FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Message from The T Board Chairman The T’s Board of Directors is committed to providing quality transportation to meet the mobility needs of this region. This will require significantly expanded public transportation options that offer convenient and appealing service to all residents and businesses in Fort Worth and Greater Tarrant County, which continue to be among the fastest growing areas in the nation. To map out a strategy, The T has developed a new 25-year strategic plan that incorporates input and ideas from residents, government officials, community organizations and transportation planners. Robert A. Parmelee
Three themes emerged that are reflected in The T’s strategic plan. We call them Chairman the three T’s: Transportation, Timeliness and Technology. You told us that The T’s “Transportation” should be expanded to serve more of Fort Worth and Tarrant County with seamless connections to other parts of the region. Being more “Timely” is important to get riders to their destinations reliably, more frequently and faster, and to complete projects on time. The T also needs updated “Technology,” especially for customers, who told us overwhelmingly that they want to be able to check schedules and status of a bus or train on line or from mobile devices at any time. We have evaluated the projects and steps that will help us meet these priorities. We want to thank you for your input, and we invite your continued involvement so that, working together, we may advance our public transportation system to a level that will match the accelerated growth and economic development potential of our region. Sincerely,
Robert A. Parmelee Board Chairman
T Board Members
Our Mission
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Board Members
We will provide quality public transportation to meet the mobility needs of our region.
Gary W. Cumbie
Gary Havener
1 < The T Strategic Plan
Reby Cary
Robert L. Jameson
Rosa Navejar
Jeffery L. Ritter
Curtis Toombs
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Challenges
Message from The T President
This Strategic Plan lays out a bold and aggressive vision for what transit in Fort Worth and Tarrant County can become. The implementation of the goals of this plan will require overcoming numerous challenges that will need to be addressed. Creating a truly regional transit network requires the expansion of service into current non-member areas. The T should strategically work to encourage efforts that will permit current obstacles for adding new members to be overcome.
The T is pleased to present its new strategic plan. This plan will be our guide as we move toward a public transportation system with more frequent, accessible, varied and faster service covering more of Tarrant County and with more advanced operational and customer oriented technology.
An additional challenge will be to identify funding for many of the programs identified by this plan. Non-traditional funding sources should be explored such as looking to opportunities to work with private sector partners, creating new revenues from existing or planned assets, and forming partnerships that allow cost sharing on projects. Strategies to capture value created by planned transit facilities should also be developed. Service expansion will also create greater demands on current operations and maintenance facilities. Some organizational functions, such as security, may need to be changed to accommodate system growth.
The T’s goal is to become a more viable choice to driving a car for more of our region’s residents. So we asked you throughout 11 months of public involvement activities to tell us what that would take. Your comments and ideas were the basis for this plan. It is a bold and aggressive vision for what public transit in Fort Worth and Tarrant County can become. It will require overcoming some challenges, including insufficient current revenue sources, obstacles to expansion into non-member areas, and inadequate size of The T’s present facilities for full service build out of bus, rail and other transit services. But I am confident we can do it! Dick Ruddell
President / Executive Director
We are committed to achieving our plan’s goals. To assist us in accomplishing our plan projects, we have divided them into priority time-frames. I am excited about getting our public transportation system ready to keep pace with the future mobility and economic development needs of our rapidly growing region.
Some activities designed to meet these challenges are: Yours truly, • Support efforts to permit local option revenue sources for transit • Collaborate with non-member cities on ways to enable their entry into The T service area • Develop plan for capturing value on developments near transit stations and along transit corridors • Create strategies for collecting usage fees from those residing outside service area • Work with DCTA and DART on projects that allow cost-sharing • Investigate utility of creating dedicated police force for The T • Develop strategic parking management plan for stations and downtown Fort Worth
17 < The T Strategic Plan
Dick Ruddell President/Executive Director
The T Strategic Plan > 2
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Action Items -timelines
Why a Strategic Plan? Over the past decade, Fort Worth and Tarrant County have been growing rapidly. According to North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) data, Fort Worth added over 200,000 residents from 2000 to 2010, more than any other city in North Texas. The added residents by themselves would be the 7th largest city in North Texas. The remainder of Tarrant County has been growing rapidly as well. With over 380,000 total additional residents, Tarrant County added more people than any other in North Texas. This high level of growth is expected to continue into the future.
More Transit-Friendly Environments
next 5 years 5-10 years
Increase number of passenger shelters Improve bus stop cleanliness Promote Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Ensure transit facilities maximize access for bike/ped
Fort Worth Tarrant County
Population Growth 2000 - 2030 2000 Census 2010 Estimate 534,694 736,200 1,446,219 1,829,400
Investigate utility of dedicated T police force
2030 Projection 826,665 2,291,723 Source: NCTCOG
This rapid growth presents many opportunities, but also many challenges. First, a growing number of residents will mean greater and greater demands for public services including public transit. Additionally, the greater number of people will add to a growing congestion problem as the increase in highway capacity will not be capable of growing as fast as the population. Finally, more residents and more congestion will continue the challenge of meeting regional air quality goals. Another challenge that is likely to continue into the future is the costs of driving and the need for a more affordable solution, which public transit provides. As the economy returns to normal growth levels, gas prices may once again rise and demand for public transit will increase. In order to confront these challenges properly, The T has worked to create this Strategic Plan as a way of guiding the organization into the future.
