s PIP is attached in the Appendix.

Representatives of Lake County and Sumter County governments, the 14 municipalities of Lake County, the five municipalities of Sumter County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida Central Railroad, Lake County Schools, Sumter District Schools and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) are involved in the transportation planning process facilitated by the Lake-Sumter MPO. LakeXpress fixed route service operates in 10 of the 14 Lake County municipalities which are members of the Lake-Sumter MPO. Lake County Connection service operates in all Lake County municipalities.

Lake County Transit has an open comment, complaint and suggestion process whereby patrons and stakeholders may submit their concerns regarding LakeXpress and Lake County Connection via email on Lake County’s Official website and at www.ridelakespress.com at any time. We also receive transit service complaints and suggestions throughout the year by telephone and in writing. In the fall of 2014, Lake-Sumter MPO developed a transit survey for passengers on the new Route 50 to glean information on how passengers made their com- mute along this corridor. We have not initiated any additional surveys during the past two years. Supplement- ing the notification process in the MPO plan, notices regarding the 2016 TDP Annual Update will also be posted on the www.ridelakexpress.com and copies of the draft and final plan will also be made available at the Lake County Public Transportation Division Office and local Lake County libraries.

Many of the 2016 accomplishments and future recommendations in the TDP Annual Update reflect the feedback we have received through the aforementioned mediums.

Regulatory & Legislative Context Since the last major update of the Lake County Transit TDP, there have been two major transportation reauthorizations which have impacted the priorities and requirements of federally-funded public transit services within the metropolitan planning process. The seminal changes and/or requirements of these reauthorizations and their relationship to transit services are as follows:

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) – October 1, 2012

 Added new requirement that MPO’s include representation of public transportation providers on pol- icy and governing boards;  Established new performance measure and target requirements for MPO’s as part of the planning process to be developed in coordination with state and public transportation providers;  Allowed transit systems serving populations over 200,000 with 100 buses or fewer the ability to flex some capital funds for operating costs; smaller systems (between 76-100 buses during peak periods) may use 50 percent of their funds; and systems with 75 or fewer buses may use 75 percent of federal funds;  Created a new State of Good Repair requirements under the Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan which requires transit agencies (recipients and sub-recipients of 49 CFR 53 funds) to report performance measures by the asset classes below:

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o Rolling Stock- all revenue vehicles o Facilities – all buildings and structures o Infrastructure o Equipment - non-revenue vehicles  Required all recipients of FTA funding to develop pan agency safety plan and certify that the plan meets FTA requirements. At a minimum these plans must include: o Strategies for identifying risks and minimizing exposure to hazards o An adequately trained safety officer to report directly to the general manager or equivalent o Performance targets based on the safety performance criteria o Staff training program

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST) – December 4, 2015

 Clarifies the role of transit agency representative on MPO Boards;  Introduced the requirement for minimum safety standards as part of the National Safety Plan  Requires DOT rulemaking to prevent driver assaults;  Grants the FTA the authority to issue nationwide transit safety directives;  Grants FTA permission to issue restrictions or prohibitions on operations at unsafe transit agencies  Requires FTA to conduct review of systems’ safety standards, protocols to examine their efficacy;  Streamlines vehicle procurement and leasing; and  Increases funding for the State of Good Repair and the bus program.

It is within the context of enhanced safety requirements; the need to coordinate transit service enhancements with development priorities; and the importance of development goals and objectives with specific performance measurement criteria that the Lake County Transit Division recommends a new TDP mission statement and accompanying goals and objectives.

Mission, Goals & Objectives CURRENT TDP MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

"The mission is to provide a safe, professional, efficient, cost-effective, and accessible public transportation system that will meet the financially feasible mobility and accessibility needs of residents and visitors traveling in Lake County."

Goal 1: Provide cost-effective transit services to meet the evolving transportation needs of the general public.

Objective 1.1 – Monitor demand for new or enhanced transit services.

• Consider how demand might change as population and employment centers grow.

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Objective 1.2 – Ensure that all transit vehicles and transit facilities meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Require contracted operators to use accessible vehicles. • Address ADA compliance of existing facilities in accordance with the 2012 ADA Transition Plan. • Implement new facilities that are ADA-compliant. Objective 1.3 – Preserve current funding sources and identify potential new funding sources for transit to augment federal and state funding.

• Explore means of providing existing transit service more efficiently (e.g., implementation of transit preferential treatments such as queue jump lanes to reduce transit delays). • Expand bus advertising and investigate implementation of shelter and bench advertising. • Encourage paratransit riders to utilize fixed-route transit service when possible. • Create community transit stop adoption programs to reduce transit stop maintenance costs and create a sense of community ownership of transit infrastructure. • Pursue a stable source of operating funds to support existing and future transit services and to serve as local matching funds for state and federal grant programs. • Identify cost saving opportunities through partnerships with local governments and large employers. • Work with local governments, community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), downtown development authorities, and/or other entities to identify sources of additional operating funds for new and expanded transit services. Goal• 2: PPrartovicipaidete r eingi alonl falutu trraen lsoitc acl,o rneginecontialvi, tay.nd state transit or transportation funding initiatives. Objective 2.1 – Provide transit service across county lines.

