2014 Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for Benton and Franklin Counties

2014 Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan For Benton and Franklin Counties

Benton-Franklin Council of Governments

Adopted: December, 2014

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

This document is incorporated by reference into the 2011-2030 Regional Transportation Plan for the Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area and Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla RTPO.

Grant applications prioritized based on processes described in Chapter 7: Projects are incorporated by reference into this Plan.

For information concerning, or copies of either of these plans, please contact the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments.

Benton-Franklin Council of Governments PO Box 217 Richland, WA 99354 Phone: (509) 9443-9185 Fax: (509) 943-6756 www.bfcog.us

This Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan has been financed in part through grants from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and the Washington State Department of Transportation. The policies, findings, and recommendations contained in this plan, do not necessarily represent the views of the agencies identified above and do not obligate those agencies to providing funding to implement the contents of the Plan as adopted.

BFCG hereby gives public notice that it is the agency policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Benton-Franklin Council of Governments Andres Gomez, Transportation Manager Len Pavelka, Transportation Planning Specialist Jacob Gonzalez, Transportation Modeling/GIS Specialist Geoff Wagner, Transportation Planner Julia Lopez, Administrative Assistant

Plan Advisory Committee Roger Bowman, Ben Franklin Transit Citizens Advisory Committee Dan Cryer, Arc of Tri-Cities Caprice DeHart, Tri-Cities Residential Services Andres Gomez, BFCG Linda Howell, Washington State Department of Transportation Tony Kalmbach, Ben Franklin Transit Kathy McMullen, Ben Franklin Transit Gracie Sexton, People for People

Cover photos courtesy of Ben Franklin Transit

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ...... 1 Federal Direction ...... 1 RTPO Transition ...... 2 Transportation Management Area ...... 2 Federal and State Roles in the Coordination of Human Service Transportation ...... 2 Plan Goals ...... 4 Funding Sources and Types of Projects ...... 5 Consolidated Grant Program ...... 7 Project Methodology ...... 9 Technology ...... 11 Emergency Management ...... 12

CHAPTER 2. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE ...... 13 Population Characteristics ...... 14 Racial and Ethnic Population Characteristics ...... 19 Persons with Incomes Below Poverty ...... 24 Income...... 26 Veteran Status ...... 27

CHAPTER 3. EMPLOYMENT, ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS ...... 29 Major Employers ...... 30 Representative Origins and Destinations ...... 33 Analysis of Ben Franklin Transit Dial-A-Ride Data ...... 35

CHAPTER 4. EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ...... 41 Public Transportation Benefit Area ...... 41 Ben Franklin Transit ...... 41 Additional Public Transportation Services ...... 45 Other Human Service Transportation Providers...... 46 Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation Brokering Program ...... 47 Transportation Provider Inventory ...... 48

CHAPTER 5. PUBLIC OUTREACH ...... 55 Stakeholder Workshop ...... 55 Public Meeting ...... 56

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Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 6. KEY FINDINGS ...... 57 Common Origins and Destinations ...... 57 Service Gaps and Strategies ...... 58 Analysis of Service Gaps ...... 59 Prioritized Service Gaps/ Needs ...... 60

CHAPTER 7. PROJECTS ...... 63 Call for Projects ...... 63 Project Evaluation Criteria ...... 63 Project Prioritization ...... 63 Project Summaries ...... 64 Project Ratings ...... 65

CHAPTER 8. CONCLUSION ...... 67 The 2014 Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan ...... 67

APPENDICES ...... 69 Appendix A - Project List ...... 71 Appendix B – Representative Origins and Destinations ...... 73 Appendix C – Public Outreach ...... 79 Appendix D – Provider Survey ...... 99

TABLES Table 2-1: Total Population and Percent of Youths and Seniors 2009- 2012 ...... 14 Table 2-2: Projected RTPO Population Growth 2010-2040 ...... 15 Table 2-3: Rate of Projected Population Growth 2010-2040 ...... 16 Table 2-4: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 14 and Younger 2010-2040 ...... 17 Table 2-5: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 65 and Older 2010-2040 ...... 18 Table 2-6: Percent of Population by Race 2009, 2012 ...... 21 Table 2-7: Percent and Number of Hispanic/Latino Population 2009, 2012 ...... 22 Table 2-8: Percent and Number of Population in Poverty 2009, 2012 ...... 24 Table 2-9: Percent of Household Income 2009, 2012 ...... 26 Table 2-10: Percent of Population with Veteran Status 2009, 2012 ...... 27 Table 3-1: 2014 Major Employers in Benton and Franklin Counties ...... 30 Table 3-2: 2013 Top BFT Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations ...... 36 Table 3-3: Winter 2013 Top BFT Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations ...... 37 Table 3-4: Spring 2013 Top BFT Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations ...... 37 Table 3-5: Summer 2013 Top BFT Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations ...... 38 Table 3-6: Autumn 2013 Top BFT Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations ...... 38 Table 4-1: People for People Non-Emergency Medicaid Trips 2013 ...... 48 Table 4-2: Survey Monkey Question #3 ...... 49 Table 4-3: Survey Monkey Question #4 ...... 49

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-4: Survey Monkey Question #5 ...... 50 Table 4-5: Survey Monkey Question #6 ...... 51 Table 4-6: Survey Monkey Question #9 ...... 52 Table 4-7: Survey Monkey Question #31 ...... 53 Table 4-8: Survey Monkey Question #32 ...... 53 Table 4-9: Survey Monkey Question #33 ...... 54 Table 4-10: Survey Monkey Question #34 ...... 54 Table 6-1: 2014 HSTP Service Gaps/Needs ...... 58 Table 6-2: 2014 HSTP Strategies ...... 59 Table 6-3: 2014 HSTP Prioritized Service Gaps/Needs ...... 60 Table 7-1: Project Ratings and Requested Grant Funds ...... 65

FIGURES Figure 2-1: Percent of Youths and Seniors-2012 ...... 14 Figure 2-2: Projected RTPO Population Growth 2010-2040 ...... 15 Figure 2-3: Rate of Projected Population Growth 2010-2040 ...... 16 Figure 2-4: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 14 and Younger 2010-2040 ...... 17 Figure 2-5: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 65 and Older 2010-2040 ...... 18 Figure 2-6: Percent of Non-White Race Population 2012 ...... 20 Figure 2-7: Percent of White Race Population 2012 ...... 20 Figure 2-8: Percent of Hispanic/Latino Population 2009, 2012 ...... 22 Figure 2-9: Percent of Hispanic/Latino Population by Census Block 2010 ...... 23 Figure 2-10: Percent of Population Below Poverty 2012 ...... 24 Figure 2-11: Percent of Population Below Poverty by Census Tract 2012 ...... 25 Figure 2-12: Percent of Household Income 2012 ...... 26 Figure 2-13: Percent of Population with Veteran Status 2009, 2012 ...... 27 Figure 3-1: 2014 Major Employers in Benton and Franklin Counties ...... 32 Figure 3-2: Representative Origins and Destinations ...... 34 Figure 3-3: Most Frequent BFT Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations ...... 39 Figure 4-1: Ben Franklin Transit PTBA Boundary ...... 42

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

FEDERAL DIRECTION

This Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan has been developed by the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCG) on behalf of Benton and Franklin Counties. BFCG serves as the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) for the two-county region. Located in south central Washington State at the confluence of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers, the two counties cover an area of over 3,000 square miles.

On August 10, 2005, President George Bush signed a transportation reauthorization bill titled the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, referred to as SAFETEA-LU. Starting in Fiscal Year 2007, transit projects funded through three federal programs: Section 5316, the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program; Section 5317, New Freedom; and Section 5310, the Formula Program for Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities; were required to be derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.

These actions by the federal government are implemented with the development of Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plans (HSTPs). In cooperation with Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Benton- Franklin Council of Governments is responsible for the HSTP for Benton and Franklin Counties.

Guidance issued by the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) indicated that the plan should be a “unified, comprehensive strategy for public transportation service delivery that identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with limited income, laying out strategies for meeting these needs, and prioritizing services.”

The three funding programs focused on the needs of transportation disadvantaged persons or those with special transportation needs that cannot be met through traditional means (e.g. access to automobile or public transportation). For purpose of this plan, the statutory definition of people with special transportation needs detailed in RCW 47.06B is used: “those people, including their attendants, who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age, are unable to transport themselves or purchase transportation.”

While SAFETEA-LU did not require that Section 5311, Rural Transit Formula Grant funds, be subject to the coordinated plan, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has established this requirement, as explained further in this document.

In July 2012, the federal government adopted Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP- 21), a new transportation reauthorization bill succeeding SAFETEA-LU. MAP-21 carries forward

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

HSTP language and intent from SAFETEA-LU and also merges some of the federal transit funding categories addressed in SAFETEA-LU, which will be summarized later in this section.

RTPO TRANSITION

RTPOs were created, with specific responsibilities, under Washington’s Growth Management Act. With time, WSDOT has added to duties of RTPOs, one of which is now completing the HSTP. Previously, BFCG was the RTPO for Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla Counties. That changed with the 2010 census.

The 2010 Census determined the area of Walla Walla-College Place, Washington, and Milton- Freewater, Oregon had achieved a population of 50,000 with sufficient density to be designated as an a new Urbanized Area. This triggered a federal law that required formation of a new Bi-State Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Under the Growth Management Act, that MPO must also be the RTPO.

An outcome of this is that the BFCG now functions as the two-county Benton Franklin RTPO. All RTPO responsibilities in Walla Walla County, including the HSTP, are now executed by the Walla Walla County Sub-RTPO.

TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AREA

In an additional transition, also due to a population increase noted in the 2010 Census, the Kennewick-Pasco-Richland Urbanized Area became a Transportation Management Area (TMA). This is important because the grant funds distributed by WSDOT in the HSTP process are predominately rural in application.

An effect of the TMA designation is to limit the HSTP grant fund eligibility of Ben Franklin Transit (BFT). BFT is the only agency in Benton and Franklin Counties to apply for and receive HSTP funds in previous HSTP grant cycles.

FEDERAL AND STATE ROLES IN THE COORDINATION OF HUMAN SERVIC E TRANSPORTATION

Incentives to coordinate human services transportation programs are defined and elaborated upon in numerous initiatives and documents. Coordination can enhance transportation access, identify efficiencies and minimize duplication of services, and facilitate cost-effective solutions with available resources through recognition of efficiencies. Enhanced coordination also results in joint ownership and oversight of service delivery by both human service and transportation service agencies.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

FEDERAL COORDINATION EFFORTS The requirements of MAP-21 build upon previous federal initiatives intended to enhance social service transportation coordination. Among these are:

Presidential Executive Order In February 2004, President Bush signed an Executive Order establishing a Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility to coordinate over 80 federal programs that fund services for transportation-challenged populations. It may be found at www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040224-9.html

United We Ride-Framework for Action United We Ride is an initiative of the federal government’s Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, charged with advancing the Council’s mission of improving the availability, quality, and efficient delivery of transportation services to people with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes.

The Framework for Action is a comprehensive evaluation and planning tool developed as part of the United We Ride initiative. The Framework helps state and community leaders and agencies involved in human service transportation and transit services, along with their stakeholders, improve or start coordinated transportation systems. This tool can be found on FTA’s website: http://www.unitedweride.gov/1_81_ENG_HTML.htm.

Medicaid Transportation Initiatives (1) Transit Passes: Federal regulations require that Medicaid eligible persons who need transportation for non-emergency medical care be provided transportation. For many people, the most cost-effective way to provide this transportation is with public transportation. Medicaid rules now allow the purchase of a monthly bus pass as an allowable Medicaid program expense. (2) Medicaid brokerages: Some states, including Washington, provide transportation services for Medicaid eligible persons through a brokerage arrangement. Typically, the broker will confirm the passenger’s eligibility status, arrange for the trip through an appropriate vendor, and manage the fiscal oversight for the program.

Previous Research Numerous studies and reports have documented the benefits of enhanced coordination efforts among federal programs that fund or sponsor transportation for their clients.

WASHINGTON STATE COORDINATION EFFORTS In Washington, the Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) is a partnership of members from the legislature, state agencies, transportation providers and consumer advocates whose mission is to direct and promote activities that efficiently use all available state and community resources for special needs transportation across the state. ACCT was created by the

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan legislature in 1998 to facilitate coordination and eliminate cross-jurisdictional and government program barriers to transportation. ACCT is taking a lead role to work with transportation providers and planning organizations throughout the state to implement the federal HSTP planning requirements.

As a means of providing more efficient, cost-effective non-emergency medical transportation, Washington converted its transportation program into a brokerage service model. The Medicaid brokerage system has been able to keep transportation costs down by coordinating transportation services with other State agencies.

Nine regional brokerage agencies are contracted to provide transportation services to 13 separate regions. Washington has been successful in providing expanded and effective access to medical services and is recognized as a model for other brokerage programs across the country. Staff representatives from People-for-People, the Medicaid brokerage serving residents of Benton, and Franklin Counties, actively participated in this plan by attending the Stakeholder Workshop and serving as a member of the Advisory Committee that prioritized the resulting service gaps and needs.

PLAN GOALS

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) serves as the designated recipient for these—and other—federal funds intended for non-urbanized portions of the state. WSDOT, in turn distributes them to local entities through a competitive grant process. Effective July 1, 2007 WSDOT required that projects funded through each biennial funding cycle be derived from a coordinated plan. The overarching goal of this planning effort is to respond both to MAP-21 and the State of Washington requirements for receiving these federal funds.

Additionally, an important goal for this plan is to provide an opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders with a common interest in human service transportation to convene and collaborate on how best to provide transportation services for these targeted populations. Specifically, the stakeholders are called upon to identify service gaps and/or barriers, strategize on solutions most appropriate to meet these needs based on local circumstances, and prioritize these strategies for inclusion in the plan.

Indeed, stakeholder outreach and participation is a key element to the development of this plan. Federal guidance issued by FTA in the March 2006 Federal Register specifically requires this participation, and recommends that it come from a broad base of groups and organizations involved in the coordinated planning process, including (but not limited to): area transportation planning agencies, transit riders and potential riders, public transportation providers, private transportation providers, non-profit transportation providers, human service agencies funding and/or supporting access for human services, and other government agencies that administer

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan programs for targeted populations, advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, elected officials, and tribal representatives.

This document is intended both to capture those local stakeholder discussions, and to establish the framework for potential future planning and coordination activities. Coordination is encouraged to enhance transportation access, minimize duplication of services, identify and take advantage of efficiencies and facilitate cost-effective solutions with available resources

FUNDING SOURCES AND TYPES OF PROJECTS

Federal Funds Projects funded with the four sources of grant funds are required to be selected through a competitive process, and derived from this coordinated planning effort. Many, if not all, of the suggested strategies and solutions could be structured to take advantage of available program funds. The sources of funds and examples of eligible projects are described below:

As mentioned above, as of July 2012 the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is operating under a new federal transportation act, MAP-21, which merged four grant programs into two. Those changes are summarized below.

