Skagit-Island HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN Prepared for the Skagit-Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization • November 2014

Prepared by Transpo Group 11730 118th Avenue NE, Suite 600, Kirkland, WA 98034-7120 425.821.3665 | www.transpogroup.com Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 2

High Needs Areas ...... 23 1. Introduction ...... 4 Unmet Needs ...... 24

2. Project Methodology ...... 5 6. Emergency Management ...... 27 3. Existing Transportation Services ...... 6 ...... 27

Public Transit Providers ...... 6 Island Transit ...... 27

Human Services Transportation Providers ...... 8 7. Technology ...... 28 Long-Distance Transportation Providers ...... 9 Skagit Transit ...... 28

4. Public Engagement ...... 10 Island Transit ...... 29

Skagit-Island Special Needs Transportation Committee . 10 8. Strategies and Activities ...... 30 Committee Meetings ...... 12 Identified Strategies and Activities ...... 30 Special Needs Survey ...... 13 Prioritization of Strategies ...... 31 Listening Sessions ...... 15 Coordination and Implementation ...... 32 Ride-Alongs ...... 16

Reference Plans ...... 16 9. WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program ...... 33

Program Goals ...... 33 5. Needs Assessment ...... 18 Eligible Projects ...... 33 Common Origins and Destinations ...... 18 Project Ranking ...... 35 Public Engagement Findings ...... 19

Special Needs Populations ...... 21 Appendix A-F

Demographic Profile ...... 23 TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TABLE Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 3

Figure 1: Group Homes, Senior Centers and Shopping

Facilities Paratransit Destinations ...... 18

Figure 2: Medical Facilities, Religious Facilities and Other

Frequent Paratransit Destinations ...... 19

Figure 3: I need transportation because: ...... 20

Figure 4: I need transportation to: ...... 20

Figure 5: On a scale of 1 to 5 (low to high), rank how current transportation options are meeting your needs: ...... 20

Figure 6: Why don’t the existing transportation options meet your needs? (Select all that apply): ...... 20

Figure 7: I need to go to (top three destinations): ...... 21

Figure 8: Skagit and Island County Demographic Data ...... 23

Figure 9: Human Services Transportation Need Index (Census Tract in Top 25%) ...... 25

Figure 10: Prioritized Strategies and Weights ...... 32

TABLE OF FIGURES OF TABLE Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 4

1. Introduction

Across the Skagit-Island region people with special barriers between transportation providers. Since (RTPO) to oversee and guide the plan; however the needs, including seniors, people with a low-income, then, federal surface transportation programs passed RTPO Board maintained oversight and final approval and people with disabilities, face daily transportation in 2005 and 2012 have required that regions develop of the plan. challenges. These challenges make it more difficult to a, “unified, comprehensive strategy for public The major components of the plan are summarized in run errands, access services, get to and from work, or transportation service delivery that identifies the Section 2. visit family and friends. transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with limited income, This plan, called the Skagit-Island Human Services laying out strategies for meeting these, and Transportation Plan (HSTP), was developed by prioritizing services.”1 This is the third HSTP to be engaging special needs populations in conversations developed for Skagit and Island counties, with about their needs, documenting existing services, updates occurring on a four-year cycle. identifying needs and highlighting service gaps. Based on this information, this plan then defines regional The Federal Transit Administration, as well as priorities and recommends projects for state and state, fund special needs transportation federal grant funding. services including capital investments, operating

support, mobility management and planning grants. Addressing both federal and state HSTP requirements, In Washington state, these funds are combined and this plan was developed using best practices distributed by the Washington State Department of identified in the statewide HSTP. This includes Transportation (WSDOT) consolidated grant program “listening sessions” at events and other locations with on a biennial basis. concentrated special needs populations, identification of special needs populations through census data, and To be eligible for WSDOT consolidated grant funding, prioritization of projects using an objective and projects must address the needs and gaps identified transparent methodology. in the regional HSTP and must be included on the regional HSTP project list. This plan does both, with Washington state has been a national leader on the regional priority list available in Appendix F. human services transportation planning. In 1998, the Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) This planning work, which occurred between June and was created by the state legislature with a mission to November 2014, was funded through a WSDOT direct and promote activities that efficiently use all planning grant and managed by staff from the Skagit Footnotes: available state and community resources for special Council of Governments (SCOG). A special needs 1 Federal Register: March 15, 2006 (Volume 71, needs transportation, including improved transportation committee was created by the Skagit- Number 50, page 13458) coordination and elimination of cross-jurisdictional Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 5

2. Project Methodology

The following sections summarize the steps taken to  Out and About: Persons with Disabilities needs populations. Several action items were support each of the key project findings.  Skagit Project Homeless Connect recommended.  Oak Harbor Senior Center Documentation of Existing Services  Stanwood-Camano Persons with Disabilities Technology This work involved documentation of the range of  Skagit County Buddy Walk The use of technology by transportation providers public transportation services currently provided in was reviewed, particularly with relation to how Skagit and Island counties. These services include To complement the listening sessions, a survey technology can improve communication between fixed-route transit service, dial-a-ride paratransit (printed and online) of special needs users was transportation providers and customers. This was a services, vanpool services and pocket services. It also developed to collect information on how their recurring trend, especially among paratransit riders. includes transportation services provided or transportation needs are currently being met. A total sponsored by other social service agencies, as well as of 143 surveys were collected. Additionally, in-person Identification of Strategies and Activities Medicaid brokerage and long-distance transportation user surveys were collected on Skagit Transit A set of strategies and activities were developed from services. paratransit vehicles, capturing feedback from a total public engagement and the needs analysis. These of 38 paratransit users. were based on strategies identified in the statewide Public Engagement HSTP, however adapted and expanded to better Needs Analysis This plan used a variety of methods to engage and address the local context. Strategies capture the high- communicate with the public. A special needs A “needs analysis” was conducted to develop a level priorities, while the activities identify specific transportation committee was formed, made up of a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by actions that can be taken to deliver on each strategy. diverse set of stakeholders, from human services special needs populations. In addition to using public The finalized strategies were prioritized by the Skagit- providers and transportation providers to tribes and engagement findings, data was collected to identify Island RTPO and then used to rank regional projects social services organizations. This committee needs. In order to identify the most common for WSDOT consolidated grant funding. informed and guided the process and helped to locations traveled to by special needs populations, engage their customers and the general public. the project team reviewed information on common WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program origins and destinations. Population demographics This section is intended to be a resource for grant To directly engage special needs users, “listening data from the US Census Bureau were also evaluated applicants and provides information on the WSDOT sessions” were conducted at existing community to identify the highest needs areas within Skagit and consolidated grant program, including a summary of events, where the project team could engage the Island counties. the types of projects eligible for grant funding and the appropriate people in conversation. A total of 210 application process. individuals were engaged at the follow listening Emergency Management sessions: The Skagit and Island county emergency management  Skagit Senior Day in the Park plans were reviewed to ensure they addressed special Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 6

3. Existing Transportation Services

nearest bus stop or use fixed-route bus service. routes or access nearby services. Public Transit Providers Paratransit service is provided within 3/4 mile of fixed This service operates Monday through Friday from 8 Skagit Transit -route transit service with a span of service matching am to 5 pm and riders are required to register to use Skagit Transit operates the fixed-route service. Those wishing to use the the service. Skagit Transit takes specific trip requests transit service within Skagit County including fixed- service must fill out an application to determine if although its ability to meet the requests are not route (local and express county connector), they are eligible for the service. Trips must be pre- guaranteed. paratransit, pocket and vanpool service. Weekday scheduled. service is provided on all routes, with reduced service Vanpool Program In 2013, Skagit Transit provided 55,200 paratransit on Saturdays and Sundays. Standard bus fares are The vanpool program is an affordable, convenient and trips, operated 25,000 annual revenue service hours $1.00, with youth and reduced fares of $0.50. comfortable way for employees to travel to work. The and logged 280,000 annual vehicle revenue miles. program is intended for groups of five to fifteen Fixed-Route and Express Service people who commute more than 20 miles each Pocket Service Fixed-route service is provided on weekdays between direction. This program works particularly well for Skagit Transit provides pocket service to rural approximately 6 am and 9 pm, and on Saturdays and employees on a fixed work schedule. communities not served by fixed-route service. This Sundays between approximately 8 am and 6 pm. On service, which is available on a specific day(s) of the In 2013, there were 127,000 vanpool trips. Vans are weekdays, service in urban areas comes generally week, connects riders in rural communities to nearby not ADA accessible. Vans are leased on a month-to- every 30 minutes, with service in rural areas coming transit centers where riders can transfer to other month basis with Skagit Transit covering insurance for generally every hour. the drivers, riders, and vans, as well as maintenance Both local bus service as well as express commuter Island Transit Vanpool and operations costs. service is provided, with all buses on those routes ADA accessible. In 2013, local bus service carried Island Transit approximately 645,000 passengers and express Island Transit operates commuter service carried 110,000. fixed-route (local and express county connector), route deviation, In 2013 Skagit Transit operated 48,000 annual paratransit, and vanpool service throughout Whidbey revenue service hours and logged 731,000 annual and . Connection to and from the vehicle revenue miles. Washington State Ferries are provided, however no Paratransit Service weekend service is currently provided. Skagit Transit also provides specialized paratransit Island Transit has operated as a fare free system for service for passengers who are unable to get to the Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 7

