____________________________________________________________________________________ The State of Public Transportation in Portage la Prairie: A Discussion Paper ____________________________________________________________________________________ Portage Community Revitalization Corporation March 2015 Funded by: Prepared by: TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3 BENEFITS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ............................................................................................ 3 THE NEED FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ......................................................................................... 4 Local Studies and Reports ......................................................................................................................... 4 Local Demographics and Statistics ............................................................................................................ 7 Who does our lack of public transportation impact? ............................................................................... 9 Business Perspectives ............................................................................................................................. 12 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE .............................................. 13 OTHER MANITOBA COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES ................................................................................. 14 MODELS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................................... 15 Public Transit Systems ............................................................................................................................ 15 Dial-a-Ride/Dial-a-Bus ............................................................................................................................. 17 HandiTransit/Paratransit ........................................................................................................................ 18 Chartering buses, vans or seats .............................................................................................................. 18 Fixed-Route Shared-Ride Taxi Service..................................................................................................... 18 Ride sharing............................................................................................................................................. 18 Car sharing .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Vanpool services ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Transportation Management Associations ............................................................................................. 19 Active Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 19 WHY CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY? ........................................................................................... 19 Funding Opportunities Available to the City ........................................................................................... 20 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 20 APPENDIX A – POSSIBLE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FEASIBILITY STUDY ........ 21 APPENDIX B – EXAMPLE OF SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE FROM SELKIRK TRANSIT ........................................... 22 APPENDIX C – “IS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEEDED IN PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE?” FACT SHEET ...................... 23 BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................... 25 The State of Public Transportation in Portage la Prairie – March 2015 2 INTRODUCTION Since the creation of the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) in 2008, the topic of public transportation has continually emerged in discussions with community members, service providers, and other stakeholders. In 2014, the PCRC identified transportation as a priority area for study and action in our strategic plan. This discussion paper aims to: 1. highlight the need for some form of public transportation in Portage la Prairie. 2. present models for public transportation that have been used elsewhere, ranging from conventional public transportation services such as buses to more novel approaches such as car- sharing co-ops. 3. present a recommendation for collaborative action to address the transportation needs in Portage la Prairie. BENEFITS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Numerous indirect impacts and benefits can be expected from investment into public transit such as: improved accessibility, new urban developments, environmental, economic, and health benefits. The American Public Transportation Association reported that every dollar invested in public transport generates an average of six dollars in economic returns.1 Other identified benefits include: Public transportation removes one barrier to accessing education (both secondary and post- secondary) - in the Phase III Labour Needs Assessment (2011), it was stated that Skill Level A jobs will experience a 27% retirement eligibility rate over the next 5 years (majority in health care, as well as Education and Finance). Decreases the need for a second (or third) vehicle for couples and families with youth living at home. Increases residents’ access to employment opportunities as they can apply for jobs outside of their neighbourhood or area of the city. Improves work attendance rates. Improves accessibility to health care services for seniors and those without vehicles, including families with young children. Improved environmental outcomes as one-person vehicles could be taken of the road resulting in less greenhouse gas emissions. 1 http://www.publictransportation.org/takesusthere The State of Public Transportation in Portage la Prairie – March 2015 3 THE NEED FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Local research with residents and service providers has indicated that public transportation would remove barriers to: attending school, finding and keeping employment, full participation in the community, and accessing services. The need for public transportation in Portage la Prairie has been identified in a number of studies conducted over the past five years. It is well documented that youth, lower-income individuals/families, and seniors are the most likely groups to be impacted by a lack of reliable, affordable public transport, but there are other segments of our population who also struggle with having reliable, affordable transportation. Local Studies and Reports The following table gives a snapshot of reports and surveys that have been carried out since 2009 that note transportation as an issue for Portage la Prairie residents. Study Name and Who Transportation Related Findings Participated Portage la Prairie Social “Many residents reported having inadequate access to key Planning Initiative Phase I activities (employment, services, shopping, recreation) in the report2 (Institute of Urban community as a result of poor mobility options (no vehicle, Studies, August 2009) too far to walk).” Shopping and services have become impractical destinations for many limited-income households. Big box stores were felt Participants: member agencies to be too far to walk to, especially in winter. (p. 61) of the Portage Community Report Recommendations Network, six smaller focus groups, two public forums. The city should explore in more detail the possibility of a public transportation system as both a social equity issue as well as part of a more sustainable future. Public transportation options could be an urban and economic development opportunity that can enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of Portage. (p. 61) Create partnerships by exploring the cost- benefit/effectiveness of shuttle services from downtown to big box stores in the west end. (p. 62) 2 http://www.portagecrc.com/PDF/Portage%20Final%20August%2025.pdf The State of Public Transportation in Portage la Prairie – March 2015 4 Portage la Prairie Youth with 87% of 230 youth respondents were 16 or older but only 24% Barriers 5-Year Community had a driver’s licence Employment Strategy (2011): A Lack of transportation was cited by over half of participants report and recommendations to (51%) as a significant barrier to obtaining employment or address the issues and barriers getting a different job. (p. 9) youth at risk face when trying to Lack of awareness and transportation are barriers to attain and retain employment in participants engaging in employment programs and 3 their community. (Rural education beyond the public school system. (p. 13) Communities in Manitoba, April Over 65% percent of employers did not see transportation as 2011) a barrier, in direct contrast to youth survey participants who reported it as the most significant problem facing them in their quest for employment. (p. 15) 230 youth, 15 – 30 years old; 49 The majority of education and employment program and businesses surveys service providers agree that transportation is the most significant barrier to employment for this survey participant group (p. 19)