Section 5310: Formula Grants for the enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities A federal program administered by WSDOT that provides capital assistance to private, nonprofit corporations, tribal governments, and selected county governments who provide transportation services to elderly persons and/or persons with disabilities. Funds for this program are allocated by formula to states for capital costs of providing services to elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Typically, vans or small buses are available to support non-profit transportation providers.

With the passage of MAP-21, Section 5317, the New Freedom program was combined into the larger Section 5310 program. The New Freedom program was a federally funded, competitive grant program, administered by WSDOT, intended to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society. The purpose of the program was to go “beyond” the minimal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Examples of eligible Section 5310 projects include:  Expansion of paratransit service hours or service area beyond minimal requirements  Purchase of accessible taxi or other vehicles  Promotion of accessible ride sharing or vanpool programs  Administration of volunteer programs  Building curb-cuts, providing accessible bus stops  Travel Training programs

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Section 5311: Rural Transit Formula Grants This program is a federally funded, competitive grant program administered by WSDOT that provides funding assistance for transportation providers serving the general public in rural areas of the state. The funding assistance is available for capital and operating assistance purposes. Federal Section 5311 funds are intended to enhance the access of people in non-urbanized areas to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation. Services are available to the general public, but may also be used to support services for elderly and disabled.

Section 5316, the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program was combined with the urban (5307) and rural (5311) formula funding programs under MAP-21. JARC was a federally funded, competitive grant program administered by WSDOT to improve access to transportation services to employment and employment related activities for welfare recipients and low-income individuals.

Examples of eligible projects include:  Wheelchair accessible passenger vehicles  Communications equipment  Purchase and installation of bus shelters or other amenities  Operating Assistance  Late-night and weekend service  Guaranteed Ride Home Programs  Vanpools or shuttle services to improve access to employment or training sites  Car-share or other projects to improve access to autos  Access to child care and training

State Funds Rural Mobility Program State-funded, competitive grants administered by WSDOT to establish, preserve, and improve rural public transportation. Funding supports rural and small urban areas statewide. Projects are for capital, operating, construction, and planning purposes. There are two separate rural mobility allocations:  Competitive – Priority for competitive funding is given to rural areas.  Transit Formula – This is a formula program for small urban and rural public transit systems only.

Paratransit/Special Needs Program Funding to sustain and expand services to special needs populations. In this context it means transportation services provided to individuals that have special transportation needs; by flexible forms of public transportation services that are not operated over a fixed route, and sometimes referred to as “demand response” or “dial a ride”; and for the purpose of increasing access to basic services such as education, medical, social, and employment. There are two separate rural mobility allocations:  Non-Profit Competitive – Funding to support special needs transportation services provided by private non-profit organizations.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

 Transit Formula – These are formula based grants for public transit agencies to provide special needs transportation.

CONSOLIDATED GRANT PROGRAM

Historical Background WSDOT uses a consolidated application for both state and federal public transportation grants. Applicants are asked to describe their project and provide pertinent information. Based on the information provided by the applicant WSDOT determines the appropriate type of funding when awarding projects. Competitive projects will be evaluated based on local and state criteria. Projects must be derived from needs and strategies identified in a regional Coordinated Public Transit- Human Services Transportation Plan before being submitted to WSDOT.

Moving Washington Moving Washington is WSDOT’s proven approach for creating an integrated, 21st century transportation system. The objectives are clear and measurable and rely on partnerships that invest for the long term. It is WSDOT’s framework for making transparent, cost-effective decisions that keep people and goods moving and support a healthy economy, environment, and communities.

Moving Washington reflects the state’s transportation goals and objectives for planning, operating, and investing. State law directs public investments in transportation to support economic vitality, preservation, safety, mobility, the environment, and system stewardship.

Investment Principles Moving Washington provides the principles for making responsible and sustainable decisions.

Maintain and Keep Safe – Our highest priority is maintaining and preserving the safe and long-lasting performance of existing infrastructure, facilities, and services. This is the heart of Moving Washington and the target of our investments.

Integrate Investments for Cost-Effective Solutions – Moving Washington combines three essential transportation strategies to achieve and align our objectives and those of our partners.  Operate Efficiently  Manage Demand  Add Capacity Strategically

Consolidated Grant Program Goals Specifically, the goals of the WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program are as follows:

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

 Address Deficiencies – Encourage communities to identify and address deficiencies in paratransit/special needs or rural public transportation.  Provide a Community Benefit – Assist local areas in determining community benefits and support for paratransit/special needs or rural public transportation.  Preservation or Enhancement – Provide funding to preserve or enhance paratransit/special needs or rural public transportation where there is a demonstrated need and measurable benefit.  Community Connections – Support a sustainable network of transportation services within and between communities.  Financial Partnerships – Establish opportunities for local jurisdictions, regional organizations, private sector agencies, state and federal governments, and tribal governments in Washington to work collaboratively. Ensure stakeholders have a voice in project development. Encourage appropriate cost sharing on projects.  Support Coordination – Local organizations are require to coordinate services with other transportation providers in their area, as well as other organizations potentially able to use or purchase the services

The latest complete update to the Plan was written in 2010. Federal statute requires a new HSTP every four years. The Consolidated Grant Process administered by WSDOT occurs every two years. An interim document is not required but may be developed for the second two-year period. That document is the 2012 Interim Report.

Funded projects from the 2010 Benton Franklin Walla Walla RTPO HSTP and Interim 2012 HSTP are identified below. As discussed earlier, Walla Walla County Sub-RTPO will manage development of the HSTP for that region and prioritize and submit a project list to WSDOT. Review of the lists below shows that Ben Franklin Transit was the sole HSTP grantee in Benton and Franklin Counties for these two grant cycles.

FUNDED 2011-2013 PROJECTS AND AMOUNT AWARDED Appointment Keepers: Paratransit Outside Valley Transit Current Boundary and Cost of Medical Transportation for Persons not Medicaid Eligible - $50,400

Ben Franklin Transit: Maintain Existing Night Trans+Plus Services - $428,933

Ben Franklin Transit: Dial A Ride and Demand Response Communication Equipment (Mobile Data Terminals (MDT's)) - $55,233

Ben Franklin Transit: Travel Training Program Continued - $100,000

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Valley Transit: Veteran, Senior, and Special Needs Population Healthcare Service Route: Part 1 – Operating Expense - $250,000

Valley Transit: Veteran, Senior, and Special Needs Population Healthcare Service Route: Part 2 – Capital Expense - $152,000

FUNDED 2013-2015 PROJECTS AND AMOUNT AWARDED Valley Transit Preserve Access to Veteran’s Medical Center and Other Health and Human Service Facilities $150,000 Replace Three CNG Powered Vans with three CNG powered, Low-Floor Vans - $181,200

Ben Franklin Transit: Ranger MDT Purchase - $40,971

Valley Transit Coordinated Transportation Planning to Support the Formation of the Walla Walla Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - TBD

PLAN METHODOLOGY

The following steps were undertaken to support the key findings and recommendations emerging from this plan.

Advisory Committee An Advisory Committee comprised of BFCG, Ben Franklin Transit and WSDOT staff, as well as representatives of the regional Medicaid broker and human service agencies provided oversight and guidance throughout the project. In addition to their assistance in plan development, their responsibilities also included the following.  Confirm the list of prioritized unmet transportation strategies  Review and accept project prioritization criteria  Apply the prioritization criteria and rank grant applications submitted to WSDOT

Demographic Profile A demographic profile of the two-county area addressed in this plan was prepared using data from the American Community Survey and the Washington Office of Financial Management. This step establishes the framework for better understanding the local characteristics of the study area, with

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan a focus on the four population groups addressed to this plan: persons with disabilities, older adults, youths and those of low-income status.

The demographic profile is in Chapter 2 of this report.

Public Outreach Public input was solicited and encouraged in several ways, and is described in detail in Chapter 4 of this report.

Stakeholder Workshop A Stakeholder Workshop was held in July. Stakeholders are those agencies that provide or are involved in transportation and advocacy groups representing customers. A few examples of stakeholders are: transit agencies, paratransit providers, social service agencies and managed care facilities. The primary outcome of the Workshop was identification of Gaps (needs) and Strategies (solutions) for transit services for target populations of the Plan.

Public Meeting The purpose of the public meeting was to broaden the participation in the planning effort to include members of the public and offer them the opportunity to confirm preliminary findings with respect to service gaps and proposed strategies. A primary outcome of the meeting was prioritization of service gaps.

Additional information on public outreach is contained in Chapter 5 and Appendix C.

Identification of Gaps in Service and Strategies An important step in completing this plan includes the identification of service needs or gaps. The identification of service gaps provides a basis for recognizing where—and how—service for the populations targeted in this Plan needs to be improved. In some cases, maintaining and protecting existing services is identified as a service need.

Coupled with the need to identify service gaps is the need to identify services, or strategies, intended to address those deficiencies. These “strategies” differ from specific projects in that they may not yet be fully defined, e.g. a project sponsor isn’t identified, or project expenditures are not fully defined. Identification of gaps and strategies is discussed in detail in Chapter 5: Key Findings.

The lists of gaps and strategies for this plan were initially derived through direct participation with stakeholders at the Stakeholder Workshop. Later, both lists were supplemented through consultation with the Plan Advisory Committee and additional review by those in attendance at public meetings in August.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Identification of Origins and Destinations Through a survey of social service providers in Benton and Franklin Counties, lists of locations of residences for senior citizens and of agencies and organizations for human and social service providers were developed. These are presented in map form in Chapter 3 and listed in Appendix B.

Additional in-depth analysis developed for this HSTP involved Ben Franklin Transit Dial-a-Ride origin and destination data. As presented in detail in Chapter 3, individual origins and destinations are logged as discrete events by BFT. This data was compiled and analyzed by BFCG staff, resulting in lists showing most frequent origins and destinations by quarter and annually, as well as a map portraying the annual list.

Major Employers in Benton and Franklin Counties The Council of Governments has generated multiple iterations of a list of major employers in the RTPO over the past two decades, the latest work being completed this fall. This work is presented in map form and listed in Chapter 3.

Prioritization of Service Needs A public meeting was held in late August, with multiple seniors and handicapped citizens in attendance. Attendees reviewed gaps and strategies identified at the stakeholder meeting and augmented by the HSTP Advisory Committee. Their comments added to both the list of identified gaps and strategies. Following, participants were asked to prioritize the identified needs. The list of prioritized needs is presented in Chapter 6.

Existing Transportation Services This involves documenting the range of public transportation services that already exist in the two- county area. These services include public fixed route and dial-a-ride (paratransit) services, vanpool services, and transportation services provided or sponsored by other social service agencies.

Social service transportation providers were consulted directly through a survey process intended to identify those agencies providing or arranging for client transportation within the service area. Information from the inventory is highlighted in Chapter4. The questionnaire is in Appendix D.

TECHNOLOGY

Applications of GIS technology are evident in the multiple maps generated for this report. These include maps portraying census data, as well as the previously mentioned Major Employers, an Origin and Destination map, and BFT Dial-A-Ride origin and destination map. Two maps portraying census data are presented in Chapter 2. The previously referenced Major Employers map, Origin and Destination map, and BFT Dial-A-Ride origin and destination maps are in Chapter 3.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Ben Franklin Transit has arrangements with two area agencies for purposes of addressing emergency management issues. Agreements in place include one between BFT and Benton County Emergency Services, and a second between BFT and the Tri-County Hazardous Materials Response Group.

Benton County Emergency Services (BCES) conducts an all-hazards emergency preparedness program for the purpose of assuring an appropriate emergency response in the event of natural, technological or human caused disasters. In addition to hazards such as wildfires and floods, BCES plans and prepares for emergencies at the Hanford site and the Columbia Generating Station The agreement between BFT and BCES states that BFT will provide BCES with emergency transportation services and limited short term sheltering for the public and/or emergency workers during an emergency response within the BCES area.

The Tri-County Hazardous Materials Response Group is comprised of 45 firefighters from nine fire departments throughout the region: Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and Yakima Fire Departments, as well as Benton County Fire Districts #1, #2, #4, Franklin County Fire District #3 and Walla Walla Fire District # 5.

Their responsibility is as first responders to hazardous material emergencies in the four (Yakima Fire Department joined in 2004) counties. The agreement states that in the event of an emergency response BFT shall, upon request, provide bus transportation for team members to incidents within the Tri-County Hazardous Materials Response Group area.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 2: DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Benton and Franklin Counties are located in southeastern Washington, covering just over 3,000 square miles. According to the 2010 Census, Benton County had a population of 175,177 in 2010, which represents an increase of 32,702 or 23 percent over 2000 (142,475) while Franklin County had a 2010 population of 78,163 an increase of 28,816, or 58 percent over its 2000 population of 49,347.

This chapter contains tables, graphs and maps that document important characteristics concerning HSTP target population groups in Benton and Franklin Counties. The profile includes information on current and projected numbers of older adults and youth, low-income individuals, and veterans within the region, as well as data on race and ethnicity in the two county area.

The information is drawn from a variety of sources. Data on population, race and ethnicity, veterans and poverty are primarily from both the 2007-2009 and 2010-2012 American Community Survey (ACS) three year samples. Data from the ACS Surveys are samples, and as such are subject to uncertainty due to sampling variability. They do not represent a 100 percent census count.

Population projections are based on the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) 2012 population projections. OFM develops high, medium and low 30-year population projections at the county level every five years. The population projections included in this section are based on the OFM mid-range projections.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

Current Population Data This section presents data from the 2007-2009 and 2010-2012 American Community Survey (ACS) three-year samples. Figure 2-1 below shows the percent of population for youths (under 14) and seniors (above 65) in Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State in 2012.

Figure 2-1: Percent of Youths and Seniors Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State- 2012

Percent of Youths and Seniors - 2012

30%

25%

20%

15% Benton County 10% Franklin County Washington

Percent of Population of Percent 5%

0% Under 14 years 65 years and over

Age Groups

Table 2-1 shows 2009 and 2012 population for Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State. It also contains the number and percentage of youths and seniors.

