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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02242004 - C87 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ,.� Contra FROM: DENNIS M. BARRY, AICPCosta� CC1� MUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR �. onty DATE. February 24, 2004 gra U SUBJECT: Referral of Draft Richmond Community-Based Transportation Plan to the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR. RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS REFER discussion and recommendations on the subject plan to the Transportation,Water and Infrastructure Committee. FISCAL IMPACT NONE. The referral would enable the Transportation,Water and infrastructure Committee to review and develop comments,for recommendation to the full Board of Supervisors, on a draft plan developed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has completed a planning effort alined at improving local transportation services in the Richmond area, including the unincorporated community of North Richmond. Participants in the planning effort included staff from two County departments(the Employment and Human Services Department and the Community Development Department), as well as staff of BART, AC Transit and the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee(WCCTAC), and representatives of numerous Richmond-area community organizations. Outreach for the effort was managed by Neighborhood House of North Richmond. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT; X YES SIGNATURE ,,,,-RECOMMENDATION CFCOUNTY ADMINISTRATOR R RECOMMENDAFON OF BOARDE PPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE S F ACTION OF B A ON ��s < .A }��; €� ,0, APPRC VED AS RECOMMENDED THER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE NANIMOUS A ENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERER ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: John Greitzer (9251335-1201) co: Community Development Department (CDD) ATTESTED? .} : P. Branson, Employment and Human Services JOHN SWEET, N, CLEAK 6F S. Kowalewski, PWD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ," BY DEPUTY 1-r�nennrrafinnlgait>cri,'1n rr•i d'Sre9nriTl—MR:rhmnnr?f`RT Rcafn<r�!rfnr REFERRAL TO TRANSPORTATION,WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 24, 2004 Page 2 BACKGROUND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (Confinue) T he planning process led to publication in December of the Draft Richmond Commy Based Transportation Plan. MTC has circulated the draft plan for review by interested parties including the County. Exhibit A contains the Executive Summary from the document. As shown, in the exhibit, the draft plar, includes recommendations for various improvernents such as bus shelters and benches, safety workshops for older drivers, new services for local travel such as subsidized taxi services and neighborhood shuttles, and the creation of a local transportation center or coordinator to help Richmond-area residents find the IransDortation services that are available to them, Staff recommends the Board refer the draft plan to the Transportation, Water and infrastructure Committee for review, discussion and comments, The draft plan will, be discussed with the Committee in the context of the County's own Welfare To Work Transportation Action Plan, which covers some similar ground. Pending Board approval of this referral, staff anticipates the item will be placed on the March 81h agenda of the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee. Any comments or recommendations resulting from the Committee discussions will be brought to the full Board for consideration. ,. ;MS T ROPOI ITAN TRANSPORTATION --OY. I MISSION !, Transportation � � r t t' 5 4 rt Al i yltPlan �zf r 3 5 r _ E .*,S€^ .�r 4 r-7 of i DRAFTt December 2003 A170917 IqyffHgFd J--f consuiring associates 833 Markat Straat,Suite 900,San Francisca,CA 94103 415.284-1,544?hole 415-284.1 554 FAX eOli%vi0O'D 0 ° Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan a Final Rapnrt _ - METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION' C o M M! S S \0 N Table of Contents PAGE �� � � ExE{�U�VE SUKNMARY.........^.^~.`...~,~^^^~~^~^~^`~~`^~`^^`^`^~^~^^^^^^^^~`~~^``^^~~^``^~'^^~^^^^~`~^^^^^^ ~ (]ck��]U�rf......',...~.^-,~.........~..^~.~.~.,.^..^'~`.^.^.....^.....~.~.^,....'.......~.ES-11 _ ��-� Richmond-Area �����O0(Jra��hkc5.........^....^~~....^.~....^^.-^...^`....'.~......'�~ ~ Community Outreach Meth{}rfsAnd Findings................... ........._...^^.....^.ES-5 Potenti{J} S~!Uti{3DsAnd TheirFeabiUtv,,,^,^..,,.^,,,,,',,,, ,,^....'...~..ES-8 RBcOOr-D1eMdafioDS . ...... .................... .........................^... ...............................ES-l2 . r-UD<20g ............^^^^^^''^^~'^^^''~'`'^^^^'^—^'^''^^^^^^^'^''^~'`^'^^'^^'~'^^^^^^^^'^^''~S _ ��O����Dl���fO�D� ..........~~.~............~...'~..~.~.....^.....-...........~-�S-l8 CHAPTER ). [INTRODUCTION ...~~...~,,.^~..~^.,.~.....~.~..~~.~~`.^~^,.^.~,...~..~..,~^.~..^.~~. ~ � Background,.^...^^~.^^~~~`^~`~'^'^`''~'`^`-'—~^^^^^-~^^^`''~~'''^^~'~^~'^^'`~'^^^^^'^'~-~ -1 Richmond-Area Community-Based Tr,a n3DOrtafon PlCJD.......,.........~-....,]-� CHAPTER 2. DEMOGRAPHICS OF STUDY AREA ............................. . ~. . ~ ~..^. .' ^.'.~ .^.^, .~.^..2~i �-1 >�f��(�U��fi{}n ��nH SUrO��(]p/..................-.....^....~.....^............^....~.... 2-2[}G��{}��ra��hi�� P[O�i��............`^`...~.^.^—^.^.^.^^.....~..~...^~.....^.....-...... CHAPTER 3. OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ........................^..^.~..^^^..^...~^^^~`...........3~1 _ . �_� SU�A��(][V ' ��Uf[ea��h Sf[Ote[%lBS ...........^.~~..^....,^...^..