2045 REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY | 2020 2 Table of Contents REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY | 2020 Table of Contents Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………4 Chapter 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2. Existing Conditions ............................................................................................ 11 Transit Service Providers and Infrastructure Demographics and Access Current and Future Travel Flows Between Regional Centers Review of Relevant Plans Local Government and Transportation Provider Interviews Chapter 3. Analysis and Toolkit ............................................................................................ 52 Flexible Service Fixed Route Service Operational Improvements Chapter 4. Performance Measures .................................................................................... 61 CAMPO Transit Program Performance Measures and Project Selection Criteria Transit System Implementation Chapter 5. Public Involvement ............................................................................................ 66 Interviews Notifications Open Houses What Was Heard Community Outreach and Future Planning Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..74 Appendix A: Local Government Guidance B: Notes from Interview Office Hours C: Survey 1 & 2 Responses D: Public Comments E: Coordinated Public Transit – Health and Human Services Transportation Plan Table of Contents 3 REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY | 2020 Executive Summary The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), is the federally designated transportation planning body for Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. One of the primary responsibilities of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) is to study long-term regional transportation planning needs and, in consultation with local governments, transportation agencies, the public, and other stakeholders, compile a 20-plus year regional transportation plan (RTP). The RTP should be multimodal in nature and meet a variety of transportation and travel needs. The 2045 Regional Transit Study examines transit needs in the coming decades for the Capital Area. This study focuses on the area outside of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s service area, while also considering future connections and compatibility with the agency’s system and plans through Project Connect. The Regional Transit Study area covers the entire CAMPO region, excluding Capital Metro’s Service area. As Central Texas continues to grow, the region’s traditional job and activity centers are changing. Projections for 2045 show employment and trip generators throughout the region, not just the core business and downtown districts of the past. With this change, transit must be adaptable to changing travel patterns and commuters’ preferred transit options. 4 Executive Summary REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY | 2020 This Study gathered information from elected officials, local governments, transportation agencies, and the public to assess current conditions and future needs. Consistently and repeatedly, these stakeholders identified the need for direct transportation from rural and suburban communities to other rural and suburban communities for various purposes including accessing work, medical services, shopping, and leisure activities. A comprehensive regional transit network that will meet the future needs of this fast-growing region relies on several strategies beyond just fixed route transit service. When regional transit is integrated with other travel modes, it becomes more convenient, feasible, and reliable for users. For instance, using strategies and recommendations from the 2045 Regional Active Transportation Plan, first and last mile connections become easier for transit riders. Most current transit options in the region rely on roads, so an arterials network, particularly one that prioritizes transit and multi-occupancy vehicles such as vanpools, as outlined in the Regional Arterials Concept Inventory, is key for transit reliability. Increasing use of technology also enhances transit options by providing riders seamless connections from one transit or transportation provider to another, real-time data on trip times, and the ability to hail a ride from a smartphone or phone call. Technology is also enhancing transportation demand management strategies that, along with transit, seek to reduce or at least maintain vehicle miles and hours traveled throughout the region in the coming decades. Advancing technology in areas such as telemedicine and distance learning may completely eliminate the need to travel while increases in teleworking may reduce commuting. Since the Regional Transit Study focuses on the area outside of Capital Metro’s service area, it was developed with extensive coordination with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) on future needs and services for the non-urbanized area, as well as connections to Capital Metro and other CARTS 2045 Plan focuses on expanding Express Routes, urbanized areas’ transit services. Microtransit Service, and upgrading facilities. Executive Summary 5 REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY | 2020 CARTS’ future plans include operational improvements such as expanding express bus routes and on-demand service. Capital improvements include new or improved park and ride and intermodal facilities. These improvements are in line with future needs identified as part of the technical evaluation for this study as well as being identified by elected officials, local governments, non-profits, and the public. Better connected regional travel can be achieved using the Transit Toolkit developed as part of the Regional Transit Study. The toolkit lays out many options that can be deployed by local government project sponsors that meet their community’s needs while staying sensitive to its context and character. Additionally, the toolkit also discusses ridesharing and transit supportive infrastructure such as vanpool programs and park and rides, respectively. As the region’s employment and activity centers continue to expand throughout the six counties, a comprehensive park and ride and vanpool system has the potential to significantly reduce single occupancy vehicle travel. The Regional Transit Study considers Capital Metro’s Project Connect and additional analysis and community outreach to forecast future transit needs for the CAMPO region. The extensive technical analysis, review of local governments’ and transportation agencies’ future plans, and input from the community, show the need for a continued coordinating effort for planning and implementing a comprehensive regional transit network - ranging from smaller four-to-six person vehicles to expanded express bus service on the region’s arterials to additional commuter rail. The needs identified in this Study and the other planning work underway in the region align to make a well-connected, seamless regional transit network a reality in the next 20-plus years. Though much work remains and funding regional transportation is always a challenge, the Regional Transit Study, as well as local project sponsors’ plans, show that the future of regional transit is hopeful and that transit will continue to be an integral part of addressing the region’s congestion and travel needs. 6 Executive Summary REGIONAL TRANSIT STUDY | 2020 CHAPTER 1 Introduction The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is the federally authorized body responsible for long-range transportation planning in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties in Texas. CAMPO works to provide multimodal transportation solutions across all six counties. The region, encompassing and surrounding the capital city, is one of the fastest growing in the nation, meaning the transportation decisions made today will impact the lives of current and future residents. Today, the CAMPO area experiences significant levels of transportation congestion, costing the region’s residents, businesses, and visitors time and money. As the area experiences tremendous growth, the answer to addressing future traffic congestion and maintaining a high quality of life doesn’t lie in just one solution. Instead, future transportation solutions must be multimodal in nature, to include transit, and provide a seamless experience in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The Regional Transit Study information can be used by local transportation agencies and governments to plan for transit projects and to inform CAMPO’s 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the next five years. The RTP is a federally required transportation planning document that looks 20-plus years into the future to assess the needs and desires of the six- county region. CAMPO uses a holistic, grassroots approach to transportation planning by collaborating with local governments, transportation agencies, and the public to consider community context, character, and needs. Regional transit is an integral part of the broader transportation network as it supports travel for those who cannot or prefer not to travel via a personal vehicle. In the United States, urban communities generally have more robust transit systems due to years of investment, as well as denser development supporting ridership. While urban areas within the CAMPO region are expanding, the majority of the six-county region remains suburban and rural. To ensure equitable transportation