Improve Public Perception Participate in community events to promote The T Create initiative to promote benefits of transit Improve customer service by all organization employees Coordinate with regional partners to enhance transit Host 2015 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference Communicate public transit options to major employers
Improved Customer Information Develop online trip planning service Develop smartphone app. to send information to customers Install automatic stop announcements on buses Provide real-time information on-line and at transit stations
Technology to Improve Efficiency Investigate use of electric or hybrid buses Improve staffing efficiencies through technology Implement Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology Use mobile data terminals for flexible services
10 plus
Addressing Funding Challenges Support efforts to permit local option revenue sources for transit Collaborate with non-member cities on ways to enable their entry into The T service area Capture value on developments near transit stations and along transit corridors Create strategies for collecting usage fees from those residing outside service area Work with DCTA and DART on projects that allow cost-sharing Develop strategic parking management plan for stations and The T owned assets
3 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 16
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Action Items -timelines Expanding Commuter Rail
Public Input next 5 years 5-10 years
Completion of SW-2-NE Rail Line Design SW-2-NE Construction
• November 2009 – Presentation to Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition (TRTC) and survey of meeting attendees
SW-2-NE Operation Complete Rail Feasibility Study for Southeast Ft Worth Implement express service on TRE Build and operate additional rail corridors
Park & Ride / Express Service Begin Park & Ride bus service N. Fort Worth to downtown Expand number of vanpools Construct additional express bus Park & Ride lots
Enhanced Bus Corridors Begin service of E. Lancaster line Complete Hemphill Enhanced Bus Corridor Complete Camp Bowie Enhanced Bus Corridor Complete Northside Enhanced Bus Corridor
From the outset of the development of the Strategic Plan, The T has engaged the community in a number of various ways, as it is critical that this plan reflect the desires of the community. Below is a timeline describing the various ways The T has reached out to the key stakeholders and the community as a whole.
10 plus
• January 2010 – Random, statistically significant survey of households in Tarrant County asking about perceptions of The T and most important transportation issues • February 2010 to September 2010 – Link on The T webpage soliciting comments for the Strategic Plan • April 2010 – Visioning session during Board of Directors retreat to identify key goals and objectives for the Strategic Plan • April 2010 – Stakeholder input sessions attended by a variety of interests including area business groups, community organizations, local government, other transit agencies, and others • April 2010 – General public input sessions held on Strategic Plan • April 2010 to August 2010 – Multiple input sessions with internal stakeholders at The T including management, operators, and customer service • June 2010 – Presentation and feedback session with Fort Worth City Council
Expanded Bus Service Build new bus transfer centers Implement new feeder service for SW-2-NE rail line Develop new bus services for Naval Air Station & Alliance/Far North Fort Worth Enter into agreements to better connect with other regional providers Create bus services in other communities of Tarrant County
New Local Mobility Services
• September 2010 – Individual input sessions with Tarrant County Judge and Commissioners • September 2010 – Public meetings for feedback on draft proposal of Strategic Plan • October 2010 – Presentation to TRTC of draft plan • October 2010 – Presentation to Board of Directors • November 2010 – Adoption of Plan by Board of Directors
Develop flexible, on-demand services using smaller vehicles in low density areas Create a bicycle sharing program Operate a starter modern streetcar in central city* Develop short term car sharing at transit centers * pending consultant recommendation and City Council & Board of Directors approval
15 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 4
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Plan Goals The three overriding goals guiding the 2010 Strategic Plan are three T’s: Transportation, Timeliness, and Technology.
Transportation Important to the goals of this plan, The T must become a transportation provider that appeals to a broad cross-section of people in Tarrant County. Among those surveyed in January 2010, the T is sometimes viewed as being just a service for low-income residents. While the service The T provides to those without any other means of transportation is certainly valuable and should be enhanced, The T also must have stronger appeal among other segments of the population. As part of this goal, The T must continue to work for ways to expand its service area to more cities and become a more regional provider.
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Technology for Tomorrow Improving Efficiency
Another opportunity for greater use of technology by The T is to improve organizational efficiency. The T should research available capital investments that enable greater productivity or reduce operating outlays. Such technologies could also offer The T a means to becoming “greener” by reducing waste or energy usage. One area where technology may offer such efficiency benefits is vehicle technology. Hybrid or electric buses and staff vehicles may not only offer fuel consumption benefits, but may have benefits in reduced part wear and maintenance costs as well. As such technologies are tested, The T should investigate the experience of other properties and determine if such technology is appropriate for use here. Technology can also aid to reduce operating costs and waste in administrative functions as well. Programs and systems that automate existing functions or move tasks to paperless platforms should be examined to see potential cost savings or environmental benefits that could be provided. Activities focusing on this objective include: • Investigate electric or hybrid vehicle technologies • Implement Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for paratransit scheduling • Utilize smart cards as an option for fare payment • Install Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) systems on buses • Use mobile data terminals for efficient scheduing in flexible services
Key to being a transportation provider of choice is to offer services that are customer-focused. Whether serving commuters travelling to work, tourists visiting attractions, students attending school, residents going shopping or any other user, The T must work hard to provide services that meet a wide variety of needs. The T can actively reduce barriers to transit use by providing a service that customers feel safe using, that reliably delivers people to their destinations, and that is simple and easy to use.