Service operates between approximately 5 am and 8 Vanpool vehicles are not ADA accessible. Due to financial difficulties Island Transit was pm on weekdays. Route deviation service follows a forced to reduce transit service starting on regular fixed-route, but provides improved access to Whatcom Transportation Authority September 1st, 2014. The service reductions destinations like neighborhoods and businesses upon Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) operates included: request. Express commuter service is also provided to fixed-route, paratransit and vanpool services in the Clinton Ferry. Currently no weekend service is  Elimination of weekend service Whatcom County. County connector service from provided.  Suspension of Route 5 and Route 9 Mount Vernon connects to local services at Lincoln Creek Park-and-Ride and Bellingham Station.  Conversion of Route 8 to a commuter All buses are fully ADA accessible. In 2013, Island route Transit provided 1,090,600 trips, operated 59,000 Shuttle service to Western Washington University is  Service every other hour on Route 6. annual revenue service hours and logged 1,755,000 available from Lincoln Creek Park-and-Ride and  Service every hour on Route 10 annual vehicle revenue miles. transfers to frequent Go-Line routes, as well as much of the WTA network, is possible at Bellingham Station. Paratransit Service Island Transit provides curb-to-curb paratransit over 25 years. The reason for this is two-fold. First, service for ADA eligible persons with a disability who fare free systems have been shown to increase transit Community Transit operates fixed-route and are unable to use the regular fixed-route bus service, ridership by reducing the barrier of use, especially for paratransit services within Snohomish County in due to their disability. those with limited income. addition to commuter and vanpool service in and Paratransit service is based upon the same days, between Snohomish and King counties. Skagit Transit Second, national research and industry experience hours, and route structure, as the regular fixed-route and Island Transit provide connecting service to local has shown that charging fares for small or rural service and extends 3/4ths of a mile on either side of and express commuter service at . transit systems produces limited operating revenue the fixed-route service. Service beyond this area is Island Transit Bus because the costs to collect and administer a fare provided on a space-available basis. program are significant compared to the revenue generated. Therefore, charging a fare reduces In 2013, Island Transit provided 64,100 paratransit ridership while creating little additional revenue for trips, operated 30,000 annual service hours and operating the system. logged 391,000 annual vehicle revenue miles.

Fixed-Route, Route Deviation and Express Vanpool Program Service Island Transit provides additional service through Island Transit currently operates 13 routes serving their vanpool program. The fees collected cover Clinton, Langley, Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Fort Casey, operating costs including fuel, maintenance, Terry’s Corner, Windermere and Shuksan. Regional insurance and the capital cost of the vans. connections to Stanwood and Mount Vernon are also Vanpools are eligible for discounts on Washington provided. State Ferry services as well as preferential loading. Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 8

Seniors Medical Human Services Transportation Providers Camano Center Disabled American Veterans Camano Center provides by-appointment The Disabled American Veterans group provides A variety of programs offer transportation services in transportation services for seniors to Skagit County transportation services to the Veterans addition to services provided by Skagit Transit and for medical appointments, social and health services. Administration hospital in five days a week. Island Transit. Many of these service providers focus Prescription pick-up and delivery, meals on wheels Service is provided from Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon on the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. and grocery deliveries are also provided. and points south and is operated by volunteers. Very few are solely transportation providers, with most offering transportation services in conjunction Island County Medical Transportation & Northwest Regional Council with other social service or volunteer programs. Volunteers Services The Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) provides These providers range from for-profit companies to Volunteers provides transportation for medical or Medical Assistance Administration Transportation, non-profit organizations and state government other essential needs in addition to grocery trips and which consists of non-ambulance transportation, to agencies. household up-keep assistance. all people eligible for Medicaid who have no other means of transportation to covered medical services Some programs directly provide transportation while Senior Services of Island County as well as meals on wheels program. others sponsor transportation by contracting with, or This group provides meals on wheels to seniors and buying passes/tickets for, other providers. Those that The NWRC serves as the broker for these services, contracts with the Northwest Regional Council to provide transportation utilize paid drivers, agency authorizing and arranging transportation for people in provide Medicaid trips for seniors. staff and/or program volunteers to transport Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties. On passengers. Island Transit Paratransit Customer average, the NWRC contracts 180,000 annual trips. The private brokers used for Medicaid include: Human services transportation providers depend on a variety of funding sources including those dedicated  Beck & Call Concierge Services to senior services, individuals with disabilities or  Care E Me, Inc. family support programs. Some funding programs are  Cascade Ambulance narrow in scope and limit the population to which  City/Yellow Cap they offer rides to and/or the number or trip purposes  City Paratransit they can fulfill.  Birch Bay Taxi (red cab)  Mercy Transportation The following provides a summary of the major  Safe Transportation human service transportation providers in Skagit and  Sound Cabulance Island counties, organized by the clientele they serve.  Western Van Services Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 9

Other Stillaguamish Tribal Transit Service Cascades The Stillaguamish Department of Transportation Community Action of Skagit County stops in Mount Vernon twice daily provides transportation services, which includes in route from Seattle to Vancouver BC, as well from Community Action of Skagit County provides rides demand responsive service as well as vanpool Vancouver BC to Seattle. through the Senior & Disabled Volunteer Services services. This service is offered by the Stillaguamish Program in addition to providing transit passes and Tribe of Indians to native and non-native individuals Amtrak also runs an afternoon bus between gas vouchers to clients receiving services through the who need to travel to native businesses and facilities Bellingham and Seattle with a stop in Mount Vernon. East County Resources Center, Housing and Essential or other facilities in the northern Snohomish County Amtrak Cascades service is ADA compatible but Needs Program, Housing, Critical Needs, Jail area. Service is provided weekdays between 5:30 am requires attendant notification. Transition and WorkFirst programs. In partnership and 4:30 pm. with Skagit Transit, increased distribution of free bus Greyhound passes is planned to begin in January 2015. State of Washington Department of Social Greyhound service is available at in Mount Vernon, with morning and afternoon service Goodwill and Health Services (DSHS) DSHS sometimes provides assistance with acquiring to Bellingham, Seattle or elsewhere along the Goodwill provides free Skagit Transit bus tickets for bus passes or gas vouchers for individuals on Greyhound route. clients. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. There is no Greyhound service in any of the other Northwest Educational Services District cities in Skagit or Island counties with the nearest Bolt (NWESD) #189 Long-Distance Transportation Bus stop (another service of Greyhound) in Bellingham. NWESD #189 provides rides to students ages 3-21 as Providers part of their individualized educational program Airport Shuttle Service during the school year. The NWESD is able to provide Washington State Ferries Shuttle service to Seattle-Tacoma International transportation services beyond students, however no The Washington State Ferries operates daily service in Airport and Bellingham International Airport is additional service is currently provided. Skagit County from the terminal at Anacortes to the provided by the Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle. Bellair San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, with North Sound 2-1-1 Airporter Shuttle provides service to SeaTac Airport. connecting Skagit Transit service. North Sound 2-1-1, operated by Volunteers of America, is a one-stop information portal for special Ferry service in Island County operates from Clinton needs populations. North Sound 2-1-1 works with to Mukilteo and Coupeville to Port Townsend, which callers to identify which transportation services they is also served by transit at each ferry terminal. Transit are eligible for and connects them to those providers. service to and from the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry is a key This service is provided within Skagit and Island component of the transportation system as vehicular counties, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. travel demand on that route exceeds capacity during the peak periods. Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 10

