I Palm Tran I
Operations
Maintenance
Palm Tran Connection
Marketing
Capital Expansion
I 570 Positions I DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN DEPARTMENTS~Y
MISSION
To provide Palm Beach County residents with increased mobility via a safe, convenient, user friendly, and affordable public transportation system.
SUMlVIARV OF SERVICES/FACILITIES
Palm Tran provides two types of public transit service employees on 33 fixed routes. Paratransit service is for Palm Beach County. Traditional fixed route services provided by Palm Tran CONNECTION with offices are provided with a fleet of 129 buses operating from located in suburban Lake Worth. Private contractors facilities in West Palm Beach and Delray Beach. At operate 210 vans providing door-to-door service for peak times 109 buses are operated by Palm Tran senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
TRENDS AND ISSUES
Fixed Route Services: Fixed route ridership has Ridership to/from Tri-Rail stations represents a growing increased by over 17.5% over the last two years. This is niche in our ridership. When the double track project is the result of several factors including improved service completed, Tri-Rail will be capable of operating trains and service reliability, the modification of routes by the on its corridor every 20 minutes. This should increase Palm Tran Service Board and of late, the rising cost of use ofTri-Rail by County. residents and attract additional gasoline. While over 40% of current fixed route ridership to Palm Tran, especially to the east-west bus ridership is carried by the three routes that serve the routes. While Palm Tran's five year plan includes the three major north-south corridors in the eastern section procurement of additional buses to operate increased of the County: U.S. 1, Congress Avenue, and Military service for this, various new sources will need to be Trail, we are also seeing significant ridership increases explored to fund the increase in Palm Tran's operating on east-west routes, as well. One significant issue fleet. associated with our ridership growth that has increased Paratransit Services: Over the past several years, dramatically over the last year has been our inability to paratransit services have grown dramatically in both pick up all customers waiting for particular trips. A ridership and expense. This trend is expected to capacity load issue, like this, was previously a rare continue as the population ages and more individuals occurrence at Palm Tran, usually the result of an with disabilities are attracted to South Florida. operating issue. Reports of buses at capacity with a Paratransit alternatives for low population density areas standing load of passengers have become all too will need to be explored in the future in collaboration common on our major routes. Many of these reports with local municipalities. Palm Tran CONNECTION were confirmed by customer complaints or Palm Tran continues its efforts in working with the Palm Beach Supervisors. County Emergency Operations Center in preparing for hurricane related transportation and evacuations.
Palm Beach County, Florida C-177 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN DEPARTMENTS~Y
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
FINANCIAL& FY 2005 FY2006 FY 2006 FY 2007 STAFFING SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimated Budget
REVENUES GENERATED User Fees/Charges 12,031,295 12,640,974 12,819,550 13,214,982 Gas Taxes 13,044,762 13,245,000 13,429,296 13,697,882 Grants 16,050,232 29,356,470 19,855,444 31,484,429 Interfund Transfers 674,584 541,687 541,687 641,787 AdValorem 7,940,966 26,135,490 21,042,453 31,780,407 Other 17,756,394 9,912,855 11 256,742 6,3 87,694 TOTAL $67,498,233 $91,832,476 $78,945,172 $97,207,181 APPROPRIATIONS Personal Services 29,686,440 33,371,986 32,921,990 35,411,566 Operating Expenses 30,020,894 43,059,135 35,974,511 43,324,408 Capital Outlay 4,553,292 13,401,355 7,781,171 16,111,740 Debt Service 2,200,000 2,000,000 2,200,000 675,000 Grants and Aids 1,037,607 0 67,500 1,684,467 TOTAL $67,498,233 $91,832,476 $78,945,172 $97,207,181 STAFFING Positions 554 561 562 570 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) 546.00 553.00 554.00 566.50
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROl\1 PRIOR YEAR