Table 2-1: Total Population and Percent of Youths and Seniors Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012 2007-2009 American Community Survey Washington Benton County Franklin County Population % of Population Population % of Population Population % of Population Total population 6,565,082 163,919 73,353 Under 14 years 1,286,756 19.60% 36,882 22.50% 22,006 30.00% 65 years and over 787,810 12.00% 19,015 11.60% 5,281 7.20% 2010-2012 American Community Survey Washington Benton County Franklin County Population % of Population Population % of Population Population % of Population Total population 6,821,303 179,809 82,715 Under 14 years 1,316,511 19.30% 40,277 22.40% 24,070 29.10% 65 years and over 873,127 12.80% 21,757 12.10% 6,038 7.30%

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Projected Population Data This section contains population data developed by the Washington State OFM. The agency generates county-level population estimates to be used for planning purposes under the Growth Management Act. Projections are developed for “High”, “Medium”, and “Low” ranges of population growth. The data contained in the tables and figures below are based on the set of medium estimates developed by OFM in 2012.

Figure 2-2 graphs projected population increase between 2010 -2040 for Benton and Franklin Counties and the RTPO as a whole. Table 2-2 shows the same data.

Figure 2-2: Projected RTPO Population Growth 2010-2040

Projected RTPO Population Growth 2010-2040

400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 Benton County 150,000 Franklin County 100,000

Projected Projected Population B-F RTPO 50,000 0

Years

Table 2-2: Projected RTPO Population Growth 2010-2040 Projected Total Population Growth 2010-2040 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 Benton County 142,475 158,100 168,839 176,854 184,704 192,131 198,528 Franklin County 49,347 60,500 70,038 80,348 90,654 100,666 109,861 RTPO 191,822 218,600 238,877 257,202 275,358 292,797 308,389

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Figure 2-3 graphs the rate of growth projected in the OFM 2010-2040 population estimates for the two counties, the RTPO and Washington State. Table 2-3 tracks the same data, for example the percent in the 2015 column represents the change between 2010 and 2015. The final column shows the percent of projected total change from 2010-2040.

Figure 2-3: Rate of Projected Population Growth 2010-2040

Rate of Projected Population Growth 2010-2040

25%

20%

15% Benton County

10% Franklin County B-F RTPO Growth Growth Rate 5% Washington 0%

Years

Table 2-3: Rate of Projected Population Growth 2010-2040 Rate of Projected Population Growth 2010-2040 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 Total Change Benton County 11% 7% 5% 4% 4% 3% 39% Franklin County 23% 16% 15% 13% 11% 9% 123% B-F RTPO 14% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 39% Washington 6% 9% 7% 6% 5% 5% 44%

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Figure 2-4 graphs the rate of growth projected in the OFM 2010-2040 population estimates for ages 14 and younger for the two counties and the RTPO. Table 2-4 shows the same data. Growth of this segment of the population is projected to be 29 percent in Benton County and 90 percent in Franklin County. In the RTPO as a whole, it is estimated the population ages 0-14 will increase 52 percent over the 30-year period.

Figure 2-4: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 14 and Younger 2010-2040 RTPO Population Growth Age 14 and Younger 2010-2040

100,000 80,000 60,000 Benton County 40,000 Franklin County B-F RTPO Population 20,000 0

Year

Table 2-4: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 14 and Younger 2010-2040 Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 14 and Younger 2010-2040 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 Benton County 39,502 40,275 42,365 44,385 47,081 49,162 51,113 Franklin County 22,908 25,716 28,911 32,136 35,939 39,555 43,492 B-F RTPO 62,410 65,991 71,276 76,521 83,020 88,717 94,605

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Figure 2-5 graphs projected 2010-2040 population growth for ages 65 and older for the two counties and the RTPO. Table 2-5 tracks the same data. Growth of this segment of the population is projected to increase by 122 percent in Benton County and 239 percent in Franklin County. In the RTPO as a whole, it is estimated the population 65 and older will increase 147 percent over the 30- year period.

Figure 2-5: Projected RTPO Population Growth Age 65 and Older - 2010-2040 Population RTPO Growth Age 65 and Older 2010-2040

80,000 60,000 40,000 Benton County 20,000 Franklin County

Population 0 B-F RTPO

Year

Table 2-5: Projected Population Growth Age 65 and Older - 2010-2040 Population Growth Age 65 and Older - 2010-2040 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 Benton County 20,586 24,797 30,642 36,394 41,314 43,850 45,651 Franklin County 5,696 7,077 9,244 11,492 13,794 16,186 19,282 B-F RTPO 26,282 31,874 39,886 47,886 55,108 60,036 64,933

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

RACIAL AND ETHNIC POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

This section presents data on race and ethnicity from both the 2007 -2009 and 2010-2012 American Community Surveys, though primarily the latter. It includes tables, graphs and a map.

Race is a survey self-identification data item in which respondents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. Ethnicity refers to Hispanic/Latino origin, which is also self- identified.

In 1997, the Federal Office of Management and Budget revised the standards for how the Federal government would collect and present data on race and ethnicity. Origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino may be of any race.

To compound all of the above, some census respondents included themselves in both categories – as a person of race and as a person of ethnicity, thus double counting. Population percentages do not add up to 100 percent due to exclusion of the self-declared Hispanic/Latino component from those calculations.

Due to the fact that the white population of the state and the two counties is so high, the graphs portraying those data are presented separately so the other racial components of the population may be viewed more proportionately.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Racial Population Characteristics of Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State Figure 2-6 graphs the percentage of population of races other than white for the two counties and Washington State. Figure 2-7 graphs the percentage of white population for the same geographies.

Figure 2-6: Percent of Non-White Race Population, Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2012

Percent of Non-White Race Population - 2012

7% 6% 5% 4% 2012 Benton County 3% 2012 Franklln County 2% 2012 Washington 1%

0% Percent Percent of Population Black American Asian Native Indian Hawaiian Race

Figure 2-7: Percent of White Race Population, Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2012 Percent of Population - White Race -2012

90% 80% 70% 60% 50% Benton County 40% 30% Franklln County 20% Washington

Percent Percent of Population 10% 0% White White Race

Table 2-6 shows both the number and percentage of all races for 2009 and 2012 for Washington State and the two Counties.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 2-6: Percent of Population by Race Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State - 2009, 2012 Percent of Population by Race - 2009 Washington % Benton County % Franklin County % Total 6,565,082 163,919 73,353 White alone 5,270,605 80.28% 138,190 84.30% 43,717 59.60% Black/African American 223,745 3.41% 2,154 1.31% 1,453 1.98% American Indian/Alaska Native 91,614 1.40% 1,890 1.15% 746 1.02% Asian 434,407 6.62% 3,901 2.38% 1,402 1.91% Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander 29,259 0.45% 115 0.07% 0 0.00% Percent Population by Race - 2012 Washington % Benton County % Franklin County % Total 6,821,303 179,809 82,715 White alone 5,350,392 78.44% 146,899 81.70% 47,242 57.11% Black/African American 243,811 3.57% 2,699 1.50% 1,423 1.72% American Indian/Alaska Native 94,054 1.38% 1,354 0.75% 626 0.76% Asian 499,165 7.32% 4,930 2.74% 1,518 1.84% Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander 41,626 0.61% 202 0.11% 60 0.07%

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Hispanic/Latino Population Characteristics of Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State Figure 2-8 shows the percent of Hispanic/Latino population in Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State in 2009 and 2012. Table 2-7 shows the number and percent of Hispanic/Latino population in 2009 and 2012 for the same geographies.

Figure 2-8: Percent of Hispanic/Latino Population Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012

Percent of Hispanic/Latino Population 2009, 2012

60%

50%

40% 30% Benton County 20% Franklin County

10% Washington

Percent Percent of Population 0% 2009 2012

Year

Table 2-7: Percent and Number of Hispanic/Latino Population Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012 Number and Percent of Hispanic or Latino Population - 2009, 2010 Benton County Franklin County Washington State Population Percentage Population Percentage Population Percentage 2009 26,984 16% 36,435 50% 654,879 10% 2012 34,047 19% 42,175 51% 783,883 11%

Figure 2-9 maps the percentage of Hispanic/Latino population in the Tri-Cities and portions of Benton and Franklin Counties by census block groups, along with Ben Franklin Transit fixed routes.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

2010

9: percent of Hispanic /Latino Population /Latino Block byHispanic Census percent of 9:

Figure 2

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

PERSONS WITH INCOMES BELOW POVERTY

This section presents data from the American Community Survey 2007-2009 and 2010-2012 three- year samples. Figure 2-10 shows the percent of persons in Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State with an income below poverty level in 2012. Table 2-8 shows the same data for both 2009 and 2012. Figure 2-10: Percent of Population in Poverty Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2012

Percent of Population in Poverty - 2012

35 30 25 20 15 Benton County 10 5 Franklin County 0 Washington State Total Under 18 18 to 64 65 years and Percent Percent of Population Population in years years Poverty over

Population Group

Table 2-8: Percent and Number of Persons with Income Below Poverty Level Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012 Number and Percent of Population in Poverty - 2009 Benton County Franklin County Washington Below poverty % below poverty Below poverty % below poverty Below poverty % below poverty

Population of Poverty Status 19,545 12.10% 13,411 18.60% 757,288 11.80% Under 18 years 8,115 18.50% 6,259 24.90% 234,972 15.30% 18 to 64 years 10,567 10.70% 6,489 15.50% 461,511 11.20% 65 years and over 863 4.60% 663 12.60% 60,805 8.00%

Number and Percent of Population in Poverty - 2012 Benton County Franklin County Washington

Below poverty % below poverty Below poverty % below poverty Below poverty % below poverty

Population of Poverty Status 22,201 12.50% 17,872 22.10% 915,792 13.70% Under 18 years 9,061 19.20% 8,577 31.00% 287,500 18.50% 18 to 64 years 11,826 10.90% 8,529 18.10% 561,818 13.10% 65 years and over 1,314 6.10% 766 13.10% 66,474 7.80%

Figure 2-11 shows the percent of population with incomes below poverty level in the Tri-Cities and surrounding area Benton and Franklin Counties by census tract.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

11: Percent of Population Below Poverty by Census Tract Tract by Census Below of Population Poverty Percent 11:

Figure 2

INCOME

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

This section presents data from the American Community Survey 2007-2009 and 2010-2012 three- year samples.

Figure 2-12 shows the percent of households in Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State in various income categories in 2012. Table 2-9 shows the same data for both 2009 and 2012.

Figure 2-12: Percent of Household Income Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2012 Household Income - 2012

30% 25% 20%

15% Benton County 10% Franklin County 5% Washington

Percent Percent of Households 0% Less than $25K $50K to $75K $100K or $25K $50K $75K $100K more Income Category

Table 2-9: Percent of Household Income Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012 2009 ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLD INCOME Benton County Franklin County Washington Number of Households 59,389 20,696 2,537,656 # of Households Percent # of Households Percent # of Households Percent Less than $24,999 11,997 20.20% 4,884 23.60% 499,918 19.70% $25,000 to $49,999 14,610 24.60% 6,043 29.20% 609,037 24.00% $50,000 to $74,999 10,690 18.00% 4,719 22.80% 499,918 19.70% $75,000 to $99,999 8,136 13.70% 2,194 10.60% 345,121 13.60% $100,000 or more 13,956 23.50% 2,856 13.80% 583,661 23.00% 2012 ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLD INCOME Benton County Franklin County Washington Number of Households 65,278 23,466 2,624,689 # of Households Percent # of Households Percent # of Households Percent Less than $24,999 12,468 19.10% 5,397 23.00% 527,562 20.10% $25,000 to $49,999 14,426 22.10% 5,209 22.20% 606,303 23.10% $50,000 to $74,999 11,750 18.00% 5,515 23.50% 501,316 19.10% $75,000 to $99,999 9,204 14.10% 3,614 15.40% 349,084 13.30% $100,000 or more 17,495 26.80% 3,731 15.90% 640,424 24.40%

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

VETERAN STATUS

This section presents data from the American Community Survey 2007-2009 and 2010-2012 three- year samples.

Figure 2-13 shows the percent of veterans in Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State.. Table 2-10 shows both the number and percent of population 2009 and 2012.

Figure 2-13: Percent of Population with Veteran Status Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012

Percent of Population with Veteran Status - 2009, 2012 10

4 Benton County Franklin County 2

Washington State Percent of Veterans of Percent 0 2009 2012 Jurisdiction

Table 2-10: Percent of Population with Veteran Status Benton and Franklin Counties and Washington State – 2009, 2012 Percent of Population with Veteran Status - 2009 and 2012 Benton County Franklin County Washington Veterans % Veterans % Veterans % 2009 15,327 9.35% 3,540 4.83% 603,230 9.19% 2012 14,738 8.20% 3,796 4.59% 592,502 8.69%

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

DATA SOURCES

Population S0101: Age and Sex 2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

S0101: Age and Sex 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

Office of Financial Management 2012 Washington State Population Projection: Medium Series, Age Detail

Race and Ethnicity B02001: Race 2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

B02001: Race 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

B01001: Sex by Age (Hispanic or Latino) 2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

B01001: Sex by Age (Hispanic or Latino) 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

Poverty S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months 2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

Income S1901: Estimated Household Income In The Past 12 Months 2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

S1901: Estimated Household Income In The Past 12 Months 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

Veteran Status S2101: Veteran Status 2007-2009 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

S2101: Veteran Status 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 3 – EMPLOYMENT, ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS

This chapter contains maps and background materials for employment, and origins and destinations; three separate pieces, but all related to the HSTP process.

As part of cyclical agency data collection, the Transportation Office of the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments develops a list of major employers (greater than 100 employees), their contact information and location. Coincidently, this effort occurred this summer. This chapter contains a list of major employers in the two counties and a map locating those employers.

A second set of data, complied for this document, is a list of origins and destinations in the RTPO. These include hospitals and clinics, schools, grocery stores and assisted living facilities. A map was generated showing this information. The lists are included in the Appendix.

Finally, the Ben Franklin Transit Dial-a-Ride trip system dispatch software captures and retains a specific set of coordinates for each origin and destination. BFCG transportation staff met with BFT staff in June 2014 and discussed utilizing the trip data for the Human Services Transportation Plan to better understand patterns of Dial-A-Ride service. This chapter includes a map and tables with the results of that analysis.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

The purpose of the Major Employers Report is to provide a snapshot of regional employment within Benton and Franklin Counties. The list includes private and public sector employers. For the purposes of this report, we included only employers with 100 or more total employees in Benton and Franklin Counties.

The Major Employers Report was compiled during the Spring and Summer of 2014. Information from previous reports published by the BFC G was referenced for the update. Data from the Tri-Cities Development Council (TRIDEC), The Department of Energy, and the Washington State Employment Security Department was also used for data collection in the report. Employment was verified by contacting the Human Resources Department at each employer and receiving their latest estimate.