4. Public Engagement

Development of a comprehensive and inclusive Transportation Committee. I live alone, clear up near Timber human services transportation plan requires Additionally, health and human services providers, extensive and varied public engagement. This plan Lake at Hwy 20, a mile from the nearest who work with special needs populations on a daily utilized a variety of public engagement methods to service, have to get a friend to drive me to basis, were also engaged through the Skagit-Island capture feedback from a diverse set of stakeholders, Special Needs Transportation Committee. the bus stop. I wish there was more service including the spectrum of special needs populations off the scheduled route. such as seniors, people with disabilities and people Project resources including project documents, “ with low-income. meeting agendas and minutes were shared online - Senior using the SCOG website. To engage these special needs populations in the most efficient manner possible, the project team A public call for projects was issued on September 29, [I would like] dial-a-ride identified existing meetings and events where these 2014 through public notices in local newspapers, a [service] that you can take out of town groups would already be present. notice on SCOG’s website and an email to a special needs distribution list. (La Conner, Mt. Vernon) By bringing the planning process directly to them, the

- Samish Tribal member plan’s public engagement was very successful and The subsections below provide additional detail on resulted in approximately 210 unique individual the ad-hoc advisory committee, survey, listening engagements. A survey of human services sessions and reference plans.

transportation was also developed and distributed, I use Skagit Transit. capturing 143 individuals via survey responses. Skagit-Island Special Needs It meets all my needs. This approach to public outreach was also mindful of Transportation Committee - Homeless man geographic diversity of input from people throughout “ the study area as well as the needs of Indian tribes. In preparation for the HSTP, the Skagit-Island Regional Transportation Organization Policy Board approved Listening sessions were held throughout both the creation of the Skagit-Island Special Needs No evening service makes night counties, and a similar planning effort by the Samish Transportation Committee. event impossible since they can get Tribe was engaged and integrated with this plan. Transportation providers, including Island Transit and This advisory committee was structured to include dropped off but not picked up from events. Skagit Transit, non-profit transportation providers, representatives from organizations representing - Senior services provider and private transportation providers, were also major employers, education/youth, Medicaid/ engaged through creation of an ad-hoc advisory healthcare providers, transit agencies, tribes, committee, called the Skagit-Island Special Needs veterans, people with disabilities, people with low- Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 11

Skagit County Buddy Walk Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 12

income and seniors. A total of five monthly meetings Other Organizations Invited to Participate While many of the organizations did not provide were held throughout the plan’s development. transportation services directly, many had input on  American Cancer Society the state of existing services and specific needs of  Boy and Girls Clubs of Skagit County The committee provided guidance and valuable people they come in contact with on a regular basis. insight into the needs of the region in addition to  Catholic Community Services contributing a wealth of institutional and historical  Chinook Enterprises A few of the contacts to this list of organizations knowledge about Skagit and Island counties. For  Community Transportation Association of the yielded what became two listening sessions with example, committee members were vital in the Northwest persons with disabilities, one with a Skagit County identification of listening session opportunities to  Community Transit focus and the other with a Camano-Stanwood focus. connect directly with special needs populations.  Compass Health  Developmental Disabilities of Island County Committee Meetings The organizations which were involved or invited to  Developmental Disabilities Program, Skagit participate are listed below. County A total of five committee meetings were held  Goodwill between July and November 2014. SCOG and Skagit-Island Special Needs Transportation  Housing Authority of Skagit County consultant staff presented progress updates on the Committee Members plan, involved and educated the committee on HSTP  North Sound Mental Health planning, gathered guidance and engaged the  Disabled American Veterans, Naval Air Station  Samish Tribe committee on prioritization activities. Whidbey Island  Sauk-Suiattle Tribe  Opportunity Council of Island County  Senior Services of Island County SCOG and WSDOT staff also provided information on  Community Action of Skagit County  Service Alternatives grant funding opportunities and how they can submit  Island Transit  Skagit Valley Hospital a project for inclusion on the regional prioritized  Skagit Transit  Sno-Isle Libraries project list of human services transportation projects.  Swinomish Indian Tribal Community  Stillaguamish Tribe  Camano Center  United General Hospital Details of the organizations represented on the  Northwest Regional Council  Upper Skagit Tribe committee are provided in Appendix A. The appendix  Volunteers of America – North Sound 211  Washington State Department of Social and includes details of each agency’s mission, what types  Northwest Educational Services District #189 Health Services of services they provide, what they hope to get from  Washington State Department of  Washington Vocational Services the planning process and details about their vehicle Transportation  Whidbey General Hospital fleet and service, if they provide transportation  YMCA-YWCA services. A summary of each meeting is provided below with complete meeting summaries also Many of the organizations above provided input that assisted in the needs assessment, and provided a available in Appendix A. [The] drivers are fantastic. comprehensive accounting of human services I’ve never had a bad ride. transportation across the region. “ - Paratransit rider ” Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 13

Meeting #1 it was decided that local priorities would build off Meeting #5 The kickoff meeting began with introductions those developed in the statewide HSTP due to the The final meeting of the committee concluded their including the committee member’s name, the agency completeness of the priorities developed in that plan. involvement with the planning process. The or group they represent, what they do, what committee reviewed the draft HSTP and Meeting #3 transportation services they offer and what they recommended it to the SIRTPO Policy Board. The would like to get out of the HSTP update. The purpose The meeting began with a review of the existing committee also reviewed the prioritized list of of the committee was discussed, which primarily transportation services chapter including an inventory regional human services transportation projects and included guiding the plan’s development and of all transportation providers. The consultant also recommended it to the SIRTPO Policy Board. prioritization of regional human services presented a draft of the needs assessment. This transportation projects for WSDOT consolidated grant included a list of needs such as lack of transit service funding. or span of service. Additionally, a draft of the Special Needs Survey geographic needs assessment was presented to the Maximizing the amount of public engagement and An overview of the planning process, was presented committee. input was a key goal of the HSTP. Identical online and including required elements and best practices with print surveys were developed to capture written details on how the consultant planned to solicit SCOG staff then presented an overview of the WSDOT feedback via multiple channels from special needs robust public engagement and how a “need index” consolidated grant program and led a prioritization populations. based on demographics data would be developed and exercise to finalize the weighting factors for the used in the planning process. WSDOT staff then priorities identified at the last committee meeting. The purpose of the survey was to understand who provided an overview of the consolidated grant needs human services transportation, why they are program as well as the types of projects which are Meeting #4 using the service and how well their needs are being eligible for funding. A presentation of the core HSTP components was met. provided by the consultant. This included The survey results informed the planning process, Meeting #2 presentation of existing transportation services however, the results are not statistically valid. The This meeting began with a review of the information inventory, preliminary public engagement results, the population which took the survey self-selected, and collected thus far including census data and finalized needs assessment, an overview of therefore may not represent the overall special needs committee member data. The consultant presented a emergency management, technology and a draft of population in Skagit and Island counties. draft of the prepared survey and collected feedback the strategies and activities. from the committee including changes to several The committee provided valuable feedback on the questions. The committee also provided feedback on draft strategies and activities including additions and the most efficient ways to distribute the survey and I don't know if I qualify for changes to ensure that the projects eligible for state volunteered to help collect feedback through their funding are included in the HSTP. SCOG staff then led Paratransit but it would be nice. various channels. a discussion to determine what ongoing - Survey response The consultant then led an interactive workshop to implementation and coordination efforts would be “ identify high-level plan priorities. Based on feedback, valuable. ” Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 14

Public Outreach at Skagit County Buddy Walk While Skagit Transit and Island Transit already have usage data, their data is not directly comparable because it only includes information from users, where as this survey was targeted at both users and non-users of existing transportation services.

The survey was based on one developed by People for People for the Yakima HSTP, and adapted based on consultant suggestions and committee feedback. This included replacing open-ended questions with multiple-choice answers to ease completion of the survey.

A travel training question was added at the suggestion of the committee to identify people that may be interested in learning how to use transit. Reponses to these questions, with information identifying those interested, was distributed to the transit agencies so they could follow-up with survey respondents.

The survey was hosted online and distributed to the public via the agencies and groups involved. Survey responses were collected from August 13th to September 30th, 2014 with a total of 143 surveys completed.