• Provide fixed-route transit service in partnership with Sumter County Transit. • Continue providing fixed-route transit service in partnership with LYNX. • Continue partnership with LYNX to provide enhanced transit service in the Lake County portion of the Orlando Urbanized Area. • Provide fixed-route transit service in partnership with Polk County Transit Services and/or other Polk County transit operators. • Build on partnerships with the Lake~Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC), and the Flor- ida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to expand regional transit options. • Increase public awareness of the benefits of regional transit service. Objective 2.2 – Provide transit service between activity centers.

• Connect major activity centers and employment centers. • Connect areas with a significant number of low-income and zero-car households to activity centers. • Connect high-density residential areas to activity centers.

Objective 2.3 – Provide transit service to and from transportation hubs.

• Provide county transit service at intercity bus stops and intercity rail stations.

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Objective 2.4 – Coordinate with the Lake-Sumter MPO to monitor and track the need for new park- and-ride lots.

• Monitor existing park and ride facilities to gauge existing levels of usage. • Coordinate with FDOT's reThink commuter services program to identify locations in Lake and Sumter Counties for new park-and-ride lots. • Coordinate with FDOT's reThink commuter services program to promote and market existing and future park-and-ride lots in Lake and Sumter Counties.

Goal 3: Achieve quality of transit service standards and maximize the performance, reliability, efficiency, and capacity of the LakeXpress system.

Objective 3.1 – Continue to improve on-time performance with a goal of achieving 95 percent or better.

Objective 3.2 – Provide transit service at a maximum headway of 1 hour throughout the day.

Objective 3.3 – Improve the LakeXpress passenger experience.

• Provide shelter, seating, solar lighting, and transit route information at all transit stops. • Prioritize the provision of amenities at transfer points and at the stops with the highest levels of boardings and alightings. • Explore the provision of real-time transit information at transfer points. • Explore the provision of Wi-Fi on board buses. • Minimize vehicle breakdowns. Objective 3.4 – Continue to provide transit route and schedule information that is easily accessible by the general public.

• Upgrade and enhance the LakeXpress website. • Explore new technologies and media for providing transit information in Lake and Sum- ter Counties (e.g., a smart phone app created from transit feed data by third-party app developers). Objective 3.5 – Maintain exemplary customer service practices.

• Enhance the mystery rider program and/or develop other programs to review and assess customer service, on-time performance and other related factors.

Objective 3.6 – Maintain safe and secure transit services and transit facilities.

• Comply with ADA requirements when designing and locating transit facilities. • Consider Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles when designing and locating transit facilities. • Explore installation of security cameras on board transit vehicles. • Continue coordinating with local law enforcement agencies. • Coordinate with the Lake County Emergency Management Division. Goal 4: Increase the visibility and utilization of transit services through marketing, educa- tion, and coordination with partners.

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Objective 4.1 – Conduct a proactive and ongoing public outreach program to educate citizens and visitors about the availability, characteristics, and benefits of existing and future transit services.

• Market transit as an attractive and cost-effective travel option. • Coordinate with FDOT's reThink commuter services program to enhance the promo- tion and marketing of ride-sharing. • Upgrade and enhance the www.RideLakexpress.com website. • Explore options to increase the number of ticket sales locations and allow on-line ticket sales. • Improve the visibility of LakeXpress signage and facilities. • Explore innovative approaches to marketing transit (e.g., coordinating marketing efforts with middle and high school media classes). • Explore options to rename existing routes to increase community involvement and pro- motion. • Consider re-naming the routes or selling the naming rights to local businesses. • Continue marketing to students for free rides during the summer and holidays. Obj•ec tiWove 4.2rk w– iMthai lntocaainl vean nondogrosing to d aialdoveguerti swie tonh t hbuse pub sclihce thdurlouesg. h surveys and presentations to citizens’• groupTracs, kt heand Lake prXomproteess Tsuasccek Fssoreces ,i na nadtt therac Ttingran csiot mDpiseatdivativnte agefedde Craol orfudndiniangting g rBaontsard. a nd awards.

• Explore improvements to existing passenger outreach methods. • Improve existing passenger outreach methods by conducting Transit Training. • Develop and promote a student outreach and marketing program which may include reduced fare or no-fare strategies. Objective 4.3 – Support local and regional transportation demand management programs.

• Coordinate with FDOT's reThink commuter services program. • Develop and support strategies and policies to reduce travel demand (specifically that of single- occupant vehicles) and/or redistribute this demand.