^.^.'^'^^^~^'~^'^' �-� ��Ut�3C]Ch ��ndiD{]s^'^'~^^^^'~^^^—'^^'^^^^^' ^'^^^^^^^^^^^'`''^^^^^^^'— CHAPTER 4[ SUMMARY OFFEASIBILITY AND RECOMMENDATIONS...............................^~,~,,~..4~1 4-1.FB[]3ibiUfu^',_,~,~,,,,^~,^,~,,.,._^..,^......-...~`^~.....'..~,,~`,,. ,,,.,.^,,,,,~~. 4-2 Evaluation �� PR]��DSB(� S[>iUt (JD3..~........-~....~,^~'..—.'..~..—.^~.—~'~—^—^' 4-5R���cO���OE}n����fiOns ......_..^.'.~~...~..^.....`.......~..-^,~..~.........._..^..'^^~—' Detailed /\n{]|ysiS of Proposed SO|U�oDs ................... ........................`.^......... -4-7 CHAPTER 5. FUNDING..... ............. ..........................^~~^.,~...... ...........'....... ............ ^... ~ ��l ��OY���nrOBOfS(]UrceS.—..._,...........~..^......^............~_.~...~--~—. P��[1!�� FC>U�(�{%�DDS ...................^.....^``.`....._..................^'.'.-.^^-~^~ '�-� r1fhBFS(JUncGs ... ......... .^..'~^^'^'~^^^''`~`'^~''^^^^^^^`^~^`^^^^^^'^'^~^^~'^'~'^^'^'~^^^^5-l3 CHAPTER 6. IMPLEMENTATION .........................................................^..^'~..~~~^~`^^^'~'~6-1 Richmond.-Area TraDspnrtafiOD 4rfOD (`DmMlM�e8 ............... .........................^^6rl �NeXfStBps,................^......,,,,,^~,,,,,.,,,,,,,,,,.,.. ,_,,.,..,^,.~,,._6r1 APPENo[x A. SUMMARY of Ex\STING TRANSIT GAPS APPENDIX B. LIST OpSTAKEHOLDERS APPENDIX C, STAKEHOLDER QUESTIONNAIRE APPENDix D. SURVEY RESULTS APPENDix E. Focus GROUP RE8UL?s Richmond Community mated Transportation Plan * Final epoor METROPOL ;TAN TRA NSP °ORTA" ION yCli MISSION Table of Figures PAGE Figure ES-- Richmond-Area Co.mrrunity-used Transportation Planning CommunitiesES-2 Figure ES-2 Lack of Vehicular Availability.............<,<.<.......................................<..................ES-4 Figure ES-3 Surnmary: Evaluation of Proposed So€utions............................................. ES-11 Figure ES-4 Potential Funding Sources....<......<.,,..,.,<.<......,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,>.........,,<.<,<...,.,.:...,.:ES-17 Figure 1 Richmond-Area Community-Based T ransportation Planning Communities 1-3 Figure 2-1 Total Population of Study Area as Percent of Total by Ace.................. Figure 2-2 Tot--I Population by Commur?ity as Percent of Total by Age........................2-3 Figure 2-3 Total Population of Study Area as Percent of Totes by Race ........................ 2-4 Figure 2-4 Total Population by Community as Percent of Total by Race...................... 2 Figure 2-5 Total Households of Study Area as Percent of Total by Income Group ......2-5 Figure 2-6 Total Households by Community as Percent of Total by income Group .... 2-6 Figure 2-7 Total Workers of Study Area as Percent of Tcto! by Noce of Work .............. 2-6 Figure 2-8 Total Workers by Community munity as Percent of Total by Place of Work........,.,, 2-7 Figure 2-9 Tota€ Workers of Shady Area as Percent of Tota; by Commute Mode._..... 2-7 Figure 2-10 Total Workers by Community as Percent of Total by Commute tVode....... 2-8 Figure 2-11 Tota: Workers of Study Area as Percent of Total by Commute Hour.,....,..... 2-8 icons 2-12 Tota° Workers of Study Area as Percent of Tota' by Cos.�muTe Length....,... 2-9 "Figure 2-13 Vehicle Availability by Household........<..............................................<.<...,.,..,., 2-9 Figure 2-14 Households without Vehicular Access.,...... ......................... 2-1 C "Figure 3-' MTC Transportation: Survey Responses by Neighborhood...................<.,..<...< 3-2 Ffigure 4-1, Summary: Evoluat on or Proposed So€utEons................................................... 4-4 "Figure 4-2 Evaluation of AC Transit bus shelter-program:.............................I.................<., 4-8 Figure 4-3 Evaluation of oras stop seating>...... Figure 4-4 Evaluation of Guaranteed Ride Home Program ...... ............................... 4-1:3 Figure 4-5 Evaluation of rider DriverWorkshops..................... ......_.............................. 4-1 Figure 4-6 Evaluation of Subsidized Night Taxis.................... Figure 4-7 Evaluation of Auto !oar Program.,..<......................<.............1,..................,..<., 4-14 Figure 4-8 Evaluation of Local mransportation Information Center...............................4-15 Figure 4-9 Evaluation of Rides to Success Program ............................................<.,...,.....4-16 Fiore 4-10 E-valuation of Flex-route Night Bus ....... 4-18 "Figure 4-11 Evaluation of Neighborhood Shuttle......................................<...,.,......,.,......,<.4-19 "Figure 4-12 Evaluation of Trio Reimbursern`ent Program.....................................<.,........,., 4-20 Figure 4-13 Evaluation of Discounted Youth Pass Program ..................<,..................<...... 4-21 =icure 4-14 Evaluation of Children's Transportation Peograr? <..,.......<...<...,.>.,<,..,..<...<.,.,., 4-22 ricune 4-,5 Evaluation of Car-sharing ...............<..........................................,,.>.................. 4-24 Figure 4-16 Evaluation of Child Care at Richmond BART.................. 4:-25 rigure 4-17 Evaluation of AC Transit Improvements..........................................................4-26 Figure 4-18 Evaluation of Bikeways & Safe Routes to School .................. 