2015 Thank You!, Thank You!, Thank You! ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ 5311 Transit Managers/Consultants/Operating Staff INDOT Office of Transit Staff INRTAP Staff RLS and Associates Staff AGENDA ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ INDOT Updates Medical Qualification Updates RTAP Updates 5311/PMTF Formula Updates 5311 Quarterly Claims/Budget Revisions 5311 Operating Concerns Service Area Trip Prioritization Basics of the Program ◦ What does the numerical 5311 refer to? The Section 5311 program is the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Non-Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program. The FTA, on behalf of the U. S. Secretary of Transportation, annually allocates apportioned Section 5311 funds to the governor of each state. Basics of the Program ◦ What does the acronym PMTF refer to? The Indiana State Legislature established the Public Mass Transportation Fund (I.C. 8-23-3-8) to promote and develop transportation in Indiana. The funds are allocated to public transit systems on a performance based formula. An eligible recipient is defined as any transit system that receives federal funds under the Federal Transit Act and provides public transportation in Indiana. Basics of the Program ◦ What two main agency’s provide regulatory guidance/oversight to the 5311 Program? Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Basics of the Program ◦ How many sub-recipients are currently funded as part of the 5311 program? Forty-three (43) ◦ How many counties are represented as part of the 5311 Program? Sixty-four (64) ◦ How many Inter-city providers are currently funded through the 5311(f) Program? Three (3) Miller Transportation Barons Bus Marion Transit (Feeder Service) Basics of the Program ◦ Who is RLS and Associates, Inc. and what services do they provide? RLS & Associates, Inc. provides transportation management and operations consulting services to transportation providers throughout the United States. RLS specializes in consulting assistance to small, medium, and large public transit systems, federal and state departments of transportation, government agencies, and paratransit operators Basics of the Program ◦ Who is Indiana RTAP and what services do they provide? The RTAP Program provides technical assistance and training to not-for-profit public and specialized transportation providers all over the state of Indiana. Services are provided at no cost to those agencies that provide public and social service transportation and receive capital and/or operating assistance through INDOT's 5310 or 5311 transportation grant programs. The Indiana RTAP Program is funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Indiana Department of Transportation. Basics of the Program ◦ Who is your individual INDOT Project Manager? Todd Jennings: Boone, Dekalb, Fayette, Hamilton, Harrison, Hendricks, Huntingburg, Jay, Johnson, LaGrange, Monroe, Rush, SIDC, Steuben, Vigo, Whitley Vickie Rayburn: Bedford, Franklin, Fulton, KIRPC, Knox, LifeTime, Marion, Miami, Mitchell, Noble, Orange, Seymour, Washington Mike McGathey: Cass, Clinton, Hancock, Huntington, Kosciusko, Madison, Marshall, New Castle, Richmond, Union, Wabash, Waveland, Wells, White Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson As of 04/15 Engineering & Assets Mgmt Deputy Commissioner Jay Wasson Multi-Model Planning & Programs As of 04/15 Katie England Aviation Rail Transit Office of Transit Larry Buckel 5311 Program Manager 5310 Program Manager Todd Jennings Brian Jones 5311 Project Manager 5311 Project Manager Vickie Rayburn Mike McGathey Transit Planner Jason Casteel RLS and Associates, Inc. Robbie Sarles Indiana RTAP Vicky Warner Megan Lawson 5311 Sub-Recipients INDOT Mission ◦ INDOT will plan, build, maintain and operate a superior transportation system enhancing safety, mobility and economic growth. 2015-2016 INDOT Goals ◦ On-time and On-budget ◦ Take Care of What We Have ◦ Customer Satisfaction Where did the last year go? ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Reviewing Every Process - “Blue Book” Revision New 5311/5339 Application/Timeline Vehicle Pricing/State QPA Compliance Reviews/Annual Site Visits Addressing 5311/PMTF Funding/Allocation Process Medical Qualification Program Concerns Everything “in-between” Reviewing Every Process ◦ INDOT Goal – Customer Satisfaction Lessen YOUR administrative burden while WE maintain a high level of oversight to ensure program compliance Revised 5311 Program Manual Program “bible” Identified that some managers are not aware of/utilizing “Have question……it probably answers.” Reference first…contact second Mirrors FTA Circular 9040.1G (5311 Program Guidance and Application Instructions) Table of Contents FTA Requirement = INDOT Oversight