Goal 5: Coordinate transit services with the planning efforts and projects of local governments and agencies.

Objective 5.1 – Coordinate planning efforts to provide or enhance transit in urbanized areas by integrating transit into development review processes.

• Coordinate with the MPO to revise the Traffic Impact Study Methodology Guidelines to include transit assessments. • Enhance coordination with the Lake County Public Works and Growth Manage- ment Departments to ensure that transit needs are addressed in County-approved development projects.

Objective 5.2 – Support partners' transportation studies and projects, including the US 192, SR 50, and US 441 projects.

• Provide data to support these studies and projects. • Obtain data from these studies and projects. • Incorporate transit infrastructure (e.g., striping of transit lanes), and ADA accessibility projects, into planned and programmed roadway projects and resurfacing projects.

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Objective 5.3 – Coordinate transit planning efforts with the near- and long-term planning efforts of local governments, agencies, and the State.

• Initiate planning strategies to provide transit service in projected growth areas. • Continue coordinating planning and programming efforts with the MPO. • MPO should coordinate with the cities to ensure that transit needs are addressed in all of their new developments as well as with redevelopment projects. Objective 5.4 – Coordinate planning efforts with local human services agencies.

• Reduce service duplication and fragmentation. • Monitor and encourage migration of paratransit riders to LakeXpress service. • Coordinate with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). • Coordinate with Sumter County on the provision of paratransit trips. • Develop and promote a mobility management program. • Explore establishing a Human Services Committee to better identify service needs and identify funding.

Goal 6: Encourage land use patterns that support and promote transit patronage.

Objective 6.1 – Promote model land development regulations that encourage transit-oriented development and require the provision of transit infrastructure and amenities in new developments.

Objective 6.2 – Coordinate with local governments to provide incentives for developers to create transit-oriented developments.

• Encourage growth and redevelopment along existing LakeXpress transit routes • Work with local governments to identify existing and future transit stops with transit- oriented development potential. • Work to streamline and simplify the process for transit-oriented development to occur at or along LakeXpress routes. • Work with the private sector, local governments, and the Lake~Sumter MPO to attract and implement transit-oriented, walkable, mixed-use development around LakeXpress transit routes.

Objective 6.3 – Identify opportunities to educate the community regarding the economic benefits of transit service and transit-oriented development.

• Develop public transportation services with a focus on employment sites. • Develop transit services designed to link employment opportunities with afford- able and workforce housing. • Create a user-friendly brochure outlining the economic benefits of transit service and transit- oriented development. • Partner with the Lake County Economic Development Department to promote transit.

Objective 6.4 – Work with local governments to improve connectivity of sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and trails in existing and future transit corridors.

Goal 7: Identify and implement energy conservation and sustainability practices.

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Objective 7.1 – Improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

• Encourage contracted operators to use vehicles that run on alternative fuels and alternative propulsion systems. • Require contracted operators to sustain exemplary fleet maintenance practices.

Objective 7.2 – Support land use decision-making that reduces trip lengths and promotes non- automobile travel.

• Encourage growth and redevelopment along LakeXpress transit routes. • Work with the private sector, local governments, and the MPO to attract and implement transit-oriented, walkable, mixed-use developments along LakeXpress transit routes.

Goal 8: Ensure the safety of the passengers, drivers, the general public and prop- erty in the delivery of all transportation services.

• Establish a culture of safety with the contracted operator that permeates throughout the organization. • Promote educational campaigns about transit, pedestrian and bicycle safety. • Maintain a transit accident and incident database to effectively evaluate all events in order to establish corrective actions.

PROPOSED New Mission, Goals & Objectives The proposed mission statement speaks to the benefits of having a quality public transit service to comple- ment the economic development and natural resource goals of Lake County. The proposed goals and objectives further elucidate the benefits of complementing the County’s goals with specific evaluation criteria to determine quantitatively and qualitatively how Lake County meets the proposed goals and objectives.

“To meet the mobility needs of residents and visitors by providing a safe, e f f i c i e n t , f i s c a l l y c o n t r a i n e d and accessible public transit system that supports sustainable development while enhancing the quality of life in Lake County."

Goal 1. Provide local and regional transit accessibility and mobility for the greatest numbers of County residents and businesses.

Objectives: 1. Increase neighborhood and activity center connectivity a. Performance Measure- Transit Travel Time: Transit travel time between major neighborhood and regional activity centers. 2. Improve access to local and regional centers a. Performance Measure-Ridership: How well existing and proposed routes serve activity, population and employment and activity centers 3. Provide accessible facilities to support mobility options for all a. Performance Measure- Accessibility: ADA accessible facilities including bus stops, sidewalks, etc. within ¼-mile of transit stop and activity centers.