Listening Sessions A number of listening sessions, which varied in format from hosted meeting to information booths, were conducted throughout the HSTP development. The goal of these sessions was to capture direct input from a full range of special needs populations. This included seniors, people with disabilities and people with low-income. Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 15

To maximize community feedback, SCOG and staffed a booth throughout the day and made contact consultant staff took these sessions to the public I would use it [the bus] more with approximately 50 individuals. rather than asking the public to attend an open house if it was cheaper. specifically for this plan. A summary of each event is Project Homeless Connect also provided an included below. Complete documentation of - Homeless woman opportunity to reach persons with limited English comments collected at each listening session is “ proficiency. Input from four Spanish speakers was included in Appendix B. responses. In total, an estimated 110 individuals were translated by an event volunteer and was included in engaged. the meeting summary for the event. SCOG staff Skagit Senior Day in the Park ” prepared for this event by reviewing common Spanish Out and About: Persons with Disabilities phrases in case translation services would not be This annual event is a chance for seniors to receive available. health screenings, hear about product promotions, On September 10th, SCOG staff meet with the Out learn about services offered to them in the and About: Persons with Disabilities support group at Oak Harbor Senior Center community and receive a free lunch. Held on August the Burlington Library. Ten of the eleven participants 14th at Maiben Park in Burlington, this event was the were physically or developmentally disabled with the SCOG staff conducted outreach to senior citizens on first listening session attended by SCOG staff. meeting feedback and comments representative of September 5th at the Oak Harbor Senior Center. the transportation challenges they face. Throughout the outreach event a total of 24 seniors SCOG staff presented a list of potential plan priorities provided comments with their comments and asked people to put dots next to their highest The group was well informed about coordinated paraphrased and documented by SCOG staff. priorities. They were also asked to fill out a paper planning within Washington state and discussed Comments were generally related to the paratransit version of the survey. common challenges like getting to and from evening systems, including both things that riders liked but events. The Peer Group Coordinator from the Center also things they did not like. Many participants were not receptive to this for Independence North Sound also provided follow- approach and found it confusing and difficult for a up comments. A major reoccurring theme was how the system is a variety of reasons, including that the language used lifeline for many riders. Multiple comments were also was overly technical and the type used on materials Skagit Project Homeless Connect was too small to easily read. To improve engagement, Project Homeless Connect is an annual event at which SCOG staff switched approaches, spoke directly with people with low-income and those who are homeless seniors about what they liked and disliked, noting We need more cross-county are provided a wide array of health and non-health transit—life goes on beyond Skagit County! human services. This includes medical and dental More service is needed in checkups as well as food, clothing, job training and If you want good quality medical care, you Skagit County. other social services. The event was held on “have to go outside of Skagit County because September 11th at Skagit Valley College. - Homeless man the good doctors in Skagit County aren’t “ Skagit Transit service was free throughout the day to taking any more patients. ” provide participants a free way to get there. SCOG - Senior with disabilities ” Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 16

made about Island Transit’s financial and management issues. Ride-Alongs Multiple “ride-along” surveys were conducted by Stanwood-Camano Persons with Skagit Transit to help identify the successes of Disabilities paratransit service and to gather suggestions for My clients often don’t know A focus group was held on September 16th at the areas that can be improved. Respondents were asked how to ride the bus or they don’t Stanwood-Camano Community Center. SCOG staff open-ended questions about how they access the understand the system... The main reason met with seven people, including representatives of service, what they like about the service, and what clients miss their appointments, including Washington Vocational Services and the Camano/ aspects can be improved. A total of 38 on-board ride- “ along interviews were completed. Ride-along survey medical and opportunities to get free food Stanwood Aktion Club, which serves adults with disabilities. responses are included in Appendix B. and services, is lack of transportation. - Human service provider Many comments were received, including comments on the importance of transit service for people with Reference Plans disabilities to get to jobs, the importance of Review of past HSTP plans and other regional or local connection between transit agencies (Island Transit, plans can provide valuable context and a fresh I use the SKAT bus but I want Skagit Transit and Community Transit) in the perspective on human services transportation. This is

because most plans include public engagement and to use Dial-A-Ride and the questions about Stanwood area and the special needs of people with developmental disabilities. stakeholder guidance on topics that intersect with qualifying are too confusing. human services transportation. Reviewing other

- Disabled senior Skagit County Buddy Walk plans leverages those efforts while also providing a

more complete picture of the historical issues and The Skagit County Buddy Walk is an annual event to how transportation relates to so many aspects of promote acceptance and raise awareness of persons peoples’ lives. Comparison of public feedback from with Down Syndrome. This year it was held on

[I would like] school bus all year “ this plan to past HSTPs helps validate the feedback October 11th with approximately 250 participants. to and from work. Only one of us has a contained in this plan. SCOG staff attended the event, gathered feedback license and she works. So it created some including key travel destinations (work/school, Statewide HSTP difficulties with her at times. shopping, medical and other), agreement or The Washington State Department of Transportation - Samish Tribal member disagreement with previously collected statements on paratransit and dial-a-ride service and written developed its first statewide HSTP in 2013 to guide responses. regional HSTP planning efforts and present a clear vision for the future of special needs transportation across the state.

Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 17

The plan included a greater emphasis on consistency  Lack of regular bus service to the Longhouse in regional HSTP plan development, more robust  Need to connect residential and rural areas of guidance on project prioritization, examples of Anacortes (Mount Vernon and beyond) regional and national best practices, added emphasis  Expanded transit service hours on weekends on performance measures and provides  Additional on-demand service options recommendations to improve special needs  Accessible bus stops Sometimes I see three busses pass, transportation in Washington state.  Improved pedestrian infrastructure and more one right after the other. That’s a waste of bus shelters money. Can’t they consolidate stops? Skagit-Island 2007 and 2010 HSTP  Service to match future needs The 2007 and 2010 HSTP plans were developed in a  Increasing local Samish population in “ - Senior similar fashion as the current plan, however less state Anacortes guidance was available during those times. Since  Future Tribal enterprises then, the state Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation has developed an HSTP template and I use the bus because sometimes A final plan is anticipated in December 2014. WSDOT has developed a statewide HSTP which I don’t have anyone to take me to where I provides additional structure to this effort. Skagit Prosperity Report need to go. I wish it passed by more

The 2007 and 2010 plans were used as reference The Skagit Prosperity Report: A Community Needs often—every 30 minutes. documents, especially in areas where they excelled, Assessment 2013 was developed by Community - Translation from Spanish speaker including document structure and demographic Action of Skagit County. The plan studies the broad analysis. They were also helpful points of reference, array of needs and resources for low-income people

particularly with respect to documentation of unmet in Skagit County. needs and some of the geographic coverage issues Most drivers are very courteous; present in Skagit and Island counties. The plan identifies transportation as an area of need which is above average in importance but also an they're like family. If I'm going off the

Samish Tribal Transit Plan area with an above average availability of resources. (Whidbey) Island, I have to hunt for a ride. “ Transportation was identified as an issue, particularly I'm taking beginning computer classes for The Samish Tribe is currently in the process of with respect to employment access for people with developing a tribal transit plan with elements similar seniors at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, low-income. Transportation challenges also included to this plan. For example, their plan will include an affording gas and insurance. which is possible thanks to Paratransit. assessment of current transit options to tribal - Survey response facilities and a community survey.

