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Home My WebLink AboutFY 2019 Budget Presentation (Transportation Agency) Celia Mahikoa Executive on Transportation Jeremy Kalawai’a Lee Program Specialist III COUNTY OF KAUA'I Transportation Agency 2019 Budget Presentation March 15, 2018 2019 Budget Presentation Page 1 I. Mission To provide the Kaua'i community with accessible transportation services with professionalism and the Aloha spirit. II. Vision Living out our Mission of “Holomua Kaua'i Me Ke Aloha” (Moving Kaua'i with Aloha). III. Fiscal Year 2018 Successes and Achievements Bus Stop Passenger Shelters Kaua'i County was awarded an additional $1.5 million by the state legislature last fiscal year, which provided funds for improvements and shelter for a significant number of bus stops. The funding prompted the completion of 20 more locations through Phase III of the Bus Stop Improvement Project this fiscal year. Phases I, II, and III combined has thus far provided upgrades to 43 existing bus stop locations island wide. Improvements to the stops include larger concrete pads to accommodate a wheelchair lift pad, trash and recycling cans, passenger shelters with bench seating, photovoltaic solar lighting units, information cases and bike racks. Community involvement remains a priority in this project. The many hands that help to make the work light, Phase III project blessing held in Hanamā'ulu, Aug. 23, 2017 2019 Budget Presentation Page 2 III. Fiscal Year 2018 Successes and Achievements (continued) Short-Range Transit Plan and Transit Feasibility Study The Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP) and Transit Feasibility Study (TFS) were integrated into one document, the final draft has been completed, and a comprehensive review is being conducted, projected to be completed by May. Each plan covers different elements associated with transit on Kaua'i. The TFS focuses on developing a long-term vision, identifying potential transit revenue sources, and determining the feasibility of transit for the North Shore and South Shore. By contract, the SRTP addresses short-term service priorities, transit marketing and information materials, paratransit, fares, and organizational needs. In addition, the SRTP fills in the geographic gaps of the TFS by providing a more detailed analysis of Līhu'e and the West Side. The SRTP provides prioritized recommendations for the expansion of fixed route bus service, as well as substantial changes to paratransit service that would provide long-term improvements towards more effectively operating paratransit bus service for individuals with mobility constraints. Community members engaged during round two of island wide community meetings, Lihue District 2019 Budget Presentation Page 3 III. Fiscal Year 2018 Successes and Achievements (continued) Administrative Rules for Bus Stop Use and Closure Administrative Rules were initiated to provide a method to improve bus stop environments for bus riders and address the ongoing issues of some shelters being used for purposes that hindered their use by bus riders. The “County of Kaua'i Transportation Agency Rules and Regulations on Procedures for the Use and Closure of County Bus Stops” was approved, then became enforceable on February 19, 2018. The rules prohibit persons from 1) being at a bus stop between 12:00am and 4:00am, 2) using alcohol, drugs, or smoking at a bus stop, 3) erecting a structure or fixture at or adjacent to a bus stop, and 4) occupying a bus stop or passenger shelter in a manner that inhibits its full and appropriate use by the public. Coordination among several County Departments and mental health service agencies provides the resources and professional support to address enforcement. IV. Fiscal Year 2018 Challenges Overtime Expenses The Transportation Agency is committed to maintaining reliable bus service for its many valuable customers, and primarily due to the ongoing occurrence of long-term absences of as many as five bus drivers at one time, as well as a significant decrease in the number of qualified individuals applying for vacancies in driver, dispatcher, and mechanic positions, has found it necessary to again maintain an extremely high level of overtime expenses in fiscal year 2018. Detailed overtime payment analyses reinforce the fact that over 95% of the overtime expenses are incurred directly through front-line Bus Driver and Clerk Dispatcher staffing that provide coverage required to maintain acceptable levels of service for the public. Larger Transit Buses The pilot program to implement the use of larger transit buses for peak fixed route service was an initiative that had been delayed for several years due to ongoing requests for review and consideration by the driver’s union regarding the potential impacts of larger vehicles on the existing classification and pay schedules for driver positions. The age of the donated vehicles upon receipt, along with the significant delays have unfortunately rendered the vehicles as unusable for public transit service, and will therefore be disposed of in accordance with County asset disposal procedures. 