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Goal 2. Encourage regional and local community and economic development goals that support transit

Objectives: 1. Support community and economic development initiatives such as Main Streets ®, Safe Routes to School ® and others to integrate transit into cities and neighborhoods a. Performance Measure – Number of Initiatives: Number of regional, County and local initiatives served/leveraged within ½-mile of transit corridor, or 1-mile of a transit center/transfer location. 2. Promote Transit-Supportive Land Use, Zoning & Development a. Performance Measure – Sidewalks & Bike Paths/Trails: The number of miles of accessible sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure adjacent to transit stops and/or centers and major activity centers b. Performance Measure – Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategies: The number of TDM strategies and requirements incorporated into approved commercial and residential developments approved by the County and municipalities 3. Achieve regional, local and community support of transit initiatives a. Performance Measure – Community Support: The level of support, interest and opposition to proposed transit service changes by area residents and businesses

Goal 3. Enhanced System Performance for Fixed-Route & Paratransit Services

Objectives: 1. Improve service reliability, on-time performance and customer service a. Performance Measure- Travel Time Savings: Evaluates the effect of current and proposed service improvements on travel time between select origin and destination (O/D) pairs. b. Performance Measure – Miles Between Road Calls: No less than 10,000 miles between roadcalls for all services c. Performance Measure – Age of Rolling Stock: Maintain 6-year average age of all rolling stock d. Performance Measure – Customer Complaints: Number of customer complaints per 1,000 boardings as a measure of customer service and satisfaction. 2. Increase Ridership a. Performance Measure- Person Through-Put: Evaluates the effect of proposed transit service on the number of people who can be moved through the corridor with transit versus single-occupancy vehicles 3. Maintain Cost Efficiencies and Financial Stability a. Performance Measure- Cost Savings: Evaluates the savings accrued as a result of investing in transit service in coordination with other infrastructure projects b. Performance Measure – Farebox Recovery: Evaluates the percentage of farebox revenue recovered (derived by dividing the fare revenue by operating expenses) as a percentage of the operating costs. Lake County’s goal is to achieve 10% farebox recovery ratio by 2019. c. Performance Measure- Operating Expense Per Trip: Reduce the operating expense per trip annually by 1% for the next five years. d. Performance Measure – Transit Asset Management Plan: Creation of TAM Plan by FY 2018 to outline vehicle fleet needs to support TIP and TDP.

Goal 4. Promote environmental quality and safety for all stakeholders

Objectives:

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1. Promote safe operation of all transit vehicles a. Performance Measure: Preventable Accidents: Reduce the number of preventable accidents per per 100,000 miles by 5% annually 2. Decrease the number of driver assaults for all services a. Performance Measure: Assaults and Incidents committed against Drivers- No more than one incident per 100,000 miles for all services 3. Increase the number of ADA-accessible transit stops a. Performance Measure- Number of ADA accessible bus stops per fixed route: Install and/or retrofit at least 5% of all non-compliant bus stops on each route annually 4. Reduce Environmental Impacts a. Performance Measure: Number and impact to natural, social and historic resources – Reduce the number of environmental impacts of proposed services on transit corridors b. Performance Measure: Number of new alternative energy sources – Utilize new alternatives, where applicable for vehicles, transit amenities (i.e. fare vending kiosks, solar lights, etc.) to support transit.

SECTION 3. – SERVICE OVERVIEW & PAST YEAR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Service Overview Lake County, Florida, is a suburban County located in central Florida, spanning 371 square miles, just Northwest of the Orlando Metropolitan area and Orange County. Lake County (hereinafter referred to as the County) is included in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and is in the Lake-Sum- ter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) service area for metropolitan transportation planning. With a population of approximately 300,000 residents, Lake County is an example of a growing suburban County with a transit system that connects residents, visitors and employees alike to natural parks and forests, jobs and recreational activities in the 14 municipalities of Lake County which are home to over 1,400 lakes. The operating environment of Lake County public transit services include urban, suburban, exurban and rural areas throughout the County.

Lake County is served by a legislative Board of County Commissioners representing five districts in Lake County. The daily operations of the County are overseen by a County Manager and County Attorney. The County seat of Lake County is the City of Tavares, Florida. There are 14 incorporated municipalities in Lake County including: Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Min- neola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares and Umatilla.