Fixed Route Service: Palm Tran's budget request Paratransit Service: The "Transition Period" for the includes funding for service expansion to the North new carriers is over and the fleet is fully compliant. County area that was previously approved but not Improved service has led to a decrease in complaints and funded. The planned service will operate on an hourly an increase in productivity. The increase in productivity frequency, Monday-Saturday. Staff, with the support of has helped to control costs. In addition, Palm Beach the Palm Tran Service Board, recommends increasing County (Palm Tran CONNECTION) began providing service on Routes 1, 2, 3, 47, 48. These changes would Medicaid transportation services for County residents on provide increased ridership capacity in areas where we January 1, 2005. This service was previously operated have experienced both significant ridership growth and by a private vendor under contract with the Agency for overcrowding issues. Additionally, Palm Tran's budget Health Care Administration. While this service is fully includes additional money in the bus operator overtime reimbursable, the yearly added cost for the operation of budget to enable staff to be able to respond when this service is budgeted at $4 million. Palm Tran confronted with documented cases of service CONNECTION was named the 2006 Urban Community overcrowding. Palm Tran's budget also includes Transportation Coordinator of the Year by the Florida reductions of service amounting to a savings in excess of Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. $250,000. Fixed route ridership is projected to grow by at least 10% in FY 2007.
Palm Beach County, Florida C-178 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: OPERATIONS
DEFINITION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
To provide daily scheduled service in a timely, safe, customer friendly, and professional manner. Primary services include:
~ hire and train drivers;
~ dispatch vehicles;
~ establish work assignments and administer the union contract;
~ investigate accidents; and
~ investigate and respond to customer complaints.
PROGRAl\'1 OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2007
~ Reduce "at-fault" accidents per 100,000 miles to .9 or less.
~ Provide reliable service based on percent on operating 99% of scheduled trips.
~ Reduce average miles per passenger complaint to 5,000 miles per complaint.
~ Increase riders per revenue hour on Weekdays to 20 .1.
~ Increase riders per revenue hour on Saturdays to 16.4.
~ Increase riders per revenue hour on Sundays to 15.8.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY 2005 5Year Benchmark FY2006 FY 2007 Actual Trend Comparison Budget Target
"At-fault" accidents per 100,000 miles 0.61 n/a n/a 0.5 0.9 Percent of scheduled trips met 100% n/a n/a 99% 99% Average miles per complaint 4,189 n/a n/a 7,500 5,000 Weekday riders per revenue hour n/a n/a n/a n/a 20.1 Saturday riders per revenue hour n/a n/a n/a n/a 16.4 Sunday riders per revenue hour n/a n/a n/a n/a 15.8
Palm Beach County, Florida C-179 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: OPERATIONS
FINANCIAL SUl\111\'IARY
FINANCIAL& FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2006 FY2007 STAFFING SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimated Budget
REVENUES GENERATED User Fees/Charges 7,453,801 6,978,865 7,157,441 7,852,218 Gas Taxes 13,044,762 13,245,000 13,429,296 13,697,882 Grants 3,993,025 16,586,248 11,547,004 12,185,136 Inter-Departmental Charges 633,400 500,000 500,000 600,100 AdValorem 7,940,966 26,135,490 21,042,453 31,780,407 Other 17,415,876 7,975,813 11 ,068 614 5,336,046 TOTAL $50,481,830 $71,421,416 $64,7 44,808 $71,451,789 APPROPRIATIONS Personal Services 19,936,720 22,168,762 21,835,766 23,466,378 Operating Expenses 5,485,233 9,034,868 2,527,697 4,735,441 Capital Outlay 0 5,951,320 2,799,376 2,951 ,945 Debt Service 0 2,000,000 2,200,000 0 TOTAL $25,421,953 $39,154,950 $29,362,839 $31,153,764 STAFFING Positions 363 368 369 374 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) 358.00 363.00 364.00 370.50
SU!\'Il\IARY OF KEY FUl\1liNG/SERVICE ISSUES
Budget Increase: The increase in the FY 2007 Route 1 on the US1 corridor to a 15 minute peak service operations budget is due in part to normal inflationary frequency, and increase Route 40's hourly weekday factors, annualized increases in basic personal services service to a 30 minute peak weekday service (including costs, and the proposed increases in service on several one additional peak trip) at an additional cost of routes. $185,896. New positions for FY 2007 include five full time operators to increase the 20 minute service frequency on
Palm Beach County, Florida C-180 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: MAINTENANCE
DEFINITION OF PROGRAJVIS AND SERVICES
To provide proper, cost-effective maintenance of the bus fleet ensuring that sufficient vehicles are available to meet daily service requirements. Primary services include: .,.. Daily vehicle repair requirements including fueling and cleaning, collision repair, and road call assistance; .,.. Scheduled Preventive Maintenance inspection program including servicing of all fluids, filters and complete bus inspections; .,.. Employee education and development program including mechanic training, safety training and supervisor training; .,.. Storage and replacement of parts inventory; .,.. Facilities and equipment maintenance; and .,.. Maintenance payroll, employee attendance, hiring and labor agreement administration requirements.