Outreach to tribal members has already begun and a list of transit challenges was presented at a September community meeting. They include: Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 18

5. Needs Assessment

The following section includes a variety of Figure 1: Group Homes, Senior Centers and Shopping Facilities Paratransit Destinations information sources which are used to identify the Group Homes need for human services transportation. These Island Transit Skagit Transit information sources include a summary of Summerhill 10,953 Life Care Center – Mount Vernon 14,880 paratransit trip origins and destinations, a Careage 8,626 Vintage at Mount Vernon 12,992 demographic profile of Skagit and Island counties, as Whidbey Manor 7,023 Mira Vista 12,191 Cambridge Cove 6,044 Life Care Center – Sedro-Woolley 7,783 well as an analysis of high need locations and a Regency 5,060 Alpine Ridge 7,073 compilation of unmet needs. Cambey 4,057 Adult Day Care 6,569 Harbor Towers 3,220 Group Home – Burlington 6,408 Development of Unmet Needs Brookhaven 2,774 Country Meadows 5,742 The comments and findings developed through the Maple Ridge 2,344 Mountain Glen 5,377 HomePlace 1,827 Group Home – Mount Vernon 5,362 various methods discussed in this section were Dean Manor 1,597 Prestige Nursing Home 4,931 consolidated into a findings and comment tracking Highland Greens 3,364 sheet. This sheet, located in Appendix C, was used to systematically consolidate and summarize the Senior Centers identified unmet needs, which are presented at the Island Transit Skagit Transit end of this section. Oak Harbor Senior Center 11,711 Senior Center – Anacortes 6,243

Time Together/Bayview Senior 9,787 Senior Center – Mount Vernon 5,223 Common Origins and Destinations Center Anonymous origin and destination (O-D) data Senior Center – Burlington 3,325 provided by Skagit Transit and Island Transit Shopping Facilities identifies the most frequently visited paratransit Island Transit Skagit Transit service locations, providing a better understanding of WalMart 9,252 Food Pavilion 8,618 the relative travel demand of the most visited Safeway 4,996 Cascade Mall 6,060 locations by paratransit riders. Saar’s Market 3,687 Walmart 5,899 Payless Shopping Complex 2,506 Fred Meyer 5,557 To compile the O-D information, Skagit Transit and Albertsons 1,875 Safeway 3,583 Island Transit paratransit pick-up and drop-off data Rite Aide 791 was compiled and sorted first by county and then Navy Exchange/Commissary 287 categorized by destination type. The raw data provided by the service providers are from June 2010 Source: Skagit Transit and Island Transit, June 2010 to June 2014 Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 19

to June 2014. While all available data provided by Island Transit was used in the analysis, Transfer Center data provided by Skagit Transit was omitted because these trips typically serve as intermediate Figure 2: Medical Facilities, Religious Facilities and Other Frequent Paratransit Destinations transfers which could result in double counting trips. Medical Facilities Adult Care Homes/Assisted Living was the most Island Transit Skagit Transit frequented trip destination, representing 28% of the Davita Dialysis 13,726 Mount Vernon Dialysis Center 34,878 Whidbey General North 12,297 Skagit Regional Medical Center 6,907 top trip destinations. Medical Centers were the Kidney Center 12,043 Compass Health 6,605 second most frequented destination, representing Whidbey General Hospital 8,181 Skagit Wound Healing Institute 5,596 21% of the top trip destinations. Of the top medical Whidbey Community Physicians 5,036 Skagit Valley Hospital 3,078 facility trips, 44% were to dialysis facilities including Whidbey General South 936 Davita Dialysis and Mount Vernon Dialysis Center, with Mount Vernon Dialysis Center being the top Religious Facilities overall destination in the region, generating nearly Island Transit Oak Harbor Lutheran Church 314 35,000 trips over the last four years. Christian Missionary of Langley 534 Paratransit users are also using the service to Trinity Lutheran 291 Church on the Rock 146 connect to physical fitness facilities and to Family Bible Church 649 employment centers. The top destination in Island St. Augustine’s Catholic Church 654 County was Thrive Fitness Center, generating nearly 14,000 trips over the same 2010-2014 timeframe. Other Frequent Destinations Chinook Enterprises, a private non-profit that Island Transit Skagit Transit provides employment opportunities to persons with Thrive Fitness Center 13,742 Chinook Enterprises 24,236 disabilities in Mount Vernon, was the second most Island Athletic Club 5,531 YMCA 13,387 Oak Harbor High School 5,217 Ovenell’s 6,746 frequented destination in the region, generating over Oak Harbor Library 3,966 Skyline 5,606 24,000 trips. American Legion 798 Riverside Health Club 4,643 CMA Church Soup Kitchen 649 Public Engagement Findings DSHS 571 Bayview Food Bank 508 As documented in Section 4, an extensive public Langley Library 468 engagement effort was conducted using online and Freeland Library 312 print surveys, listening sessions, ride-alongs and an Oak Harbor Post Office 227 advisory committee. Coupeville Library 223 Clinton Library 174 One of the major components of this effort was a Opportunity Council 150 public survey. A total of 143 surveys were completed, Source: Skagit Transit and Island Transit, June 2010 to June 2014 Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 20

Figure 3: I need transportation because: Figure 4: I need transportation to:

Figure 6: Why don’t the existing transportation options meet your needs? (Select all Figure 5: On a scale of 1 to 5 (low to high), rank how current transporta- tion options are meeting your needs:

however some survey questions were left common responses are listed below with a complete vehicle, followed by age and disability. This unanswered on a few of the questionnaires. Based on summary of survey responses in Appendix D: information informed the needs index analysis. the zip code provided by survey respondents, Oak  Transit is by far the most used means of  The single largest reason why people need Harbor, Camano Island, and Langley were identified transportation, however family, friends and transportation is because they don’t own a as the most heavily represented areas. A summary of volunteers as well as non-vehicular Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 21

Figure 7: I need to go to (top three destinations): frequent and recurring basis.  Over half of respondents mentioned Mount Vernon as one of their top three destinations, followed by Oak Harbor and Burlington.  The vast majority of survey respondents were somewhat knowledgeable to very familiar with their transportation options.  Nearly half of participants said that some of their transportation needs are being met. An additional 40 percent said that more than some of their transportation needs are being met, while 14 percent of respondents said that less than some of their transportation needs are being met.  The top two reasons respondents do not use existing services are because it does not go to where they need to go or does not come to where they live. Additionally, 18 percent of respondents said existing services take too long and 9 percent said they do not know how to sign up or get information about existing services.  Nearly half of respondents said that lack of transportation impacted their ability to participate in community events, meet medical and health needs or accomplish daily tasks.

Special Needs Populations To help capture feedback from a variety of special needs populations, a variety of events and transportation are also key means of family and friends, and work or job training. engagement strategies were used. Generally, each transportation. These results align with Skagit Transit and event targeted one of the key special needs  Running errands and medical appointments Island Transit paratransit trip data; however populations: seniors, people with disabilities, or are the most frequently mentioned travel the paratransit trip data highlights the people with low-income. A summary of each group’s purposes, followed by social events, seeing importance of locations which are used on a needs are included below. Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 22

Public Feedback from Skagit County Buddy Walk needs transit service  Not knowing how to ride the bus can prevent seniors from riding the bus  Paratransit service provided personal freedom and access to community events  Paratransit operators were very appreciated Persons with Disabilities  Personal freedom and job access was a major concern  Scheduling paratransit service was difficult and required advanced planning  Return trips, after an appointment for example, could be frustrating because of the long wait, especially if riders must wait outside in bad weather  Better communication about schedule could make service easier to use  Transit services end too early to attend some events and appointments People with Low-Income  The intake survey for Project Homeless Connect, indicated that 20% of event attendees arrived at the event by bus, 40% drove themselves, 18% walked and 20% carpooled  People appreciate that Island Transit is free Seniors they could be and said that Skagit Transit’s fare can present a  There was a great appreciation that Island  Feeling that the bus system is for commuters, barrier to some Transit is fare-free not seniors  Paratransit service is greatly appreciated but  Access to fixed-route transit service can be  The lack of scheduling flexibility can make it can be slow, with return trips hard to schedule difficult hard to use  More frequent service with an expanded  Frequency of service, especially to rural areas,  Expanded span of service, including Sunday, service area is needed is very limited would be nice  Transit service is a lifeline for some users  Concern that buses aren’t run as efficiently as  Samish Island in Skagit County, and other areas  Some riders said they felt unsafe riding on the Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 23

