Sustaining Tribal Transit: Coeur d ’ Alene ’ s CityLink

1. Sustaining Tribal Transit:Coeur d’ Alene’s CityLink William J. Kelley Eastern Washington University Washington State Pubic Transportation Symposium Spokane, WA August 27th, 2013 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

2. Tribal Transit in the U. S. • TCRP H-38

3. Tribal Transit Successes – Challenges* Successes: . Recognition of need . Growth of tribal transit . Funding support (5311 (c) Challenges Remote locations/low population densities Support from Tribal Councils Coordination/administration with FTA Stability in funding Staff training and turnover *Transit Cooperative Research Program Project H-38

4. “Sustaining Tribal Transit”? What does “sustaining transit” mean to you?

5. Keys to Sustaining Tribal Transit* • Planning • Process and Product • Don’t overlook monitoring/feedback • Local Leadership • Oversight and Responsibility • Support from Tribal Council • Support from Tribal Elders • Cooperation and Coordination • Cooperative Working Relationships • Participation in State and National Organizations • Training for Staff • Financial Management Capabilities • Multiple Funding Sources • Advocacy *TCRP 154

6. Overview • Outline • National Perspective • Case Background • Operations- • Productivity • Level of Service • “Sustaining” Factors • Challenges • Framework for Sustainability City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

7. Coeur d’ Alene Transit History • Demand Response (E & H) - 1980s • Strong Community Support - 2003 Trans Plan • Initiated Rural Fixed Route - 2004, 1 Bus/Rt, 14K pass. • CityLink Expanded Fixed Route (Urban & Rural) - 2005 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

8. Current Citylink Service • 5 Routes (3 urban/2 rural) • 200 miles of operation • 6 busses • Fare Free • 2011 Ridership - 600,000 • “Links” • Urban Service - Rural Service • 2 counties, 9 cities • Major employment, education, medical, recreation City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

9. Urban Service Area Kootenai County, Id • 20 miles east of Spokane,WA • 1200 sq. miles • 139,000 Population (2010) • 8 Cities,4 routes,120 miles- 80 stops: • Coeur d’Alene (MSA) • Post Falls • Hayden • Growth Rate= 3-4 % annual • Major Employers, Hospitals, Higher Education, Shopping • * City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

10. Rural Service Area Coeur d’ Alene Reservation • 370,000 acres in 2 Counties • 7,000 Reservation Pop. • 2,000 tribal members • 40 mile route along US 95 • (5 Towns,20 stops) • Ag, Forest, Recreation • Major Casino/Resort City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

11. CityLink Rural/ Reservation Route • Transfer Hub - Casino Resort • 40 mile rural route • Serves 4 towns; 20 stops • 75% hsld. Coverage (1/4 mile - stop) • 8 Rd trips daily • 7 days a week, 6AM - 12AM • 2010 Rural Rt. Passengers: 87,000 • Type: General, School, Seniors, Emp. City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

12. Citylink Ridership Trends • Source :Ref 3 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

13. Citylink’s Hourly Riders by Route • Source :Ref 3 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

14. Ridership by Type • Source :Ref 3 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

15. Financials City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

16. Productivity • Source :KMPO Plan Update City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

17. Comparative Productivity • Passengers per vehicle hour: • CityLink 17.9 • National Averages • Rural/Small City Transit – 10.8 • Tribal Transit-4.26 • Passengers per vehicle mile • CityLink – 0.77 • National Averages • Rural/Small City Transit – 0.63 • Tribal Transit 0.17 • Operating costs per vehicle mile • CityLink –$ 1.51 • National Averages • Rural/Small City Transit 2.31 . Tribal Transit NA City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

18. CityLink Levels of Service • Pass. Trips per capita • Urban and Rural – 4.41 • Tribal Only – 12.42 • Transit Access (% hslds < ¼ mile) • Tribal – 75% • Service Operations • Urban and Rural – 7 days, 6AM-12AM, 1.5 hr headways • Tribal – 7 days, 6AM-12 AM, 2 hr headways City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

19. Keys to Sustaining Tribal Transit* • Planning • Process and Product • Attention to monitoring/feedback • Local Leadership • Oversight and Responsibility • Support from Tribal Council and Elders • Cooperation and Coordination • Cooperative Working Relationships • Participation in State and National Organizations • Training for Staff • Financial Management Capabilities • Multiple Funding Sources • Advocacy City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

20. Sustainable Challenges • Equitable Funding • Service Area Coverage • Institutional Arrangements City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

21. Sustainable Transport Goals • Ref 6 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

22. Sustainable Transport Framework • Ref 6 City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

23. Building Success • Tribal Leadership • Recognized need • Crafted “opportunity” • Innovation: • Unique link of urban, rural, tribal transit service • Diverse organization formed “coalition of the willing” • Unique combinations of 5307 to 5311 • Partnerships: • Coeur d’ Alene Tribe, Kootenai County, ITD, KMPO, FTA • Strong support from private and public sector City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

24. Building Sustainability • Balance • Service Demand vs. Supply Capacity, growth vs development • Diversity • Funding, Service Types, Service Markets • Interconnections • Internal and external coordination, communication, partnerships • Vitality • Knowledge, ideas, plans City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

25. Summary Findings/Implications • Unique aspects of CDA case • Key factors sustaining tribal transit • Challenges to sustaining CDA system • Measuring “Sustainable” • Framing Sustainability for the “long view” City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit

26. Conclusions • Each Tribe and their transit system are distinct • Distinct context limits transferable lessons from Coeur d’ Alenes • “Keys” to sustaining tribal transit are transferable (planning, leadership, diversity) • Diversity may be the most important factor • Lessons from “Crane” stories

27. Questions? CityLink

28. References • 1. Coeur d’ Alene Tribe Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Tribal Planning Department, 2003.  • 2. Kootenai Metropolitan Area Public Transportation Feasibility Study, Nelson/Nygard, for Kootenai MPO, 2005. http://www.kmpo.net/Data_Publications/kootenai-co-finalsvc-alts_rept_complete.pdf • 3. Developing, Enhancing, and Sustaining Tribal Transit Services, TCRP H-38, LSC Transportation Consultants in association with others, Transportation Research Board, July, 2011.  • 4. Kootenai MPO Transportation Plan Update, Transit Plus, June, 2012. http://www.kmpo.net/Data_Publications/TransitPlus/KMPO_Final_for_posting7_3_12.pdf • 5. Evaluation methodology for transit system performance. W.J. Kelley and S. Rutherford,Transportation Research Center, University of Washington,for Washington State DOT,WA-RD5,1, Jan., 1983. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/051.1.pdf • 6. Well Measured: Developing Indicators for Comprehensive and Sustainable Transport Planning, Todd Littman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2012.  • 7. 2012 Rural Transit Fact Book, Small Urban and Rural Transit Center, North Dakota State University, 2012. • 8. Data Needs for Assessing Rural Transit Needs, Benefits, and Levels of Service, NCHRP Digest 376, KFH Group, Transportation Research Board, 2012.  • 9.Rural Transit in Oregon: Current and Future Needs, conducted for the Association of Oregon Counties on behalf of the Oregon Department of Transportation, by Jennifer Dill and Margaret Neal, Portland State University, Portland, OR, 2010. • 10. Human Transit: How Clear Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives, Jarrett Walker, Island Press, 2012.  • 11.Landscape Traveled by Coyote & Crane: The World of Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene • Indian Tribe), Rodney Frey in collaboration with the Schitsu’umsh, University of Washington Press, 2001. City Links-Coeur d’ Alene Tribal Transit