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FEBRUARY 23, 2010

FEBRUARY 23, 2010. YOUR NAME GOES HERE. Stats and Facts – The Big Picture (based on research data from the American Public Transit Association). Public Transportation : Benefits the Economy

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FEBRUARY 23, 2010

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  1. FEBRUARY 23, 2010 YOUR NAME GOES HERE

  2. Stats and Facts – The Big Picture(based on research data from the American Public Transit Association) Public Transportation: • Benefits the Economy • Each $1 invested in public transportation projects generates $4 - $9 in local economic activity – nationwide • For every $1 billion invested – 30,000 jobs are created • Study* indicates that for Citrus Connection service area alone …transit riders contribute over $9 million annually to the Lakeland area economy • Susan Schuler & Associates

  3. Stats and Facts – The Big Picture(based on research data from the American Public Transit Association) • Impacts Energy • Saves 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day (nationwide) • Saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually

  4. Stats and Facts – The Big Picture • Public Transportation: • Improves the Environment: • Saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually (nationwide) • Switching to public transportation reduces individual carbon emissions by 20 lbs. per day or 4,800 lbs. per year • Increases Quality of Life • Provides access to job opportunities as well as a transportation option to get to work; go to school; go shopping; visit friends or go to a doctor

  5. Video

  6. Now That We Have Your Attention… • Let’s Talk about where we are today • How we got here and… • How public transportation will play an increasingly important role right here in Polk, to: • Connect our communities, our businesses, our residents and… • Ensure our future regional competitiveness

  7. Polk’s Public Transportation: TODAY • Three separate systems with partially-blended service and schedules • Citrus Connection • Winter Haven Area Transit • Polk Transit • Today’s total combined annual investment in public transportation (operating) = $19.6 million • The need for public transportation in Polk is well established • Rider numbers have grown steadily from just over 1.4 million in1999 to over 1.8 million in 2009

  8. Polk’s Public Transportation: TODAY • .Considered a small urban system (by Federal definition; based on population) • Funded through a combination of: • Federal dollars, and to a lesser extent… • Grants, and local property tax dollars

  9. Countywide Transit Study • In 2003, the Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)* completed a Countywide Transit Study • The study included recommendations on how to combine the separate transit providers, fragmented funding and services into a single authority – to create an entity with a dedicated mission and funding to provide integrated countywide transit service. *Conducted in partnership with the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (LAMTD) and Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT)

  10. Building on the Study Results • In 2007, The Polk Transit Authority (PTA) was created via legislation • Sponsors: Senator Dockery and Rep. Troutman • Allowed for formation of a single entity for improved system coordination, but… • The PTA currently lacks dedicated funding • In 2009, legislative amendment of Florida Statute gave voters in all charter counties the opportunity to weigh in at the ballot box on transit funding options • Sponsors: Sen. Alexander/Rep. Braynon

  11. Funding Challenges • Current systems rely on federal funding for a significant portion of operational expenses • Federal operating funds are in jeopardy • Why? • Small Urban Large Urban • Anticipated 2010 Census results – our system will be categorized as ‘Large Urban,’ and federal operating dollars will disappear • Large urban areas, with higher populations, are expected to find alternative funding solutions

  12. Without Replacement Funding… • EXISTING public transportation options will be significantly reduced and/or eliminated altogether, and • Future mass transportation needs will likely go unmet High Speed Rail Station

  13. And Further…. • To become “Well-Connected,” existing public transportation systems need a bit of a makeover! • Why? • Growing need for express bus service; circulators; new and more frequent local service as well as improvements to stops, including lighting and shelters • Polk’s system needs to become a more integral part of the overall mobility mix • A multimodal transportation system is KEY to the economic success of Polk County and our super region

  14. Roadmap to Being Well-Connected • The Polk Transit Authority worked with local governments, stakeholders and citizens to identify today’s needs, and…

  15. A Plan Was Born! • Five-year phased in plan for enhanced public transportation: • Has built-in oversight and accountability • Improves user convenience and accessto education (colleges, etc.), shopping (retail centers), businesses, jobs, courts, health care, parks, trails, other communities, each other & more • Expands serviceboundaries and connectivity – countywide • Builds the framework for connecting the region to Polk – creating opportunities for commerce and sustainable job growth/retention • In fact, the plan creates 230 “direct” additional jobs by 2014. -- jobs directly related to supporting the enhanced system. • And…other jobs WILL be created as a result of the economic ripple effect

  16. The Plan • Is sustainable -- will keep the system operating at planned levels into the future • Builds the foundation needed to position Polk as a key destination in the Super Region • Is flexible and visionary (allowing Polk to capitalize on the exciting emerging opportunities relating to high speed rail, Legoland and more)

  17. The Plan (Continued) • Provides more frequent service and expanded hours • Improves system amenities (capital investments) • Communications (Dispatch, etc.); Station/Stop improvements; Pedestrian connections and Operating & Maintenance facilities • Expands popular “park and ride” and “bike and ride” options • Has a planned referendum to create a dedicated funding stream

  18. The Price to be Well-Connected ? • Total Annual Operating Cost of Polk’s enhanced public transportation system = $41.5 million • Compared to today’s investment of $19.6 million • Proposal: ½ cent sales tax • dedicated to mass transit funding • Built in citizen oversight • Big VALUE for a bargain price

  19. The Well-Connected Break Down(by year 5) • Total operating cost …………………… $41.5 million • With CITIZEN oversight • 1/2 penny estimated to generate….…...$31.7million (annually) • Balance…………………………………...$ 9.8 million • Will come from leveraged state and federal dollars

  20. Ballot Question ??? Voters Will Decide in November!

  21. Bonus Benefits If Voters approve the ballot measure: • $1.4 million from the County’s general fund (today’s transit subsidy) is freed up to provide other critical services for the community • Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (Citrus Connection) dedicated ad valorem (property tax) discontinued • Cost is shared across the board by ALL who benefit from improved County-wide service….residents, businesses AND visitors – not just property owners! Roadway Maintenance EMS Probation Elderly Services

  22. The Well-Connected Payoff • In conjunction with the proposed high speed rail line..improved transit will help draw new visitors and therefore new spending into Polk County and region • The presence of a multi-modal transportation system can be the deciding factor for both businesses and talented workers who are considering re-locating • Mass transit impacts everything from economic development to the quality of the environment and the lives of Polk County and Super Region residents

  23. Public Transportation and Public Safety Sheriff Grady Judd

  24. The Payoff…continued • Investments in multi-modal public transportation have proven to generate new development and re-development of areas around transit stations (Dallas, Charlotte, etc.) • Investing in transportation, especially in mass transit, will guide future growth and ensure it occurs in a more sustainable way • Transit-oriented development along corridors, and particularly around stations, will develop areas that are more walkable, attractive and economically successful

  25. Our Community Decides…. Today Tomorrow?

  26. The Next Steps Communicate Mobility plan, vision and outcomes Educate the community on mass transportation needs and benefits of being “Well-Connected” • Inside Polk (connecting communities) • Within the Region Increase public involvement (especially business leaders) Obtain funding What Role will YOU play…? in determining whether Polk will be simply connected… or WELL-Connected!

  27. Questions ???

  28. Public transportation is an investment in jobs, medical services, education, affordable housing – in PEOPLE

  29. Existing System

  30. Proposed PROPOSED ENHANCED NETWORK INCREASED FREQUENCIES IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY

  31. System changes if NO replacement funding is identified/secured

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