Transit Feasibility Study - BC Transit

Transit Feasibility Study:Columbia Shuswap Regional DistrictFalkland, BC | 05 March 2013

BC Transit• Provincial authority responsible for the planning,funding and operation of transit throughout theProvince with the exception of the lower mainland• Services over 1.5 million people in BC in over 130communities in collaboration with 58 localgovernment partners• Has contracts with 18 private managementcompanies, 5 public, operating organizations and14 non‐profit agencies• Carries more than 50 million passengers annually• Operates 81 transit systems—conventional,custom and paratransit• Owns a fleet of 1,013 conventional and double‐deck buses and minibuses, 17 th largest fleet inNorth America• Manages a $224 million annual operating budgetand a $90 million annual capital budget

BC Transit ModelLocal Government• Plans community, establishes transitpriorities and routes• Sets service levels and approvesbudgets• Sets fares• Provides local tax subsidyBC Transit• Turns municipal priorities into transitoperating and capital plans• Works with Province to accessfunding• Arranges for and manages operations• Operates Victoria conventionalservice• Manages capital program

Roles & Responsibilities - BC Transit• Allocates Provincial operating funding• Plans transit systems to achieve local & provincial objectives• Arranges for the operation of transit systems by contract or partnership• Determines the fleet & facilities requirements of local transit plans• Develops and manages capital budget and asset acquisition• Provides financial and accounting services• Provides contract t management and overall operator / operations oversight• Marketing, (media & public) relations and strategic branding• Environmental Management Services• Training, Safety & Security4

Roles & Responsibilities – CSRD• Approves land use planning, transit vision, expectations and policies• Determines service priorities• Sets routes and service levels• Sets fares and manages the sale of fare products• Approves transit related agreements and budgets• Sets local funding• Promotes ridership• Transit service consultation• Establishes and maintains bus stops• Manages the local roadway system5

Roles & Responsibilities– Operating Company(FirstCanada)• Delivers specified transit services as directed by BC Transit• Provides customer service (lost and found, transit phone line)• Hires and trains drivers, mechanics and other staff and manages labourrelations• Collects passenger revenue• Serve the needs of customers6

Paratransit Options1. Flex‐route – buses deviate from fixed routes on request;2. Dial‐a‐bus ‐ routes are variable but schedules are fixed; and3. Demand‐responsive ‐ routes and schedules are variable.10

Paratransit Options: Flex-Route Transit• Follows a fixed route and fixed schedule similar to conventionalservice, but buses deviate from route for pick‐up or drop‐offoff• Scheduled with extra time to accommodate deviations• Requires call in advanceto deviate from route• Operator must havedispatch service tohandle requests11

Paratransit Options: Dial-a-Busa • Follows a fixed schedule, but not a fixed route• Drivers determine route based on requests in advance, may alsostop at scheduled stops/times (typically popular destinations)• May be “door to door”or “request stop”12

Paratransit Options: Demand-Responsive• Service operates only in response to requests• Flexible scheduling, flexible routes» Typically “door to door” service• Advanced booking & “subscription” booking• Best in areas with low ridership potential, eliminates emptyvehicles circulating13

Vanpools• A group who travel to same destination, same time each day• Van provided by transit agency or other organization• Each person pays a monthly fare calculated based on distance andoperating cost• Best for long distance trips to major destination14

Paratransit Systems in BCCommunityPopulation(2011 Census)Shuswap 11,800Merritt & Area 7,100Kimberley 6,700Princeton & Area 2,700Clearwater & Area 2,300100 Mile House 1,700Naksup 1,600Kaslo 1,000Bll Bella Coola 850Falkland 800Port Edward 60015

Community Profile: population• Population – 800• No change from 2006 to 2011• Median age is older than BC average• Community is predominantly single‐family homes16

Community Profile: travel options• Majority of personal travel by automobile• School buses for students to Pleasant Valley School(Armstrong)• Daily coach bus (Greyhound) service through Falkland, but nolonger stops in town17

Community Profile: trip generators• Falkland Elementary School (k‐5)• Falkland Community Hall• Falkland Store• Post Office (5756 Highway 97).Outside Falkland• Pleasant Valley Secondary School (Armstrong), grades 6 – 12• College/University (Vernon, Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Kamloops)• Employment, shopping and medical service (primarily il Vernonand Kamloops)18

Trip Times /Destinations19

Vernon Regional Transit System

Vernon Regional Transit System

Next Steps• Background• Demographics, travel options, key destinations• Community feedback (survey, open house)• Potential transit markets• Transit service options, cost estimates• Forecast system performance• Recommendations• BC Transit approval• Present to CSRD22

Thank you!Please fill out a surveyWebwww.bctransit.com/transitfutureEmailCSRD@bctransit.comPhoneDaniel Casey, 250-388-9877Rebecca Newlove, 250-995-5669