PROGRAl\1 OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2007
.,.. Perform scheduled preventive maintenance fleet wide maintaining a 5,800 mile average . .,.. Maintain a fleet average of3,000 miles between service interruption road calls . .,.. Ensure 100 percent of daily scheduled vehicles are available to meet service requirements.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY 2005 5Year Benchmark FY 2006 FY 2007 Actual Trend Comparison Budget Target
Fleet preventive maintenance average n/a n/a n/a 5,800 5,800 Fleet service interruption average n/a nla nla 2,000 3,000 Fleet vehicle availability n/a n/a nla 99.4% 100.0%
Palm Beach County, Florida C-181 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: MAINTENANCE
FINANCIAL SUlVIMARY
FINANCIAL& FY 2005 FY2006 FY2006 FY2007 STAFFING SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimated Budget
REVENUES GENERATED Grants 109,989 28,100 835,700 25,200 Other 7 496 0 0 0 TOTAL $117,485 $28,100 $835,700 $25,200 APPROPRIATIONS Personal Services 6,126,672 6,851,606 6,742,606 7,304,949 Operating Expenses 2,525,168 3,633,831 7,843,506 10,568,264 Capital Outlay 35,809 2,360 2,360 2,000 TOTAL $8,687,649 $10,487,797 $14,588,472 $17,875,213 STAFFING Positions 111 112 112 113 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) 111.00 112.00 112.00 113.00
SUlVIl\'IARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES
Maintenance Budget: The maintenance budget is a Transportation Regional Incentive Program: In FY direct reflection of the miles operated and the age of the 2006, Palm Tran applied for a $3.5 million fleet. Although a portion of the bus fleet is replaced Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) grant each year, the cost of maintaining parts and to purchase ten additional buses to be used for increased technological advancements have and will continue to service. The TRIP grant will cover half of the $3.5 affect the maintenance budget. The increase in the FY million cost of the buses. These additional buses will 2007 budget is based on historical trends, general significantly impact the service demands in FY 2007 inflation, and anticipated costs associated with a new when the buses are expected to be received. union contract, fuel costs, and enhanced preventative maintenance program.
Palm Beach County, Florida C-182 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: PALM TRAN CONNECTION
DEFINITION OF PROGRAlVIS AND SERVICES
Palm Tran CONNECTION is responsible for Palm Tran's programs and services for seniors and individuals with disabilities including door-to-door transportation. Several federal and state programs require paratransit services, including the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complementary Paratransit Services; Chapter 427, Florida Statutes which mandates transportation for individuals defined as "Transportation Disadvantaged" (TD); Medicaid; and the Older American's Act transportation program. In addition, Palm Tran CONNECTION provides service under two County-funded programs. The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Program is in place to assist those individuals whose service was displaced under ADA due to modifications in Fixed Route service. The County Senior Transportation Services (CSTS) Program was enacted to provide the Senior Citizens of Palm Beach County enhanced access to countywide transportation service. All on-the-street transportation services are provided by private contractors. Palm Tran CONNECTION staff is responsible for all administrative functions of the program, including contract management, eligibility certification, booking reservations, scheduling of service, and customer service monitoring.
