Prepared by the Thurston Regional Planning Council in cooperation with Thurston County Human Services Transportation Forum, Intercity Transit, TOGETHER! and other Community Partners Planning Area: Thurston County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Planning Organization: Thurston Regional Planning Council 2424 Heritage Court SW, Suite A Olympia, WA 98502-6031 Karen M. Parkhurst Senior Planner [email protected] Phone: 360.956.7575 extension 2522 Fax: 360.956.7815 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................ ES-1 Background and Planning Process........................................................................ ES-1 Appendix: Resolution1, pg. A-7 ............................................................................ ES-2 Current Conditions................................................................................................. ES-2 Needs and Gaps.................................................................................................... ES-4 Solutions................................................................................................................ ES-5 Prioritized Project List and Rankings ..................................................................... ES-6 The People We Serve… ........................................................................................ ES-8 Prioritized Project List ...............................................................................................P-1 Stakeholders and Planning Process – A History of Coordination........................... 1 In the Beginning… ....................................................................................................... 1 Plan Updates and Next Steps...................................................................................... 3 Thanks… ..................................................................................................................... 5 Service Area .................................................................................................................. 7 Regional Conditions..................................................................................................... 7 Population...................................................................................................................... 9 Current Conditions....................................................................................................... 9 Future Population Growth.......................................................................................... 10 Employment and Commuting .................................................................................... 11 Overview.................................................................................................................... 11 Current Conditions..................................................................................................... 11 Future Projections...................................................................................................... 13 Education and Quality of Life..................................................................................... 15 Education and Training.............................................................................................. 15 Social Services .......................................................................................................... 16 Demographics ............................................................................................................. 19 Age Distribution ......................................................................................................... 19 Disability Status ......................................................................................................... 20 Language Issues ....................................................................................................... 21 Economics ................................................................................................................... 23 Income....................................................................................................................... 23 Poverty ...................................................................................................................... 23 Racial and Ethnic Composition.................................................................................. 24 Veterans’ Services and Transportation..................................................................... 25 Introduction................................................................................................................ 25 Veteran Population .................................................................................................... 25 Veteran Population in Thurston County..................................................................... 26 Special Needs Characteristics................................................................................... 27 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Services and Facilities ..................................... 28 VA Health Care.......................................................................................................... 29 Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs ...................................................... 29 WDVA Long-Term Health Care Services................................................................... 29 WDVA Veteran Services Program............................................................................. 30 WDVA Administrative Services.................................................................................. 32 Thurston County Veterans’ Assistance Fund............................................................. 33 U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Installation Facilities and Services.................... 34 Existing Services Summary ....................................................................................... 37 Recommendations/Follow Up Tasks ......................................................................... 38 Emergency Transportation Services......................................................................... 39 Thurston County is Vulnerable to Natural Hazards of the Pacific Northwest ............. 39 Mobility Dependent Populations More Vulnerable to Natural Hazards ...................... 39 Emergency Action Plans and Regional Coordination ................................................ 40 Recommendations...................................................................................................... 41 Origins and Destinations............................................................................................ 43 Origins ....................................................................................................................... 43 Destinations............................................................................................................... 43 Needs and Gaps .......................................................................................................... 45 Transportation Services – Thurston County ............................................................ 51 School Districts.......................................................................................................... 51 Intercity Transit .......................................................................................................... 51 Transportation Services - Adjacent County Programs ............................................ 61 Mason Transit............................................................................................................ 61 Pierce Transit ............................................................................................................ 61 Grays Harbor Transit ................................................................................................. 62 Twin Transit ............................................................................................................... 62 Transportation Services - Intercity Providers........................................................... 63 Greyhound................................................................................................................. 63 Amtrak ....................................................................................................................... 63 Squaxin Tribal............................................................................................................ 63 Lower Columbia Community Action Council (CAP) ................................................... 64 L.E.W.I.S Mountain Highway Transit ......................................................................... 64 Solutions...................................................................................................................... 65 Appendix...................................................................................................................... 67 This page left intentionally blank. Executive Summary Background and Planning Process Residents of the Thurston Region rely on transportation for independence, employment, health, and quality of life. When people with special needs – age, income, disability – have limited mobility choices, they may become isolated and unable to participate in vital activities or receive critical services. Without reliable transportation, these residents face severe barriers in obtaining