bus, either because of the driver or other Figure 8: Skagit and Island County Demographic Data passengers County Population (1) Age 65+ (2) Poverty (1) Disability (1) No Vehicle (1)  County connector service is important, but 18,900 25,900 15,100 2,000 Skagit County 122,200 more service is needed (15.4%) (21.2%) (12.3%) (1.6%)  Driving can be easier and cheaper although 14,400 12,400 9,700 1,200 Island County 78,500 paying for gas can be an issue (18.3%) (15.7%) (12.3%) (1.5%)  The span of bus service, especially on the Total 200,700 33,300 38,300 24,800 3,200 weekend, makes it hard to use the bus to get Source: ( 1) 2012 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates (2008-2012), (2) 2010 Decennial Census to/from work  Pocket service needs to be more frequent and special needs populations: people age 65 and over, needs population relative to the countywide should give people more time to run errands in people with disabilities, people with low-income and population. Skagit and Island counties did not place town households without a vehicle. Combined, there is a in the top 25% percentile for any of the above  Lack of transportation is the number one total population of 200,700 among the two counties, measures in the statewide HSTP. reason people miss human services with 122,200 in Skagit County and 78,500 in Island These measures are indicators of the population appointments County. who rely on human services transportation. Maps Skagit County has the highest poverty ratio between Demographic Profile illustrating the census data for these population the two counties, with 21 percent of the population groups are available in Appendix E. To understand where special needs populations live, falling at 150 percent of the poverty level; while a demographic profile of Skagit and Island counties Island County has 16 percent. Skagit County has was developed. This demographic profile draws from 43,700 more residents than Island County, so 21 High Needs Areas 2010 Decennial Census data and 2008-2012, 5-year percent also represents a larger number of people. A needs assessment, using the census data American Community Survey (ACS) estimates, which Persons with a disability account for 12 percent of previously identified, was conducted for census are both data products of the US Census Bureau. the population in both counties again with a larger tracts in Skagit and Island counties to determine total number of people in Skagit County. Poverty data which geographic areas have the greatest need for Mapping of the data illustrates where specific high was compiled using 2008-2012, 5-year ACS data human services transportation. Census block group needs populations are concentrated. However, while disability data is from 2010 Decennial Census data was aggregated to the census tract level and several limitations exist including the large data. data for the two counties was combined to produce geographic scale of some of the census tracts, a Composite Need Index, which was then used to particularly in eastern Skagit County. Data summarized by county and demographic type is display the Proportional Need and Density Need shown in Figure 8. The clustering or magnitude of special needs throughout Skagit and Island counties. populations within these areas can help guide The statewide HSTP reviewed the same demographic decision-making by maintaining or directing measures on at a statewide level by county. This additional resources to those areas with high need. analysis helped to identify counties with either a The data contained in this profile focuses on four large total special needs population or a large special Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 24

Methodology Proportional Need Index: This measure Guemes Island. In addition to parts of Anacortes and The previously summarized demographic data, which identifies areas with a large special needs Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon and Burlington are also is representative of populations that rely most on the population relative to the total population of the identified as areas with a high density of need. human services transportation system, was used for area. This was calculated by dividing the Composite Need Index by the total population of this analysis. These demographic measures are Unmet Needs consistent with the previous 2010 Skagit-Island the area. This helps to identify areas where need Based on public engagement (surveys, listening Human Services Transportation Plan as well as grant is greater than would be expected based on total sessions, and ride-along), committee discussions, and funding streams used by the Washington State population. a review of past HSTP and other related plans – a Department of Transportation. Density Need Index: This measure identifies range of unmet needs were identified. The strategies To determine which census tracts have the greatest areas with a high density of people with special and activities identified by this plan, and ultimately need for human services transportation, a Composite needs. This was calculated by dividing the the projects prioritized for WSDOT consolidated grant Need Index score was developed using the four Composite Need Index by the total size of the demographic measures summarized above. First, the area. This measure identifies areas where a large Composite Need Index score was calculated by concentration of people with special needs live. multiplying each demographic measure by a criteria Census tracts scoring within the top 25 percent of weight. The criteria weights were as follows: both measures were mapped in Figure 9 on the next page.  Age 65+ – 20  150 percent below poverty level – 20 Findings  Disability – 25  No Vehicle – 35 The analysis shows that needs are distributed throughout Skagit and Island counties, with both the These criteria weights were established based on proportional and density need index measures initial survey feedback and previous human service indicating overlapping high need in areas of Anacortes transportation planning experience. The larger the and Oak Harbor. This shows that compared to other weight, the more “need” the demographic measure census tracts and block groups these areas have both has on the Composite Need Index. a higher proportion of need as well as a higher density of need. Next, the Composite Need Index was used to calculate the Proportional Need Index and Density Taken individually, the index measures also provide Need Index results. These two measures were helpful information. The proportional need index calculated because each measure captures a different indicates high need on many of the largely rural Island aspect of the overall need picture: County communities of South Whidbey Island and East-South Camano Island in addition to East Skagit County, the Swinomish Indian Reservation and County Connector Service Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 25

Figure 9: Human Services Transportation Need Index (Census Tract in Top 25%)

Source: 2010 Decennial Census (Population 65+) and 2012 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates 2008-2012 (No Vehicle Household, People with Disabilities, People of Low-Income) Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 26

funding, were developed to address these unmet and weekends was identified as a very common providing weather protection and seating. This needs. need, especially among those who need to get was particularly mentioned by paratransit to and from work or rely on human service riders. Below is a list of areas in which current services were transportation to get to and from community Improve Coordination and Communication identified as not meeting needs. or social events.  Providing more information about services and  Increased system coverage including fixed- Maintain System how to ride, particularly for those who may be route, paratransit and pocket service was eligible for paratransit service or do not have  Existing transportation services are not identified by a cross section of users as a need. internet access. meeting all needs. About half of the survey The following areas were specifically  While paratransit service is greatly appreciated, respondents said that the current system is mentioned: scheduling of service is inflexible and requires a meeting some of their needs, with 15 percent  South Whidbey significant amount of advanced planning. This saying it met less than some of their needs and  Guemes Island was a very common comment from paratransit 40 percent saying it meets more than some of  Samish Island riders. their needs.  Stanwood  Real-time bus location information would make  Maintaining existing transit service and  Sedro-Woolley it easier for passengers to use services. restoring suspended or cut service was broadly  March’s Point identified as a key need, especially in Island  Improved connections and coordination County. between transit/ferry service in Skagit County Increase and Improve Service and Island County, including tribal reservations, and to regional destinations like Bellingham,  Increasing service levels was broadly identified Everett and Seattle were identified. This as a need, especially among existing riders. included both better connections to service and Areas which were identified as high needs improved frequency of county connector areas include: service. This was mentioned more frequently  Anacortes by those in Anacortes and in Island County.  Mount Vernon  Improve on-time reliability of fixed-route  Burlington service.  Oak Harbor  South Whidbey Increase Access  East-South Camano Island  The cost of public transit in Skagit County and  East Skagit County other transportation options can be a cost  Swinomish Indian Reservation burden for those with low-income.  Guemes Island  Accessing fixed-route service can be difficult  March’s Point and unsafe, particularly for those in rural areas.  Extending the span of service during evenings  Bus stop facilities are minimal with few stops Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 27

6. Emergency Management

During emergencies, people who rely on the human including in the case of evacuation. While these plans exist, no interlocal agreement or services transportation system may still need memorandum of understanding has been developed In this role, Skagit Transit acts as a support agency transportation services, particularly if they are between Island Transit and Island County. State with guidance from other agencies at the EOC. The required to evacuate or leave their home. To prepare guidance suggests that such an agreement be plan also identifies Skagit Transit as a resource to help for emergencies Skagit and Island counties have developed to ensure mutual and clear understanding provide a damage assessment throughout the county. created plans that identify key agencies, their roles, of Island Transit’s role, abilities and responsibilities The specifics of this coordination are clearly laid out in communication channels and responsibilities through during an emergency. an interlocal agreement signed in September 2007 their departments of emergency management . between Skagit Transit and Skagit County. To ensure that human services transportation The second plan, developed by the Regional providers are part of the emergency planning work, Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, includes state planning guidance requires that emergency emergency closure of I-5 and other major highways. planners are made aware of the HSTPs developed by In the long-term, increased transit service or new agencies within their jurisdiction. Skagit Transit and transit service provided by Skagit Transit was Island Transit have already been engaged in local identified as a response strategy. emergency comprehensive planning efforts, with a summary of the emergency plans currently in place below. Upon adoption of this plan, SCOG will contact Island Transit local emergency planning staff, make them aware of Two emergency management plans were identified this plan, and communicate the importance of for Island County. The first, which was prepared by continued engagement. the Island County Department of Emergency Management, identifies Island Transit as an EOC Skagit Transit participant with responsibility for transportation coordination. Skagit Transit has a defined role in two emergency management plans. The Comprehensive Emergency The second plan, developed by the Regional Management Plan developed by the Skagit County Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, identifies Department of Emergency Management identifies scenarios in which land connections to Whidbey or Skagit Transit as an Emergency Operations Center Camano Island are destroyed. This plan also identifies (EOC) member. The plan calls for Skagit Transit to Island Transit as an EOC participant with responsibility support transportation coordination efforts including to provide increased or new transit service to ferry the movement of persons with special needs, terminals. Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 28