Table 3-1 2014 Major Employers In Benton and Franklin Counties

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

EMPLOYER EMPLOYEES ADDRESS CITY Battelle / Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 4,219 902 Battelle Blvd Richland URS* 3,500 723 Parkway St. Richland Kadlec Medical Center* 2,644 888 Swift Blvd Richland Bechtel National, Inc* 2,519 2435 Stevens Center Place Richland ConAgra Foods / Lamb Weston 2,369 Various (11 Locations) Mission Support Alliance 2,011 2490 Garlick Blvd Richland Kennewick School District* 1,950 524 S Auburn St Kennewick Pasco School District* 1,900 1215 W. Lewis St Pasco Washington River Protection Solutions 1,676 2440 Stevens Center Place Richland Richland School District* 1,560 615 Snow Ave Richland Tyson Foods 1,400 13983 Dodd Rd Burbank CH2M Hill - Plateau Remediation* 1,323 PO Box 1600 Richland Energy Northwest 1,195 Various Wal-Mart Supercenter 1,045 Various (3 Locations) Trios Health* 1,017 900 S Auburn St Kennewick Adams Enterprises (dba: McDonald's) 1,000 Various Lourdes Health Network* 742 520 N 4th Ave Pasco Washington Closure Hanford 706 2620 Fermi Ave Richland Coyote Ridge Correctional Facility 704 1301 North Ephrata Street Connell Columbia Basin College* 688 2600 N 20th Ave Pasco Benton County* 687 620 Market Street Prosser AREVA 662 2425 Stevens Center Place Richland Port of Pasco* 658 1110 Osprey Pointe Blvd Pasco Apollo Inc. 625 133 W Columbia Dr Kennewick City of Richland* 520 505 Swift Blvd Richland Costco 486 8505 W Gage Blvd Kennewick Columbia Crest Winery 473 HWY 221 Columbia Crest Dr Patterson Fred Meyer 440 Various (2 Locations) Lockheed Martin 421 2261 Stevens Dr Richland EMPLOYER EMPLOYEES ADDRESS CITY Pasco Processing 400 5815 N Industrial Way Pasco Yokes Fresh Market 390 Various (4 Locations) Zirkle Fruit 350 101 Benutz Rd Way Prosser City of Kennewick* 342 210 W 6th Ave Kennewick GESA Credit Union 335 Various Locations City of Pasco* 321 525 N 3rd Avenue Pasco Prosser Memorial Hospital Medical Centers 316 Various Douglas Fruit 310 110 Taylor Flats Rd Pasco Amazon.com (Call Center) 300 7011 W Canal Dr Kennewick Winco Foods 300 Various (2 Locations) Red Lion Hotels 294 Various (3 Locations) Washington State University - Tri Cities 283 2710 Crimson Way Richland Ben Franklin Transit 273 1000 Columbia Park Trail Richland HAPO Community Credit Union 270 601 Williams Blvd Richland Lowe's Home Improvement 270 Various (2 Locations) JC Penny 250 100 Columbia Center Blvd Kennewick

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Energy Solutions 248 2355 Stevens Dr Richland DOE - Richland Operations Office 247 825 Jadwin Ave Richland Home Depot 245 Various (2 Locations) Franklin County* 243 1016 N. 4th Ave Pasco McCurley Integrity Dealerships 240 Various Locations North Franklin School District* 238 1100 W Clark St Connell Tri-Cities Community Health* 236 515 W Court St Pasco Macy's - Columbia Center 230 1321 N Columbia Ctr Blvd Kennewick Albertson's 225 Various (4 Locations) Life Care Center 220 Various (2 Locations) Target 219 Various (2 Locations) Resers Fine Foods 205 5310 Industrial Way Pasco TiLite 205 2701 W Court St Pasco Washington State University - IA-REC 200 24106 N. Bunn Rd Prosser Columbia Colstor 179 224905 E Bowles Rd Kennewick Lampson International 167 607 E Columbia Drive Kennewick Benton PUD 161 2721 W. 10th Avenue Kennewick Department of Energy - Office of River Protection 139 2440 Stevens Center Place Richland Campbell & Company 130 2828 W Irving St Pasco Sygenta 125 5516 N. Industrial Way Pasco Tree Top, Inc 125 2780 Lee Road Prosser Finley School District* 121 224606 E Game Farm Rd Kennewick Kiona-Benton School District* 120 1107 Grace Benton City Mid-Columbia Library 116 Various (11 Locations) Richland Rehabilitation Center 112 1745 Pike Avenue Richland Columbia School District* 110 755 Maple Street Burbank Cadwell Laboratories 100 909 N Kellogg St Kennewick Tri-City Herald 100 333 W. Canal Drive Kennewick *Not all employees are located at the address listed.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Figure 3 Figure

2014 Major Employers in Counties 2014 Employers Franklin Benton and Major

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

REPRESENTATIVE ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS

This map locates a representative cross section of origins and destinations in the two-county area. Shown on the map are schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, grocery stores, and hospitals and related clinics. Services shown in the map are listed in Appendix B. This data set and map can be augmented in the next update.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Figure 3 Figure

2: Representative and Origins

Destinations in the RTPO

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

ANALYSIS OF BEN FRANKLIN TRANSIT DIAL-A-RIDE TRIP DATA

Staff from the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments and Ben Franklin Transit met in June of 2014 to discuss how to address the analysis. Attributes were identified by each staff that would be helpful in utilizing the trip data for the Human Services Transportation Plan and understanding patterns of Dial-A-Ride service. Data to be sent to BFCG would include the following:

 One week per month, for an entire year (June 2013 - May 2014)  Geographic coordinates of each trip destination  Associated addresses and name of each recorded trip destination

Data was sent to the Council of Governments for processing. In total, there were over 140,000 unique trips recorded during that specified time period.

Thresholds were established so the most frequently visited destinations by the Dial-A-Ride service could be identified. BFCG staff decided the data should be displayed by a yearly total, and also divided into four quarterly breakdowns within the year.

Concerning the data to be reported, the yearly totals accounted for those with 750 or more unique trips per address, while 250 or more unique trips was established as the bottom limit for each quarterly period.

The yearly table was converted into a geographic shapefiles using TransCAD software to be used for mapping purposes.

Tables 3-2 shows the most frequent trip origins/destinations for the 12 month period. Tables 3-3 through 3-6 show the most frequent origins/destinations for each quarter analyzed.

Figure 3-3 locates the highest ranking total trips on a map for the 12 month period analyzed.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 3-2: Top 2013 Ben Franklin Transit Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations Top 2013 Ben Franklin Transit Dial-a-Ride Origins & Destinations *Rank Trips Site Name Address 1 2574 Burden Medical Center 6825 Burden Blvd 2 1744 Trios Medical Bldg 10 N Washington St 3 1730 Kadlec Medical Bldg 510 N Colorado St 4 1597 Richland Goodwill 201 Wellsian Way 5 1429 Richland WalMart 2801 Duportail St 6 1144 The Vintage, Senior Retirement Housing 1950 Bellerive Dr 7 1139 Court Club Physical Therapy 1350 N Grant St 8 1129 Kadlec Hospital 888 Swift Blvd 9 1078 Kennewick Walmart 2720 S Quilan St 10 1020 Corrado Medical Building 800 Swift Blvd 11 970 Parkview Estates, Senior Retirement Housing 7820 W 6th Ave 12 936 Richland Community Center 500 Amon Park Dr 13 934 Columbia Center Mall 1321 N Columbia Center Blvd 14 858 DaVita Chinook Kidney at home 1315 Aaron Dr 15 807 ARC of Tri-Cities 1455 Fowler St 16 807 Pasco Goodwill 3521 W Court St 17 779 Sun Gardens West, Senior Retirement Housing 2320 W Sylvester St 18 778 Desert Villa, Low Income Housing 635 S Auburn St

* 750 total trips were selected as the cutoff point for inclusion on this list.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

TABLES 3-3 TO 3-6: TOP 2013 BEN FRANKLIN TRANSIT QUARTERLY DIAL-A-RIDE ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS

Table 3-3 Winter 2013 Ben Franklin Transit D-A-R Origins and Destinations Winter 2013 - Ben Franklin Transit Top Dial A Ride O & D's *Rank Trips Site 1 616 Burden Medical Center 4 437 Richland Goodwill 2 420 Trios Medical Bldg 3 408 Kadlec Medical Bldg 16 337 Pasco Goodwill 5 324 Richland WalMart 8 311 Kadlec Hospital 6 299 The Vintage, Senior Retirement Housing 9 282 Kennewick Walmart 10 271 Corrado Medical Building NR 262 General Medical Bldg

Table 3-4 Spring 2013 Ben Franklin Transit D-A-R Origins and Destinations Spring 2013 - Ben Franklin Transit Top Dial A Ride O & D's *Rank Trips Site 1 640 Burden Medical Center 2 491 Trios Medical Bldg 3 411 Kadlec Medical Bldg 5 389 Richland WalMart 4 388 Richland Goodwill 7 322 Court Club Physical Therapy 9 272 Kennewick Walmart 6 269 The Vintage, Senior Retirement Housing 13 263 Kennewick

* Rank in list of Top 2013 Ben Franklin Transit 2013 Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 3-5 Summer 2013 Ben Franklin Transit D-A-R Origins and Destinations Summer 2013 - Ben Franklin Transit Top Dial A Ride O & D's *Rank Trips Site 1 698 Burden Medical Center 2 443 Trios Medical Bldg 3 441 Kadlec Medical Bldg 4 378 Richland Goodwill 5 322 Richland WalMart 8 306 Kadlec Hospital 10 292 Corrado Medical Building 7 285 Court Club Physical Therapy 6 279 The Vintage, Senior Retirement Housing 11 278 Parkview Estates, Senior Retirement Housing 9 266 Kennewick Walmart

Table 3-6 Autumn 2013 Ben Franklin Transit D-A-R Origins and Destinations Autumn 2013 - Ben Franklin Transit Top Dial A Ride O & D's *Rank Trips Site 1 620 Burden Medical Center 3 470 Kadlec Medical Bldg 4 394 Richland Goodwill 5 394 Richland WalMart 2 390 Trios Medical Bldg 6 297 The Vintage, Senior Retirement Housing 7 284 Court Club Physical Therapy 8 281 Kadlec Hospital 16 269 Pasco Goodwill 13 268 Kennewick NR 263 Richland Senior Center 9 258 Kennewick Walmart 10 254 Corrado Medical Building

* Rank in list of Top 2013 Ben Franklin Transit 2013 Dial-A-Ride Origins and Destinations.

The cutoff point for inclusion in these lists was 250 total trips.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Figure 3 Figure

3: Most Frequent Ben 3: Transit Most Frequent Ben Franklin Dial

Ride Destinations 2013Ride Destinations

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 4: EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT AREA

The Benton Franklin Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) is a municipal corporation. Ben Franklin Transit operates in the areas. Defined in statute (RCW 36.57A), a PTBA is established through a planning and electoral process wherein citizens in a defined area vote to impose up to .06 of 1 percent of a sales tax upon themselves for purposes of developing and funding a public transit agency. The PTBA boundary sets the limit of the area to be taxed and generally sets a limit on the area to receive service. In general, dedicated public transportation is limited to urban areas served by Ben Franklin Transit. Figure 4-1 shows the extent of Ben Franklin Transit’s service area.

BEN FRANKLIN TRANSIT

Weekday and Saturday Fixed Route Bus Service All Ben Franklin Transit routes are numbered and each has a printed schedule. Ben Franklin Transit has 24 routes serving Benton City, Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, Richland, and West Richland. There are five (5) Inter-City routes (which travel between cities) and 19 routes called Locals which do not leave their designated city. During travel, many riders have to transfer between routed buses to get to their destination. Buses are scheduled to arrive at the transit centers at approximately the same time and leave at the same time so transferring from bus to bus is simple to do and easy to understand. All BFT fixed route buses are now wheelchair lift equipped, and the agency provides travel training to all riders.

Taxi Feeder Routes A premium service which provides transit links for less travelled areas. Customers call BFT’s contractor for service and have a shared taxi ride to their final destination or are picked up near home and dropped off to catch a bus. This provides access to locations that are costly to serve with fixed route service.

Dial-A-Ride Paratransit Service Dial-A-Ride (DAR) is door-to-door transportation for people whose disability prevents them from using the regular routed bus service. DAR Paratransit Service operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. DAR does not operate on Sunday. Service is obtained through a reservation system with one day’s notice of travel plans and exceeds requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA). Ben Franklin Transit prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. This includes access to employment opportunities and agency facilities. BFT provides reasonable modification to all transit services that are necessary for the rider to use the service, because of the rider’s disability.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Transit PTBATransit Boundary

1: Ben Franklin Franklin Ben 1:

Figure 4

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

 BFT provides paratransit service throughout our PTBA. This is provided far beyond the legal ¾ mile requirement established by the ADA, with a premium fare charged beyond ¾ mile of our fixed routes.  Eligibility for Dial A Ride Services: BFT’s application includes  Trip specific information in order to better assess opportunities for travel training and trip-by-trip eligibility.  A face to face interview when appropriate.  Conditional eligibility such as seasonal or trip-by-trip will be established when appropriate.  Dial-A-Ride applicants may be referred to travel training.  Door through door service has been largely eliminated with door to door being provided only when needed. Curb to curb service is provided on a regular basis.  A No-show policy is in effect and has led to a substantial decrease in costly no-shows.  Dial-A-Ride services are contracted with private providers such as ARC and Tri-City Taxi, as well as provided by BFT staff.  Travel Training:  Dial A Ride staff refer clients to the Travel Training program.  Clients receive one on one or small group training as needed.  BFT has a systematic program meeting with community groups familiarizing potential groups with use of the fixed route transit service.  BFT staff collaborates with school special-education departments, teaching special needs students and their teachers about our system.

Trans+Plus Night Service and Sunday Service Trans+Plus night service operates from 6:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday thru Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is not a daytime service except on Sundays.

Trans+Plus Night Service provides a unique, demand response, curb-to-curb service only available in the Tri-Cities and West Richland portions of within Ben Franklin Transit’s boundary area. This excludes the Hanford area north of Battelle Blvd., and the Prosser and Benton City areas. When you call the Trans+Plus telephone number (545-0684) between 2:00 PM and 1:30 AM Monday thru Saturday, you can schedule a ride from where you are to where you want to go. Call early, there are only a limited number of rides available. Sunday reservations can be made on Saturday from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday after 7:30 AM for trips after 9:00 AM.

Prosser/Benton City Demand Response Services Demand response services provide trips as needed in the low density communities of Benton City and Prosser. The Benton City/Prosser Demand Response Service is point-to-point general demand service that takes a rider to destinations within Ben Franklin Transit’s Benton City and Prosser service boundary. Designated stops have been established for pick-up.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Finley Service Service in Finley for the General Public will be provided by BFT contractor Tri-City Taxi. It is a point-to-point demand response service. This is a shared ride service and is not a taxi service. In this model, service will only be provided when requested. The service will consist of transportation from one pick-up point to another pick-up point within Finley and/or between Finley pick-up points and the BFT Dayton Street Transfer Point in Kennewick.

