San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services Short-term Implementation Plan August 31, 2011 Prepared for San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services Arizona Department of Transportation Prepared by TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................... 1 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN APPROACH..................................................... 1 2. SYSTEM OPERATING PLAN.................................................................. 7 SCHEDULED SERVICE .......................................................................... 7 PARATRANSIT SERVICE ....................................................................... 19 VANPOOLS ......................................................................................... 20 DRAFT FLEET MAINTENANCE PLAN .................................................... 23 DRAFT SAFETY PROGAM ..................................................................... 23 3. SYSTEM BUDGET ............................................................................... 24 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS AND COST OF ACQUISITION ......................... 24 OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS............................................... 25 FARE STRUCTURE AND ESTIMATED REVENUES .................................... 27 TRACKING, RECORDING, AND REPORTING RIDERSHIP AND FARE COLLECTION DATA ............................................................ 32 TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT PLAN ............................................................ 33 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY .................................... 33 4. MARKETING PLAN ............................................................................. 36 CONCEPTS FOR SYSTEM NAME, LOGO, AND COLOR SCHEME ................ 36 DRAFT COLLATERAL MATERIAL ......................................................... 36 PUBLIC OUTREACH STRATEGIES .......................................................... 39 PROMOTIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN ............................................... 43 APPENDIX A – MAINTENANCE PLAN ......................................................................... 45 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 54 i LIST OF TABLES Page 1-1. SUMMARY OF TCRP FIVE-YEAR DEMAND ESTIMATION PROCESS ....... 4 1-2. VEHICLE MILES PER SQUARE MILE 2012-2017 BASED ON 499 SERVICE AREA SQUARE MILES ................................... 5 2-1. APACHE GOLD CASINO ROUTE SCHEDULE ........................................ 8 2-2. GLOBE ROUTE SCHEDULE................................................................ 9 2-3. SAFFORD ROUTE SCHEDULE ........................................................... 10 2-4. PHOENIX ROUTE SCHEDULE ........................................................... 12 2-5. TUCSON ROUTE SCHEDULE ............................................................ 15 3-1. ESTIMATED OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR 2012-2013 FISCAL YEAR ............................................................ 26 3-2. MINIMUM LIFE-CYCLE COST REPLACEMENT AGES AND MILEAGES BY SERVICE-LIFE CATEGORY .................................. 27 3-3. PROPOSED VEHICLE ACQUISITION AND RETIREMENT....................... 28 3-4. PROPOSED FARE STRUCTURE.......................................................... 30 3-5. ESTIMATED FIVE-YEAR RIDERSHIP AND REVENUES ......................... 31 3-6. FIVE-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN ........................ 34 3-7. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY ................................ 35 ii LIST OF FIGURES Page 1-1. STUDY AREA .................................................................................. 2 1-2. SAN CARLOS APACHE NNEE BICH'ONII SERVICES SERVICE AREA ................................................................................ 6 2-1. SAFFORD ROUTE ............................................................................ 11 2-2. PHOENIX ROUTE ............................................................................ 14 2-3. TUCSON ROUTE ............................................................................. 17 3-1. EXTERNAL VIEW OF CANDIDATE VEHICLE ...................................... 24 3-2. EXAMPLE FORD CHASSIS CUTAWAY MINI-BUS PLAN ........................ 25 3-3. SAN CARLOS APACHE NNEE BICH'O NII SERVICES PICK-UP POINTS AND FARE ZONES .................................................. 29 3-5. TRAPEZE NOVUS SOFTWARE SCHEDULE EDITOR SCREEN ................. 