Procedures Available online by 09/30/15 (INDOT Annual Meeting) Questions? Technical Assistance Process 1 2 3 4 5 •5311 Program Manual •On-line Resources (FTA, INDOT, Indiana RTAP, CTAA, National RTAP, ADA etc.) •5311 Peers •INRTAP (Training, ADA, Title VI, Passenger Issues, D&A, Med Qual, etc.) •INDOT Project Manager (Program Compliance, Grants, Funding, Charter, etc.) Revised 5311/5339 Application ◦ Revised Application Template Needed a “clean up” (Still needs a “tweak”) Lessen the burden for completion 2015 Applications designated as “Master on File” Major revision is in our future! FTA trend is towards e-filing 5311/5339 GRANT APPLICATION/TIMELINE ◦ Why the hurry in 2015? Historically late distribution of Fully Executed Contracts and Purchase Orders (PO’s) ◦ FTA/INDOT 5311 Grant Process Operates on (3) separate calendars! Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 – September 30) State Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30) 5311 Operating (Jan 1 – Dec 31) Historical Process for Grant Approval OCT JAN – FEB MARCH APRIL INDOT Revises 5311 Application Indiana Legislature Appropriates State PMTF Funding for State Fiscal Year FTA Publishes 5311 FFY State Apportionments Collect 5311 Annual Report Data INDOT Calculates 5311 Allocations based on 3 Year Annual Report Data and FFY Apportionment JUNE JULY AUG SEPT 5311 Applications Distributed INDOT Commissioner Approves PMTF Allocations 5311 Applications Due INDOT Review/Approve 5311 Applications 5311 Allocation Letters Distributed PMTF Allocations Calculated INDOT Creates Program of Projects (POP) OCT Distribute 5311 Contracts for Local Signatures Budget Revisions (If Necessary) INDOT Submits State Application to FTA for Preliminary Review INDOT Commissioner Submits PMTF Allocations to SBC for Approval State Budget Committee Reviews PMTF Allocations INDOT Submits Final Program Grant into T.E.A.M FTA Approves INDOT Program Grant NOV DEC Intake Signed 5311 Contracts from Systems INDOT Routes 5311 Contracts thru State Signature Process FTA Publishes 5311 FFY State Apportionments JAN – MAR INDOT Receives Fully Executed Contracts from State Budget Agency/AG Office INDOT Submits Executed Contracts to Procurement for Purchase Orders (PO) INDOT Receives Purchase Orders and Distributes 5311 Contracts/PO’s to Systems APRIL 1st Quarter Claim Due HERE IS THE ISSUE! New Process for Grant Approval MARCH JAN – FEB OCT INDOT Calculates 5311 Allocations based on Three Year Annual Report Data and FFY Apportionment INDOT Revises 5311 Application FTA Publishes 5311 FFY State Apportionments 5311 Applications Distributed Collect 5311 Annual Report Data INDOT Creates Program of Projects (POP) JUNE JULY 5311 Applications Due / INDOT Review INDOT Commissioner Approves PMTF Allocations APRIL Indiana Legislature Appropriates State PMTF Funding 5311 Allocation Letters Distributed PMTF Allocations Calculated INDOT Submits State Application to FTA for Preliminary Review INDOT Submits Final Program Grant into T.E.A.M OCT SEPT NOV FTA Publishes 5311 FFY State Apportionments Intake Signed 5311 Contracts from Systems INDOT Awaits State Signature Process INDOT Routes 5311 Contracts thru State Signature Process FTA Approves INDOT Program Grant JAN APRIL INDOT Receives Purchase Orders and Distributes 5311 Contracts/PO’s to Systems 1st Quarter Claim Due AUG Distribute 5311 Contracts for Local Signatures INDOT Commissioner Submits PMTF Allocations to SBC for Approval State Budget Committee Approves PMTF Allocations DEC INDOT Receives Fully Executed Contracts from State Budget Agency/AG Office INDOT Submits Executed Contracts to Procurement for Purchase Orders (PO) Problem Solved!HOPEFULL Y! State QPA/Vehicle Pricing ◦ 2014-15 Pricing Issues State QPA expired in February 2015 (Optional 3rd Yr.) State QPA extended for fourth and final year in April Systems received Contracts/PO’s in February/March Vehicle prices at that time were based on model year 2015 prices Upon approval of new QPA state contract, vehicle prices were set to increase to model year 2016 prices Any system who ordered vehicles after new QPA was approved on 04/24/15, incurred a price increase State QPA/Vehicle Pricing ◦ What It Means Moving Forward Current QPA expires on 02/28/16 Department of Administration to submit bid for new State QPA in August 2015 (2 Yr. – Option for 3rd/4th) INDOT will be proactive and “build-in” 5% price increase to vehicles requested in 2016 grant applications If systems receive CY2016 Contracts/PO’s before QPA expires “Built-in” can be used to pay for optional equipment If systems receive CY2016 Contracts/PO’s after QPA expires and price increase occurs: “Built-in” should cover cost of price increase and any additional can be used to cover optional equipment State QPA/Vehicle Pricing ◦ Requesting/Ordering Vehicles Identify system need Avoid “ballpark” requests – Do the necessary homework Vehicles to be replaced must be identified in application Fully Executed Contracts/PO’s will no longer be amended unless extenuating circumstance arises State QPA/Vehicle Pricing ◦ Requesting/Ordering Vehicles Local funding must be secured Avoid requesting on a “believe so, hope so, should be there” When commissioners approve vehicles are expected to be ordered Order upon receiving Contract/PO When contacting INDOT with inquires, make sure you know which program is funding vehicle 5310 5339 Questions? 