PROGRAl\1 OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2007
Ill- Customer satisfaction based on no more than 2 complaints per 1,000 trips. Ill- Provide 2,000,000 bus pass trips to existing para-transit users. Ill- Provide 800,000 paratransit passenger trips. Ill- Service 425,000 telephone calls. Ill- Process 7,500 new eligibility certifications.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY 2005 5Year Benchmark FY 2006 FY 2007 Actual Trend Comparison Budget Target
Complaints per 1,000 trips 4.3 nla nla 2 2 Provide bus pass trips 1,638,926 nla nla 1,500,000 2,000,000 Provide paratransit trips 715 ,530 n/a n!a 725,000 800,000 Telephone Calls 327,333 nla nla 410,000 425 ,000 Eligibility Certifications 12,088 n!a nla 6,500 7,500
Palm Beach County, Florida C-183 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: PALM TRAN CONNECTION
FINANCIAL SU!\'IMARY
FINANCIAL& FY 2005 FY 2006 FY2006 FY2007 STAFFING SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimated Budget
REVENUES GENERATED User Fees/Charges 4,577,494 5,662,109 5,662,109 5,362,764 2,556,098 2,163,487 2,163,487 2,127,658 futer-Departmental Charges 41,184 41,687 41,687 41,687 Other 329,234 0 0 31,000 TOTAL $7,504,010 $7,867,283 $7,867,283 $7,563,109 APPROPRIATIONS Personal Services 2,983,278 3,662,845 3,656,845 3,857,646 Operating Expenses 21,115,572 24,406,944 24,343,240 24,621,785 Capital Outlay 0 806 806 0 Grants and Aids 999,434 0 0 0 TOTAL $25,098,284 $28,070,595 $28,000,891 $28,479,431 STAFFING Positions 66 67 67 69 Full Time E uivalents (FTEs 63.00 64.00 64.00 69.00
SUMl\IIARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES
Service Utilization: Palm Tran CONNECTION terminate under ADA due to cutbacks in Fixed Route continues to experience increased ridership with over service. A new program known as the County Senior 55% of the riders being seniors. Transportation Services (CSTS) Program was implemented to create more transportation options for Funding: The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Palm Beach County senior citizens. completely funds two transportation programs operated by Palm Tran CONNECTION. The BCC Program is in The County began providing Medicaid transportation place to assist those individuals whose service would services for County residents on January 1, 2005.
Palm Beach County, Florida C-184 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: MARKETING
DEFINITION OF PROGRAlVIS AND SERVICES
To educate customers and the general public regarding Palm Tran's services by developing marketing, advertising, and public relations programs as well as producing all schedules and media related graphics. Primary services include: .., Produce bus guidebooks and other media related materials; .., Provide community outreach programs; .., Develop internal/external marketing programs; .., Undertake multi-media campaigns and media purchasing; .., Perform market research; and .., Provide "world-class" customer service internally and externally through our customer service department.