Lake County’s public transit services consists of LakeXpress, fixed route service operating on seven routes and the Lake County Connection (LCC) complementary ADA/paratransit and Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) service. Fixed route services operate Monday through Friday, approximately 6:00 AM to 7:45 PM; Paratransit vehicles operate Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 7:45 PM. Fixed route vehicles do not run on Saturdays Sun- days, and the below holidays. Paratransit service is provided on Saturdays for dialysis service before 6:00P.M.:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day Memorial Day

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Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

Routes 1, 1A, 2, 3, 50E and 50W operate on a one-hour headway schedule. Route 4 operates on a two-hour headway. The fixed route service is provided by a fleet size ranging from thirty feet (30’) to forty feet (35’) consisting of Gillig, Blue Bird, Eldorado and International vehicles. A summary of the routes are as follows:

Route 1 - Leesburg – Eustis: This trunk route travels East and West from Citizens Boulevard in Leesburg to Eustis, terminating at Lake Tech. Route 1 meets the Route 2 and Route 1A buses in Leesburg at the Citizens Boulevard transfer location. Traveling East/West, Route 1 serves Leesburg, Tavares and Eustis. Users can transfer between Route 1 to Routes 3 and 4 at Lake Tech in Eustis. All transfers are free.

Route 1A- The Villages to Leesburg: This hourly trunk route, initiated in May 2016, travels North and South from Spanish Springs in The Villages to Leesburg to the Citizens Boulevard transfer location. Route 1A meets Routes 2 and 1 buses in Leesburg and serves the Cities of Lady Lake, Fruitland Park and Leesburg.

Route 2 - The Leesburg Circulator: This hourly circulator route travels through Leesburg on a loop. Route 2 serves the major activity centers in Leesburg. Its boundaries are north to Wal-Mart on US 27 at the Leesburg/Fruitland Park County limits, South to SR 44, then East to Leesburg Regional Medical Center, then west to CR 468.

Route 3 - The Mount Dora Circulator: This hourly circulator route travels through Mount Dora in a loop. Route 3 serves the major activity centers in Mount. Dora. The boundaries are Northeast to Limit Avenue, South to Camp Avenue, West to Donnelly Street (including historic downtown), and East to Wardell Street.

Route 4 – Umatilla - Zellwood: The Zellwood Connector provides service every 120 minutes from the Altoona Post Office on SR 19 to the community of Zellwood on US 441. This service links major activity centers between Umatilla, Eustis and Mount Dora to Zellwood and connects to LYNX Route 44 in Orange County. The transfer from LakeXpress to LYNX is free.

Route 50W – Mascotte – Clermont: The Route 50 West Route operates hourly and was initiated on December 1, 2015 as Route 50 operating between Mascotte and Winter Garden in Orange County. In May 2016, Route 50 was split into two routes, Route 50 West and Route 50 East. Route 50 West provides service between Mascotte and the Clermont Park and Ride Lot and serves the Cities of Clermont, Groveland and Mascotte.

Route 50E – Clermont – Winter Garden: The Route 50 East Route operates hourly and was initiated on December 1, 2015 as Route 50 operating between Mascotte and Winter Garden in Orange County. In May 2016, Route 50 was split into two routes, Route 50 West and Route 50 East. Route 50 East provides

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service between Clermont Park and Ride Lot and serves the Cities of Clermont and Winter Garden terminating at the Winter Garden Regional Shopping Center in Orange County. This service connects to LYNX Route 105 in Orange County and is a free transfer.

Deviated Fixed-Route: The County operates a deviated fixed route service that operates on Fridays and travels from Paisley to Deland, Florida. The service operates between the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. every Friday.

ADA Complementary Paratransit Service. This service is provided by the County as required by U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). As required by these regulations (49 CFR Parts 27, 37 and 38), individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the fixed route system and who are determined “ADA Paratransit Eligible” by the County are eligible to use this service. All types of trip purposes are served, without prioritization, under the ADA program, and the service must be operated without “capacity constraints” as detailed in the regulations.

Complementary Paratransit service is provided on a “next-day” basis and is provided during all days and hours that the LakeXpress fixed route service is provided. ADA service is provided along the fixed route corridor. A distinction is made between trips with origins and destinations that are within three quarters (3/4) of a mile of a fixed route and those with origins and destinations outside the fixed route area.

Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Service. This service is provided using funding made available to the County by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) under Chapter 427, Florida Statutes. Certain seniors, persons with disabilities, low-income individuals, and others who meet the definition of “transportation disadvantaged” under Chapter 427, Florida Statutes, are eligible to use this service.

Service policies, including trip purposes, types (Medical, non-medical, billing by provider/managed care organization), days and hours of service, service area, fares, and other policies are established through the Transpor- tation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (TDCB) are detailed in contracts that the County has with the Florida CTD and must be adhered to by the County’s contracted service provider.