2015 Compliance Reviews (Completed every FOUR Years) ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Dekalb County – Complete Jay County – Complete Johnson County – Complete LaGrange County – Complete LifeTime Resources (Multi-County) – Complete Steuben County – Complete Cass County – Scheduled Fulton County – Scheduled Kosciusko County – Scheduled KIRPC (Jasper, Starke, Pulaski, Newton) Madison County Marshall County Rush County SIDC (Multi-County) Waveland Compliance Review Process INDOT notifies system by letter no less than (30) days prior to review date INDOT Consultants (RLS and Associates, Inc.) contacts system and provides “desk review” upload instructions RLS and Associates, Inc./INDOT reviews documents prior to on-site review On-site review conducted/Summary of Findings provided during exit interview RLS provides draft report to INDOT for review within 45 days INDOT approves and distributes final report to system System uploads corrective actions to RLS website RLS/INDOT Review of Corrective Actions INDOT sends system Letter of Compliance within 5-10 days of confirmation of sufficient corrective actions Common Compliance Review Findings Outdated Insurance Cards in Vehicles Title VI Notice to Public not posted in vehicles No handicap placard inside vehicle (displayed during passenger boarding/disembark Outdated 5333(b) Labor Warranty Posted/Not Posted EEO Signage Not Posted Drug and Alcohol Records not being kept separate Vehicle Preventative Maintenance Plans not Followed/Lift Maintenance Not Occurring Annual Site Visits/Reviews ◦ Every system reviewed annually by INDOT Project Manager ◦ Specific Areas Covered: Vehicle/Equipment Management Driver Training Procurement/DBE ADA Compliance Financial Management Marketing/Brochures Audit Reports Safety and Security/Title VI Previous Compliance Review Findings Annual Site Visits/Reviews ◦ Purpose Used as “surface level” review vs. extensive Four Year Compliance Review Used to identify continued and repeated findings that may have been identified during Four Year Compliance Review Increases basic operational awareness by INDOT Program Manager Helps maintain positive line of communication between INDOT/Transit System Staff. Annual Site Visits/Reviews ◦ Process Project Manager will contact system to schedule review On-site review conducted Project Manager will discuss possible findings with 5311 Program Manager and recommended corrective actions provided to system Review findings placed in system file to be referenced for following year Annual Site Visit/Review Repeated non-compliance may be factor during grant/funding approval State Management Review Workshop ◦ INDOT SMR due to occur in 2016 ◦ FTA State Management Review Workshop Information very beneficial! “If FTA doesn’t require……we won’t require.” ◦ Sub-recipient Site Visit One system chosen FTA is not there to audit/review the system, but to audit/review INDOT’s oversight of the system! Volunteers? / Questions? Numerous scheduling issues identified CDL physical forms not be completed or completed correctly and in a timely manner Lack in a response or a timely response to request for service Driver Ability Reviews not being submitted or documentation of the submission maintained Meeting was held on June 10 to address reported issues Online scheduling system with applicable forms has been added to PSM website Question and Answer section has been added to PSM website with common questions Chris Costlow and Lora Lex will be handling the program personally Paperwork not being completed or not brought to the appointment Tardiness for appointments Correspondence needs to be read and communication must occur to ensure understanding Program information, policies and documents available on the RTAP website at indianartap.com Retain a copy of the letter issued by the BMV regarding the operators status on file PSM has been advised to maintain a copy of the fax transmittal on file to show proof of submission May request a copy of the fax transmittal and assistance with verifying communications with BMV One or more vendors may be selected Regional sites for conducting evaluations ◦ Reduce travel and associated costs ◦ For all evaluations