5 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 14
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Technology for Tomorrow Improved Customer Information
One of the significant barriers for customers using transit is the deciphering of transit maps and schedules to match the user’s need. In communicating information to passengers and personalizing that information for customers, technology holds many opportunities to reduce barriers to using transit. Web based applications can be utilized to help customers plan their trips, and with the increasing number and abilities of mobile devices, these applications can be accessed anywhere. An important key to making a transit system that is focused on the customer is active communication, and emerging technologies make this easier than ever before. While new technology will be increasingly important for communication, traditional means will remain critical for a large segment of users. Increasing and updating printed information at stops will be important, as well. Technology also offers the ability to market services to younger, tech savvy generations and create enduring markets for transit. Current efforts to market services through the internet should be continued and expanded. Key to using technology to communicate with customers is staying up-to-date on the latest in technology and popular trends. Key initiatives for improved customer information include:
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Timeliness Key to competing effectively with the personal automobile and attracting riders who have other means is providing service that is timely. If transit trips take significantly more time to complete than the same trip in a car, few people will choose the transportation option. Customer’s time is valuable, and The T’s service must reflect that. Investment should be made in services that offer faster travel times – such as commuter rail and express bus service and improving local services to reduce travel time. Not only should travel times be kept to a minimum, but so should waiting times. Frequent service provides customers an assurance that they won’t have to wait long periods for the next vehicle, and makes using transit easier as it reduces the need to consult a schedule. Timeliness also means delivering projects on schedule, so that the needs of the growing community don’t quickly outpace The T’s ability to meet them. The T should seek innovative ways to deliver projects as expeditiously as possible.
Technology On numerous occasions during input sessions for the 2010 Strategic Plan, we heard the public request more use of technology to improve services. As the ways people communicate has evolved over the past decade, and is sure to do so in the future, The T must continue to work to find other ways of communicating with customers. The growing use of mobile devices offers an opportunity to provide valuable information to customers wherever they are, making transit use easier. The T should evaluate growing options in this realm and use technology to bring more customers to existing services. Technology also can be utilized to increase efficiency within the organization, perhaps making resources available for expanding services. New vehicle technologies should be investigated for the potential to reduce fuel and maintenance expenses. Technologies that automate functions or reduce paperwork also hold the potential of reducing costs and improving organizational efficiencies.
• Developing an on-line trip planning function with regional trip planning capabilities • Increase and customize alerts for online and mobile users • Create smartphone applications for transmitting information to customers • Expand use of information maps at bus stops throughout service area • Implement real-time customer information center at stations and online
13 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 6
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Tomorrow in the Region
Tomorrow in your Neighborhood
In a standard survey distributed to a variety of interest groups in preparing the 2010 Strategic Plan, the items ranked mos timportant were those related to the expansion of commuter rail in the region. Among commuter rail projects, none are as critical as completion of the Southwest-2-Northeast (SW-2-NE) rail corridor. Expanding commuter rail service helps accomplish the goals of providing access to transit for a wider population in Tarrant County and helping The T reduce congestion and improve air quality. Within the next five years, The T will open service along the SW-2-NE corridor. A number of activities are necessary to make the objective a reality and are in the plan’s action item list. Among them, complete the federal New Starts and PE processes, design and construct the corridor, and procure vehicles for service on the line.
Increasingly, in a variety of cities throughout the country, transit is seen as a catalyst to creating a more desirable built environment. As infrastructure and development centered on the automobile ages, many are seeing the unsustainable environment that this creates. As an alternative, development that targets other travel markets, such as pedestrians and transit users, are being created to transform this built environment. Such development carries many potential benefits to transit. First, its appeal to populations more inclined to use transit and increased densities near transit stops results in more usage of transit from the area. Second, it creates an opportunity for The T to work with developers, community groups, and public and business leaders to improve quality of life within the community. Additionally, such development creates a possible source of funding if strategies are in place to capture value that transit investment creates. Finally, funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and other federal agencies are increasingly encouraging projects that promote walkable, mixed use, livable communities.
Expanding Commuter Rail
Create Transit-Friendly Environments
Ensuring quality environments near transit also means ensuring The T’s facilities meet community expectations are conducive to a positive customer experience of transit. From a number of stakeholders, The T was told of the need to make a significant expansion to the number of bus shelters and amenities at stops. The T should evaluate ways to add to amenities throughout its system. Maintenance of existing facilities is also necessary in improving the transit environment. The T should monitor its stops regularly and strive to ensure all stops are clean and all amenities in a state of good repair. Some of the action items for this section include:
Looking beyond the next five years, The T will be investigating additional rail corridors for planning service. Important is some type of rail service to Southeast Fort Worth, given the large population and high transit use among its residents. A study to evaluate rail service in this area is to be completed in the next five years, and as resources are available, further planning should continue in the future. Rail service to this portion of the city could eventually connect to either Arlington or Mansfield. Other rail corridors recommended for service in the long-term (10-25 year) horizon are lines to Johnson County, the Alliance area, west Fort Worth, and the Western Bypass of the current SW-2-NE project.
• Coordinating with local jurisdictions in encouraging Transit Oriented Development (TOD) near transit centers • Ensure facilities allow good pedestrian and bicycle connections to surrounding neighborhoods • Increase number of bus shelters and other amenities at existing bus stops • Improve security at transit facilities • Monitor bus stops regularly and keep all clean and in a state of good repair • Investigate utility of creating dedicated police force for The T
Some important activities of this objective are: • • • • • • • • •
Complete Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for SW-2-NE Receive Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Develop vehicle specifications and select vehicle manufacturer Construct and begin operation on SW-2-NE corridor Complete Southeast Ft. Worth Passenger Rail Feasibility Study Implement express trains on Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Procure rail trackage rights on additional rail corridors Design, construct, and operate service on additional commuter rail corridors Explore options to serve Arlington Entertainment district via Dorothy Spur
7 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 12
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Tomorrow in your Neighborhood
Tomorrow in the Region
Unlike the automobile, traditional bus and rail systems cannot usually connect people to the “front door” of their home and destination. Transit users often must combine other modes to complete their trip, such as using Park and Rides or walking. Understanding this, The T should look to other services beyond traditional transit to help customers complete their trip. Such services have the ability to expand the catchment area of existing bus and rail service and thus add customers to the system. For example, people accessing transit by bicycle instead of walking can travel significantly farther in the same amount of time. The T currently provides racks on buses for bikes and allows bikes to be taken onto trains, but new concepts such as bike sharing could further encourage customers to combine bike and transit trips.