FY 2016 Accomplishments  Information Technology o Completed County-wide Bus Stop Inventory utilizing Automated Transit Stop Inventory Model (ATSIM) system to inventory all 450+ Lake County transit stops o Instituted planning for the RouteShout, real-time travel application to notify customers of their LakeXpress Bus location and arrival times

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o Issued solicitation for an Information Technology Contract to support all transit vehicle information technology to include automatic passenger count (APC), automated voice annunciation (AVA), mobile tablets, on-board video cameras and other technology needs o Began planning for new LakeXpress and Lake County Connection Website

 LakeXpress o Placed three, new Gillig fixed route buses into service to support service expansion on Route 50

Route 50 New Service Launch, December 2015 – Photo Courtesy South Lake Tablet

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o Presentations of ”Transit in Your Town” February 2016 – September 2016 . Presented overviews of LakeXpress and Lake County Connection (LCC) service and ridership to cities of Groveland, Clermont, Tavares, Leesburg, Eustis and Mascotte; and Partners Investing in People (PIP); . Encouraged the inclusion of transit in local development reviews and city ordinances to support transit. . Provided cities with information on transit stop improvements. o Completed Phase III ADA Transit Stop and Shelter/Bench installations, County-wide.

o Umatilla, Florida Bus Shelter – Route 4- Photo Courtesy Lake County Transit 2016

Tavares, Florida Bus Shelter – Route 1 – Photo Courtesy Lake County Transit 2016

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Eustis, Florida Bus Bench – Route 1 – Photo Courtesy Lake County Transit, 2016

o Supported Leesburg Partnership for the 20th Annual Bike Fest with deviated fixed-route bus service by providing 3,796trips April 22nd – 24th, 2016 to support the event

o New Routes & Service Changes . December 1, 2015  Instituted Route 50 - Mascotte to Winter Garden Service

Route 50 New Service Launch, December 2015 – Photo Courtesy South Lake Tablet

. May 31, 2016  Instituted Route 1A  Split Route 50 into Route 50 East & Route 50 West  Service Changes to Route 1  Minor Service Changes to Routes 2, 3 and 4 . Reduced LakeXpress travel time and improved On-Time Performance (OTP)

 Lake County Connection o Placed 16, new paratransit buses into service to support ADA and TD Trips

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Lake County Connection paratransit vehicle – Photo Courtesy Lake County Transit, 2016

New logo launched in 2016 – Graphic Courtesy Lake County Communications Department, 2016

o Lake County Communications Department developed a new Lake County Connection logo o Other Life-Sustaining Trips added to the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program in August 2016 to provide more LCC service to clients for family visits and employment o 10th Annual Stuff the Bus Campaign at Mt. Dora Walmart yielded 4,509lbs of food for the Lake Cares Food Pantry in Mount Dora

 Oversight, Administration & Planning o Completed FDOT Triennial Review with minimal findings, Summer 2016 o Hired new Office Associate V, Fixed Route Coordinator, Transit Operations Supervisor and Transit Manager o Created new Travel Training Program o Initiated procurement for new operations and maintenance provider

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FY 2015 LakeXpress and Lake County Connection Operating Statistics

Fixed Route On Time Performance 100.00% 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 Fixed Route 36.92% 61.93% 83.92% Standard 90.00% 90.00% 90.00%

Fixed Route Standard

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SECTION 4. – EMERGING ISSUES

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Over the past few years, changes in Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation (NEMT) have reduced the number of paratransit and TD trips provided by Lake County Connection, thereby requiring us to take a thorough look at the cost of our operations and ways in which we can begin to increase opportunities for TD and ADA clients to transition to fixed route services. Based on NEMT changes, Lake County will propose the elimination of Medicaid Transportation as part of the 2017 TDP Update. This was discussed in the 2015 TDP Update. The new 2017-2026 Implementation Plan is derived based on our assumptions regarding Medicaid transportatoin; employment; travel patterns; and growth and development in the County over the 10-year horizon.

Lake County is one of the few Florida Counties that still provides NEMT. Many jurisdictions and transit agencies eliminated NEMT over five years ago. Lake County is currently in the process of terminating agreements with NEMT brokerage services to support the proposal to cease providing NEMT trips.

Use of For-Hire & Car Sharing Services for First-Mile/Last-Mile Transit Trips Over the past few years, jurisdictions, municipalities and transit agencies have begun partnering with Transpor- tation Network Companies (TNC’s), which include for-hire car services (traditional taxi companies and car sharing services like Uber®, Bridj® and Lyft®) to connect patrons to fixed route bus lines, provide complementary ADA paratransit trips, and to connect regional rail systems for the first mile, last mile segments of some transit trips.

Some jurisdictions and municipalities that have TNC partnerships have regulatory entities that regulate the in- dustry and ensure background checks, insurance and vehicle integrity, etc. Most of the programs in Florida have been limited term, grant funded initiatives ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, to subsidize the for-hire/car sharing rates. Nationwide, trip subsidies range from $2.00 - $10.00. Moreover, Uber® and Lyft® TNC’s utilize “surge pricing” which means peak demand trip costs can be double, or more than the subsidy, requiring patrons to pay significantly more than the subsidy covers during peak periods.

As many of these programs are pilots, there are no recurring funds to support the administrative, oversight and program management functions that come along with such partnerships. Nationwide, there are many variations in TNC public-private partnerships. Some have eligibility (i.e. HART) requirements for application in ADA/TD programs and some were designed to address low ridership demands on underperforming fixed route lines.