categories Will not be in place for another year RTAP Update 44 Newly revised documents available on the RTAP website Download and implement by as soon as possible, but no later than September 8, 2015 Submit revised documents to INDOT Post the revised public notice on vehicles Update system websites and information Implement new compliant form Dispose of all older versions Training Update By Megan Lawson 46 Trainings and Reservations Please RSVP drivers to the RTAP office that will be attending one or more of the training's listed on the 2015 calendar. RSVP's must be received one week prior to the class scheduled. Classes without a sufficient number of participants to conduct the class will be cancelled. Training confirmation will be done at least two days prior. Training requirements for 5311 grantees identified This will be added to the State Management Plan clarifying the requirement Frequency of training requirements will also be identified Documentation of training and training material may be required to show compliance 49 CFR 37.173 states that each public or private entity which operates a fixed route or demand responsive system shall ensure that personnel are trained to proficiency, as appropriate to their duties, so that they operate vehicles and equipment safely and properly assist and treat individuals with disabilities who use the service in a respectful and courteous way, with appropriate attention to the difference among individuals with disabilities. ◦ Transit operators must receive training programs that meet the federal requirement and, which requires a driver demonstration to show a sufficient level of proficiency. Defensive Driving is a training program for professional operators. Pre-Trip Inspections training must includes State and Federal requirements for operations. Emergency Evacuations/Emergency Procedures training addresses State and Federal requirements as well as transit specific threats and emergency situations. What is the picture of a shopping cart have to do with anything? Do you think your drivers are transporting the shopping carts? Does your agency have a limit? If so, what is your limit? How do you know if it is being enforced? How are my drivers assisting with the items when passengers disembark? How much “assisting” are my drivers really doing? A wheelchair lift, also known as a platform lift, or vertical platform lift is a fully powered device designed to raise a wheelchair and its occupant in order to overcome a step or similar vertical barrier. Prevent damage to the equipment Prevent damage to “cargo” and potential replacement of expensive items Prevent loosing a law suite where it may deemed that inappropriate use of the wheelchair lift resulted in failure. • Manager and Supervisors should go into the field and observe the quality of services being provided. Document deficiencies, training needs and identify policy violations. • Develop a threat and vulnerability assessment to reduce safety issues, identify vulnerabilities within the services and address them. Roadeo Update 63 64 65 66 Driver have 30 minutes to complete a 25 question test! 67 A driver Walk through of the course is completed before competition begins to familiarize drivers with the course layout and answer any questions. 68 Drivers are broke into three teams with each team completing pre-trip inspection, wheelchair securement and the course Runners collect the score sheets and take them to scoring 69 Each team is assigned a team leader to make sure everyone completes each event. YEP, there is food! Suzanne Patberg City of Huntingburg Only 51 points between first and fifth place with new and familiar faces holding the top five spots! Dave’s Auto DeKalb county Coa Elkhart Coach Clean Zone Marketing Franklin Muffler & Brake Midwest Transit Mobilitat State Farm Franklin, IN Tesco CTS Generations Fayette County Senior Center Encompass St. Vincent's - Carmel NIRPC Bartronics Opportunity Enterprises City of Huntingburg LaGrange County COA State Farm – Franklin, IN St. Vincent's – Franklin, IN Shine 99 The course was tight and both Indiana drivers competed in the MV1 division. Juliana Abney finished eighth and Derek Johnson finished twelfth! 