32 4-1. SAN CARLOS APACHE NNEE BICH’O NII SERVICES LOGO .................. 36 4-2. TRI-FOLD INFORMATION BROCHURE ............................................... 37 4-3. APACHE TRANSIT FACEBOOK PAGE DETAIL..................................... 39 4-4. GOOGLE MAPS TRANSIT TRIP PLANNING ENTRY SCREEN ................. 40 4-5. CONCEPT FOR WEB SITE HOME PAGE .............................................. 42 iii iv REVISED Updated to 08/31/11 1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND In October 2009, the San Carlos Apache Tribe completed an update to their Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). One of the recommendations from the LRTP was for the Tribe to conduct an extensive transit feasibility study to evaluate the existing services and identify improvement opportunities. In addition, the Tribe is seeking support in preparing the required documentation to assist in the development of Federal and State transit funding grants. The San Carlos Apache Transit Services (SCATS) applied for, and received funding from the ADOT Multimodal Planning Division to conduct the Transit Feasibility Study. This Five-year Implementation Plan represents the second phase of the Study. The Study Area is the extents of the San Carlos Apache Nation as shown in Figure 1-1. In July 2011, A Tribal resolution was adopted officially changing the name of the transit system from San Carlos Apache Transit Services to ―San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services.‖ Nnee Bich'onii means ―Helping Our Apache People‖ in the Apache Language. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services provides services to elderly and disabled Tribal members, Tribal recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), other Tribal members—many of whom are living at or below the poverty level—and employees of the Apache Gold Casino and Resort. Apache Transit receives funding through the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP), as well as the FTA 5316 Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and FTA 5317 New Freedom programs. The San Carlos Apache Tribe operates its very own TANF department and has become the 64th federally-recognized tribe in the nation. The Department of Economic Security (DES) and the Family Assistance Administration (FAA), operating as subcontractors under San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services, determine eligibility of applicants for receipt of cash assistance only. Once approved, TANF clients are referred to San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services for employment, training, education, vocational training, and transportation services. The principal goal of San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services is to end Tribal enrollee dependence on public assistance. Lack of personal mobility has consistently been identified by Tribal and BIA transportation departments as a concern for individuals living within the San Carlos Apache Nation and other Tribal lands. This Feasibility study assessed the specific transit needs of San Carlos Apache tribal members and developed a plan for an expansion of services in order to more effectively serve San Carlos Apache tribal members with their current and future needs. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN APPROACH San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services is in the process of expanding its operations to further enhance the mobility of all Tribal enrollees and other area residents. The first phase of the Transit Study included the development, analysis, and discussion of several transit service growth scenarios. During these discussions, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services conducted a comprehensive survey of Tribal residents to better understand the Short-term Implementation Plan Page 1 FIGURE 1-1. STUDY AREA Source: Jacobs Engineering Group Page 2 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 08/31/11 desires of the community with respect to proposed transit service improvements. A discussion of the findings of the survey and the recommended service improvements that were derived from those findings and from stakeholder input is included in the Final Report of the Feasibility phase of this study. For the implementation phase, the consultant reexamined the recommended improvements and with additional stakeholder input and direction from the ADOT and Tribal Project Managers made use of these recommendations as the basis for the Implementation Plan presented here. Previous Development of FTA Section 5311 Grant Application