PROGRAi\1 OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2007
.., Develop and implement marketing programs designed to increase Palm Tran fixed route ridership to 10 million, in 2007 . .., To improve service quality and reduce complaints to no more than 8 complaints per 1,000 calls received by customer service . .., Increase outreach presentations and travel training trips to 60 per year. .., Service 160,000 calls for customer service.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY2005 5Year Benchmark FY 2006 FY 2007 Actual Trend Comparison Budget Target
Ridership 8,320,201 n!a n!a 8,600,000 10,000,000 Complaints per 1,000 calls to customer srv n!a n!a n!a 1 8 Outreach presentations and travel training n!a n!a n!a 50 60 Customer Service calls to be serviced n!a n!a n!a 140,000 160,000
Palm Beach County, Florida C-185 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: MARKETING
FINANCIAL SUlVIl\'IARY
FINANCIAL& FY 2005 FY2006 FY 2006 FY2007 STAFFING SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimated Budget
REVENUES GENERATED Grants 26 695 420,959 46,936 99,505 TOTAL $26,695 $420,959 $46,936 $99,505 APPROPRIATIONS Personal Services 639,770 688,773 686,773 782,593 Operating Expenses 593,482 1,335,563 966,673 848,603 TOTAL $1,233,252 $2,024,336 $1,653,446 $1,631,196 STAFFING Positions 14 14 14 14 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00
SUl\1MARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES
Ridership Increase: Palm Tran fixed routes served 8.3 Campaigns will include: million riders in fiscal year 2005. During the first half • Transit Works Channel 20 TV Show (peak season) of fiscal year 2006, ridership increased 10% compared to the same period in 2005 to 4.5 million. • Commuter Choice Program An increase of 8% is projected for fiscal year 2007 to an estimated 10 million riders. • College Fairs Increase in Marketing Initiatives: fu order to increase • Community Outreach Program awareness of Palm Tran and attract new riders, • Comprehensive Youth Programs marketing will continue the programs that have been successful in the past as well as implement and execute • Senior Campaigns new and innovative strategies and campaigns aimed at • New Residents promotion the following four target markets: • Train the trainer for disabled students • Seniors Promote Palm Tran CONNECTION • Commuters • • Youth • Leisure Palm Tran has also added a Graphics Designer in the Marketing Division for FY 2007 to increase awareness by designing visual presentations on PowerPoint and assisting in all aspects of graphics design and printing assignments at a fiscal impact of $40,450.
Palm Beach County, Florida C-186 DEPARTMENT: PALM TRAN PROGRAM: CAPITAL EXPANSION
DEFINITION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
To provide the facilities, machinery, and capital equipment required by the Department to fulfill its IIDSSion economically and efficiently. It is anticipated that 7 expansion buses will be purchased during FY2007. The purchase of 18 replacement buses planned for FY2007 will be deferred until a FY2008 delivery date.
PROGRAl\'1 OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2007
.,. Use the funding from the annual Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 grant to purchase the 18 replacement buses, other grants including CMAQ and FTA Section 5309 funds will be used to purchase the 7 expansion buses and provide for capitalized maintenance, and other transit enhancements.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES FY 2005 5Year Benchmark FY 2006 FY 2007 Actual Trend Comparison Budget Target
Buses replaced and added 0 N/A N/A 20 7
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
FINANCIAL& FY2005 FY2006 FY 2006 FY2007 STAFFING SUMMARY Actual Budget Estimated Budget
REVENUES GENERATED Grants 9,364,425 10,157,676 5,262,317 17,046,930 Other 3,788 1,937,042 188,128 1,020,648 TOTAL $9,368,213 $12,094,718 $5,450,445 $18,067,578 APPROPRIATIONS Operating Expenses 301,439 4,647,929 404,394 2,550,316 Capital Outlay 4,517,483 7,446,789 4,978,549 13,157,795 Grants and Aids 38,173 0 0 675,000 Debt Service 2,200,000 0 675.000 1,684,467 TOTAL $7,057,095 $12,094,718 $6,057,943 $18,067,578
SUl\lllVIARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES
Federal Funding: Funding from the annual Federal For the purposes of allocating Section 5307 federal Transit Administration Section 5307 grant will be used funds, two significant changes occurred in 2003; for new replacement buses, capitalized maintenance, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County have ADA paratransit trips, and transit enhancements. merged into a single urbanized area and updated census data was used.
Palm Beach County, Florida C-187