State of Transit ReportAnnual Conference Update

2016

About GTAGeorgia Transit Association (GTA) History The Georgia Transit Association (GTA) is a 501c(6) organization that was established in the 1990’s to help advance transit issues, share knowledge with peer systems, and coordinate training activities for rural and urban transit systems. The GTA has increased those activities over the years, and expanded its membership to include businesses, governments, and individuals who are interested in improving transit in Georgia. GTA Mission

The GTA represents the legislative interests of rural and urban public transit entities; provides a forum for the exchange of information, ideas and experiences; works toward securing adequate and stable funds for public transit; and promotes a positive image for transit throughout Georgia.

Website:http://www.gatransit.org

Georgia Transit Systems - 2016

Highlights:

• Public transit is available in 120+ of Georgia’s 159 counties

• Human services transit is available in all 159 counties (DHS)

• Medicaid transit service is available in all 159 counties (DCH)

• GRTA Express Bus services provides critical suburban to urban linkage

• Vanpool and rideshare programs are available on a statewide basis

Figure 1: Transit Map (GDOT, 2016)

Georgia Transit FactsFleet Capacity

• The urban transit fleet size, as of 2014, was approximately 1,400 (bus/rail)

• The rural transit fleet size, as of 2014, was approximately 461 shuttle buses

Number of Transit Systems

• The AASHTO 2016 public transit survey report indicated that Georgia has the third highest number of transit systems in the country (NTD, 2014)• Kansas (146) • California (139)• Georgia (120)• New York (114)

Economic Activity

• The economic activity, as of 2014, generated by Georgia’s public and human services transit programs was approximately $4.3 billion dollars. (NTD, 2014)

Georgia Transit Trends

Hot Topics:

1. Transit and economic development

2. Senior citizen transit needs

3. Transit support for workforce training

4. Connecting employers with available talent

5. Funding for public and human services transit

6. Regional solutions vs statewide solutions

Georgia 2030: Senior Livability• Georgia’s aging population will rise sharply

through 2030

• Human services transit, including the elderly, will need a 31% funding increase to keep up with population growth (Aging, 2012).

• Public transit systems will have to increase system flexibility to accommodate older riders

Figure 2. Aging Population Projections (Aging, 2012)

Georgia 2030: Millennial Livability• Millennials prefer to have multiple

transportation choices

• Transportation options influence where Millennials live and work

• Millennials are more willing to use transit, but car sharing services are also popular

• Millennials utilize technology to find the best transportation alternative

Figure 3. Millennial Mobility (APTA, 2013)

Funding Discussions

Public Transit Network

1. Economic and workforce development issues are driving legislative policy discussion about the public transit network

2. More legislators are open to the idea of exploring a permanent source of funding for Georgia’s public transit systems

3. Transit funding and transit governance issues are tied together

Human Services Transit (HST)

4. HST funding is not likely to change without a significant and sustained advocacy effort

Georgia Transit Funding Per Capita

2014 State Transit Funding Per Capita

Alabama $ 0.00Georgia $ 0.33Florida * $11.55Mississippi* $ 0.53North Carolina* $ 7.98South Carolina* $ 1.24Tennessee* $ 7.62Virginia* $30.19

Table 1. State Funding Per Capita (AASHTO, 2016) Note: * Indicates state operating assistance

Georgia Transit Funding

Figure 4 . State Funding Chart (AASHTO, 2016)

Georgia provides a small amount of state funding for capital projects, but it provides no operating funds for local transit programs.

How is Transit Funded?

50%50%

Operations

FederalStateLocal

80%

10%

10%

Capital

FederalStateLocal

• Georgia must contribute a significant level of funding, primarily in operations, to increase transit competitiveness

• Transit cannot exist without local government funding and support• Large urban areas (200,000+ population) must fund 100% of operational costs

Figure 5. Funding Percentages (AASHTO, 2016)

Human Services Transit Funding

• HST programs require $44.4 million dollars in additional funds to maintain service levels

Figure 5. Funding Percentages (AASHTO, 2016)

Figure 6. HST Required Funding (GDC, 2014)

Transit Governance

State Level Transit Governance

The Georgia Transit Association (GTA) supports a state transit governance model that enhances access to public and human services transit, preserves local control, and coordinates existing transit programs to eliminate the duplication of services.

Regional Level Transit Governance

The Georgia Transit Association (GTA) supports a voluntary regional transit governance model that enhances access to public and human services transit, preserves local control, and coordinates existing transit programs to eliminate the duplication of services.

One Call That’s All

Figure 7: Transit Coordination Chart (FTA, 2016)

Action Steps• Local systems must champion transit

funding in county transportation sales tax votes (2017)

• Local systems must be able to discuss transit economic development impact with area elected officials

• Local transit champions must be developed to help with advocacy efforts

• Organize stakeholders• Employers• Millennials• Senior advocates• Technology sector

Contact Information

Robert HiettPresidentGeorgia Transit Associationwww.gatransit.org rhiett@threeriversrc.com 678-692-0510

References

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. (2016). Public Transportation: Survey of State Transit Funding. Retrieved from http://scopt.transportation.org/Documents/SSFP-10-UL.pdf

American Public Transportation Association. (2013). Millennials & Mobility. Retrieved from http://www.apta.com/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/APTA-Millennials-and-Mobility.pdf

Federal Transit Administration. (2016). Grant Programs. Retrieved from https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/grant-programs

Georgia Division of Aging Services. (2012). Just the Facts. Retrieved from http://dhs.georgia.gov/sites/dhs.georgia.gov/files/Just%20the%20Facts%202012.pdf

Georgia Department of Transportation. (2016). Transit Map. : Author.

Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. (2014). 2014 RHST Report. Retrieved from http://www.grta.org/core-business/rural-and-human-services-transportation/

National Transit Database. (2014). NTD Transit Agency Profiles. Retrieved from https://www.transit.dot.gov/ntd/transit-agency-profiles