At the time that the scope of this Study was refined, one of the tasks of the Implementation Phase was providing assistance to the Tribe in the development of an FTA Section 5311 grant application and providing documentation of the process. At the request of the ADOT and Tribal Project Managers, this portion of the scope was completed separately, in advance of the remainder of the Implementation Phase tasks, and is documented in a separate report. Subsequently, the Tribe was awarded some FTA Section 5311 funds for 2011 and will be purchasing vehicles with these funds to be delivered in the first quarter of 2012. These vehicles are included in the Budget discussion of the Implementation Plan presented in Chapter 3. Recalculation of Estimated Transit Demand During the first phase of the study, estimates of both current and future transit demand for the study area were prepared. The future demand estimate prepared for the first phase of the study contained short-, mid-, and long-term projections. For the purposes of this Short-term Implementation Plan, transit demand estimates were recalculated for a five-year period only. The results of these additional calculations are presented in Table 1-1. As was explained within the documentation of the previous phase of the study, the demand estimation procedure requires that ―hypothetical‖ routes be designated so that a ―vehicle miles per square mile‖ metric can be calculated for use in the procedure. In this instance, the recommended routes and frequencies were used. The listing, by year, of the routes to be operated and the ―vehicle miles per square mile‖ metric derived from this is presented in Table 1-2. As was further explained in the previous phase of the study, most of the San Carlos Apache Reservation is rural in character, and very sparsely populated. Even though San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services provides demand response service throughout the area, the bulk of the population served lives within a corridor along US 70 and IRR 6 in or near the Tribal communities of San Carlos, Cutter, Peridot, and Bylas. A 10-mile wide corridor centered on these roadways (and on the route of the Arizona Eastern Railway) includes 2,694 out of the 2,782 total residential dwellings in the Nation as shown in Figure 1-3. Within the extents of the Tribal area, this 10-mile wide corridor equates to 499 square miles. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 3 TABLE 1-1. SUMMARY OF TCRP FIVE-YEAR DEMAND ESTIMATION PROCESS 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 Factor-Based Non-Program Ridership Estimates Estimated Study Area Population 14,972 15,315 15,658 Vehicle Miles per Square Mile 594 743 863 Persons aged 65 or over. 681 697 713 Service Factor 0.001969 0.002368 0.002690 TCRP Factor 1,200 1,200 1,200 Est. Over 65 Annual Demand 1,610 1,981 2,301 Persons aged 16 to 64 with mobility limitations 2,195 2,246 2,296 Service Factor 0.001942 0.002176 0.002365 TCRP Factor 1,200 1,200 1,200 Est. Mobility Limited Annual Demand 5,117 5,864 6,515 Persons aged 64 or under, residing in households with incomes below the poverty level. 7,504 7,676 7,848 Service Factor 0.001980 0.002345 0.002639 TCRP Factor 1200 1200 1200 Est. Low Income Annual Demand 17,828 21,598 24,856 Estimated Total Annual Demand 24,555 29,443 33,672 Graph-Based Non-Program Ridership Estimates 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 Estimated Study Area Population 14,972 15,315 15,658 Vehicle Miles per Square Mile 594 966 1,041 Persons aged 65 or over. 681 697 713 Annual Trips per Person from Graph 2.75 2.99 3.18 Annual Trips of Over 65 population 1,874 2,084 2,266 Persons aged 16 to 64 with mobility limitations 2,195 2,246 2,296 Annual Trips per Person from Graph 2.50 2.66 2.78 Annual Trips of Mobility Limited population 5,488 5,973 6,383 Persons aged 64 or under, residing in households with incomes below the poverty level. 