As there is currently no oversight or regulatory agency for TNC’s in Lake County, the use of such services requires further analysis. Lake County will continue to evaluate these programs and await further guidance from the FTA and FDOT on best practices and impacts to grant funds before entering into such agreements. Further, since 2017 will require a Major Update of the Lake County Transit Development Plan, Lake County will be performing a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) and TDP Update, simultaneously, to provide a detailed plan for the growth and development of Lake County’s Public Transit System in the context of these changing operating trends.

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SECTION 5. – IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR 2017-2026 & VARIANCE BETWEEN 2015 PLAN UPDATE

2016-2025 Implementation Plan The 2015 TDP Plan Update outlined several proposed plans that, due to ridership demand and fleet requirements, were not achievable. Additionally, Lake County Transit Division has experienced significant fleet maintenance challenges which preclude the County from entertaining any significant increases in service, to include service expansion, new routes and increased spans of service for any of our transit routes at this time. Because of the aforementioned factors, we have modified the 2017-2026 Implementation Plan to reflect the actual fleet inventory and operating environment in which Lake County provides transit service.

2016-2025 Implementation Plan – Image Courtesy 2015 TDP Update, Lake-Sumter MPO, 2015

2017-2026 Implementation Plan and Variance Between 2015 Update

2017 – No New Service The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified weekend service for all routes. However, in order to compre- hensively grow transit service, it is not advisable to enter into weekend operations in advance of a comprehensive operational analysis to evaluate the financial impacts of incorporating weekend service for all routes. Based on the existing ridership and cost of operating weekday service, Lake County does not have the funds, fleet capacity or demand to support weekend service.

2018 – No New Service The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified no new service during this year. The 2016 TDP Update supports this plan as 2018 will be the first year for a new Lake County transit operations and maintenance provider. On the heels of significant fleet maintenance state of good repair improvements, the addition of six new fixed route buses will occur between calendar year 2017 and 2018 to support a healthy spare ratio for the service which currently does not exist. We will also be deadlining five Blue Bird buses during this period which will support our goal of maintaining a rolling stock average age of six years for all of our fleet.

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2019 – No New Service The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified evening service for Routes 1-4 and Route 50. The 2016 TDP Update proposes no new service in 2019, as the impact of increased frequencies on the Routes 1A, 50 East and 50 West in 2019 will need to be evaluated to ensure capacity and the maintenance of spare ratios following the first full year of operations and maintenance with a new transit operations vendor.

2020 – Reduced Headways/Increased Frequency on High Ridership Routes The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified the introduction of a new Clermont-Minneola Circulator, Route 60. Although there is significant growth in the Clermont area of South Lake, commensurate growth in the form of high density-housing is needed to support a Circulator service between Minneola and Clermont. To capitalize on the high ridership along Routes 1 and 2, it is anticipated that increased congestion and population growth along this corridor supports increased frequency of service. It is proposed for a decrease in headways by 10-15 minutes based on fleet availability. Additionally, Route 4 is proposed for reduced headways from two hours to one hour.

2021 – Extended Service Hours on Some Routes The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified no new service during this year. The 2016 TDP Update recommends the extension of service hours along high-ridership routes that support major employment and activity centers. Examples of routes that would be ideal for service hour extensions are those in the Leesburg/Tavares/Fruitland Park Corridor into North Lake. The extended hours of service would be beyond the current 7:45p.m. to approximately 8:45p.m. – 9:00p.m. The routes proposed for extended service hours include Routes 1A, 1, and Route 2.

2022 – Limited Weekend Service (Planning & Analysis) No New Service The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified no new service during this year. The 2016 TDP Update proposes the analysis and evaluation of limited weekend service on Saturdays as this will potentially be the first year of a new negotiated transit operations and maintenance contract, which may include the addition of weekend service. Limited weekend service on Saturdays can begin in phases with the high ridership circulator routes getting weekend service so support major activity centers. Routes 2 and 3 are ideal for weekend service, fol- lowed by Routes 1A, 1 and Routes 50 East and 50 West in future years. Discussions regarding new transportation reauthorization will inform the County’s ability to continue funding transit to this level. Therefore, weekend service will be evaluated in 2027 following the next reauthorization.

2023 – No New Service The 2015 TDP Update identified doubling the headway frequency on Routes 1-4 and 50. The 2016 TDP Update proposes no new service as the evaluation of the limited weekend service impacts on the fleet availability will be required to ensure capacity to meet the schedule of operations assumed by this year which would include: Limited Weekend Service; increased frequencies on some routes; and extended service hours.