While creating new commuter rail service is an important way The T can better compete with the personal auto and reduce traffic congestion, these projects are costly and take several years to implement. The T should use other avenues as well to appeal to commuters across the region. The expansion of express bus service is a cost-effective ways of meeting this goal. Express bus may serve interim purposes until demand warrants rail service in a corridor, or it may serve in heavily travelled corridors where rail isn’t possible or appropriate. Vanpools are another effective option for commuter travel. Vanpools are particularly effective for places where demand does not yet warrant fixed-route transit. The expansion of both express bus service and vanpools are a goal of this plan.
New Services to Expand Transit’s Reach
The T should also implement innovative service such as on-demand or flex routes, using smaller vehicles for lower density locations of the service area. Such service offers the promise of more cost efficiency than traditional bus transit, being better suited to meet customer demand, and expanding service into currently underserved areas. Customers are often turned away from using transit due to the need for more flexibility in making trips than typical transit provides. This type of service could effectively offer a transit option for such users. By feeding passengers into the existing bus network, this type of service may be able to improve usage on this service as well.
Increase Park & Rides, Express Services, and Vanpool Usage
The expansion of these services requires certain infrastructure to make services attractive – more park and ride lots. Such facilities should be located strategically in corridors to provide the best service to the customer. The T’s Strategic Parking Plan outlines locations for several new park and ride locations, and this plan recommends these facilities be constructed in the near-term future. As funding is available, current express services with joint use parking arrangements should be converted to dedicated public lots. Some activities of this objective include: • Construct park & ride along north I-35W and begin express service to downtown Fort Worth • Construct additional park & rides identified in The T’s Strategic Parking Plan • Expand the number of vanpools provided by The T
The region’s rail plan for Tarrant County envisions numerous lines throughout the area converging on downtown Fort Worth. Circulation within the urban core will be critical in ensuring potential rail passengers are adequately connected to their final destination. A modern streetcar has been envisioned by many in the city and The T is supportive of bringing this technology to Fort Worth. Other, less expensive options such as rubber-tired replica vehicles similar to Molly the Trolley should be investigated for use in central city circulation as well. Some of this objective’s activities are: • Create on-demand, flexible service using smaller vehicles for low density areas • Develop a bicycle sharing program with kiosks at transit centers and major stops throughout the city • Investigate use of car sharing system at transit centers for residents who forgo a personal auto • Operate a modern streetcar system in central city • Explore innovative ways to provide late night service
11 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 8
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Tomorrow in the Community
Tomorrow in the Community
An important key to developing service that better meets customer demands and appeals to more residents is enhancing current bus service. One strategy to do just that is the creation of enhanced bus corridors, also called bus rapid transit (BRT), in the city. These corridors would be a clear improvement on typical local bus service and operate in some of The T’s busiest corridors. Such corridors would serve as trunk lines enabling better usage of the entire bus network. These corridors should provide better experiences for the customer both at the stops and in the vehicles. Some of the capital elements of enhanced bus corridors are: transit signal priority at all intersections to improve travel time, higher level amenities at stops, 60-foot low-floor buses to accommodate passenger loads. Operationally, these corridors would typically have 15 minute weekday headways, greater stop spacing than typical routes to improve speeds, and a distinctive brand that distinguishes the service from other bus service. The first enhanced bus corridor to be in service will be on East Lancaster with other lines to follow in the future.
Additional services are not the only benefit The T can provide to the community. By being active members in the community and promoting transit’s benefits, The T can create improvements for its customers. The public survey and some public comments suggest a continuing perception that transit service is useful for only a small segment of the population. The T will find it very difficult to attract new customers if residents don’t first recognize The T as a public service with wide appeal. The T must work to convince residents of its value for everyone. The T must also work to satisfy its current customers through excellent customer service.
Create Enhanced Bus Corridors & Expand Local Bus Service
Along with creating a new type of bus service, expansion should be a goal of the current local bus network. New routes should be investigated particularly as other communities consider joining The T. Even within existing member communities, as the population and employment in them grow, more bus service will be needed to meet demand. Two particular areas of focus for expanding service are the growing Alliance area in far north Fort Worth and the Naval Joint Reserve Base. Cost effective strategies to meet transportation needs in these areas should be devised. In order to create an effective network, additional transfer centers should be considered and built as appropriate.
Improve Community Perception of Transit
Additionally, The T must work to educate community members on the benefits The T brings to the community. Much of the vision in this Strategic Plan will ultimately depend upon expanding revenue sources, a difficult proposition with many other public needs demanding attention too. The T should demonstrate to Tarrant County residents that a strong transit system is an economic catalyst, improves quality of life and makes the city more competitive. Maintaining strong support within the service area can also be a strong enticement for current non-members to join. Key activities for this objective are: • A public campaign to educate the public on the benefits of The T to the community • Increasing participation of The T in community events to create a higher profile for the organization • Develop special services to introduce new markets to transit • Partner with other regional stakeholders to promote transit usage • Enhance customer service throughout organization • Showcase transit in Fort Worth by hosting the 2015 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference • Communicate and collaborate with major employers to ensure employees are aware of public transportation options
Some of the activities of this objective are: • Complete construction and operate service on East Lancaster enhanced bus corridor • Implement enhanced bus service on additional corridors • Develop new bus service plans for communities seeking to join The T • Construct new transfer centers • Develop bus service to Alliance area and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base • Enter into agreements to better connect with other regional providers
9 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 10
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Tomorrow in the Community
Tomorrow in the Community
An important key to developing service that better meets customer demands and appeals to more residents is enhancing current bus service. One strategy to do just that is the creation of enhanced bus corridors, also called bus rapid transit (BRT), in the city. These corridors would be a clear improvement on typical local bus service and operate in some of The T’s busiest corridors. Such corridors would serve as trunk lines enabling better usage of the entire bus network. These corridors should provide better experiences for the customer both at the stops and in the vehicles. Some of the capital elements of enhanced bus corridors are: transit signal priority at all intersections to improve travel time, higher level amenities at stops, 60-foot low-floor buses to accommodate passenger loads. Operationally, these corridors would typically have 15 minute weekday headways, greater stop spacing than typical routes to improve speeds, and a distinctive brand that distinguishes the service from other bus service. The first enhanced bus corridor to be in service will be on East Lancaster with other lines to follow in the future.