7,504 7,676 7,848 Annual Trips per Person from Graph 2.11 2.28 2.43 Annual Trips of Low Income 17,502 19,071 population 15,834 Estimated Annual Demand 23,196 25,559 27,720 Average of Both Estimates 23,876 27,501 30,696 Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC 2015-2016 2016-2017 15,903 980.53 724 0.003006 1,200 2,611 16,149 1,041 735 0.003167 1,200 2,794 2,332 0.002549 1,200 7,134 2,368 0.002644 1,200 7,513 7,971 0.002927 1200 28,000 37,745 8,094 0.003075 1200 29,864 40,170 2015-2016 15,903 980.53 724 3.38 2,447 2016-2017 16,149 1,041 735 3.49 2,565 2,332 2.93 2,368 3.00 6,832 7,104 7,971 2.58 20,565 8,094 2.66 21,531 29,844 33,794 31,200 35,685 In order to proceed with the development of an Implementation plan, and particularly with the development of ridership and revenue estimates, recalculation of estimated demand for the five-year period covered by the implementation plan was essential. Chapter 2 presents the system operating plan; Chapter 3 presents the budget; and Chapter 4 presents elements of the Marketing Plan. Page 4 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 08/31/11 TABLE 1-2. VEHICLE MILES PER SQUARE MILE 2012-2017 BASED ON 499 SERVICE AREA SQUARE MILES 2012-2013 Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday Total Annual Miles Vehicle Miles per Square Mile 2013-2014 Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday Phoenix Route – Two Days per Week Total Annual Miles Vehicle Miles per Square Mile 2014-2015 Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday Phoenix Route – Two Days per Week Tucson Route – Two Days per Week Total Annual Miles Vehicle Miles per Square Mile 2015-2016 Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday Phoenix Route - Three days per week Tucson Route – Two Days per Week Total Annual Miles Vehicle Miles per Square Mile 2016-2017 Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday Phoenix Route - Three days per week Tucson Route - Three days per week Total Annual Miles Vehicle Miles per Square Mile Short-term Implementation Plan Annual Miles 112,927.36 75,797.28 107,577.60 296,302.24 593.79 Annual Miles 112,927.36 75,797.28 107,577.60 74,318.40 370,620.64 742.73 Annual Miles 112,927.36 75,797.28 107,577.60 74,318.40 59,991.36 430,612.00 862.95 Annual Miles 112,927.36 75,797.28 107,577.60 111,477.60 59,991.36 489,286.72 980.53 Annual Miles 112,927.36 75,797.28 107,577.60 111,477.60 89,987.04 519,282.40 1,040.65 Page 5 FIGURE 1-2. SAN CARLOS APACHE NNEE BICH'ONII SERVICES SERVICE AREA Source: Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. Page 6 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 08/31/11 2. SYSTEM OPERATING PLAN This Chapter presents a transit improvement plan for San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services. This plan is based on the Draft Transit Improvement Plan that was presented in the Final Report of the Feasibility Phase of the Study. The capital improvement program needed to provide the vehicles for the new services and additional financial data will be discussed in Chapter 3. SCHEDULED SERVICE Transit services to be implemented in the 2011-2012 through 2016-2017 time horizons are summarized in this section. Each horizon includes twelve months from October of one year through September of the following year. This convention is being followed as it is consistent with the calendar used in submitting applications for financial assistance to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 2011-2012 A 2011-2012 pro-forma was developed for a current application for FTA Section 5311 Rural Transit Funding assistance that was presented in a separate Technical Memorandum developed by the consultant for inclusion as an exhibit accompanying the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services application. During the 2011-2012 time frame, the following capital expenditures have been recommended:    Two Ford chassis cutaway minibuses estimated to cost $93,200 each Maintenance shop equipment estimated to cost a total of $10,000 Fifteen bus stop signs for the San Carlos and Globe area checkpoint stops, estimated to cost a total of $1,500.00 assuming installation by Tribal personnel The exterior and floor plan of the recommended cutaway minibuses are presented in Chapter 3. 2012-2013 During the 2012-2013 period, the ridership estimates and the financial pro-forma assume that San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services will operate the following routes:    Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday The Apache Gold Casino Resort Route, which San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services has been operating on its current schedule since 2010, operates seven days a week, providing Short-term Implementation Plan Page 7 commuter service for Tribal employees of the Casino. Returning after dark, employees are delivered to their homes. The schedule for this route is presented in Table 2-1 below. TABLE 2-1. APACHE GOLD CASINO ROUTE SCHEDULE Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Ar. Pick-up Location Bylas - Mt. Turnbull Market Noline's Country Store Bashas' San Carlos Boys & Girls Club American Indian Church Tribal Administration GCC Satellite Center Apache Gold Casino Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Lv. Ar. Departure/Drop-off