5311 Formula Data ◦ FTA Allocates State Apportionments by formula based on percent of non-urbanized (under 50,000 populations) as a ratio of the total non-urbanized population in the U.S. ◦ INDOT initially allocates necessary funds for: INDOT Administration INDOT Technical Assistance (RTAP) Inter-city (15%) ◦ Remaining 5311 funds allocated by formula to existing grantees 5311 Formula Data ◦ 30% Weight Factor - Population Data (Current decennial census - 2010) ◦ 30% Weight Factor - Passenger Boarding's ◦ 40% Weight Factor - Locally Derived Income (LDI) Fares Advertising Income Auxiliary Income (i.e. rent) Local cash grants General funds Unrestricted Federal/State funds (i.e. Medicaid, United Way) 5311 Formula Data ◦ Historical Indiana Apportionments Federal Fiscal Year Indiana Apportionment 2010 $14,143,656 2011 $12,017,418 2012 $12,723,775 2013 $11,471,242 2014 $12,955,749 2015 $13,403,003 2016 $13,703,001 5311 Funding Concerns ◦ Apportionments continue to remain stagnant ◦ Systems unable to expand services ◦ Formula resulting in excessive loss for some 20%-30% 5311 Funding Concerns ◦ INDOT Response We are all in this together INDOT Goal – “Take Care of What We Have” Performance must remain a factor ◦ Result FTA Apportionment determines if everyone gains/loses Annual gains/losses will not exceed 1-4% PMTF Formula Data ◦ State makes funding appropriations to PMTF program every (2) years in conjunction with state’s bi-ennial budget process. ◦ PMTF is funded as part of the states general fund (budget line item) that is based on estimated revenue taken in by state over (2) year budget period State Budget Agency has authority to decrease based on budget projections PMTF Formula Data ◦ Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District (NICTD) Set-aside (12.34%) ◦ Remaining 87.66% distributed to urban/rural transit systems (4 groups) Group 1 – Large Fixed Route (IndyGo) Group 2 – Small Fixed Route (Columbus) Group 3 – Urban (over 50,000 population) Demand Response (Kokomo) Group 4 – Rural Demand Response (Boone County) PMTF Formula Data ◦ 33% Weight Factor – Passenger Boarding’s (one-way trip) ◦ 33% Weight Factor – Total Vehicle Miles ◦ 33% Weight Factor - Locally Derived Income (LDI) Fares Advertising Income Auxiliary Income (i.e. rent) Local cash grants General funds Unrestricted Federal/State funds (i.e. Medicaid, United Way) ◦ Formula calculated using previous (3) year operating data 2016 Allocation based on 2013-2015 data PMTF Formula Data ◦ Historical Indiana Apportionments Bi-ennial Budget Year PMTF Allocation 2010-2011 $41,400,000 2012-2013 $42,581,051 2014-2015 $42,581,051 2016-2017 $42,073,285 PMTF Funding Concerns ◦ Apportionments continue to remain stagnant/decrease ◦ Systems in incorrect group ◦ CIRTA included in Group 2 ◦ Systems unable to expand services and in some cases must decrease service/staff ◦ Formula resulting in excessive loss for some 15%-20% PMTF Funding Concerns ◦ INDOT Response We are all in this together INDOT Goal – “Take Care of What We Have” Performance must remain a factor ◦ Result PMTF Apportionment determines if everyone gains/loses System gains/losses will not exceed that of total apportionment Example: PMTF increases by 3%, everyone increases 1-3% Quarterly Claims Quarter First Quarter Period Covered January – March Second Quarter April – June Third Quarter July – September Fourth Quarter October December Claim Due May 15th August 15th November 15th February 15th Late claims will result in delayed processing and receipt of payment Claim Form Exercise Budget Revision Requirements ◦ Every system will be notified if budget revision is necessary with 2nd Quarter Claim Budget line items +/- 10% variance will require budget revision (Less than 40% or Over 60%) ◦ INDOT Project Manager will notify and provide Budget Revision form upon notification of need for revision Budget Revision Requirements ◦ Why the Need? De-obligation of funds Managers not monitoring Managers not aware of allow ability ◦ Questions? Definition ◦ Service Area: The geographic area that coincides with a transit system’s legal operating limits defined in Exhibit A (Project Description) of the applicant’s 5311 contract along with the applicants approved operating budget How is a 5311 Funded Service Area determined? ◦ Populations included in an applicants 5311 apportionment Types of Services Allowable: ◦ Funded Service Area: Should be a systems “primary/core” area that receives service ◦ Extended Service Area Allowable as long as: Rural, Urban, Rural Service is defined in annual application Service is identified in marketing material/brochures Rates should be adequate to cover operating expenses: Fuel Salaries Maintenance Issues Identified ◦ Trip Exclusivity occurring for Medical trips Brochures Websites ◦ Trip Prioritization occurring for Medical trips Trip denials occurring due to excessive scheduling of medical, school, or agency trips ◦ Excessive Trip Denials due to inadequate staffing available within Funded Service Area 40-50% staffing Corrective Actions ◦ Trip Exclusivity Remove any language that refers to “only for” in brochures/marketing materials ◦ Trip Prioritization Adjust schedules to remove an unequal balance of public transit vs. subscription ◦ Excessive Trip Denials Adjust staffing levels to ensure “primary/core” service area is not experiencing denials due to unavailability of drivers