7. Technology

Advances in technology, particularly around Skagit Transit Transportation Authority, and other regional Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), Computer Aided agencies Dispatch and Traveler Information Systems have The information below was developed and  Installation of information kiosks given transit providers new tools to better operate, documented in the Skagit Metropolitan Planning  Electronic information at transit stops and plan and manage their bus fleets. The deployment of Organization (MPO) ITS Architecture Plan which was stations technology in the transportation sector is broadly approved in December 2011.  Develop transit trip planning tools categorized as Intelligent Transportation Systems Existing Technology  Have the ability to collect electronic fare/ (ITS). Implementation of ITS, which Skagit Transit and passenger information Island Transit have already used to varying degrees,  Vehicles used for demand responsive service  Develop transit signal priority systems with helps improve the efficiency of operations, ease of have AVL systems local jurisdictions use, safety and quality of experience for transit riders.  Security camera systems on all buses  Security monitoring systems at Skagit Station, Island Transit Using ITS to improve communication with riders was South Mount Vernon Park & Ride and other The information below was documented in the Island a common theme identified during public locations Transit ITS Inventory which was compiled in engagement. Rider information such as real-time bus Planned Projects September 2014. location or arrival information available through an application or on a kiosk was a common request. This  No projects in the Skagit MPO ITS Architecture Existing Technology information helps reduce anxiety for riders when Plan are currently planned  All fixed-route and paratransit vehicles have transferring between buses or between the bus Potential Projects AVL with Mobile Data Terminals system and Washington State Ferries. It also helps The following projects were identified as potential  Video monitoring at: riders deal with transit services delays or know if they future projects:  Harbor Station Transit Center have missed their bus.  Oak Harbor Below is a summary of existing and planned ITS  Installation of AVL systems on all buses for  Prairie Station Transit Park (Coupeville) projects by Skagit Transit and Island Transit. WSDOT improved schedule adherence tracking and real  Noble Creek Transit Park (Langley) -time information has developed a statewide ITS architecture plan  Whidbey Island Park and Ride (Clinton)  Monitoring abilities at all park and ride which includes a list of potential future ITS  Freeland Park and Ride locations and stations investments, including ITS investments in transit.  Transit Maintenance Facilities (Camano  Dissemination of real-time information about Island and Coupeville) schedules and vehicle locations to the public  Radio over Internet Protocol to improve radio  Coordinate trip planning and information with communication (in progress) Washington State Ferries, Whatcom  Trip planning through Google Maps Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 29

Planned Projects Closed Circuit Surveillance Camera  No projects are currently planned or included in the WSDOT ITS Architecture

Potential Projects The projects below have been identified as potential future projects based on the Island Transit ITS inventory.

 Expanded video monitoring at Bayview Park and Ride, North Oak Harbor Park and Ride and Terry’s Corner Park and Ride  Real-time security audio and video streaming from buses  Development of a trip planning app  Installation of real-time bus location information kiosks at major transfer points and potentially development of a smart phone app  Installation of in-bus automated stop announcement system and reader board Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 30

8. Strategies and Activities

A key deliverable of this plan, the strategies and schedule, the project prioritization methodology and County Connector Route 80X activities identified below, were developed through priority project list are detailed separately in an iterative process which included integration of the Appendix F, allowing an easy mid-cycle update to the needs analysis, distillation of public engagement and project priorities in 2016. input from the Skagit-Island Special Needs Transportation Committee. The strategies and activities form a shared regional vision of how to Identified Strategies and Activities improve human services transportation in Skagit and The HSTP strategies (“S”) and activities (“A”) are Island counties, including the investment priorities included below. which are used to score and rank projects.

The committee provided early recommendations for S1 Preserve Existing Services: maintain or restore each of the strategies, activities and priorities, with existing service levels and vehicle fleet the SIRTPO Policy Board adopting their A1-1: Fund operations of existing or restored recommendations with some modifications. service

Strategies identify the desired high-level priorities of A1-2: Maintain and/or replace bus fleet to the HSTP, with activities focused on actionable steps ensure a state of good repair that can be taken to advance the associated strategy. transportation services in high need areas The activities included below are commonly used by A1-3: Maintain and build adequate capital A3-2: Work with communities in high needs transportation providers to improve their service and reserves to fund fleet replacement areas to identity gaps and how best to meet address issues faced by special needs riders. A1-4: Conduct planning and other support needs However, these activities should not be viewed as the tasks necessary to maintain service S4 Improve Regional Connections: improve cross- only options available to address the intent of each regional connections strategy. Additional guidance is available in Section 9. S2 Expand Services: increase service levels A2-1: Increase coverage of service A4-1: Increase span, frequency and capacity To complete the application process for WSDOT of service consolidated grants, applicants must show how their A2-2: Increase span of service (weekends project addresses the identified strategies. The extent and evenings) A4-2: Improve schedule integration between to which a project addresses these strategies will systems determine how high it scores as a regional funding A2-3: Increase frequency of service priority. A4-3: Cooperatively operate or fund cross- S3 Address High Need Areas: provide service to areas jurisdictional service Project prioritization and WSDOT consolidated grant scoring high in human services transportation need funding occurs every two years, with HSTP updates index S5 Increase User Knowledge: increase knowledge of completed every four years. Because of this offset available transportation options to targeted users A3-1: Maintain, restore or expand Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 31

A5-1: Improve user knowledge among human services providers and users infrastructure to support access to and from special needs populations transit service A9-1: Plan and implement mobility A5-2: Leverage existing communication tools management projects A12-3: Encourage siting of human services to better inform the public of transportation and housing for special needs populations options A9-2: Host periodic (annual or quarterly) near existing fixed-route transit service meetings between transit providers and A5-3: Increase public knowledge of travel human services providers S13 Promote Innovation: promote innovative training programs programs, processes and tools that improve efficiency S10 Utilize Technology: utilize technology to provide and reduce cost A5-4: Ensure agencies, groups and improved efficiency and user access to mobility communities who support special needs options A13-1: Utilize social media and mobile populations are well informed workshops to engage special needs A10-1: Improve rider information using real- populations S6 Improve Existing Service Timeliness: improve time information systems quality of timeliness of service S14 Promote Environmental Sustainability: A10-2: Implement and utilize radio systems incorporate environmentally sustainable practices A6-1: Track on-time performance of routes and computer-aided dispatch to improve into regional coordinated transportation planning and and identify solutions scheduling efficiency services

A6-2: Make changes such as increased A10-3: Improve rider information and trip A14-1: Reduce fleet emissions through schedule padding to improve timeliness of planning tools increased fleet efficiency and/or alternative service A10-4: Improve driver and rider safety fuel source vehicles S7 Utilize Existing Services: improve utilization of through security investments on buses and S15 Leverage Funding: further leverage available existing transportation services at stops funding

A7-1: Improve access to service through S11 Inform Users of Mobility Options: assist human A15-1: Develop funding partnerships to fund investments in bus stops, ADA equipment service providers in guiding users to the most efficient projects using a variety of sources other than and bicycle equipment mobility options the WSDOT consolidated grant program A7-2: Reduce financial barriers to access A11-1: Provide travel training for fixed-route through a voucher program and paratransit service Prioritization of Strategies A7-3: Continue to improve schedule S12 Improve Provider Regional Coordination: While all of the identified strategies are important, coordination with different modes and improve coordination between regional and cross- some are of higher importance than others. This service providers regional transit service providers dynamic was captured by assigning weighted factors S8 Expand Driver Training: promote driver training to A12-1: Modify or add human service or to each strategy, with higher values assigned to more encourage “compassionate professionalism” transit service to ensure both services can be important strategies. provided in concert A8-1: Maintain driver training standards Weights were developed by the Skagit-Island Special A12-2: Coordinate county and city public Needs Transportation Committee using a “budgeting” S9 Improve Provider-User Coordination: improve works investments in transportation approach, with a total of 100 points allocated among coordination between transit service providers, the strategies. The weighted factors were then Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 32