Location Apache Gold Casino GCC Satellite Center Tribal Administration American Indian Church San Carlos Boys & Girls Club Bashas' Noline's Country Store Bylas - Mt. Turnbull Market Pick-Up Schedule Extra Run* 1 RUN 2nd RUN 7:00 AM | 2:30 PM | 6:55 AM 2:55 PM | 7:00 AM 3:00 PM | 7:10 AM 3:10 PM | 7:15 AM 3:15 PM | 7:20 AM 3:20 PM | 7:25 AM 3:25 PM 7:45 AM 7:45 AM 3:45 PM Departure/Drop-off Schedule st 1 RUN 2nd RUN 3rd RUN 8:35 AM 4:35 PM 12:35 AM 8:55 AM 4:55 PM 12:55 AM 9:00 AM 5:00 PM 1:00 AM 9:10 AM 5:10 PM 1:10 AM 9:20 AM 5:20 PM 1:20 AM 9:30 AM 5:30 PM 1:30 AM 9:35 AM 5:35 PM 1:35 AM 10:00 AM 6:00 PM 2:00 AM st 3rd RUN 10:30 PM 10:55 PM 11:00 PM 11:10 PM 11:15 PM 11:20 PM 11:25 PM 11:45 PM | | | | | | | | Schedule times are subject to change. *Extra Run is primarily for the purpose of positioning the vehicle to depart from the Casino at 8:35 am. Source: San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services During 2012-2013, the Globe Route, which was introduced on its current schedule in the fall of 2010 as a Monday through Friday service, is proposed to be extended to six-days-a-week. Tribal survey respondents requested more service, including Saturday and Sunday service. While for the purpose of the draft the additional day chosen was Saturday, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services may want to evaluate Sunday service in place of—or in addition to—Saturday service. Both shopping and church were mentioned frequently by survey participants desiring additional service. Globe Schedule The one-way mileage of the Globe route is 40.49, not including deviations to off-line destinations such as the Gila Community College campus in Globe. The schedule presented above could be operated by three drivers, operating in three shifts, five-days-per-week. The shifts would correspond to each of the round-trip schedules: The first shift would be from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm; the second shift would be from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm; and the third shift Page 8 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 08/31/11 would be from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am. Each driver would work five 7-hour shifts each week. The three drivers assigned to this schedule would be drawn from the Tribal driver pool. Cultural practices exist that also affect the selection of desirable schedule times and locations. For example, activities that might be conducted by mail, by phone, or on-line in metropolitan areas, such as paying bills or making appointments, are often done in person by Tribal enrollees, resulting in increased trips per person. Many roadways on the reservation lack shoulders or street lighting, and can be hazardous to drive at night. Tribal elders and parents of high school and college students desire safe transportation to and from night classes at Gila Pueblo College in Globe—some of which end at 7:50 pm or later—as well as sports events and other evening, after school activities. Many adults without access to automobiles also take night courses at the college. The Globe schedule is shown in Table 2-2. TABLE 2-2. GLOBE ROUTE SCHEDULE WESTBOUND Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office Tribal Administration Area Satellite Center Apache Gold Casino Main Entrance (Across) Globe Express Stop Downtown Globe/Arizona Eastern Depot Fry’s Shopping Center Walmart EASTBOUND Walmart Fry’s Shopping Center Downtown Globe/Arizona Eastern Depot (Across) Globe Express Stop Apache Gold Casino Main Entrance Satellite Center Tribal Administration Area Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office 1st RUN 6:10 AM 6:40 AM 7:05 AM 7:25 AM 7:45 AM 8:10 AM 8:35 AM 8:45 AM 2nd RUN 3:10 PM 3:40 PM 4:05 PM 4:25 PM 4:45 PM 5:10 PM 5:35 PM 5:45 PM 3rd Run 6:10 PM 6:40 PM 7:05 PM 7:25 PM 7:45 PM 8:10 PM 8:20 PM 8:30 PM 9:45 AM 9:55 AM 10:25 AM 10:50 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:55 AM 12:25 PM 6:45 PM 6:55 PM 7:25 PM 7:50 PM 8:10 PM 8:30 PM 8:55 PM 9:25 PM 9:30 PM 9:40 PM No Stop 9:55 PM 10:15PM 10:35PM* 11:00PM* 11:30PM Schedule times are subject to change. Source: San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services The current pick-up points, drop-off points, and fare zones are discussed in Chapter 3. Safford Schedule and Route Alignment The one-way mileage of the Safford schedule is 68.96. As three round trips are made daily, the daily mileage total is 413.76 and the annual mileage total is 107,577 for Monday through Short-term Implementation Plan Page 9 Friday service (260 days per year). The