Additional services are not the only benefit The T can provide to the community. By being active members in the community and promoting transit’s benefits, The T can create improvements for its customers. The public survey and some public comments suggest a continuing perception that transit service is useful for only a small segment of the population. The T will find it very difficult to attract new customers if residents don’t first recognize The T as a public service with wide appeal. The T must work to convince residents of its value for everyone. The T must also work to satisfy its current customers through excellent customer service.
Create Enhanced Bus Corridors & Expand Local Bus Service
Along with creating a new type of bus service, expansion should be a goal of the current local bus network. New routes should be investigated particularly as other communities consider joining The T. Even within existing member communities, as the population and employment in them grow, more bus service will be needed to meet demand. Two particular areas of focus for expanding service are the growing Alliance area in far north Fort Worth and the Naval Joint Reserve Base. Cost effective strategies to meet transportation needs in these areas should be devised. In order to create an effective network, additional transfer centers should be considered and built as appropriate.
Improve Community Perception of Transit
Additionally, The T must work to educate community members on the benefits The T brings to the community. Much of the vision in this Strategic Plan will ultimately depend upon expanding revenue sources, a difficult proposition with many other public needs demanding attention too. The T should demonstrate to Tarrant County residents that a strong transit system is an economic catalyst, improves quality of life and makes the city more competitive. Maintaining strong support within the service area can also be a strong enticement for current non-members to join. Key activities for this objective are: • A public campaign to educate the public on the benefits of The T to the community • Increasing participation of The T in community events to create a higher profile for the organization • Develop special services to introduce new markets to transit • Partner with other regional stakeholders to promote transit usage • Enhance customer service throughout organization • Showcase transit in Fort Worth by hosting the 2015 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference • Communicate and collaborate with major employers to ensure employees are aware of public transportation options
Some of the activities of this objective are: • Complete construction and operate service on East Lancaster enhanced bus corridor • Implement enhanced bus service on additional corridors • Develop new bus service plans for communities seeking to join The T • Construct new transfer centers • Develop bus service to Alliance area and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base • Enter into agreements to better connect with other regional providers
9 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 10
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Tomorrow in your Neighborhood
Tomorrow in the Region
Unlike the automobile, traditional bus and rail systems cannot usually connect people to the “front door” of their home and destination. Transit users often must combine other modes to complete their trip, such as using Park and Rides or walking. Understanding this, The T should look to other services beyond traditional transit to help customers complete their trip. Such services have the ability to expand the catchment area of existing bus and rail service and thus add customers to the system. For example, people accessing transit by bicycle instead of walking can travel significantly farther in the same amount of time. The T currently provides racks on buses for bikes and allows bikes to be taken onto trains, but new concepts such as bike sharing could further encourage customers to combine bike and transit trips.
While creating new commuter rail service is an important way The T can better compete with the personal auto and reduce traffic congestion, these projects are costly and take several years to implement. The T should use other avenues as well to appeal to commuters across the region. The expansion of express bus service is a cost-effective ways of meeting this goal. Express bus may serve interim purposes until demand warrants rail service in a corridor, or it may serve in heavily travelled corridors where rail isn’t possible or appropriate. Vanpools are another effective option for commuter travel. Vanpools are particularly effective for places where demand does not yet warrant fixed-route transit. The expansion of both express bus service and vanpools are a goal of this plan.
New Services to Expand Transit’s Reach
The T should also implement innovative service such as on-demand or flex routes, using smaller vehicles for lower density locations of the service area. Such service offers the promise of more cost efficiency than traditional bus transit, being better suited to meet customer demand, and expanding service into currently underserved areas. Customers are often turned away from using transit due to the need for more flexibility in making trips than typical transit provides. This type of service could effectively offer a transit option for such users. By feeding passengers into the existing bus network, this type of service may be able to improve usage on this service as well.