2024 – Reduced Headways/Increased Frequencies on All Routes The 2015 TDP Update identified no new service. Just as is proposed in 2020 for Routes 1, 2, and 4 in 2020, Routes 1A, 3, 50 East and 50 West will have increased frequencies. It is proposed that the headways on these Routes be reduced by 10-15 minutes based on fleet availability.

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2025 - No New Service The 2015 TDP Update and 10-year plan identified no new service during this year. The 2016 TDP Update supports this plan as 2025 will be the next time a major update of the Lake-Sumter Long Range Transportation Plan.

2026 – No New Service The 2016 TDP Update recommends no new service in the year 2026.

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SECTION 6. – 2016 TDP ANNUAL UPDATE FINANCIAL PLAN

Annual Operating Costs for Lake County Transit Improvements (2017 – 2026)

Service Type/Mode Fiscal Year FIXED ROUTE SERVICES FY 2017 FY 2018 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 TOTAL Route1A $535,936 $552,014 $568,575 $585,632 $603,201 $621,297 $639,936 $659,134 $678,908 $699,275 $6,143,910 Route1 $768,030 $791,071 $814,803 $839,247 $864,425 $890,357 $917,068 $944,580 $972,918 $1,002,105 $8,804,605 Route 2 $249,563 $257,049 $264,761 $272,704 $280,885 $289,311 $297,991 $306,931 $316,138 $325,623 $2,860,956 Route 3 $271,400 $279,542 $287,928 $296,566 $305,463 $314,627 $324,066 $333,788 $343,801 $354,115 $3,111,297 Route 4 $255,803 $263,477 $271,381 $279,523 $287,908 $296,546 $305,442 $314,605 $324,043 $333,765 $2,932,494 Route 50 East $293,237 $302,035 $311,096 $320,428 $330,041 $339,943 $350,141 $360,645 $371,464 $382,608 $3,361,638 Route 50 West $292,612 $301,391 $310,432 $319,745 $329,338 $339,218 $349,394 $359,876 $370,672 $381,793 $3,354,472 Sub-Total Maintain Existing Fixed Route $2,666,582 $2,746,579 $2,828,977 $2,913,846 $3,001,261 $3,091,299 $3,184,038 $3,279,559 $3,377,946 $3,479,284 $30,569,372 OTHER SERVICES Maintain TD/ADA Paratransit Service $2,912,821 $3,000,206 $3,090,212 $3,182,918 $3,278,406 $3,376,758 $3,478,061 $3,582,402 $3,689,874 $3,800,571 $33,392,228 Lynx 55 - Lynx $259,992 $267,792 $275,826 $284,100 $292,623 $301,402 $310,444 $319,757 $329,350 $339,231 $2,980,517 Sub-Total Maintain Other Existing Services $3,172,813 $3,267,997 $3,366,037 $3,467,018 $3,571,029 $3,678,160 $3,788,505 $3,902,160 $4,019,225 $4,139,801 $36,372,745 NEW SERVICES Increase frequency on Route 1A $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $329,567 $0 $0 $329,567 Increase frequency on Route 1 $0 $0 $0 $559,498 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $559,498 Increase frequency on Route 2 $0 $0 $0 $272,704 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $272,704 Increase frequency on Route 3 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $333,788 $0 $0 $333,788 Increase frequency on Route 4 $0 $0 $0 $279,523 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $279,523 Increase frequency on Route 50 East $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $360,645 $0 $0 $360,645 Increase frequency on Route 50 West $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $359,876 $0 $0 $359,876 Extend service hours on Route 1A $0 $0 $0 $0 $369,298 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $369,298 Extend service hours on Route 1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $577,523 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $577,523 Extend service hours on Route 2 $0 $0 $0 $0 $196,154 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $196,154 Add weekend service on Route 2 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $7,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $7,500 Add weekend service on Route 3 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $7,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $7,500 Sub-Total Fixed Route Improvements $0 $0 $0 $1,111,725 $1,142,975 $15,000 $0 $1,383,876 $0 $0 $3,653,576 OTHER NEW SERVICES Sub-Total TD/ADA Paratransit New Service $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS Operating Costs - Existing Service $5,839,395 $6,014,577 $6,195,014 $6,380,864 $6,572,290 $6,769,459 $6,972,543 $7,181,719 $7,397,171 $7,619,086 $66,942,117 Operating Costs - New Service $0 $0 $0 $1,111,725 $1,142,975 $15,000 $0 $1,383,876 $0 $0 $3,653,576 Total Annual Operating Costs $5,839,395 $6,014,577 $6,195,014 $7,492,589 $7,715,265 $6,784,459 $6,972,543 $8,565,595 $7,397,171 $7,619,086 $70,595,693

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APPENDIX A: Lake~Sumter MPO Public Involvement Plan

The Lake~Sumter MPO Public Involvement Plan can be found at the following link: http://www.lakesumtermpo.com/pdfs/pip/LSMPO_PIP_2014_amendment_FINAL.pdf

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