AGENDA DATE: 11/4/2015
TITLE:
Title
Hollymead Transit Route (JAUNT Commuter Route)
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Proposal to provide commuter transit route between Hollymead and Charlottesville
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Graham, Benish and Gatobu
PRESENTER (S): Gerald Gatobu
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: JAUNT has proposed establishing a morning and evening commuter transit service to Hollymead. At its meeting on September 2, 2015, the Board directed staff to evaluate the proposal and to determine the steps necessary to implement the service. The provision of transit service would be consistent with the recommendations of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Places29 Master Plan. Requests for transit service have also been received from residents living in the Hollymead and Forest Lakes area. The commuter route would also help relieve traffic congestion along the Route 29 corridor during the widening of Route 29, and during the construction of the grade separated interchange at the intersection of Rio Road and Route 29
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 2. Critical Infrastructure. Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs
DISCUSSION: Staff has discussed the proposed Hollymead transit route with JAUNT staff. In designing the proposed route, JAUNT gave preference to high priority commuter destinations. Proposed route maps are attached (Attachments B and C). The University of Virginia Campus/hospital and the Downtown Mall were identified as popular, high commuter destinations. A route with stops at the Food Lion at Forest Lakes and the Hollymead Town Center (Kohl’s), proceeding to the University of Virginia with a stop at the Downtown Mall, is considered most viable. Exact bus stop locations will be finalized at a later date.
JAUNT staff met with representatives from the Forest Lakes Home Owner’s Association and found that there is strong interest in the proposed Hollymead bus route. A JAUNT survey conducted within the Forest Lakes community confirmed community interest in the route and the times it would be offered, as well as acceptance of the proposed fare. The proposed bus service would operate Monday through Friday. Funding and other details regarding the proposed route can be found in Attachment A.
A portion of the funding for this route is anticipated to come from proffered funds. A Hollymead Town Center (Area A-1) proffer (Attachment E) approved by the Board on December 11, 2013 is to provide funding specifically for public transit operating expenses. Proffer number four (4) states that within 30 days after demand by the County after public transportation service is provided to the project, the owner shall contribute $50,000 to be used for operating expenses relating to such service for a ten (10) year period. Because service has not yet been provided to Hollymead, the proffered transit funds have not yet been requested or received; therefore, the County would have to provide $50,000 to begin the service, plus any other expenses deemed necessary to commence the transit service. Once the transit service is operational, the County would demand the proffered funds to be used to cover operating expenses related to the transit service. The owner is to contribute $50,000 cash to the County each year for a period of ten (10) years for a total of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). It is important to note that it can be difficult to obtain proffer commitments from a responsible party in a timely manner and, because of this possibility, the County may need to fund the service until the proffers are received.
JAUNT is ready to commence the Hollymead bus route service in January, 2016. Two new 18 seater buses will be used for the service. Once operational, JAUNT staff will review the bus route in 1.5 years to assess operations, costs and performance. Additionally, JAUNT’s quarterly reports to the Board will provide updates on the bus route. JAUNT is proposing to provide fare free service for a two month period in order to promote the service, and is requesting that the County provide funding in the amount of $2,520 to offset the lost fare revenues for that period. The property owner has proffered to install two benches within 30 days after transit service begins. However, without the agreement of the property owner, the County will not be able to provide a bus shelter at the Hollymead Town Center (Kohl’s) location. A bus could stop there for pick-up, but there would be no shelter. If the property owner consents to the location of a shelter, the County would need to fund the purchase and installation of a concrete pad, trash can and shelter at that location at an estimated cost of $5,000.
BUDGET IMPACT: As set forth in Attachment A, the estimated annual operating cost of the proposed new route is $113,411, and the estimated annual revenue expected totals $114,255 ($15,120 from the fare box, $49,146 in federal revenue, and $50,000 in proffer revenue). If the Board decides to add this route, the County would need to appropriate up to $57,520 ($2,520 to offset the one-time lost fare revenue for the initial two months of free service on the route, the possible one-time $5,000 cost of the new bus stop, and $50,000, which could be reimbursed to the County from the Hollymead Town Center proffer).
While funding is available in the County’s FY 16 Reserve for Contingencies account established for unanticipated priority needs, after the Board approves the appropriation requests included on the November 4 agenda, the FY 16 Reserve for Contingency Account is anticipated to be down to a balance of $195,123, of which $50,000 has been reserved for a potential FY 16 primary election.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board determine the value of adding this commuter route at this time and direct staff accordingly. If this route is supported by the Board, staff will work with JAUNT to establish the new proposed Hollymead bus route as soon as possible and will bring an appropriation request for up to $57,520 back to the Board for its consideration on December 2, 2015. Further, staff intends to treat the County obligation of $50,000 as an additional on-going annual expense for purposes of planning and budgeting until and unless the identified off-setting proffer funds are actually provided by the responsible party.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Commuter Route to Charlottesville details
Attachment B - Forest Lakes to UVA and Downtown Bus Route
Attachment C - Hollymead UVA Downtown Separated Map
Attachment D - Route 29 Service Calculations.
Attachment E - Hollymead Town Center (Area A1) proffer form
Attachment F - Letter from Ms. Kindred
Attachment G - Letter from Mr. Ashby