Increase Park & Rides, Express Services, and Vanpool Usage
The expansion of these services requires certain infrastructure to make services attractive – more park and ride lots. Such facilities should be located strategically in corridors to provide the best service to the customer. The T’s Strategic Parking Plan outlines locations for several new park and ride locations, and this plan recommends these facilities be constructed in the near-term future. As funding is available, current express services with joint use parking arrangements should be converted to dedicated public lots. Some activities of this objective include: • Construct park & ride along north I-35W and begin express service to downtown Fort Worth • Construct additional park & rides identified in The T’s Strategic Parking Plan • Expand the number of vanpools provided by The T
The region’s rail plan for Tarrant County envisions numerous lines throughout the area converging on downtown Fort Worth. Circulation within the urban core will be critical in ensuring potential rail passengers are adequately connected to their final destination. A modern streetcar has been envisioned by many in the city and The T is supportive of bringing this technology to Fort Worth. Other, less expensive options such as rubber-tired replica vehicles similar to Molly the Trolley should be investigated for use in central city circulation as well. Some of this objective’s activities are: • Create on-demand, flexible service using smaller vehicles for low density areas • Develop a bicycle sharing program with kiosks at transit centers and major stops throughout the city • Investigate use of car sharing system at transit centers for residents who forgo a personal auto • Operate a modern streetcar system in central city • Explore innovative ways to provide late night service
11 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 8
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Tomorrow in the Region
Tomorrow in your Neighborhood
In a standard survey distributed to a variety of interest groups in preparing the 2010 Strategic Plan, the items ranked mos timportant were those related to the expansion of commuter rail in the region. Among commuter rail projects, none are as critical as completion of the Southwest-2-Northeast (SW-2-NE) rail corridor. Expanding commuter rail service helps accomplish the goals of providing access to transit for a wider population in Tarrant County and helping The T reduce congestion and improve air quality. Within the next five years, The T will open service along the SW-2-NE corridor. A number of activities are necessary to make the objective a reality and are in the plan’s action item list. Among them, complete the federal New Starts and PE processes, design and construct the corridor, and procure vehicles for service on the line.
Increasingly, in a variety of cities throughout the country, transit is seen as a catalyst to creating a more desirable built environment. As infrastructure and development centered on the automobile ages, many are seeing the unsustainable environment that this creates. As an alternative, development that targets other travel markets, such as pedestrians and transit users, are being created to transform this built environment. Such development carries many potential benefits to transit. First, its appeal to populations more inclined to use transit and increased densities near transit stops results in more usage of transit from the area. Second, it creates an opportunity for The T to work with developers, community groups, and public and business leaders to improve quality of life within the community. Additionally, such development creates a possible source of funding if strategies are in place to capture value that transit investment creates. Finally, funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and other federal agencies are increasingly encouraging projects that promote walkable, mixed use, livable communities.
Expanding Commuter Rail
Create Transit-Friendly Environments
Ensuring quality environments near transit also means ensuring The T’s facilities meet community expectations are conducive to a positive customer experience of transit. From a number of stakeholders, The T was told of the need to make a significant expansion to the number of bus shelters and amenities at stops. The T should evaluate ways to add to amenities throughout its system. Maintenance of existing facilities is also necessary in improving the transit environment. The T should monitor its stops regularly and strive to ensure all stops are clean and all amenities in a state of good repair. Some of the action items for this section include:
Looking beyond the next five years, The T will be investigating additional rail corridors for planning service. Important is some type of rail service to Southeast Fort Worth, given the large population and high transit use among its residents. A study to evaluate rail service in this area is to be completed in the next five years, and as resources are available, further planning should continue in the future. Rail service to this portion of the city could eventually connect to either Arlington or Mansfield. Other rail corridors recommended for service in the long-term (10-25 year) horizon are lines to Johnson County, the Alliance area, west Fort Worth, and the Western Bypass of the current SW-2-NE project.
• Coordinating with local jurisdictions in encouraging Transit Oriented Development (TOD) near transit centers • Ensure facilities allow good pedestrian and bicycle connections to surrounding neighborhoods • Increase number of bus shelters and other amenities at existing bus stops • Improve security at transit facilities • Monitor bus stops regularly and keep all clean and in a state of good repair • Investigate utility of creating dedicated police force for The T
Some important activities of this objective are: • • • • • • • • •
Complete Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for SW-2-NE Receive Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Develop vehicle specifications and select vehicle manufacturer Construct and begin operation on SW-2-NE corridor Complete Southeast Ft. Worth Passenger Rail Feasibility Study Implement express trains on Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Procure rail trackage rights on additional rail corridors Design, construct, and operate service on additional commuter rail corridors Explore options to serve Arlington Entertainment district via Dorothy Spur
7 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 12
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Technology for Tomorrow Improved Customer Information
One of the significant barriers for customers using transit is the deciphering of transit maps and schedules to match the user’s need. In communicating information to passengers and personalizing that information for customers, technology holds many opportunities to reduce barriers to using transit. Web based applications can be utilized to help customers plan their trips, and with the increasing number and abilities of mobile devices, these applications can be accessed anywhere. An important key to making a transit system that is focused on the customer is active communication, and emerging technologies make this easier than ever before. While new technology will be increasingly important for communication, traditional means will remain critical for a large segment of users. Increasing and updating printed information at stops will be important, as well. Technology also offers the ability to market services to younger, tech savvy generations and create enduring markets for transit. Current efforts to market services through the internet should be continued and expanded. Key to using technology to communicate with customers is staying up-to-date on the latest in technology and popular trends. Key initiatives for improved customer information include:
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Timeliness Key to competing effectively with the personal automobile and attracting riders who have other means is providing service that is timely. If transit trips take significantly more time to complete than the same trip in a car, few people will choose the transportation option. Customer’s time is valuable, and The T’s service must reflect that. Investment should be made in services that offer faster travel times – such as commuter rail and express bus service and improving local services to reduce travel time. Not only should travel times be kept to a minimum, but so should waiting times. Frequent service provides customers an assurance that they won’t have to wait long periods for the next vehicle, and makes using transit easier as it reduces the need to consult a schedule. Timeliness also means delivering projects on schedule, so that the needs of the growing community don’t quickly outpace The T’s ability to meet them. The T should seek innovative ways to deliver projects as expeditiously as possible.