4--" }-icure 5-1 Potential Funding Sources......................... -° Page it . Naiscwf lygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Ptah Final Report METROPG ?ITAN TRANSPORTA": ION COIMMISSION Executive Summary Background Creation of the Richmond-Area Community-based Transportation Plan was a resident-driven process to identify strategies that wi l close the transportation claps in their neighborhoods. In April, 2003, the Metropolilan Transportation Commissloill (MTC) contracted with Nelson\Ny aard Consulting Associates and its protect partner, Neighborhood Nouse of North Richmond, for the first of five pi€ot transportation planning programs in low-income Bay Area communities. Nelsc n\ yagaard managed the overall project, while Neighborhood Nouse I e d the community outreach. The planning effort took place between April and December 2033. t was designed to build upon the findings off T 's 2001 Lifeline 'ransportation Network Report, which outlined a safety net of transit routes for €ow-income people. The target crea for this Plan Includes the neighborhoods of North Richmond, the Iron Triangle, Coronado, Santa Fe, Old Town San Pcb'o and Parchester Village. This area has fhe greatest density of residents In poverty in Contra Costa Count , I as shown on maps bot' the L fe ine Report and the 2001 Env;~onmen tal Jus Tic'e Report. Figure ES-1 is a map of the protect area. P299 ES-1 a Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Ptah a Final Report METRCPO ;a;TAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Figure S-1 Richmond-Area Community-Based Transportation Planning Communities R 4 �jParchester # felag 3 � IV 71 a Old Torn ��h�,°d G �� + �+° a �� �•' 9 San Pablo „ San Pa 0 { j'Richmond rs '� `� �d P r x,151 ; A ih :4 IzSanta Fe A � rayon a F 0 6 a. h r rf F4 Iron Triang, y h, t voi11 pp� VR dr, y 'Mon' p p� S 6.yq�$ _ EF�, erri o , ��a s r� ,'a'�a �z "�r a "� Y' Q' e F.��',.��'3,��.kf t i.a'�.a '_ �h�� incorporated M°unid�Y alftles ar'� � i4 94 �Leg Pm CE RRIT M,R!CH,.V LS D =3 SAN PABLO UNINCORPORATED ,��:ry �t�nrc a:s r Rink rcoa -._. .� � �• �'� Page ES-2 b Naas ankNygaard Consulting Associates Rich canci Community Based Transportation Plan o Final Report METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION CCMMUSION Bch WrDemographicAs * According to the 2000 Census, the study area is comprised of approximately 33,000 residents. This represents about 4% of the total 948,816 people living in Contra Costa County. * Overall, the study area's population ;s a °young" one, with 32% of the population under the age of 18, and just 7% at or move the age of 65. The study area is a "majority minorityl° area: with 34% Block, 12% Asian, and 27% "other" race according to the 2000 Census. Hispanics (who may be any "race"! constitute 41% of the study area papulation. e Household income in the study area is significantly below the $62,000 median for the Bay Area; the Iron Triangle, Forth Richmond and Santa Fe ail have median incomes below $30,000. a About :3,500 people, or slightly more than 3 % of the total residents in the study area, are emp oyed, Of these, 56% trove' outside of Contra Costa County for work. o Seventy nine percent (797.) of workers commute by car, truck or vara, while 12% use public transportation. Compared to other comnr;unities within the study area, workers in; the Iron Triangle rely ;most heavily on public transportation (20%). There is less of a reliance on driving and more on public transportation i the study area compared to the Bay Area, when 37% of the population commutes by car, truck or van and 110% use public transportation. Sixty eight percent (63%) of the study area's workers have a commute that exceeds 30 minutes, and 25% have a commute that exceeds one hour. * Commute fength in the study area is longer compared to the Bay Area, where average commute length in 2002 was 30 minutes. In the study area: 13% of households have no access to an automobile, with the highest rates in the Iron Triangle {26%) and North Richmond/Santa Fe (24%). In contrast, only 6.5% of households in the County as a whole lack access to a vehicle. Access to vehicles is a particular issue among households headed by individuals 65 year old or more, over 3C}% of such households lack access, with the highest rates in the Iron Triangle. Page Ss-3*NalsonNNygaard Consulting Assocgates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan + Fina! Report '�IETROPOLJTAN TRANSPORTATION GOaMIMISSION Fl ure ES-2 Lack of Vehicular Availability 30,00% — 25.00% E 20,00% f 10M% �.00% i i 0.00 Parchester Old `rl own Coronado iron North Contra Sar: Pablo Trianglia Richmond Costa County Page ES-a Nor€son\ ygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan Final Report METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT .AT ?oN COMIM' ISSION ~ Findings TheRichmond-Area Community-based Transportation Flan was developed with the involvement of approX mately 25 neighborhood councils and community- based organizations in collaboration with govern;;-mental agencies arld transpartatio � providers. T o meetings with a Stakeholders Committee were held, one to get initial direction and input on the planning process and the second to get feedback on proposed strategies to salve transportation problems. Organizations invited to participate on the Stakeholders Committee are 'listed below: Neighborhood & Community Organizations Atchison Village Neighborhood Council Coronado Neighborhood Council Belding goods Neighborhood Council Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council Rarchester Village Neighborhood Coundl ShieldsmReld Neighborhood owrcil Santa Fe Neighborhood Council Downtown Associatlon Of Richrnond West County Toxics Coalition Robinson-'Weeks Scholarship Fund United Laotlan Community Development Center For Health, North Richmond Ma'an Youth academy Rubicon Programs Laotian Organizing Project Richmond Imprmlement Association Youth Service Bureau - Familias Nnidas Multicultural Family/Senior for Cer!tvr Teen Resource Center Greater Richmond Interfaith Program Brookside Community Health Center North Riu"PnC"d Farnliy Sd vice Carter Neighborhood House Of North Richmond Noah Richmond Community Career Center Council Of Industries-West Contra Costa County No:-"h Richmond Municipal Advisory Committee Government Agencies BART AC Transit Metropolitan Transportation Commission Contra Costa County Community Development Dept. Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Dep`, West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee(WCCTACII 'neighborhood House of 'North Richmond ;NHNI conducted extensive corr�rr,unity outreach. The following outlines the outreach methods and their results. Page ES-5 a Nalson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan a Final Report Surveys The consultant Learn developed a survey, which was tested with the Stakeholders (_'ornmittee and revised based on their input before being broadly distributed by Neighborhood Douse (l`iHNRI. NHNR received over 1,200 surveys from various .communities in Richmond and San Pablo. The overall response rate from the r dfing was 3%, with particularly high response rates in forth Richmond and Santa Fe neighborhoods. In-person surveys were distributed by interns on buses, at community and senior centers, at ART stations, at the community college, at Shopping malls, and at a homeless shelter. Surveys were translated into Spanish and Lao, Spanish/English surveys were .lied to eight neighborhood councils. aotian organizations distributed the surveys to their members. The survey was posted on Neighborhood House's website. A rota' of 1,09 completed Surveys from reslaents in the target area were analyzed. The left hand column `:lists the combined top priorities of ' all respondents. The right hand column lists the top priorities by each target neighbor-hood. Page ES.6 Nalsonmygoard Consulting Associates 111th and Community= Based Transportation Pian Final Report METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Issas. Prioritized I st In: BUSES FEED TO RUN: 1 . More often on weekends North Richmond, Iron Triangle, Parchester Village, Santa Fe 2. Late at night (from 9-12) Old Town San Pablo 3. Earle mornings (from 6-91 Coronado 1T'S MOST DIFFICULT TO CLT TO. 1 . Parks and recreation Coronado, Old Town San Pablo 2. Supermarket Parchester Village, iron Triangle 3. Health care Santa Fe 4. School/daycare North Richmond MOST SEVERE PROBLEM: sack of bus shelters North Richmond, Parchester Village, Santo Fe, Old Town Sari Pablo, Coronado 2. 'geed for shuttles 3. Travel time is too long Page ES-7 NeisonkNygaard Consulting Associates fiIchmond Community Bossed Transportation Pias a Fka,I Report METROPOLVAN TRANSPORTATION CCP, MOSION Preliminary presentations describing the project and its goals were rade to five neighborhood councils, the ,municipal Advisory Council, and two Laotian organizations, A few of the planned presentations did not occur, when meetings were cancelled due to sparse attendance during the summer months. Focus Groups A total of about 190 people participated in 10 separate focus groups. Focus groups were held at neighborhood councils, churches, committee meetings, and community-based organizations. The following list describes priorities that were mentioned by at `east half of the groups. The list also incorporates the priorities of the Stakeholders Committee. # More affordable public transit * More bus 1il!,ps and shelters 6 ChNdren's Transportation to day care * Affordable public transit for youth attending school 0 sore courteous bus drivers 8 Better safety on transit for both riders and drivers * More frequent service on weekends Community Open Hansa Approximately 35 people attended a community open house held in September at the Nevin Plaza Senior lousing apartments, People who attended were asked to both. confirm the findings of the outreach process and to prior€tlze potential solutions. Page ES-8 s Neison\Nygaard ConsuitIng associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Pian} o Final Report Ili E` P 0 P 0 L �T A N 'T R A N S P 0 P T A T 10 N C0 W,MISSE0N Potential Solutions it Feasibillity The process of collecting input from the Richmond community produced a rich list of potentiol transportation improvements to improve mobility. The list, which was presented at the 'Community Caper: mouse and the Stakeholders Committee, has been ;modified to include updated cast figures, craw, moderate, and high cast solutions are described below. Strategies To Meet Community Needs LOW COST PROGRAMS h- 6- AC € 6-ACS TRAN53 T BUS SHELTER PROGRAM X50,000 Advertising agency to install bus shelters with ads on busy streets with minirr;al administrative cost to AC Transit: additional cast to install '0 neighborhood bus shelters at $5,000 each. (Does not include ongoing maintenance cast of neighborhood bus shelters. BUS STOP SEATS $12,000 Two seats on a pole are installed at 20 neighborhood bus stops. An alternative's recycled-co;Ment benches. GUARANTEED RIDE HOMP PR GRAM (GRH) Program already funded GRH program provides free taxi rides Dame from war l; in an emergency. Since employer must be in program;, project involves the community working with WCC-:AC- to `°.dentify employers of residents in study area for additional morketing and program, membersh;r" OL I-�7R DRIVER SAFETY AND MOBILITY WORKSHOPS $2,400 Six workshops to help 150 aider adults to continue driving safely for longer. MODERATE COS`;" PROGRAMS ($51.000-$99,000) SUBSIDIZEL) NIGHT TAXIS $66,000/yn Taxi fare is subsidized for pre-qualified, low-income residents traveling frog, late night buses and BART to home when. neighborhood buses are no longer running. Cast is for 3,0,3 ;rips a year plus administration. Fags ES-9 m