reviewed by the Skagit and Island sub-RTPO policy Future Steps an updated prioritized project list in two years and an boards and finalized by the SIRTPO Policy Board. updated HSTP in four years. Using this menu of options the SIRTPO Policy Board, The finalized weighted factors are included in Figure Skagit-Island Special Needs Transportation Continued regional coordination and project 10. These factors are used to prioritize projects based Committee, stakeholders, and elected officials can implementation can strengthen this ongoing effort, on which strategy or strategies they satisfy. determine which, if any, of the above options are improving human services transportation in Skagit appropriate next steps for the region. and Island counties as well as improving competitiveness for the next grant funding cycle. Coordination and Implementation Major future work items required for continued Ongoing coordination and project implementation are eligibility of WSDOT consolidated grant funds includes some of the key goals of the HSTP. Better Figure 10: Prioritized Strategies and Weights communication and coordination between special Implementation Strategies Weights needs populations, human services providers, transportation providers and other related parties S1 Preserve Existing Services: maintain or restore existing service levels and 15 was agreed upon as a valuable outcome from the vehicle fleet HSTP work. S2 Expand Services: increase service levels 15 S3 Address High Need Areas: provide service to areas scoring high in human Based on suggestions from the Skagit-Island Special 15 services transportation need index Needs Transportation Committee, a “menu of S4 Improve Regional Connections: improve cross-regional connections 15 options” for continued coordination and S5 Increase User Knowledge: increase knowledge of available transportation implementation were identified. They include: 10 options to targeted users  An online forum which could provide an S6 Improve Existing Service Timeliness: improve quality of timeliness of ser- 5 avenue for committee members to keep vice abreast of ongoing efforts, coordinate and S7 Utilize Existing Services: improve utilization of existing transportation ser- 5 provide input vices S8 Expand Driver Training: promote driver training to encourage  Mobility Managers – which other counties use 5 “compassionate professionalism” as a way to improve communication between S9 Improve Provider-User Coordination: improve coordination between organizations on an ongoing basis 5 transit service providers, human services providers and users  Monthly group meeting – which other counties S10 Utilize Technology: utilize technology to provide improved efficiency and 5 utilize to coordinate on issues user access to mobility options  Designate a north Puget Sound mobility S11 Inform Users of Mobility Options: assist human service providers in guid- 5 manager, rather than a county level mobility ing users to the most efficient mobility options manager, which would be valuable in helping S12 Improve Provider Regional Coordination: improve coordination between 5 address cross-county coordination challenges regional and cross-regional transit service providers  S13 Promote Innovation: promote innovative programs, processes and tools Hold an annual transportation forum, which 5 could provide updates on progress and that improve efficiency and reduce cost reconvene the advisory committee S14 Promote Environmental Sustainability: incorporate environmentally sus- tainable practices into regional coordinated transportation planning and 5 organizations services S15 Leverage Funding: further leverage available funding 5 Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 33

9. WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program

The Washington State Department of Transportation Details on grant applications including application between communities. distributes federal and state grant funds though a process, project ranking and deadlines are provided in Financial Partnerships – Establish opportunities consolidated, biennial grant funding cycle. This HSTP Appendix F and on WSDOT’s website. for collaboration among local jurisdictions, will inform grant funding for the 2015-2017 and 2017- regional organizations, private sector agencies, 2019 funding cycles. This system simplifies the grant Program Goals state and federal governments, and tribal application process, allowing applicants to apply for governments. Ensure stakeholders have a voice in multiple grant funding sources with a single The consolidated grant program is part of Moving project development. Encourage appropriate cost application every two years. This also improves Washington, an integrated, multimodal approach to sharing for projects. WSDOT grant funding flexibility which helps ensure transportation planning. Key investment principals include maintaining the transportation system, that available funds are fully utilized. The WSDOT Support Coordination and Multimodal ensuring safety of the traveling public and investing in consolidated grant program distributes funds Development – Local organizations are required cost-effective solutions (operate efficiently, manage competitively from: to coordinate services with other transportation demand, add capacity strategically). providers in their area, as well as other  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Programs organizations potentially able to use or purchase Section 5310, 5311, 5316 and 5317 Specific goals of the consolidated grant program the services. Organizations are encouraged to  State Rural Mobility Program include: consider all modes/forms of transportation  State Paratransit/Special Needs Program for Address Deficiencies – Encourage communities beyond traditional sources to enhance the nonprofit organizations to identify and address deficiencies in effectiveness of their services. paratransit/special needs or rural public transportation. Maintain Fleets – As part of Governor Inslee’s Results Washington, WSDOT has been given the Provide a Community Benefit – Assist local areas goal of maintaining the percentage of transit with determining community benefits and vehicles in the state that are within their support for paratransit/special needs or rural minimum useful life. public transportation.

Preservation or Enhancement – Provide funding Eligible Projects to preserve or enhance paratransit/special needs A variety of project types are eligible for grant funding or rural public transportation where there is a including operating assistance, capital projects, demonstrated need and measurable benefit. mobility management projects and planning projects. New projects are required to have at least a 5% local Community Connections – Support a sustainable match, or 10% match, for continuing projects. Federal Deception Pass network of transportation services within and Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 34

grants require large local match ratios, however in such as labor, supplies, fuel, etc. Operating grant special needs transportation services some situations, in-kind contributions can be counted funds cannot be used for the depreciation of  Feeder bus service for the intercity network toward the local match. WSDOT’s consolidated grant vehicles purchased with federal or state dollars,  Equipment to assist with mobility application provides specific guidance on local match or for costs associated with expenses incurred management activities requirements. WSDOT guidance on eligible projects is during timeframes outside of the grant period reproduced below: (such as prepaid insurance coverage). Examples of Eligible Capital Projects eligible operating grants include, but are not All equipment purchased through the Eligible Operating Projects limited to: consolidated grant program must be used to Operating assistance consists of activities and  Operating assistance for rural public provide the passenger transportation services services directly provided or purchased by the transportation services outlined in the project application. Examples of applicant. Project funds may be used for expenses  Operating assistance for paratransit/ eligible capital projects include, but are not limited to:

 Purchasing buses, vans, and other passenger service vehicles  Refurbishing existing passenger service vehicles  Retrofitting vehicles for wheelchair lifts  Replacement parts for passenger service vehicles  Radios and communications equipment  Computer hardware and software, including dispatching software and data systems  Equipment needed for new technologies, through innovative and improved products, for public transportation that enhances operations, mobility, and access  Other equipment such as bicycle racks and fareboxes  Pre-owned or used wheelchair-accessible, passenger-service vehicles (only if it is clearly identified in the application)  Bus shelters Chuckanut Park and Ride  Maintenance equipment (such as bus lifts Skagit-Island Human Services Transportation Plan | Transpo Group | 35

and specialized diagnostic tools)  Development of a local or regional project list based upon how well each project fares  Security equipment coordination plan when compared directly to other projects.  Agency financial and operating plan Eligible Mobility Management Projects  Comprehensive Transportation Plan Mobility management describes projects that Project Ranking assist special needs populations maintain a Based on the priority projects identified by the Skagit- quality of life by connecting them to vital services Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization through outreach, information and education, Policy Board, projects are assigned a letter grade of A, and working to break down transportation B, C, or D. The top five projects will receive an A barriers for special needs populations. These grade, the second five will receive a B grade and the funds may be used to support salaries and third four will receive a C grade. The remainder of administration of mobility management projects coming from a region will receive a D grade. programs and staff, develop, and/or purchase educational and outreach materials, and support Here are the additional percentile points projects information sharing. Examples of mobility receive through the regional process: management projects include, but are not limited A – Top 5 Projects (Additional 50 points) to: B – Second 5 Projects (Additional 25 points)  Planning and coordination and/or policy C – Third 4 Projects (Additional 12 points) work addressing critical gaps in special D – Remaining Project (0 percentile points added) needs transportation When projects are evaluated at the statewide level,  Supporting travel training programs they can receive up to 100 points. The maximum  Programs providing information and/or score any project can receive is 150 points, which education about special needs would occur if the project received 100 points transportation through statewide scoring and also received an “A” in the regional ranking process, giving the project an Eligible Planning Projects additional 50 points.

Planning projects consist of planning, The statewide evaluation consists of an evaluation coordination, or other activities to address the committee which is given a random sample of needs of the applicant and/or the community projects submitted across the state. The committee they serve. Examples of eligible planning projects then conducts a forced-pairs analysis whereby each include, but are not limited to: project is compared with every other project in the random sample. This head-to-head comparison of  Local or regional marketing plan for special projects allows evaluators to create a prioritized needs or rural public transportation [This page was intentionally left blank]