Technology On numerous occasions during input sessions for the 2010 Strategic Plan, we heard the public request more use of technology to improve services. As the ways people communicate has evolved over the past decade, and is sure to do so in the future, The T must continue to work to find other ways of communicating with customers. The growing use of mobile devices offers an opportunity to provide valuable information to customers wherever they are, making transit use easier. The T should evaluate growing options in this realm and use technology to bring more customers to existing services. Technology also can be utilized to increase efficiency within the organization, perhaps making resources available for expanding services. New vehicle technologies should be investigated for the potential to reduce fuel and maintenance expenses. Technologies that automate functions or reduce paperwork also hold the potential of reducing costs and improving organizational efficiencies.
• Developing an on-line trip planning function with regional trip planning capabilities • Increase and customize alerts for online and mobile users • Create smartphone applications for transmitting information to customers • Expand use of information maps at bus stops throughout service area • Implement real-time customer information center at stations and online
13 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 6
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Plan Goals The three overriding goals guiding the 2010 Strategic Plan are three T’s: Transportation, Timeliness, and Technology.
Transportation Important to the goals of this plan, The T must become a transportation provider that appeals to a broad cross-section of people in Tarrant County. Among those surveyed in January 2010, the T is sometimes viewed as being just a service for low-income residents. While the service The T provides to those without any other means of transportation is certainly valuable and should be enhanced, The T also must have stronger appeal among other segments of the population. As part of this goal, The T must continue to work for ways to expand its service area to more cities and become a more regional provider.
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Technology for Tomorrow Improving Efficiency
Another opportunity for greater use of technology by The T is to improve organizational efficiency. The T should research available capital investments that enable greater productivity or reduce operating outlays. Such technologies could also offer The T a means to becoming “greener” by reducing waste or energy usage. One area where technology may offer such efficiency benefits is vehicle technology. Hybrid or electric buses and staff vehicles may not only offer fuel consumption benefits, but may have benefits in reduced part wear and maintenance costs as well. As such technologies are tested, The T should investigate the experience of other properties and determine if such technology is appropriate for use here. Technology can also aid to reduce operating costs and waste in administrative functions as well. Programs and systems that automate existing functions or move tasks to paperless platforms should be examined to see potential cost savings or environmental benefits that could be provided. Activities focusing on this objective include: • Investigate electric or hybrid vehicle technologies • Implement Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for paratransit scheduling • Utilize smart cards as an option for fare payment • Install Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) systems on buses • Use mobile data terminals for efficient scheduing in flexible services
Key to being a transportation provider of choice is to offer services that are customer-focused. Whether serving commuters travelling to work, tourists visiting attractions, students attending school, residents going shopping or any other user, The T must work hard to provide services that meet a wide variety of needs. The T can actively reduce barriers to transit use by providing a service that customers feel safe using, that reliably delivers people to their destinations, and that is simple and easy to use.
5 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 14
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Action Items -timelines Expanding Commuter Rail
Public Input next 5 years 5-10 years
Completion of SW-2-NE Rail Line Design SW-2-NE Construction
• November 2009 – Presentation to Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition (TRTC) and survey of meeting attendees
SW-2-NE Operation Complete Rail Feasibility Study for Southeast Ft Worth Implement express service on TRE Build and operate additional rail corridors
Park & Ride / Express Service Begin Park & Ride bus service N. Fort Worth to downtown Expand number of vanpools Construct additional express bus Park & Ride lots
Enhanced Bus Corridors Begin service of E. Lancaster line Complete Hemphill Enhanced Bus Corridor Complete Camp Bowie Enhanced Bus Corridor Complete Northside Enhanced Bus Corridor
From the outset of the development of the Strategic Plan, The T has engaged the community in a number of various ways, as it is critical that this plan reflect the desires of the community. Below is a timeline describing the various ways The T has reached out to the key stakeholders and the community as a whole.
10 plus
• January 2010 – Random, statistically significant survey of households in Tarrant County asking about perceptions of The T and most important transportation issues • February 2010 to September 2010 – Link on The T webpage soliciting comments for the Strategic Plan • April 2010 – Visioning session during Board of Directors retreat to identify key goals and objectives for the Strategic Plan • April 2010 – Stakeholder input sessions attended by a variety of interests including area business groups, community organizations, local government, other transit agencies, and others • April 2010 – General public input sessions held on Strategic Plan • April 2010 to August 2010 – Multiple input sessions with internal stakeholders at The T including management, operators, and customer service • June 2010 – Presentation and feedback session with Fort Worth City Council
Expanded Bus Service Build new bus transfer centers Implement new feeder service for SW-2-NE rail line Develop new bus services for Naval Air Station & Alliance/Far North Fort Worth Enter into agreements to better connect with other regional providers Create bus services in other communities of Tarrant County
New Local Mobility Services
• September 2010 – Individual input sessions with Tarrant County Judge and Commissioners • September 2010 – Public meetings for feedback on draft proposal of Strategic Plan • October 2010 – Presentation to TRTC of draft plan • October 2010 – Presentation to Board of Directors • November 2010 – Adoption of Plan by Board of Directors
Develop flexible, on-demand services using smaller vehicles in low density areas Create a bicycle sharing program Operate a starter modern streetcar in central city* Develop short term car sharing at transit centers * pending consultant recommendation and City Council & Board of Directors approval
15 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 4
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Action Items -timelines
Why a Strategic Plan? Over the past decade, Fort Worth and Tarrant County have been growing rapidly. According to North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) data, Fort Worth added over 200,000 residents from 2000 to 2010, more than any other city in North Texas. The added residents by themselves would be the 7th largest city in North Texas. The remainder of Tarrant County has been growing rapidly as well. With over 380,000 total additional residents, Tarrant County added more people than any other in North Texas. This high level of growth is expected to continue into the future.