2019 Budget Presentation Page 4 IV. Fiscal Year 2018 Challenges (continued) Bus Stop Maintenance The Transportation Agency continues to experience challenges with obtaining an acceptable level of maintenance dedicated to addressing the expanding number of bus stop passenger shelters inherently subject to litter, graffiti, vandalism, vegetation overgrowth, etc. Communication, coordination, and follow up with other Departments that are responsible for bus stop maintenance is carried out consistently to prompt and confirm requested action. In fiscal year 2019, the resources to maintain bus stops county-wide is being placed under the responsibility of Public Works’ Roads Division. The Transportation Agency will be collaborating with the Roads Division to successfully transition the oversight and establish an effective maintenance program for bus stops and passenger shelters. V. Fiscal Year 2019 Goals and Objectives Bus Stop Passenger Shelters As noted in the Fiscal Year 2018 Successes and Achievements section, the Transportation Agency recently completed its Holoholo 2020 Bus Stop Improvements, Phase III construction contract, carried out by Alaea Corporation (Cushnie Construction), a Kaua‘i-based construction company. To date, we have completed improvements to 43 bus stop locations that include ADA-compliant shelters with seating, lighting, bicycle racks, and trash/recycling receptacles across the island. Due to the construction bid for Phase III coming in significantly less than anticipated, the remaining funds provided by the State Legislature will be utilized to improve and construct shelters at an estimated 10-12 more bus stop locations (Phase IV), scheduled for completion by December 2018. Expansion to Weekend Service (SRTP recommendation) Prioritized short-term improvements for The Kaua'i Bus service are provided in the Short-Range Transit Plan. The highest priority fixed route service expansion recommendations are to add later weekend service, and hourly weekend service. Funding for the implementation of several of the priority changes is being quantified through a run cutting effort currently underway by the SRTP consultants. Run cutting identifies efficiencies within the existing route structure and has the potential to reduce vehicle fleet requirements for existing service, thereby providing additional driver and vehicle capacity for the implementation of additional transit service without the need for additional funding. Efficiencies currently being identified are projected to facilitate the implementation of weekend service expansion by the end of this calendar year. 2019 Budget Presentation Page 5 V. Fiscal Year 2019 Goals and Objectives (continued) Paratransit Service Modification (SRTP recommendations) Historically, paratransit service on Kaua'i has been operated well beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Short-Range Transit Plan provides the Transportation Agency several actions related to modifying paratransit service to increase the effectiveness of the service for individuals who truly need it, which will result in some current paratransit riders needing to utilize fixed route bus service. Community and stakeholder meetings will be held to educate attendees and obtain input for consideration prior to proceeding with changes. The actions needing to be taken will require extensive administrative attention, likely requiring additional consultant support to effectively carry out the changes. It is anticipated to take approximately two years to implement most of the recommended service modifications. Electric Bus Opportunities In December of 2017, Hawai'i’s four mayors committed to achieving 100% renewable ground transportation by 2045 across all public and private fleets. Goals were established to convert city and county operated vehicle fleets to 100% renewable sources by 2035. One of the key opportunities of achieving the 2035 fleet goal is the conversion of public bus services to electricity due to the fact that public transit is one of the largest users of diesel fuel in public fleets across the state. The Transportation Agency will maintain its role in assisting with coordinating efforts being taken with the other counties in forming a strategic partnership with the State to achieve these goals. Bus Stop Adoption The Transportation Agency will continue to explore the potential of establishing a bus stop adoption program. The adoption program will define how best to coordinate the repair and maintenance needs at each stop with the resources available for bus stop maintenance through volunteer groups, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation. 2019 Budget Presentation Page 6 VI. Budget Overview 2019 Budget Presentation Page 7 2019 Budget Presentation Page 8 2019 Budget Presentation Page 9 VII. Consolidated Worksheet 2019 Budget Presentation Page 10 VII. Consolidated Worksheet (continued)