Vanpools This service is employer or community based with volunteer drivers for a shared ride.

Community Vanpool: Ben Franklin Transit makes 12 passenger and mini vans available for use on specific pre-approved trips with volunteer drivers and coordinators for community non-profit or governmental groups. One end of the group’s trip must fall within the Ben Franklin transit service boundary.

Vanpool Fares: Ben Franklin Transit’s Vanpool system is an excellent transportation alternative for those with long commutes. Riders in BFT’s vans share the cost of fuel, maintenance, and insurance through a monthly fare. Vanpool drivers are fellow commuters, responsible for collecting the monthly fee and fueling the vehicle. In return the driver rides free. The monthly Vanpool fare varies.

Contact Ben Franklin Transit at 509-735-5100 or visit their website at www.bft.org for more information.

Ridesharing/ Carpooling A carpool is a group of two (2) or more people sharing the ride to work or school in a private vehicle.

There are multiple options for finding riders:  Go to www.RideshareOnline.com (http://msa.hanford.gov/rideshare for Hanford employees) and find who is available to carpool in a matter of minutes,  Fill out the Ben Franklin Transit Ridematch Application., BFT will keep your address confidential. Only with your permission will they give other Ridematch clients your phone number or address. You choose matches that look suitable and contact those people. BFT recommends that potential carpoolers meet in a public place to discuss details before actually riding together.  Call the Rideshare Hotline at 1-888-814-1300  Contact your co-workers, talk to neighbors, or  Put posters in your car window or work bulletin board.

Additional information is available on the BFT website: www.bft.org/services/ridesharing

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Grape Line The Grape Line offers three round trips daily between Pasco and Walla Walla. Travel connections in Pasco include: the Pasco Airport; Greyhound and Amtrak at the Pasco Intermodal Center and Ben Franklin Transit. Connections in Walla Walla include the Walla Walla Airport, Valley Transit, the Milton-Freewater bus, Columbia County Public Transportation and Umatilla Tribal transportation.

A current schedule, fares, and ticketing and boarding locations may be found at their website: www.grapeline.us/index.htm or call them at 509-529-7442 or 1-877-433-4775 for more information.

People For People Community Connector The People For People Community Connector in Yakima County is a fixed-route transportation service available to the general public funded through the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The Community Connector travels along the I-82 corridor covering the area between Yakima and Prosser offering three round trips per day.

The ADA accessible bus stops at designated sites in Yakima, Wapato, Toppenish, Zillah, Granger, Sunnyside, Grandview and a travel connection in Prosser for transfer to the Benton-Franklin Transit. Sservice is available Monday-Friday, with the first Yakima departure leaving at 7:30am and last Yakima arrival at 8:10 pm. A current schedule and boarding locations may be found at their website: www.pfp.org or call them at (509) 457-1111 or dial 2-1-1 for information.

Valley Transit Valley Transit provides fixed route and dial-a-ride public transportation services in the Walla Walla –College Place Metropolitan Area. Their transfer center, located at Main and Fourth in downtown Walla Walla is a major regional transit connection hub.

Valley Transit’s website: www.valleytransit.com provides detailed information on types of service, costs and schedules. Their phone number is 509-525-9140.

Kayak Public Transit The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation offers bus service on a fixed-route six days per week. The Walla Walla Whistler route covers the area between Pendleton, Oregon and Walla Walla. The service is free for all riders. The Monday through Friday service runs from 5:00am to 7:30pm. This route includes stops in several different cities, such as Milton-Freewater and College Place. Kayak also utilizes the Valley Transit transfer station in downtown Walla Walla.

Connections in the Tri-Cities include: the 22nd Street Transfer Center in Pasco, and the Columbia Center Mall, the Three Rivers Transit Center, the Huntington Street Transfer Center and the 27th

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Street Park and Ride, all in Kennewick. For bus information call 541-429-7519 or 509-547-7777 or visit the CTUIR website at www.ctuir.org/bus.html.

Columbia County Transportation Columbia County Public Transportation (CCPT) is available to all residents of Columbia County. For those residents living outside the Dayton city limits, transportation is dependent on the availability of a vehicle to provide service to that outlying area. This service connects Dayton, Waitsburg and Prescott to Walla Walla. It connects with the Grape Line at the Valley Transit Transfer Center. Contact them at 509-382-1647 for more information and to make reservations.

Milton-Freewater Bus The Milton-Freewater City Bus provides Monday through Friday fixed route bus service connecting Milton-Freewater to both Walla Walla and College Place. Connections with the Grape Line may be made at the Valley Transit Transfer Center. For more information contact Milton-Freewater City Hall at 541-938-8243. Additional information is available on the internet at http://mfcity.com/transport.

Greyhound Greyhound in Pasco connects to destinations throughout the United States. Contact Greyhound at 1- 800-231-2222, the Greyhound ticket office in Walla Walla at 509-529-7442, or the Pasco ticket office at 509-547-3151, or on the web at www.greyhound.com for more information.

Amtrak Amtrak passenger rail service in Pasco connects to Spokane and Portland, and from there to farther destinations. Contact Amtrak at 800-872-7245 or on the web at www.amtrak.com for more information.

Google Transit Google Transit is a valuable resource for trip planning. It provides suggestions for schedules, fares, and location of bus stops. Google Transit currently has local data for Ben Franklin Transit, Valley Transit, the Grape Line, The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, and the City of Milton-Freewater.

OTHER HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS

A variety of programs in Benton and Franklin Counties offer transportation service. Very few are solely transportation providers, with most offering transportation in conjunction with other social service or volunteer programs. These other providers range from for-profit companies to non- profit organization and state government agencies. Some programs directly provide transportation while others sponsor transportation by contracting with, or buying passes/tickets for, other providers. Those that provide transportation utilize paid drivers, agency staff and/or program volunteers to transport passengers.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

The following provides a summary of human service transportation providers in Benton and Franklin Counties, organized by general clientele they serve.

Seniors Volunteer Chore Services is a service of Catholic Family and Child Service. It provides various medical and personal trips for low-income seniors and disabled individuals using program vehicles and volunteer drivers. Information is available at this website: http://cfcsyakima.org/.

Senior Companion Program is also provided by Catholic Family and Child Service. It provides various medical and personal trips for seniors using program vehicles and volunteer drivers. Information is available at this website: http://cfcsyakima.org/

Developmentally Disabled ARC of Tri-Cities operates a van fleet of Ben Franklin Transit vehicles for work and human service agency trips for ARC, Columbia Industries, Adult Day Services and Goodwill program participants.

Client-Based State of Washington Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) directly provides medical as well as work/school trips for program clients (primarily long distance trips).

State of Washington Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) sponsors work and school trips for disabled clients in their program. Within DSHS, the Children’s Administration provides rides to clients, primarily with agency staff driving the clients.

State of Washington Employment Security Department sponsors transportation individuals (primarily without disabilities) to aid in obtaining employment.

Retirement Homes often have private vehicles to provide transportation for their elderly residents. Most of the transportation is for medical appointments, but they also provide shopping and recreation trips. Trips are arranged and scheduled by staff and most homes also use public transportation when needed.

NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION BROKERING PROGRAM

People for People (PFP), based in Yakima, Washington, administers a nine-county (Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Okanogan, Walla Walla, Yakima) Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation Brokering Program under contract with the Health Care Authority. The brokering program verifies client eligibility and processes individual Medicaid trip requests and identifies the most cost-appropriate available transportation resource to complete the trip. PFP contracts with a variety of transportation providers and also provides gas vouchers and mileage reimbursement for clients that are licensed, registered and insured or have a family member or friend that meets the same requirements. The types of providers include:

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

. Volunteer Agency Driver programs . Transit Providers (Fixed route and paratransit services) . Taxi Companies . Commercial Bus (Greyhound) . Non-Profit/For-Profit Companies

The program provided over 176,370 non-emergency Medicaid trips during FY 2013. Table 4-1 indicates that a majority of Medicaid trips were provided using the public/paratransit system in Benton and Franklin Counties.

Table 4-1 People for People Non-Emergency Medicaid Trips By Mode - 2013 Trip Type Benton Franklin Public Bus (Fixed Route) 4,632 1,664 Public Bus (Paratransit) 7,492 5,731 Gas Vouchers- Client Associated Vehicle 4,678 3,439 Mileage Reimbursement - Client Associated Vehicle 521 340 Ambulatory Ride 7,896 3,269 Non-Ambulatory Ride 1.485 746 Volunteer Agency Drivers 361 235 Commercial Bus (Greyhound) 3 4 Total Trips by County 27,068 15,428 Source: People for People Transportation Brokering Program

For more information about the Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation Brokering program go to www.pfp.org

TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER INVENTORY

A survey was placed on Survey Monkey to develop an inventory of transportation services in Benton and Franklin counties. About 60 potential transportation providers were sent an email notification and link to the survey, which was accessible from August through October.

Potential human service transportation providers included those who provide or subsidize transportation for the elderly or youths, for persons with disabilities, or for low-income persons. Input was requested from organizations that directly provide transportation, arrange service through a contractual arrangement, or subsidize the cost of transportation for their clients.

Fourteen of the entities contacted responded, of that number, ten completed the survey. Select responses are presented below. Appendix C contains a copy of the survey instrument and a list of invited agencies.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-2 Survey Monkey Question #3 3. Does your agency/organization fund transportation services? Response The Arc of Tri-Cities No Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority No Kennewick Senior Center No Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired No Goodwill Industries No Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington Yes People For People Yes Vintage at Richland Apartment Community No YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities Yes People For People No A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. No Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Yes Inspire Development Center No

Table 4-3 Survey Monkey Question #4 4: Does your agency/organization directly provide transportation services? Response The Arc of Tri-Cities Yes Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority No Kennewick Senior Center No Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired No Goodwill Industries Yes Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington Yes People For People No Vintage at Richland Apartment Community No YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities Yes People For People Yes A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Yes Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels No Inspire Development Center Yes

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-4 Survey Monkey Question #5 5. What type of transportation services does your agency/organization fund? Contract Broker transportation Provide transportation services with transit services by another tickets or Provide taxi volunteers with agency/organization passes to scrip/vouchers privately owned Name of Agency or Organization: sponsor/fund. clientele. to clientele. vehicles. Other (please specify) The Arc of Tri-Cities Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority Kennewick Senior Center Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Goodwill Industries Assist customers with transportation with company car or Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington Yes Yes personal cars. People For People Yes Yes Yes Yes Greyhound, Airlines Vintage at Richland Apartment Community Use BFT overflow and YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities Yes our own minibus People For People A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Yes Transport young Inspire Development Center children to Headstart

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-5 Survey Monkey Question #6 6. If contracting with another agency/organization, which one(s) provide your services? Name of Agency or Organization: The Arc of Tri-Cities Community Action Connections Kennewic k Housing Authority Do not contract with another agency to provide transportation. We do not contract daily transportation. We do sell Ben Franklin Transit and Dial A Ride tickets and passes. A large portion of our patrons utilize this service to come and go from our facility. We do contract with A&A motorcoach for their large and mini busses for our Kennewick Senior Center day trips to various locations. Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Washington Department Services for the Blind Goodwill Industries Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington A+ Transportation, Tri City Taxi, Medstar Cabulance, Transportation Solutions, People For People Appointment Keepers Transportation Vintage at Richland Apartment Community N/A YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities BFT People For People A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels We work with B/F Dial a Ride but do not have a formal contract. Inspire Development Center

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-6 Survey Monkey Question #9 9. What services do you provide? Door- Deviated Community Curb-to- Door-to- through- Medicaid Please list monthly Fixed Fixed Based Curb Door Door Medial Excursion operating hours of Name of Agency or Organization: Route Route Shuttles Paratransit Paratransit Paratransit Transportation Trips service type(s). Approximately 2,600 monthly hours of Paratransit Approximately 50 monthly hours of The Arc of Tri-Cities Yes Yes excursion Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority Kennewick Senior Center Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Goodwill Industries Yes We mainly provide assistance to those customers that lack transportation to get to and from home. On rare occasions, we provide Opportunities Industrialization Centers of transportation to Washington work. People For People Vintage at Richland Apartment Community N/A YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities Yes People For People Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Yes Yes Yes Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Inspire Development Center Yes

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-7 Survey Monkey Question #31 31. Do you coordinate with other service providers? Name of Agency or Organization: The Arc of Tri-Cities Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority Yes Kennewick Senior Center Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired No Goodwill Industries No Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington Yes People For People Vintage at Richland Apartment Community No YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities No People For People A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Yes Inspire Development Center Yes

Table 4-8 Survey Monkey Question #32 32. If answered yes to question 31, please explain how. Name of Agency or Organization: The Arc of Tri-Cities Community Action Connections Refer to CED, HEN, other housing and transportation Kennewick Housing Authority programs. Kennewick Senior Center Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Goodwill Industries Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington We work with other government agencies to cost share. People For People Vintage at Richland Apartment Community N/A YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities People For People A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. We work with many social service and medical providers, cities for facilities, United Way, 3Rivers Community Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Foundation, etc Inspire Development Center Family Transportation, WIC, etc.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Table 4-9 Survey Monkey Question #33 33. What, if anything, is constraining the provision of transportation services to those who require them? Name of Agency or Organization: The Arc of Tri-Cities Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority More funds for comprehensive services. Kennewick Senior Center Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Goodwill Industries Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington Education and language barriers. People For People Vehicles that can accommodate bariatric patients Vintage at Richland Apartment Community N/A YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities People For People A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Cost Inspire Development Center Availability

Table 4-10 Survey Monkey Question #34 34. What would you improve to provide more/better transportation services? Name of Agency or Organization: The Arc of Tri-Cities Community Action Connections Kennewick Housing Authority Kennewick Senior Center Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Goodwill Industries Opportunities Industrialization Centers of Washington Provide more public transportation and expand routes and night services. People For People Vintage at Richland Apartment Community Since we do not provide a transportation service, cannot answer BFT has been great to work with in providing the vast majority of our field trips for about 150 youth each day during the summer and school YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities year. People For People A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Sunday Dial a Ride would be nice as I know seniors are not able to go places on Sundays, like church. I also hear that the waiting is hard, it Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels takes 2-3 hours to be able to come have lunch with us. Inspire Development Center More buses.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Chapter 5 – PUBLIC OUTREACH

Public outreach for the 2014 Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) was accomplished with two meetings: A Stakeholder Workshop in July and a public meeting in August. This chapter outlines the basics of the meetings, while Chapter 5, Key Findings, will discuss the meeting outcomes in greater detail. Limited English Proficiency, minority, and low income populations were reached in our commitment to Title VI compliance.

STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

A Stakeholder Workshop was held in Kennewick on July 14th. The purpose of the meeting was to educate transportation stakeholders about the regional Human Services Transportation Plan process and the federal and state requirements; identify common origins and destinations; identify a list of service gaps or needs; and identify potential strategies or solutions to address those needs.

A mailing list of 120 businesses and agencies were sent letters inviting their participation. Attendance was disappointing, with three agencies represented at the meeting.

Stakeholder participation is a critical component of a successful Human Services Transportation Planning process. Stakeholders are those agencies that provide or are involved in transportation and advocacy groups representing customers. A few examples of stakeholders are: transit agencies, paratransit providers, taxi companies, social service agencies, managed care facilities and agencies that serve the needs of low-income, disabled and elderly people.

Engaging the appropriate organizations and individuals in the planning effort is critical to identifying the needs of the target population, the needs of the community/region, the transportation services available, and the identification of new solutions.

At the workshop, a PowerPoint presentation gave background on state and federal transit funding, the WSDOT Consolidated Grant process and an outline on the development of the HSTP. The meeting then discussed origins and destinations.

Identification of Origins and Destinations A map showing a representative sample of origins and destinations in Benton and Franklin Counties was developed by BFCG staff to facilitate this portion of the meeting. Sites identified included hospitals and health clinics, senior centers, schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and grocery stores.

A second map showed major employers in the metropolitan area, Ben Franklin Transit fixed routes, and the ¾ mile buffer that delineates the required limit for dial-a-ride services, and major employers in the metropolitan area. The maps are shown on pages 32, 34 and 39 in Chapter 3.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Despite the limited attendance, discussion of the map did take place and stakeholders identified additional human service agencies to be added to the map.

Identification of Gaps and Strategies Following the discussion of origins and destinations, the workshop provided an interactive opportunity for stakeholders to offer their insight as to service gaps and barriers preventing full mobility for populations subject to this planning effort. Potential needs could involve a decrease in, or absence of, service delivery, service quality, eligibility criteria, or cost.

After identifying the unmet needs of the region, those present were asked to determine the strategies that are most appropriate and useful in addressing those gaps. Efforts of the stakeholders are described in greater detail in Chapter 6.

PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting was held on August 28th in Kennewick. Letters were sent to individuals and agencies on the stakeholder meeting list inviting both the stakeholders and their clients, and emails were sent to the list of transportation providers developed for the Provider Survey. Two separate Notices announcing the meeting were placed in the Tri-City Herald and Tu Decides, a regional Spanish language newspaper. Additionally, notices of the meetings in both English and Spanish were placed in all Ben Franklin Transit fixed route and Dial-a-Ride vehicles. Examples of the ourtreach effort are detailed in Appendix C: Public Outreach.

Attendance at the meeting numbered about twenty. Those present included persons with disabilities, seniors, staff from transportation providers and social service agencies, public transportation advocates, the press and the general public.

The purpose of the meeting was to broaden the participation in the planning effort to include members of the public, offer them the opportunity to confirm preliminary findings with respect to service gaps and proposed strategies, and prioritize the needs. At the meeting, a PowerPoint presentation provided attendees with a project overview.

Multiple maps were available for review, including several portraying census data. Also on display were a map showing the location and number of employees of major employers with Ben Franklin Transit fixed routes and service area; a map showing representative origins and destinations in Benton and Franklin Counties and a map showing the most frequent origins and destinations for Ben Franklin Transit Dial-A-Ride trips. These maps may be viewed in Chapters 2 and 3.

As with the stakeholder meeting, origins and destinations as well as gaps and strategies were reviewed and discussed. Additionally, the service gaps, or needs, were prioritized. The outcomes of the public meeting are detailed in Chapter 6 – Key Findings.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Chapter 6: KEY FINDINGS

As mentioned in Chapter 5, a stakeholder workshop and a public meeting were convened to gather input for this plan. This chapter looks in greater detail at the results of those meetings.

The Stakeholder workshop convened in June 2014 was not well attended. However, the outcome was three sets of information: A revised map of origins and destinations; an augmented list of service gaps and unmet transportation needs; and strategies or solutions to address those needs.

The public meeting was held on August 28th in Kennewick. The purpose of the meeting was to broaden the participation in the planning effort to include members of the public, offer them the opportunity to confirm preliminary findings with respect to service gaps and proposed strategies, and prioritize the needs. At the meeting, a PowerPoint presentation provided attendees with a project overview. As with the stakeholder meeting, origins and destinations as well as gaps and strategies were reviewed and discussed. Additionally, the service gaps, or needs, were prioritized.

The workshop and meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to offer their insight as to origins and destinations in the two county area, and service gaps and barriers preventing full mobility for populations targeted by this planning effort, and strategies that might address those gaps. Additionally, those attending the public meeting stakeholders prioritized the identified unmet needs.

Subsequently, that preliminary identification of gaps and strategies was reviewed by the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan Advisory Committee. Further discussion by the Committee led to combining some gaps or strategies, and adding new ones.

COMMON ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS

Common origins include locations of low-income populations, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and youth. Common destinations could include employment opportunities, childcare facilities, schools, medical centers, and shopping districts.

Using the maps shown in Chapter 4 as reference, those attending the stakeholder workshop were asked to identify common origins and destinations for their area. Additional origins and destinations were recorded on the map.

The public meeting included a map with the location of major employers and an overlay of BFT fixed transit routes. Additionally, a map showing most frequent BFT Dial- A-Ride origins and destinations, as well as the data tables shown in Chapter 3 were also available for review.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

SERVICE GAPS AND STRATEGIES

As indicated, a number of service gaps and potential strategies to address those gaps were identified through discussion among stakeholders. The list was reviewed and supplemented by the HSTP Advisory Committee. Finally, discussion and review at the public meeting resulted in additional needs being identified.

The final lists of service gaps and strategies are below.

Service Gaps Attendees were asked to identify various transportation needs or "gaps" in existing transportation services. By identifying the unmet needs of the area, stakeholders can determine the services that are most appropriate and useful to help gain access to the community.

Gaps were identified at the stakeholder workshop in June. The list was then supplemented by the HSTP Advisory Committee at their July meeting and the attendees at the August public meetings.

The final list of strategies for the 2014 HSTP for Benton and Franklin Counties is shown below.

Table 6-1 2014 HSTP Service Gaps

 Service to north Franklin County  Sustain existing services  GPS for BFT Busses  Technology for “real time” GPS  Service to Rural areas outside PTBA (Benton County & Franklin County)  Lighting for bus shelters/Trees for bus shelters, Passenger amenities  Video/Audio equipment for all busses & Transit centers  Few alternatives to public transportation to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation  Increased wheelchair access to Night Service and Sunday Service  Increased out of boundary service  Limited use/access/reliance on fixed-route service by individuals with disabilities

Agencies submitting HSTP grant requests will use this list of needs to qualify their 2014 Consolidated Grant Program project applications.

Strategies Strategies are solutions to address the unmet needs. In light of a region's unmet needs, planners should consider an array of service alternatives to accommodate varying transportation needs of urban and rural areas.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Transportation solutions will vary in each area depending on the resources available, the size of the market for each alternative and the extent of existing services. Options include buying vehicles, increasing fixed route service (extending hours or territory), employer vanpool services, dial-a-ride services, volunteer ride services, bus passes, gas vouchers, travel training, mobility management, and others.

As stated above for gaps, Stakeholders initially identified the list of strategies. Subsequently, both the Human Services Transportation Plan Advisory Committee and those attending the public meeting supplemented the original list.

The final list of strategies for Benton and Franklin Counties is shown below.

Table 6-2 2014 HSTP Strategies

 Exceed ADA minimum Requirements  Improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance by individuals with disabilities on ADA-compliant paratransit service  Provide alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation  Investigate service outside of PTBA  Continuation of existing services  Maintain Transit Training  Increase number of bus shelters, provide amenities  Continuation of 211 phone services  Stakeholders meet annually to assess needs and coordinate services provided  Maximize service by increasing efficiency  Further subsidize fares

ANALYSIS OF SERVICE GAPS

A number of unmet needs were identified. Although some perceived gaps relate to improving the fixed route transit services, the solutions needed to address those gaps could be provided through other means, such as vanpools, taxi voucher programs, etc.

A potential transportation strategy might be defined as follows:  Continuation of current services that would not otherwise operate without grant funds  Extension or expansion of current services to meet an area which is underserved or lacks service entirely.  New service established to meet an identified need

Transportation strategies were identified in all three definition areas, and generally fall into the following categories:

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Need to maintain current levels of service In times when there are requests for strategies to increase transportation services, retaining funding for current levels of service should not be overlooked in anticipation of increasing levels of service. The following are a list of needs identified that maintain current services:  Continuation of existing services  Maintain Transit Training  Continuation of 211 phone services

Areas which are underserved In both counties, persons who live or work outside the transit agency’s core service area can’t easily access public transit. A priority strategy was to expand out of bounds service to include North Franklin County.  Maximize service by increasing efficiency  Improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance by individuals with disabilities on ADA-compliant paratransit service  Provide alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation  Exceed ADA minimum Requirements  Increase number of bus shelters, provide amenities

Lack of availability or lack service entirely The need for public transit service to increase the hours of service was a concern voiced by stakeholders in both counties.  Investigate service outside of PTBA  ITS architecture to address on-time bus information  Stakeholders meet annually to assess needs and coordinate services provided

PRIORITIZED SERVICE GAPS/NEEDS

An outcome of the public meeting was a prioritized list of Gaps/Needs for the entire region, which is shown below with the number of votes each need received. It should be noted that this list reflects the list of needs prioritized, and augmented, at the public meeting. Table 6-1 represents a consolidation discussion that took place at an Advisory Committee meeting after the public meeting.

Table 6-3 Benton-Franklin RTPO 2014 Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan Prioritized Service Gaps/Needs

 Additional bus shelters: Lighting for bus shelters/Trees for bus shelters, Passenger amenities – 8 votes

 Increased out of boundary service/ Badger Canyon – 7 votes

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

 Service to north Franklin County – 6 votes

 Less wait time for Dial-a-Ride return trips; Increase frequency of Dial-a-Ride service to 30 minutes - 6 votes

 Sustain existing services – 4 votes

 Video/Audio equipment for all buses & Transit centers – 4 votes

 Few alternatives to public transportation to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation – 3 votes

 Increased wheelchair access to Night Service and Sunday Service - 3 votes

 GPS for BFT Buses – 2 votes

 Technology for “real time” GPS – 1 vote

 Service to Rural areas outside PTBA (Benton County & Franklin County) – 1 vote

 Limited use/access/reliance on fixed-route service by individuals with disabilities - 1 vote

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 7: PROJECTS

CALL FOR PROJECTS

A formal Call for Projects for the 2014 BFCG Human Services Transportation Plan was issued in early September. Letters with information about the Call for Projects were mailed to all those individuals and agencies on the Stakeholder invitation list, all agencies on the Transportation Provider list for the online survey were sent emails, and a notice placed twice in the Tri-City Herald. The outcome of 120 letters, 60 emails (twice) and $380.00 worth of advertising was two projects submitted for the 2014 HSTP. These communications are detailed in Appendix B.

PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA

A function of the plan development process is project evaluation and prioritization. This chapter details this effort.

Project applications based on the service gaps identified in Chapter 6 must be evaluated and prioritized on a regional basis prior to submittal to WSDOT for their statewide evaluation. Previous Benton-Franklin RTPO HSTP’s were evaluated and prioritized based on the criteria in the Consolidated Grant Application Form. In 2014, WSDOT suggested the evaluation criteria for all applications based on the four components below:

Preservation: Ensure that current transportation resources remain in place. Coordination: Assure non-duplication and coordination of resources Unmet/Greatest Need: Meets the identified needs of the population. Effectiveness/Cost Efficient: Transportation resources are available, accessible and adaptable to meet the needs. Transportation resources provide community savings.

The above criteria are noted, but were not utilized. See below.

PROJECT PRIORITIZATION

In past funding cycles, guidance from WSDOT staff has indicated that regional rankings must consist of “categories” A, B, C and D to represent high, medium, low and not recommended. WSDOT has determined the number of A, B, and C’s allocated to each RTPO for each HSTP cycle.

In the past, the Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla RTPO allocation has varied between four and six of each. For the 2015-2017 Consolidated Grant Process, the Benton-Franklin RTPO was allocated four each for the categories A and B, and three C’s.

Each region is expected to submit a ranked order of projects deemed most important to address the identified needs. Responsibility for this task has been delegated to the current HSTP Advisory

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Committee, which will apply the agreed upon criteria and reach consensus on the overall ranking to be submitted to the State.

The RTPO received two applications and an allocation of four A’s. The Advisory Committee agreed each project addressed multiple service needs identified in the public meeting and by the Committee. Because the number of applications was less than the allocation of A’s, each project was ranked an A.

The proposed ranking will be submitted to the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments Board for approval and adoption. Following adoption by the Board, the final ranking will be forwarded to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

PROJECT SUMMARIES

At the end of this process, initiated in April 2014, two projects were submitted. The two are summarized below.

People For People: The Franklin County Community Connector – Expansion Project

The Franklin County Community Connector – Expansion Project will provide deviated fixed-route transportation service in lower Adams County and Franklin County outside of Ben-Franklin Transit service area. This service will provide one roundtrip, two days per month. Individuals can ride from Othello, Connell, Mesa, Basin City, and Eltopia into Ben-Franklin Transit’s service area for access to Pasco, Richland, Kennewick, and Prosser. This service will operate along a fixed-route with a published schedule that may deviate from the scheduled route to serve individuals that cannot access the routed stops.

This project provides transportation services to special needs individuals and the general public with consistent and reliable transportation to access human services, healthcare, shopping, employment, and social activities by connecting isolated communities and connecting across counties.

July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017 service level is estimated at: Vehicle Hours – 384 Vehicle Miles – 10,920 Passenger Trips – 672

People For People operates three Community Connectors that provide citizens that reside in rural areas with fixed-route service to urban centers. By reviewing data from the other Community Connectors, a projected number of passenger trips, vehicle miles, and vehicle hours was determined, with an understanding that the number of passenger trips will increase over the biennium as individuals trust and become aware of the service.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

The Benton - Franklin RTPO 2014 Human Service Transportation Plan identified that individuals residing in northern Franklin County need access to services in the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland). The Franklin County Community Connector – Expansion Project will provide deviated fixed-route transportation service in lower Adams County and Franklin County outside of Ben Franklin Transit service area.

This project will provide a new deviated fixed-route transportation service for citizens of north Franklin County and Adams County. North Franklin County currently lacks public transportation. Regular bus service would allow older adults, individuals with disabilities, youth, veterans, and individuals with low-incomes to schedule weekly appointments for health care, social services, shopping, and basic services that are not available in their small communities.