More Transit-Friendly Environments
next 5 years 5-10 years
Increase number of passenger shelters Improve bus stop cleanliness Promote Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Ensure transit facilities maximize access for bike/ped
Fort Worth Tarrant County
Population Growth 2000 - 2030 2000 Census 2010 Estimate 534,694 736,200 1,446,219 1,829,400
Investigate utility of dedicated T police force
2030 Projection 826,665 2,291,723 Source: NCTCOG
This rapid growth presents many opportunities, but also many challenges. First, a growing number of residents will mean greater and greater demands for public services including public transit. Additionally, the greater number of people will add to a growing congestion problem as the increase in highway capacity will not be capable of growing as fast as the population. Finally, more residents and more congestion will continue the challenge of meeting regional air quality goals. Another challenge that is likely to continue into the future is the costs of driving and the need for a more affordable solution, which public transit provides. As the economy returns to normal growth levels, gas prices may once again rise and demand for public transit will increase. In order to confront these challenges properly, The T has worked to create this Strategic Plan as a way of guiding the organization into the future.
Improve Public Perception Participate in community events to promote The T Create initiative to promote benefits of transit Improve customer service by all organization employees Coordinate with regional partners to enhance transit Host 2015 APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference Communicate public transit options to major employers
Improved Customer Information Develop online trip planning service Develop smartphone app. to send information to customers Install automatic stop announcements on buses Provide real-time information on-line and at transit stations
Technology to Improve Efficiency Investigate use of electric or hybrid buses Improve staffing efficiencies through technology Implement Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology Use mobile data terminals for flexible services
10 plus
Addressing Funding Challenges Support efforts to permit local option revenue sources for transit Collaborate with non-member cities on ways to enable their entry into The T service area Capture value on developments near transit stations and along transit corridors Create strategies for collecting usage fees from those residing outside service area Work with DCTA and DART on projects that allow cost-sharing Develop strategic parking management plan for stations and The T owned assets
3 < The T Strategic Plan
The T Strategic Plan > 16
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Challenges
Message from The T President
This Strategic Plan lays out a bold and aggressive vision for what transit in Fort Worth and Tarrant County can become. The implementation of the goals of this plan will require overcoming numerous challenges that will need to be addressed. Creating a truly regional transit network requires the expansion of service into current non-member areas. The T should strategically work to encourage efforts that will permit current obstacles for adding new members to be overcome.
The T is pleased to present its new strategic plan. This plan will be our guide as we move toward a public transportation system with more frequent, accessible, varied and faster service covering more of Tarrant County and with more advanced operational and customer oriented technology.
An additional challenge will be to identify funding for many of the programs identified by this plan. Non-traditional funding sources should be explored such as looking to opportunities to work with private sector partners, creating new revenues from existing or planned assets, and forming partnerships that allow cost sharing on projects. Strategies to capture value created by planned transit facilities should also be developed. Service expansion will also create greater demands on current operations and maintenance facilities. Some organizational functions, such as security, may need to be changed to accommodate system growth.
The T’s goal is to become a more viable choice to driving a car for more of our region’s residents. So we asked you throughout 11 months of public involvement activities to tell us what that would take. Your comments and ideas were the basis for this plan. It is a bold and aggressive vision for what public transit in Fort Worth and Tarrant County can become. It will require overcoming some challenges, including insufficient current revenue sources, obstacles to expansion into non-member areas, and inadequate size of The T’s present facilities for full service build out of bus, rail and other transit services. But I am confident we can do it! Dick Ruddell
President / Executive Director
We are committed to achieving our plan’s goals. To assist us in accomplishing our plan projects, we have divided them into priority time-frames. I am excited about getting our public transportation system ready to keep pace with the future mobility and economic development needs of our rapidly growing region.
Some activities designed to meet these challenges are: Yours truly, • Support efforts to permit local option revenue sources for transit • Collaborate with non-member cities on ways to enable their entry into The T service area • Develop plan for capturing value on developments near transit stations and along transit corridors • Create strategies for collecting usage fees from those residing outside service area • Work with DCTA and DART on projects that allow cost-sharing • Investigate utility of creating dedicated police force for The T • Develop strategic parking management plan for stations and downtown Fort Worth
17 < The T Strategic Plan
Dick Ruddell President/Executive Director
The T Strategic Plan > 2
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Message from The T Board Chairman The T’s Board of Directors is committed to providing quality transportation to meet the mobility needs of this region. This will require significantly expanded public transportation options that offer convenient and appealing service to all residents and businesses in Fort Worth and Greater Tarrant County, which continue to be among the fastest growing areas in the nation. To map out a strategy, The T has developed a new 25-year strategic plan that incorporates input and ideas from residents, government officials, community organizations and transportation planners. Robert A. Parmelee
Three themes emerged that are reflected in The T’s strategic plan. We call them Chairman the three T’s: Transportation, Timeliness and Technology. You told us that The T’s “Transportation” should be expanded to serve more of Fort Worth and Tarrant County with seamless connections to other parts of the region. Being more “Timely” is important to get riders to their destinations reliably, more frequently and faster, and to complete projects on time. The T also needs updated “Technology,” especially for customers, who told us overwhelmingly that they want to be able to check schedules and status of a bus or train on line or from mobile devices at any time. We have evaluated the projects and steps that will help us meet these priorities. We want to thank you for your input, and we invite your continued involvement so that, working together, we may advance our public transportation system to a level that will match the accelerated growth and economic development potential of our region. Sincerely,
Robert A. Parmelee Board Chairman
T Board Members
Our Mission
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Board Members
We will provide quality public transportation to meet the mobility needs of our region.
Gary W. Cumbie
Gary Havener
1 < The T Strategic Plan
Reby Cary
Robert L. Jameson
Rosa Navejar
Jeffery L. Ritter
Curtis Toombs
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FORT WORTH TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
