Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 04_4/14/2021Agenda Item #4. Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) STAFF MEMO Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) -Apr 14 2021 Staff Contact: Frank Harding Department: Environmental Advisory Committee Update on Micro Transit Options in Tequesta Pursuant to the Transit Provisions of the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-768-0443. Micro Transit Report updated to April 7, 2021 Page 11 of 57 Agenda Item #4. Mini -Transit System Grants April 2021 update 1. His tor This inquiry started early last year with a request from the EAC that I investigate the funding possibilities for setting up an environmentally sound mini -transit on -call system for the Village. For the March 11, 2020 meeting of the Board, I submitted a preliminary report regarding possible funding for a micro -transit system for our Village and/or funding for planning for such a system. At that meeting, the Committee approved moving forward with the study, including specifically pursuing HARP under its "Community Challenge" program. Inviting presentations by ride share companies who now provide mini -municipal services to other towns, was encouraged. Since the on June 10, 2021 a ZOOM presentation by Circuit Transportation Company was received with interest by the Committee. Circuit serves west Palm Beach and a portion of Palm Beach. Its vehicles are all electric. To refresh your recollection refer to the June 10 Minutes. There has been no forward motion with respect to Circuit. Here is a link Circuit's web -site: https:Ilridecircuit.com, 2. other candidates: FREEBEE: we are awaiting an in -person presentation by a competing mini- transit company, Beef ree, LLC t/a "FREEBEE", Jason Spiegel owner. This company serves 13 South Florida municipalities mostly Miami -Dade). Here is Freebee's website: www.ridefreebee.com. The vehicles are all electric. I spoke to Mr. Spiegel. He would give a presentation when we request- zoom or in person. BEEP: I have been contacted by a third company, BEEP, referred to us by the PBTPA, who we may wish invite to make a presentation. Robb Jenkins is its representative. Here is its website: https://go- beep.com. This remarkable system uses all electric, 5-10 seat vehicles on fixed routes . At the present, no ride haling is involved. But the exciting point is that the vehicles are presently semi -autonomous, moving soon to fully autonomous, in Jacksonville, Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Tampa and St. Petersburg. A considerable drawback with these vehicles is road speed limit: not over 25 mph. I am asking the Committee to think about whether there would be any point to inviting this contractor to present itself. 3. Summary of possible grants: a. AARP: It is too late to apply for any funding this year. Any application for 2022 would have to be submitted not later than April 1, 2022. The grants are one-time funds that are issued in mid- July with the money to be spent by early November. They are one shot grants for specific projects and would not a be a source for either planning or operations. I have not gone any further with AARP grants and think AARP's program does not relate to the Committee's environmental focus (but might be of some use to the Village otherwise). Page 12 of 57 Agenda Item #4. b. Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency: Local Initiatives and Mobility grants: The Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency is not a Palm Beach County entity. It is entirely funded with Federal Funds and its existence is mandated by federal law as a prerequisite to obtaining grants and support. The Florida Department of Transportation receives money from the Federal government (the Department of Transportation and the and funnels funds to local agencies such as the PBTPA. 1. Local Initiative grants may be issued for a wide range of transportation related projects. I have enjoyed friendly and informative cooperation from Valerie Neilson, Deputy Director of Multimodal Development and James Rinehart, Lead Planner, Transit Coordination. In particular, Mr. Rinehart has spent a lot of time on the phone with me explaining the Local Initiative and Complete Streets grants 2. Here is a summary of what I have learned: a. Generally, the Special Initiatives grants include a specific category: Transit Capital. This could include 50% funding of a 3 year contract. b. The Village could not, by itself apply for a Special Initiatives grant. The application would have to be made jointly with a recognized "Transportation Provider"- which in our case is Palm Tran. c. Due to the frequent failure of local circulator systems, the failure of municipalities to continue funding of the program once the grant ran out, and the complexity of the application process, Palm Tran has developed a considerable reluctance to approve or join in. d. February 28, 2022 is the final date for submission of an application for the next round. To finish the Committee's work, to convince the Council that it should join Palm Tran in applying for a grant, and then to convince Palm Tran to be a partner, is not going to get done for this round. e. The application process is not for the feint of heart. Meetings with PBTPA, Palm Tran, DOT personnel, and possibly Federal personnel are required. Here is link to PBTPA's explanation of the application process. https-://www.palmbeachtpa.org/static/sitefiles/Funding Programs/Funding worksh op Presentation Slides.pdf f. Assuming that all of that actually happens, disbursal of the funds will not occur for five years- during which time the grant may be withdrawn due to changing political winds and other reasons. Page 13 of 57 Agenda Item #4. g. Funding for a Mobility Study ( a separate unrelated program) should be available for 2022. The program is described by Valerie Neilson, Manager of the program in a March 22nd message: " The Village of Tequesta would hove to reach out to us formally to request this assistance. This study or plan could identify transportation options/ networks for all users and potentially include a Complete Streets Policy, Vision Zero Resolution, and list of transportation projects the Village wants to pursue. It would also involve outreach to the Villoge stakeholders, residents, andbusiness owners for their input in plan. This plan would help the Village identify transportation needs, opportunities, costs, and strategies to pursue and improve sofety, efficiency, and connectivity." The PBTPA could fund up to 50% of one of these studies. No other agency approval would be required. This program seems to me to be out of the Committee's range of interest, but possibly of interest to the Council. 4. Palm Tran- other issues: PALM TRAN still does not provide any regular bus service to Tequesta. l have not learned of any plan to do so. Palm Tran does provide bus service from the Mall to the intersection with Indiantown Road. Route 10- and then to the West Jupiter Commerce Park on Central Avenue. However, I have now become aware of the Palm Tran Connection system. This is a ride haling program for several classifications of persons: ADA; seniors; Medicaid; Transportation Disadvantaged. The system serves Tequesta along with the rest of the County. I found one of their vehicles awaiting passengers near to the Main Street collection of stores behind the bank. questioned the driver. He said he picks up people on call and delivers them as requested. 1 have confirmed that this true. Riders must apply for approval of their use of the system and qualify financially and otherwise. Rides cost $3.50. You can be picked up at your home delivered to a place of your choice in the County. Checkout the Palm Tran website and click on our Services and then click on Paratransit: https://www.palmtran.org. I have requested Palm Tran to provide ridership figures with respect to usage by Tequesta residents. I do not think the data will be forthcoming soon. If a large portion of those needing rides is being served adequately by Palm Tran, how much need is there for a separate micro -transit system, largely paid for by the taxpayers? Page 14 of 57 Agenda Item #4. Which again raises the basic question as to whether there is a strong need for a new micro - transit system In Tequesta. To me, determining the answer to this question needs addressed in some scientific fashion. Conclusions: The question that I have been researching is whether there is a grant available to support a ride haling, free, electric micro transit system. do not think so. Is the Committee enthusiastic about having micro -transit system for our Village Would it be willing to promote a system that was 100 paid for by the pillage? FFH 4/7/21 Page 15 of 57