Funds Requested (without match): $25, 536 Coordination with Matching Funds and Partners: Aging and Adult Care of Central Washington: $1,344

Arc of Tri-Cities: Vehicle Replacement

The Arc of Tri-Cities would receive two (2) new 16-passenger Cutaways, including MDT’s, cameras, radio/GPS equipment and capacity for two (2) wheelchairs each, to be used exclusively by the Arc of Tri-Cities, a non-profit corporation serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This equipment will replace two (2) 16-passenger Cutaways in like kind, which will be retired.

This equipment will be utilized to preserve existing demand response/subscription service within Ben Franklin Transit’s service area in Benton and Franklin Counties. Ben Franklin Transit would provide matching funds and hold title to the vehicles in order to provide insurance, maintenance, fuel and tires.

Funds Requested (without match): $190,000 Coordination with Matching Funds and Partners: Ben Franklin Transit $47,500

PROJECT RANKING Table 7-1 Project Ranking and Requested Grant Funds Benton-Franklin RTPO 2014 Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan

Priority A

People For People The Franklin County Community Connector – Expansion Project: $25, 536

Arc of Tri-Cities Obsolete Vehicle Replacement: $190,000

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION The 2014 Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) for Benton and Franklin Counties was adopted in December 2014. The Benton-Franklin RTPO received two grant applications.

The fact that only two applications were submitted is a concern. Two separate events combined to minimize the number of projects received. Also, it must be noted that the grant funds distributed by WSDOT in the HSTP process are predominately rural in application.

First, as an outcome of the 2010 Census, the Walla Walla, Washington/Milton-Freewater, Oregon Urbanized Area became a Metropolitan Planning Organization. This required creation of the Walla Walla Valley MPO, and in Washington, a Sub-RTPO. The SRTPO fulfills all requirements of an RTPO, including authorship of an HSTP. Walla Walla County proposals accounted for about half of all grant applications in previous Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla RTPO HSTPs.

Second, also due to a population increase noted in the 2010 Census, the Kennewick-Pasco-Richland Urbanized Area became a Transportation Management Area (TMA). An effect of the TMA designation is to limit the eligibility of Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) for the federal grant funds distributed in the WSDOT Consolidated Grant process. BFT is the only agency in Benton and Franklin Counties to apply for and receive HSTP funds in previous HSTP grant cycles.

Absent Walla Walla County in the RTPO, and with BFT eligibility curtailed, the pool of applicants was notably reduced, an outcome evident in the two applications. Other than the small number of applicants, the process worked well. There was a good level of public outreach and public participation. There was increased outreach to the Latino community with no response, but all is but a beginning.

THE 2014 COORDINATED TRANSIT HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN

This report was completed to fulfill federal planning requirements established through the passage of SAFETEA-LU in August 2005. Initial guidance regarding the development of such plans was published by the Federal Transit Administration in the Federal Register on March 15, 2006. Subsequently, additional guidance was published on September 6, 2006 which clarifies FTA’s expectations for the coordinated plan as follows: “FTA proposes that a coordinated plan includes the following elements: (a) An assessment of available services that identifies current providers (public, private, and nonprofit); (b) An assessment of transportation needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. This assessment may be based on the experiences and perceptions of the planning partners or on more sophisticated data collection efforts, and gaps in service;

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

(c) Strategies and/or activities to address the identified gaps and achieve efficiencies in service delivery; and (d) Relative priorities for implementation based on resources, time, and feasibility for implementing specific strategies/activities identified.”

This plan fulfills those expectations, and also serves as documentation of local efforts to suggest transportation service gaps, and to identify and prioritize potential solutions and strategies.

Potential funding to implement these strategies will be available on a biennial basis in the Consolidated Grant Process administered by WSDOT, whereby numerous grants throughout the state will be awarded as authorized through MAP-21, as well as other local state funds dedicated to the program.

The Plan Advisory Committee will build upon the stakeholder collaboration developed through the planning process to cyclically review and revise the list of service gaps and potential strategies, and to discuss other opportunities to enhance service coordination throughout the region. At a minimum, because the State’s funding cycle is repeated on a biennial basis, those findings will need to be revisited in two years.

This document is incorporated by reference into the “2011-2032 Regional Transportation Plan for the Tri-Cities Metropolitan Area and Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla RTPO.”

Grant applications prioritized based on processes described in Chapter 6: Project Evaluation and Prioritization are incorporated by reference into this Plan.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

APPENDICES

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

APPENDIX A PROJECT LIST

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

BENTON-FRANKLIN RTPO 2014 COORDINATED TRANSIT HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN

PROJECT LIST

Priority A

People For People: The Franklin County Community Connector – Expansion Project: $25, 536

Arc of Tri-Cities: Obsolete Vehicle Replacement: $190,000

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

APPENDIX B

REPRESENTATIVE ORIGINS

AND DESTINATIONS

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

REPRESENTATIVE ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

SENIOR CENTERS – BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

Connell Senior Center Connell Grandview Senior Center Grandview Kennewick Senior Center Kennewick Pasco/Franklin County Senior Center Pasco Prosser Senior Center Prosser Richland Community Center Richland Senior Companion Program Pasco West Richland Senior Center West Richland

NURSING HOMES - BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

Avalon Health & Rehabilitation Center Pasco Canyon Lakes Restorative and Rehabilitation Center Kennewick Life Care Center of Kennewick Kennewick Life Care Center of Richland Richland Richland Rehabilitation Center Richland

MEDICAL FACILITIES - BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

Bergelectric At New Kennewick Kennewick Da Vita Inc Pasco Kadlec Medical Center Richland Kadlec Neurological Center Richland Kadlec Regional Medical Center Richland Kadlec Healthplex Richland Kadlec West Richland Primary Care West Richland Kadlec South Richland Primary Care Richland Kadlec Kennewick Primary Care Kennewick Kadlec Pasco Primary Care Pasco Kadlec Richland Primary Care Richland Lourdes Medical Hospital Pasco Prosser Memorial Hospital Prosser Richland Primary Care Richland Seattle Children's Hospital Richland Tri-Cities Cancer Center Kennewick Tri-Cities Emergency Eyecare Pasco Tri-City Regional Surgery Center Richland Trios Hospital Kennewick Trios Southridge Hospital Kennewick Trios Care Center at Debit Kennewick Trios Care Center at Vista Field Kennewick Trios Care Center at Grandridge Kennewick

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Trios Care Center at Keene Plaza Richland Trios Care Center at Chavallo Complex Kennewick Trios Care Center at Cynergy Centre Kennewick Trios Care Center at Evergreen Kennewick Trios Care Center at Orchard Hills Richland Trios Southridge Hospital Kennewick VA Richland Clinic Richland

GROCERY STORES – BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

Albertsons Kennewick Albertsons Pasco Albertsons Richland Albertsons Richland Fiesta Foods Pasco Fred Meyer Richland Fred Meyer Kennewick JC's Mesa Grocery Mesa Kennewick Red Apple Market Kennewick Ki Be Market Grocery and Feed Benton City Lep-Re-Kon Connell Prosser Food Depot Prosser Safeway Kennewick Safeway Richland Target Kennewick Target Richland Walmart Supercenter Richland Walmart Supercenter Pasco Walmart Supercenter Kennewick WinCo Foods Kennewick WinCo Foods Richland Yoke's Fresh Market Kennewick Yoke's Fresh Market Pasco Yoke's Fresh Market Richland Yoke's Fresh Market West Richland

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES/RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES/HOME HEALTH SERVICES BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

Agape Care Inc Pasco Bcs - Nursing Homes-Skilled Nursing Facility Kennewick Brenda's Elder Care Pasco Callaway Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center Kennewick Canyon Lakes Manor Kennewick Cherished Living Adult Family Home Richland Colonial House AFH Kennewick Compassionate Heart Pasco

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Desert Haven Adult Family Home Pasco

SCHOOLS IN BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES

BENTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

River View High School Finley Finley Middle School Finley Finley Elementary Finley Franklin Academy Kennewick Westgate Elementary Kennewick Eastgate Elementary Kennewick Washington Elementary Kennewick Amistad Elementary Kennewick St Joseph's School Kennewick Kennewick High School Kennewick Southgate Elementary Kennewick Park Middle School Kennewick Kamiakin High School Kennewick Edison Elementary Kennewick Highlands Middle School Kennewick Hawthorne Elementary Kennewick Lincoln Elementary Kennewick Horse Heaven Hills Middle School Kennewick Cascade Elementary Kennewick Southridge High School Kennewick Desert Hills Middle School Kennewick Tri-Tech Skills Center Kennewick Vista Elementary Kennewick Sunset View Elementary Kennewick Canyon View Elementary Kennewick Ridge View Elementary Kennewick Calvary Christian School Kennewick Bethlehem Lutheran School Kennewick Cottonwood Elementary Kennewick Kiona Benton City Elementary and Middle School Kiona /Benton City Kiona Benton City High School Kiona /Benton City Paterson School Paterson Whitstran Elementary Prosser Prosser High School Prosser Keene Riverview Primary Prosser Prosser Heights Elementary Prosser Housel Middle School Prosser Prosser Falls Education Center Prosser

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Badger Mountain Elementary Richland Jason Lee Elementary Richland Jefferson Elementary Richland Lewis and Clark Elementary Richland Marcus Whitman Elementary Richland Sacajawea Elementary Richland Tapteal Elementary Richland Richland High School Richland Carmichael Middle School Richland Chief Joseph Middle School Richland Hanford High School Richland River's Edge Alternative Center Richland White Bluffs Elementary Richland Washington State University Tri-Cities Richland Liberty Christian School Richland Christ The King Richland Columbia Basin College Richland Wiley Elementary West Richland Enterprise Middle School West Richland

FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Basin City Elementary Basin City Connell Elementary Connell Robert L. Olds Junior High Connell Connell Senior High Connell Palouse Junction Alternative High School Connell Star Elementary Franklin County Kahlotus Junior High Kahlotus Kahlotus High Kahlotus Kahlotus Elementary Kahlotus Mesa Elementary Mesa Captain Gray Elementary Pasco Pasco Senior High Pasco Emerson Elementary Pasco Saint Patricks Pasco Robert Frost Elementary Pasco Longfellow Elementary Pasco James W. Mcgee Elementary Pasco Ruth Livingston Elementary Pasco Mcloughlin Middle Pasco Mark Twain Elementary Pasco New Horizons High Pasco

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High Pasco Big River Country School Pasco Country Christian Center Pasco Edwin Markham Elementary Pasco Whittier Elementary Pasco Rowena Chess Elementary Pasco Stevens Junior High Pasco Maya Angelou Elementary Pasco Ellen Ochoa Middle Pasco Virgie Robinson Elementary Pasco Chiawana High School Pasco Kingspoint Christian School Pasco Tri-City Junior Academy Pasco

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

APPENDIX C PUBLIC OUTREACH

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

STAKEHOLDER MEETING

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

INVITATION LETTER TO STAKEHOLDERS:

Dear Interested Party:

RE: 2014 Human Services Transportation Plan Stakeholder Workshop

The Benton-Franklin Regional Transportation Planning Organization is in the process of updating the 2010 Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan for Benton and Franklin and Walla Walla Counties (HSTP). This letter is an invitation for you, or a representative of your business/agency, to participate in development of a new 2014 HSTP.

In 2012, the federal government adopted Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), a new transportation reauthorization bill. MAP-21 carried forward language and intent from SAFETEA-LU, the 2006 reauthorization bill which stated it was desirable for federal transit assistance to be coordinated and consolidated in “a process through which representatives of different agencies and client groups work together to achieve any one or all of the following goals: more cost-effective service delivery; increased capacity to serve unmet needs; improved quality of service; and, services which are more easily understood and accessed by riders.”

Those directions led to development of the 2010 HSTP. The plan defines how to best fulfill the federal expectations of a coordinated, cost-effective and efficient multi-provider transportation system for the transportation disadvantaged.

The Benton-Franklin RTPO is in the process of developing the 2014 HSTP. An important component of the project is to solicit the views and experiences of key stakeholders involved in this topic in order to ensure that a diverse range of perspectives is represented in the final report.

Stakeholders are those businesses or agencies that provide, use or are involved in transportation services for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons of low-income status, as well as advocacy groups representing those populations. A few examples of stakeholders are: transit agencies, paratransit providers, taxi companies, social service agencies, managed care facilities and agencies that serve the needs of low-income, disabled and elderly people.

You have been identified as a key stakeholder, and are invited to attend a project workshop. At the workshop you will help identify gaps or unfilled needs in the client transportation system, and how those needs might be addressed.

The workshop will be held on Monday, July 14 from 9:30 am until 11:30 am at the Ben Franklin Transit Administration Building, 1000 Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

A draft plan is scheduled to be completed by mid-October. The plan will include the development of a comprehensive public transportation needs assessment, an inventory of existing specialized transportation services, and the identification and prioritization of potential strategies and solutions to address unmet public transportation needs. Projects based on the list of strategies become eligible for grants awarded by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and willingness to share your experiences and knowledge on this important topic.

If you have any questions concerning the Human Services Transportation Plan or the stakeholder workshop, please feel free to contact Len Pavelka at 509-943-9185 or [email protected].

Andy Gomez, Transportation Manager Benton-Franklin Council of Governments

People who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting should communicate their request to BFCG staff at least 24 hours before the meeting in order to help us meet your needs. Special requests can be shared by calling or emailing the people listed above.

The above letter was mailed to 120 stakeholders – agencies whose clients use public transportation services or agencies who supply a level of transportation services to their clients one month before the meeting. Three agencies attended.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

PUBLIC MEETING

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

INVITATION LETTER TO STAKEHOLDERS - PUBLIC MEETINGS

August 18, 2014

Dear:

Last Spring, the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, in partnership with Ben Franklin Transit and the Washington State Department of Transportation, initiated the development of the 2014 Coordinated Public Transportation-Human Services Transportation Plan.

The Plan is intended to define how Benton and Franklin Counties may best fulfill federal expectations of a coordinated, cost-effective and efficient multi-provider transportation system for the transportation disadvantaged.

In July, you were invited to participate in a stakeholder workshop as a kickoff to the development of the Plan. We are asking for your assistance once again.

We are holding a public meeting to provide an opportunity for comment on gaps in service and proposed strategies to address those gaps which have been identified in the course of Plan development. Not only would we like you to attend, we would like you to invite your clientele as well.

The meeting will occur on Thursday, August 28 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at the Ben Franklin Transit Administrative Services Building, 1000 Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and willingness to share your experiences and knowledge on this important topic. If you know of anyone who should attend please invite them to this meeting. If you have any questions about the project, please feel free to contact Len Pavelka at (509) 943-9185 or [email protected].