elson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan Fins; Report METROP0LITAIN T RANSPORT ATiON CO %IIMIsS ! ON AUTO LOAN PROGRAM $60,000 start up, $20,0001yr. Low interest loans for employed resints to purchase cars. Start-up cost would create a revolving loan fund. Annual costs are for a,-4 ministration of the loan pr;gram, LC)CAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER 60,0001yr, Phone number to call for information on local transportation and help with on-lire grocery ordering, with translation available. Staff would hold travel training classes and be a "bus buddy, for first-time riders, Cost includes full-time staff located in an existing organizafion, and grocery delivery charge subsidies. PILES TQ SUS(_-ESS PROGRAM X4,000/yr. One bus would fake qualifying persons toob training or lob interviews. Funds 1120 one-way rides. Ff �.E ROUTE NIGHT BUS $65,000-.$91-,000/yr. One shuttle for evening and Tote night connections to BART. Nigher cost is for weekend service. NEIGHBORHOOD LAYTIM SHUTT,LE BUS $65,0001yr. Shuttle services that complement fixed-route transit can be very helpful in filling transit gags and serving ;rips to places like the Richmond BART station, A� Transit cense~s, K111top Mail, medical centers and supermarkets. This cos- assumes service three days a week. The route and destinations will need to be further defined by th.e cornmuni;y, TRIP REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM $75,5001yr. to naive qualifying individuals. most incincludesVolun}tiers are reimbursed mileage 28 cents/1-rile plus program ad°rinistration. HIGH COST PROGRAMS ($1,00,060 & FR S QP DISCOUNTED YOUTH, BUS PASSES $314,000-, 1.5 m lzton/yr, Students in `Fest Contra Costa School District would get $5 off AC Transit bus Passes. Af $' ,5 million, low-income students would receive free bus passes. CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM $170,0001yr. Two buses would fake 20 qualifying low-income children to day care or school Page ES-10. ode€sonkhlygatard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Bassa Transportation Plan Final Reporlt .. METROPOLIT61h TRAN SP0RTAT : ON C 0 W,V, ISS !ON SUBSIDIZED 'AR-SHAR!N PROGRAM 100,0001yr. Mtembers could rent cars at subsidized rates of 2/hour and 22 cents/mile SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE- AT RIC HA11 ND BART $X(0,00®/yr. 30 subsidized day care slots at a facility near Richmond BART station. AC aTa'SA)V{S6eTIMPRL.JVEMENT y250a000—$1s000,000 The requests voiced most often during the community outreach involved iMprover rents to A,%'-- Transit, including increased frequency, route changes, and introduction of new routes. Any fixed route improvements that require AC Transit to acquire one additional bus will cost a minimum of $250,000 for the bus, plus ars average of $37.50/hour for operations. Cornmunity comments also indicated a need for more driver training in courtesy. Feasibility Analysis Ta test the feasibility of implementing these improvements, each solution was judged against a set of criteria proposed by the consultant team and confirmed by the Stakeholders Con ml+tee. The eva uation criteria used to select the Recomm--nded Solutions are as follows: Financial Overall Cost * Cosi- Per beneficiary * Funding availability and sustainability Implementation Do-able within reasonable "me-fl-lame * Staging (doesn't require large fixed costs to get started) Transportation Benefits Salves multiple transportation problems * Benefits relatively large number of residents Easy to understand and access * Effective and measurable (can quantify whether transportation usage has increased) Page ES-11 9 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond C:ornrmunity Based `ransportatiOn Plana a ental Report METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Community Has community support Serves communities in the study area with the greatest need (degree of transit dependency among 1ow7income va es—e.g„ depends on acre, auto-ownership, current availability of transit) * incorporates the needs of diverse communities in teras of language and culture Each of the suggested solutions was judged against each evaluation criterion. Figure ES-3 summarizes the results of this evaluation for each broad category of criteria. Evaluation of these Treasures is complicated by the fact that the solutions cover a very broad range. Because there are doth quantitative measures and qualitative assessments, the consultant team used our knowledge and ;idgment to rank each major category in a range from "love" to "high". The sur .mary table also includes a cumulative assessment, considering the rankings of each of the categories - - Page S-12 Nelsonk r ygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan Final Report METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Figure € mmary: Evaluation of Proposed Solutions Ranking. t4lgh (H) Ml'edre m (fvf) Low (L Evaluation Category Cumulative i Financial € mentation. Transportation Commu !! Evaluation Bus shelters H Sus stop seatsHill M M Guaranteed Ride Haeme H s i L L-MI Cider Driver Safety and Mobility H H M L M I i a Subsidized taxis M M i M-H i M-H Auto Lawn M H f LL � € is Program } i , Local € transportation ! M M Mt ' center Rides to Success ? U M L-M L s L Flex rete night � L � L H H F bus j Cay-time f shuttle 3 Trip Reimbursement M M E H � L M Program F i Free or Discounted youth pass L H € M H M � program Children's Transportation L H € L H M3 Program a expansion ; i Subsidized Car. sharing Program L -' a L _ € bid€xed M C - are , , t 9 AC Transit i€ roye€nents t L M H H Bikeway and ' .eeetran paths x Page S-13 s Nelson%Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community munity Based Transportation Plea * Proal Report h9 ET R0 P0L !TA N TRAN SP0RoAT ! 