Sincerely,

Andres Gomez, Transportation Manager Benton-Franklin Council of Governments

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

PUBLIC MEETING EMAIL TO TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS

Dear Ms. Jones:

The HSTP is intended to define how Benton and Franklin Counties may best fulfill federal expectations of a coordinated, cost-effective and efficient multi-provider transportation system for the transportation disadvantaged.

A critical component of the Plan is the identification of needs (gaps) and solutions to address those needs (strategies). An initial list of gaps and strategies was developed at a stakeholder meeting in July. Discussions with Ben Franklin Transit have augmented the list.

We are holding a public meeting to provide an opportunity for comment on those gaps and strategies, and we would like you to attend.

The meeting will occur on Thursday, August 28 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at the Ben Franklin Transit Administrative Services Building, 1000 Columbia Park Trail in Richland.

Please contact Len Pavelka of the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (509-943-9185), or [email protected] if you have any questions about the meeting or the HSTP.

Regards,

Len Pavelka

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE IN THE TRI-CITY HERALD Published August 17 and 24

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICES IN TU DECIDES Published August 15 and August 22 in Spanish and English

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICES IN TU DECIDES Published August 15 and August 22 in Spanish and English

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

FLYER POSTED IN ALL BEN FRANKLIN TRANSIT DIAL-A-RIDE VEHICLES AND BUSES

El Consejo de Gobiernos de Benton Franklin y BFT

Le gustaría que asista a una reunión pública sobre los servicios de transporte

Cuando: Jueves, 28 de Agosto 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Dónde: Edificio Administrativo de Ben Franklin Transit 1000 Columbia Park Trail, Richland

¡Por favor venga y comparta sus ideas!

¿Dónde se ocupa servicio del autobús y Dial-a-Ride? ¿Dónde debería cambiar los servicios?

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

The Benton Franklin Council of Governments & BFT

Would like you to attend a public meeting about transportation services

When: Thursday, August 28 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Where: Ben Franklin Transit Administration Building 1000 Columbia Park Trail, Richland

Please come and give us your ideas!

Where are Bus and Dial-A-Ride services needed? What services should be changed?

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

AUGUST 29 ARTICLE IN THE TRI-CITY HERALD

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CALL FOR PROJECTS

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CALL FOR PROJECTS NOTICE

Call for Projects Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Benton Franklin RTPO

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has released the Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Application for July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017. You may access the grant forms and information at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Transit/Grants/Grant_Application.htm

In order to be eligible for this grant program, projects must be prioritized by the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and address identified needs in a locally developed, Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP).

The list of prioritized regional needs is attached.

If you are planning to apply for grant funds through the WSDOT Consolidated Grant Application, a project summary must be submitted electronically to the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments by 12:00 noon on September 26, 2014 for prioritization using the attached project summary form. Project sponsors must submit a completed WSDOT application directly to WSDOT for each project by November 19, 2014.

A project summary to complete and submit to the Benton-Franklin RTPO is attached. Please email the completed document to Len Pavelka at [email protected].

If necessary, on October 17, 2014 applicants will meet with the BFCG 2014 HSTP Advisory Committee to review projects and develop rankings. The meeting will be held at the Three Rivers Transit Center, 7109 West Okanogan Place in Kennewick at 1:30.

Projects will be prioritized using the following criteria: Preservation: Ensure that current transportation resources remain in place. Coordination: Assure non-duplication and coordination of resources Unmet/Greatest Need: Meets the identified needs of the population. Effectiveness/Cost Efficient: Transportation resources are available, accessible and adaptable to meet the needs. Transportation resources provide community savings

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

BENTON FRANKLIN RTPO HSTP PROJECT APPLICATION TIMELINE WSDOT Consolidated Grant Applications available August 2014 BFCG Call for Projects September 5, 2014 Project Summary Due to BFCG by 12:00 noon September 26, 2014 HSTP Advisory Committee meets to rank projects October 17, 2014 BFCG Board meets to approve 2014 Benton Franklin RTPO November 19, 2014 HSTP Project array Consolidated Grant Applications Due to WSDOT; November 19, 2014 Project sponsors submit directly to WSDOT by 5:00 pm Project sponsors submit application corrections or December 21, 2014 edits to WSDOT by 5:00 pm

For more information, please contact Len Pavelka at (509) 943-9185 or [email protected]

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CALL FOR PROJECTS LETTER TO STAKEHOLDERS

October 10, 2014

RE: Call for Projects - Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Benton Franklin RTPO

The Washington State Department of Transportation has released the Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Application for July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017.

In order to be eligible for this grant program, projects must be prioritized by the Regional Transportation Planning Organization and address identified needs in a locally developed, Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan.

For information on the application process please visit the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments website at http://www.bfcog.us/transportation.html

If you have any questions, please contact Len Pavelka at 509-943-9185 or [email protected].

Thank You,

Len Pavelka, Transportation Planner III Benton-Franklin Council of Governments

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

EMAIL SENT TO TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS

2014 Call for Projects for the 2015-2017 Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Process

Attached please find the 2014 Call for Projects which details this year’s Consolidated Grant process, along with the required Project Summary Form and the list of identified needs for the Benton Franklin RTPO Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP). Each project submitting will require its own Project Summary Form. Please note that projects must be identified as needs in the (HSTP) in order to be eligible to apply.

Projects are due electronically to BFCG by September 26, 2014 at 5:00 pm. Please email them to [email protected]

If you have any questions, please contact Len Pavelka at 509-943-9185 or the above email

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

CALL FOR PROJECTS WEBSITE TEXT

2014 Call for Projects for the 2015-2017 Public Transportation Consolidated Grant Process

Herein please find the 2014 Call for Projects which details this year's Consolidated Grant process, along with the required Project Summary Form and the list of identified needs for the Benton Franklin RTPO Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP). Each project submitting will require its own Project Summary Form. Please note that projects must be identified as needs in the HSTP in order to be eligible to apply.

For the BFCG 2014 HSTP Call For Projects CLICK HERE

For the PROPOSED PROJECT SUMMARY CLICK HERE (Due to BFCG by 5:00pm, September 26th, 2014, Email submittal to: [email protected] or mail to BFCG P.O. Box 217 Richland, WA 99352)

For the PRIORITIZED BENTON-FRANKLIN RTPO 2014 HSTP Needs list CLICK HERE

Projects are due electronically to BFCG by September 26, 2014 at 5:00 pm. Please email them to: [email protected] or mail to: BFCG P.O. Box 217 Richland, WA 99352

If you have any questions, please contact Len Pavelka at 509-943-9185 or the above email address.

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

APPENDIX D PROVIDER SURVEY

Benton-Franklin RTPO Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

SURVEY EMAIL SENT TO IDENTIFIED PROVIDERS:

Dear Ms. Jones:

The Benton-Franklin Council of Governments is working with Ben Franklin Transit to develop a Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) for Benton and Franklin Counties. The HSTP responds to federal and state requirements, and establishes a framework for improved transportation services for the most vulnerable populations: persons with disabilities, persons of low-income status, youths and the elderly.

As a part of this study we are conducting a survey of transportation providers in the two counties so that we can better understand transportation services that are currently provided. We define a provider" as:

Any entity that directly provides transportation services for the populations included in this plan (elderly, disabled, low-income) OR any social service or other agency that sponsors, through contract or direct reimbursement, the provision of transportation for their clients.

We have identified Company ABCD as a provider and are hoping you can take 15 minutes of your time to answer a few questions about the service you provide. You can find the survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KYV5S5M . As the project is on a limited timeline we are requesting that you complete the survey no later than September 30th.

Please contact Len Pavelka of the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (509-943-9185), or [email protected] if you have any questions about the survey or concerning the Plan. Thank you in advance for your time and effort in support of this important study.

Regards,

Len Pavelka

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2014 Provider Survey Agencies Contacted and Respondent Results Responded to Agency Survey Completed Survey Yes No Complete Incomplete Arc of Tri-Cities Yes Incomplete BENTON FRANKLIN COMMUNITY ACTION CONNECTIONS Yes Incomplete KENNEWICK HOUSING AUTHORITY Yes Complete KENNEWICK-SENIOR CENTER Yes Incomplete EDITH BISHEL CENTER FOR THE BLIND Yes Complete Goodwill Industries of the Columbia, Inc. Yes Complete OIC of WASHINGTON Yes Complete People For People Brokering Yes Complete Vintage at Richland Apts. Yes Complete YMCA Yes Complete PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE Yes Incomplete A-1 Tri-City Taxi, Inc. Yes Complete Senior Life Resources, Meals on Wheels Yes Complete INSPIRE DEVELOPMENT CENTER Yes Complete Reliance Medical Clinics No A+ Transportation NW, Inc. No Adult Day Services/ Tri Cities No Ben Franklin Transit No BENTON and FRANKLIN COUNTIES HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT No BENTON-FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT No Catholic Family & Child Services No City of Richland No COLUMBIA BASIN COLLEGE No COLUMBIA BASIN VETERAN'S COALITION No COLUMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION No COLUMBIA INDUSTRIES No COLUMBIA PHYSICAL THERAPY No Confederated Tribes of The Umatilla Indian Reservation No DSHS Constituent Services No Division of Developmental Disabilities No Division of Vocational Rehabilitation No Division of Vocational Rehabilitation No DSHS/Division of Children & Family Services No GUARDIAN ANGEL HOMES (THE COTTAGE) No KENNEWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT No KIONA-BENTON SCHOOOL DISTRICT No Lourdes Wilson House No PASCO SCHOOL DISTRICT No PASCO/FRANKLIN CO HOUSING AUTHORITY No

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PROSSER SCHOOL DISTRICT No RAD CAB No RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT No RICHLAND SENIOR ASSOCIATION No SAFE BABIES SAFE MOMS No The Grape Line No THE SALVATION ARMY No THE SALVATION ARMY No TRI-CITIES COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER No TRI-CITIES COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER No Tri-Cities Residental Services No Tri-Cities Retirement Inn No UNITED WAY OF BENTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES No Volunteer Chore Services No WEST RICHLAND - SENIOR CENTER No City of Connell No

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2014 COORDINATED HUMAN SERVICES PLAN SERVICE PROVIDER

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

I. Tell us about your agency or organization

1. Name of Agency or Organization:

2. Contact Information: Staff Contact Name: Phone Number: Email Address: Street Address: Apt/Suite#: City: State: Zip:

3. Does your agency/organization fund transportation services? Yes/ No

4. Does your agency/organization directly provide transportation services? Yes/ No

II. Transportation Sponsor Questions (Questions 5 & 6 for Sponsors Only- then skip to #18-end. Those that are direct providers skip to #7)

5. What type of transportation services does your agency/organization sponsor/fund? Contract transportation services with another agency/organization Provide transit tickets or passes to clientele Provide taxi script/vouchers to clientele Broker transportation services by volunteers with privately owned vehicles Other (please specify)

6. If contracting with another agency/organization, which one(s) provide your services?

III. Overview of Services Provided (Questions for Direct Transportation Providers Q 7-17)

7. Please describe your service area. Use city boundaries and/or street names as borders where possible.

8. When do you provide transportation? (Start - End Times (Ex. 8 am - 4 pm))

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Start Time End Time Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:

9. What services to you provide? (please list monthly operating hours of service type provided)

Fixed Route Deviated Fixed Route Community-Based shuttles Curb to Curb Paratransit Door to Door Paratransit Door through Door Paratransit Medicaid Medial Transportation Excursion Trips

IV. Capacity to Serve Customers

10. How many vehicles do you have?

Number of Vehicles Number of Seats

Organization Vehicles (and seats) Volunteer Vehicles (and seats) Accessible Vehicles (amount of accessible seating) Spare Vehicles

11. How many drivers do you have?

Paid Volunteer

12. How many trip requests per month do you renegotiate, due to an inability to make the trip at the customer's originally requested time?

13. Referrals due to capacity constraints: How many trip requests per month do you refer to other agencies/organization due to capacity constraints? What other agencies/organizations do you refer riders to? Do you assist with their travel planning when referring? What other agencies/organizations refer riders to your agency/organization?

14. How many trip requests per month do you deny because of capacity constraints?

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V. Trip Reservations

15. If you provide paratransit service, what percentage of your trips are shared rides?

16. Is your reservation system automated where you use computer generated manifests?

Yes/No

17. If yes, what application(s) do you use?

VI. Ridership Information

18. How many rides do you sponsor or provide? (Annual ridership by service) Fixed Route Deviated Fixed Route Community-Based shuttles Curb to Curb Paratransit Door to Door Paratransit Door through Door Paratransit Medicaid Medial Transportation Excursion Trips

19. How Many Riders (if any) are registered with your agency/organization?

20. Please classify your riders with respect to their ability to ride a fixed-route bus. (Approximate % of each classification): No Difficulty Riding Fixed-Route Non-ADA Eligible with Some Difficulty ADA Eligible with Some Fixed Route Ability ADA Eligible Needs Assistance/Accompaniment

21. Please classify your riders with respect to the following. (Approximate %):

Seniors Not Disabled Senior and Disabled Developmentally Disabled Other Disabled Recovering Substance Abusers Life Sustaining Patients (e.g. kidney dialysis) Other

VII. Trips Made with Service

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22. Trip Purpose (Approximate %): Medical Life Sustaining Medical (e.g. kidney dialysis) Work School Shopping Groceries Only Shopping Other Recreation Nutrition Programs Senior Center Religious Volunteer Activities Connect to Fixed Route Transit Field Trips

23. What are your top 5 destinations served? Destination #1 Destination #2 Destination #3 Destination #4 Destination #5

VIII. New Riders

24. Do you have eligibility requirements for riders using any of your services? Yes /No

25. If yes, what is the eligibility certification process?

26. How do riders find out about your services?

27. How do you market your services?

IX. Budget

Please tell us about your annual budget by providing the following:

28. Expenses: Total Fixed-Route Operating Expenses Total Paratransit Operating Expenses Total Fixed-Route Capital Expenses Total Paratransit Capital Expenses

29. Revenues: Fixed-Route Funding Source #1

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-Funding Level Fixed-Route Funding Source #2 -Funding Level Fixed-Route Funding Source #3 -Funding Level Fixed-Route Funding Source #4 -Funding Level Paratransit Funding Source #1 -Funding Level Paratransit Funding Source #2 -Funding Level Paratransit Funding Source #3 -Funding Level Paratransit Funding Source #4 -Funding Level

X. Other Questions

30. Do you coordinate with other service providers? If yes, how?

31. What, if anything, is constraining the provision of transportation services to those who require them?

32. What would you improve to provide more/better transportation services?

33. Do you have any other comments?

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