0NCO MMiISS10N Recommendations The results of the summary table suggest that the community should focus on affordable, effective and popular solutions in the short term, while perhaps building momentum to implement more complex and expensive solutions in the future. Recommended Low Cost Solutions • Bus shelfers a Buis seats or benches • Older [)river Safety and t�Aobility Workshops Increasing the number of bus shelters would be a very popular program, and it would also be affordable and yield real benefits, increasing the coWwt and ease of transit use. While it is riot the so ut on '-hot will -have the greatest transportation impacts, it is one that can produce real results in a short-timie frame, and ;Or tha'- reason is worthy of support. ,the,, low cost solutions that may be considered are installing bus seats or oenc;yes ;particularly in areas where utas shelters may no¢ be approprIatre', and hosting Older Driver workshops. Both of these programs are very low cost, and can develop momentum, and visibility for a neighborhood specific transportation grogram. Recommended Medium Cost Solutions Subsidized Taxi Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan R Final Report 11AETROPOL1 ; AN ' RAN SPORT AT10N COMMISSION Neighborhood Daytime Shuttle program has a high level of benefit for the lnvestmehtP as well as strong community support. However, the Daytime Shuttle has not been well-defined by the community and, therefore, merits further investigation on a list of feasible projects to pursue. Creating a Local Transportation Center can benefit a large number of residents by providing ars information clearinghouse -or existing transportation resources. It also has the potential to focus community efforts on implementing the final Plan. Recommended High Cost Solutions The majority of the h`=.gh cost solutions also require involvement of a public agency in their implementation. This fact, combined with their cast, means that pursuing these solutions wall not reward the community with short-term, tangible progress on their transportation problems. Nevertheless, the community has an important advocacy role requiring immediate attention. The time to strongly support the Yree Youth Bus Pass Program, as a priority is now, since its lncusion in a proposed funding plan will, be decided in Spring 204. W1'-CTAC has requested funding for Free Youth Bus Passes in its submittal to the tvjeasure C reauthorization plan being developed by the Contra Costa ironsportatior, Authority (OCTA), In -early 20904, the OCTA Board of Directors will choose the projects that will go into the half-cent transportation sales tax measure and be voted upon by the electorate in November 2004. Since . Nest County schools do not have school buses, and since many children miss school for lack of bus money, a compelling case can be wade for the Free youth Bus Pass Program;, school busing or same other youth transportation program, despite the high cast. If Measure C is renewed by the voters, the new funds will not be available until 2009. however, if the pro ects in the Richmond-area Community-used Transoortct on Plan are not broadly incorporated in the language now, they will not be eligible later. Therefore, the cor munity should also advocate that the Measure C language be written inclusively enough to encompass other high-cost solutions, such as expansion of the Children's Transporiction Program and Safe Routes to School, in the list of possible projects. Nor should the community ignore some of the other most pressing transportation issues, improvements to the frequency of AC Transit bus service, for instance, have the highest level of transportation benefits and community support. Therefore, the community should be diligent and articulate in advocating for increased service. It is widely understood, however, that it is unlikely for any improvement to be possible until regional and state economic conditions improve, AC Transit will be conducting a route study in the area in 2004 and has Page ES-15 * Nalson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Bassa Transportation Plan a Final Rep Iort METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMiSS4014 indicated an intention to incorporate the findings of this study as a starting point far additional analysis. While bikeways and pedestrian paths are projects that would need to be construcfed by the city or county, community organizations can partner with their pubic agency in applying for several competitive funding programs. dere again, the community also needs to advocate to city and county leaders Scar its share of rl: bl'c works and Measure � funis to corm eI bikeways and Safe Routes to gid, School i,:. the Richmond area and to urge decision-makers to apply for appllca ble grants for these projects. Funding Most of +he funding ¢or public transit is derived from state and federal funds that are dstribu+ed according to formulae based can papulation and ridership. Therefore, this funding section focuses on source_ that are not -ormula funds but are compefifive programs or revenues from non-traditional sources. Government Sources Current Funding Programs Caw sl�?C l l E�X1 itt `JJag ice¢Ca6` Program (LIFT) The Metrapal:tan Transportation Commission WiTC) partnered with local transit and social services agencies to respond to the challenge of improving transporfation services fbr residents of low-income communities by initiating the Low Income Flexible Transportation (LIFT) Program. projects rewire a local match. A new round of proposals for L1E=T funds will occur in 2004. ,ronsioO Eailon F r�rVable C i lf�rs�Jl l i s (TLC . ,V%TC created this innovative prograrn to fund coimmunity-oriented transportation projects. TLC planning grants of up to $75,000 are awarded to help sponsors refine and elaborate promising project ideas. The next cycle will be in Spring 2004. Capital grar;ts for projects 'hat directly support construction range in size from; $150,000 to 2 million per project. However, the next capital grant cycle is not scheduled until 2005. Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) Through the Bicycle Transportation account, Caltrans provided $7.2 milNon In 2002 to local communities for capital projects Intended to improve and increase bicycle corn muting. Rage 65-16 m Ne€aonNygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based `transportation Pian Proal Report M E T R 0 P 0 L I T A N T R A N S P 0 R T AT € 0N e0MMISS €0N' Transportation Fund fol,Clean Air (TFCA) The Transportation Fund for Clean Air is a grant program funded by a $4 surcharge on vehicles registered in the Bay Area, which generates about $20 million a year. The goal of TFCA is to decrease vehicle err:issions in order to improve air quality. The find includes a wide range of project types, such as shuttle and feeder bus service to train stations, rideshoring programs to encourage carpool and transit use, bike lanes, and information projects to enhance the availability of transit information, Only public agencies can apply for TFCA funds. SafeRoutes to School (SUS) The State Department of Transportation (Caltrans; will be soliciting project applications from cities and counties in California for Safe Routes to School (SR2S funding next year. The application deadline is February 27, 2004, with approval of selected projects by Fall 2004. SR2S is a construction program:, intended to MI'DIrave and enhance the safety of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, The maximum reimbursement for all projects will be $450,000, with the local agency Providing a 10% local match. Older Americans Act (OAA) Transportation is a major service under the Older Americans Act, providing needed access to nutrition, medical and other essential services. leo funding is specifically designated -for transportation. However, funding can be used for transportation under several secflons of the Act. Community Development Bock Grants (CDBG The CDBC program is a federal program of grants to local governments. Both government agencies and nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. The Clty of Richmond and Contra Costa County allocate CDBG funds in a competitive process to low income areas. West Centra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority IWCCIWMAl WCCNMA is a joint powers agency created by the Cities of E-1 Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo to implement a State law requiring a good fain°: effort at reducing the amount of material going to landfill by 5 %. The Authority sponsors a "mini-grant" program to fund efforts resulting in a reduction of waste seat to the `west County landfill. Page ES-17 a Nelso nNygsfard Consulting Associates Richmond Community 02sed Transportation Plan a Fkal Report METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATa+ON COMMISSION PcKe tial Future Government Funding Sources Serrate B111916, Election for$1 Toff increase Senator Don Perata has introduced Senate Bill (SB) 916, which will allow voters to dedicate an additional $1 toll on all state-owned bridges (excluding the Golden Gate Bridge) in, the Bay Area to fund projects in seven bridge corridors. The Treasure, which requires a majority vote, will be placed on the March 2004 ballot. Renewal of Contra Costa County's Measure C ,V.easure Cis the transportation halt-cent sales tax initiative that was approved by the voters in 1933, Measure C sales tax receipts support transportation irrprove men projects and growth management in Contra Costa County. The current tax expires in 2009 and a renewal proposal to extend the sales tax is planned for the November 2004 ballot. A two-thirds vote of approval is required. Transportation 2030 (T2030) ,V,.TC is updating the Bay Area's long-range transportation plan for the years 200- 2030. Of the total $37.4 billion in transpolahon revenues that MTC anticipates corning to the Bay Area during the next quarter century, 23% ($19.7 billion; provides for new projects or system expansion. Although no direct funding is provided from the regional transportation plan, projects ;rust be included in the plan to be eligible for future funding allocations from VTC. State Environment-af Justice and Community Based Transportation Manning Grants (EJ) Caltrans—the California Department of Tr ansportation—introduced two grant programs in 200'-02 that would have applicability to the Richmond-area projects: the Environmental Justice Grant Progrc n and the Community Based Transportation Planning Grant Program. Because of the State's budget deficits, it is unlikely that these grants will be available 0 the near term, although the programs may be revived in the future. Private FOUndatinis Many small, focused projects that target low-income populations are eligible for foundation: grants. This list of seven promising foundations is by no :means exhaustive but is suggestive of the types of grants that May be available. Foundation: grants are highly competitive and more research would be needed before applying. e Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Page ES-18 a Netson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan Fina! Report ME 'rROr0L #TAN TRAISP0RTATION C0MMI 1SS10N a 1\,iathan Curnmings Foundation a William G. !resin Charity Foundation a Zellerbach Family Foundation a East Bay Community Foundation * Surdna Foundation aohs-Food 4 Less Foundation Other Sources Advertising Agency AC Transit contracts with an advertising agency to install and maintain bus shelters on rnaor streets throughout the district in return for placement of advertising on the shelters. Local retailers Businesses that would benefit from increased customers, such as grocery stores and shopping mails, might consider funding part of the coats of a shuttle. Service clubs and fraternal organizations Organizations such as the Rotary Club, Soroptomists, Kiwanis, and Lions often take on special projects. Employers Employers who are in need of workers are sometimes w€Hing to underwrite transpodation in order to fill their labor needs. Developers Residents should be alert to new projects proposed for their community as the developers seek approval from the City of Richmond or contra Costa County. Transportation impacts on the community can be mitigated by conditions on the project's approval. Figure S-4 suggests funding sources that may be applicable to each of the oro='ects described in this Plan. Page ES-19 * Nsis snkNygaarci Consulting Associates Richmond Community Based Transportation Plan Papal Report METROPOLITAN TRANSP0RTATION C0MIMISSION Figure ES-4 Potential Funding Sources ut tion Funding Agencies � Bus shelters Ad agency, CDBO, Irwin Found, nus stops seats/benches TLC, CDBC; WCCIWMA, Irwin Found., service clubs l Gdarariteed Ride Home 9 Measure C Older Driver Worksbopv OAA, Bast Bay Found. Subsidized taxis CDBO Auto Loaf program LIFT, CDBC Local transportation: center LIFT, TFCA, CCB^G, Zellerbach Found., Fast Bay Found. i 3 Rides to Success program 1 LIFT, CDBC, Past Bay Found. Rex route nigl"t bus LIFT,TFCA, T20310, FJ, Surdna Found. Neighbor hood Oayti:a^e Depends on ci enteie; OAA; Measure C,T2030, EJ, Johnson Found,, Day-t! i Shuttle Cummings Found., Irwin Found., Zellerbach Found., Surdna Fouled., Raipbs Food 4 Less Found., retailers, service clubs Trip RehbUrseme t program LIFT; OAA, CCBO, Measure C paratransit funds, service clubs Q Discounted youth AC `Transit Measure C, `I42030; Zel'erbach Found., Ra': hs Food 4 Less Found. I I passes I Children's transportation 1 MFT, CIBC, MeasureC, lain Found,, ZellerbachFound., mast Bay I program: E Fouad., Ralphs Fond 4 Less, service clubs Subsldlzed carsbaring LIFT, TFCA; CCBC, —2030, Surdna Found. i program Subsidized ch';id care at BART Ralohs Food 4 Less Found.; Service clubs; TLC or Surdna Pound, for I construction AC Transit lrnprovements SB 916, Measure C, T2030 Bikeways I TLC, TFCA, BTA, SR2S, SB 916, Measure C, `€20310, Johnson Found, I_ Legends BTA: Bicycle Transporation Acco:urlt T2030: regional transportation plan CDBC: Community Development Bloch Grant TFCA; Transportatl^^ Fund for Clean Air EJ: Environmental Justice graft TLC:Transportation for Livable Comrnunities LIFT: Low incorne Flexible Transportation Program, SB 916: proposed 1 bridge toll increase Measure C: renewal of 112 cent sales tax WCCIWMA: best Contra Costa Waste Management OAA: Older Ameft ns Act federal funds SR2S: Safe Routes to Sdhool funds Page ES-20 .Nelsons Nygaard Consulting Associates Richmond CO unity Based Transportation Plan e Final Report .METROPOLITAN TRAINSPORTATION COMMiSSION Implementation This section discusses actions needed In order to move the. Richmond-area Cornmunity-based Transportation Plan from the planning process into implementation. Early implementation is important not, only to solve some of the transportation problems faced by the residents but also to keep faith with the comrnunity and blunt cynicism about this and future efforts. Richmond-Area Transportation Action Committee The key recommendation of this plan Is the formation of an ongoing committee made up of community representatives committed to implementing this Plan. Staff of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has indicated a willingness to work with the community in the initial formation of this Tronspcytafion Action Coi-nm ittee, Neighborhood House of North. Richmond, as the lead agency for the West County Hecilth Initiative, has agreed to convene of least the first few meetings of a new transportation subcOrnmittee, with the goo! of finalizing an ongoing structure for fronspor-ration impliernenfaflon. Funding Beyond ;the formotion of a Transportation Action Committee, the next important si--,o is to identify funding for the recommended projects. This first agenda item H for the Comrn, :fte-- will require immediate ai:-n+'on of the group, since inclusion of projects to be funded by the Measure C golf-cert transportation sales tax reauthorization and incorploratt=�protects I ed into the regional Transportation 2030 plan w;'I;.' be decided by Spring 2004. AC Transit Improvements AC Transit intends to initial,-- a route planning study of its service in the Richmond area in, early 2004. The Transportation Action on Committee recommended by this Plan;an could be a sounding board for strategies proposed by AC "Fronsit staff. The Committee is also an approp(iolle forurn, for advocating that specific lmDr;v--rr.,e,nfsid--nfii-'led by the community be implemented when regional and state economic conditions improve. Lead Agencies As parl, of the Plan's development, Neighborhood House has already ,held discussions with some of the stakeholders in order to identify orgonizctions or individuals who might take the lead on various protects. The ;full Plan describes initial ste-s these leaders should take to implement the recommended proiecfs, once funding has been identified. Page ES-21 6 Melson',Nygaard Consulting Associates