Safford schedule, shown in Table 2-3 below, is designed to be operated with a single vehicle, although three driver shifts would be required. Drivers could combine operating one of the Safford runs with demand response work in the San Carlos/Globe area to comprise an eight-hour work day. East of Peridot, the Safford route would operate over US 70 to the Safford area. The Safford service already in place and operated by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services is the logical initial expansion for pro-forma purposes, even if survey participants requested Phoenix service more frequently. . TABLE 2-3. SAFFORD ROUTE SCHEDULE Eastbound Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office San Carlos Satellite Center American Indian Church Tribal Administration Area San Carlos Boys & Girls Club Noline's Country Store Bylas Rest Area Eastern Arizona College Parking Lot Safford DES Area Safford Wal-Mart Discovery Park Westbound Safford Wal-Mart Safford DES Area Eastern Arizona College Parking Lot Bylas Rest Area Noline's Country Store San Carlos Boys & Girls Club Tribal Administration Area American Indian Church San Carlos Satellite Center Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office 1st Run 6:00 AM 6:15 AM 6:25 AM 6:30 AM 6:35 AM 6:45 AM 7:15 AM 7:50 AM 8:00 AM 8:05 AM No Stop 1st Run 8:30 AM 8:35 AM 8:45 AM 9:20 AM 9:50 AM 10:00 AM 10:05 AM 10:10 AM 10:20 AM 10:25 AM 2nd Run 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 11:25 AM 11:30 AM 11:35 AM 11:45 AM 12:15 PM 12:50 PM 1:00 PM 1:05 PM 1:10 PM 2nd Run 1:30 PM 1:35 PM 1:45 PM 2:20 PM 2:50 PM 3:00 PM 3:05 PM 3:10 PM 3:20 PM 3:25 PM 3rd Run 4:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:25 PM 4:30 PM 4:35 PM 4:45 PM 5:15 PM 5:50 PM 6:00 PM 6:05 PM 6:10 PM 3rd Run 6:30 PM 6:35 PM 6:45 PM 7:20 PM 7:50 PM 8:00 PM 8:05 PM 8:10 PM 8:20 PM 8:25 PM Schedule times are subject to change. Source: San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services In the San Carlos and Peridot areas, Tribal enrollees also use transit for shopping as well as commuting to work, or for medical purposes. When enrollees are hospitalized, medical transportation to the hospital is provided for the patient. However, after recovering from illness or surgery, the patient is often released from the hospital without being provided a return trip home. Medical transportation also does not provide service for family members who wish to accompany the patient to the hospital, or to visit the patient during his or her stay. The general public transportation service being proposed would also enable these trips. The route alignment of the Safford route is shown in Figure 2-1. Page 10 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services DRAFT Updated to 081111 FIGURE 2-1. SAFFORD ROUTE Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Short-term Implementation Plan Page 11 2012-2013 Capital Expenditures During the 2012-2013 period, recommended capital expenditures are as follows:   One Ford E-350 replacement van, $55,000 Five bus stop signs for the Safford route checkpoints, $500 2013-2014 In 2013-2014, a Phoenix Route is recommended to be introduced as a two-days-per-week operation. The schedule is shown in Table 2-4. TABLE 2-4. PHOENIX ROUTE SCHEDULE Westbound Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office Bashas' China Town (Old. B. Ball Court) Tribal Administration Area Satellite Center Apache Gold Casino Across Express Stop Downtown Globe/Arizona Eastern Depot Wal-Mart Miami Town Hall Superior Apache Junction Mesa METRO LRT Station Phoenix Indian Medical Center Eastbound Phoenix Indian Medical Center Mesa METRO LRT Station Apache Junction Superior Miami Town Hall Wal-Mart Downtown Globe/Arizona Eastern Depot Across Express Stop Apache Gold Casino Satellite Center Tribal Administration Area China Town (Old. B. Ball Court) Bashas' Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office 1st Run 6:30 AM 6:35 AM 6:40 AM 6:45 AM 6:50 AM 7:10 AM 7:25 AM 7:30 AM 7:40 AM 7:45 AM 8:10 AM 8:45 AM 9:20 AM 9:45 AM 1st Run 10:30 AM 10:55 AM 11:30 AM 12:05 PM 12:30 PM 12:40 PM 12:50 PM 12:55 PM 1:10 PM 1:30 PM 1:35 PM 1:40 PM 1:45 PM 1:50 PM 2nd Run 2:30 PM 2:35 PM 2:40 PM 2:45 PM 2:50 PM 3:10 PM 3:25 PM 3:30 PM 3:40 PM 3:45 PM 4:10 PM 4:45 PM 5:20 PM 5:45 PM 2nd Run 6:30 PM 6:55 PM 7:30 PM 8:05 PM 8:30 PM 8:40 PM 8:50 PM 8:55 PM 9:10 PM 9:30 PM 9:35 PM 9:40 PM 9:45 PM 9:50 PM 3rd Run 6:30 PM 6:35 PM 6:40 PM 6:45 PM 6:50 PM 7:10 PM 7:25 PM 7:30 PM 7:40 PM 7:45 PM 8:10 PM 8:45 PM 9:20 PM 9:45 PM 3rd Run 10:00 PM 10:25 PM 11:00 PM 11:35 PM 12:00 AM 12:10 AM 12:20 AM 12:25 AM 12:40 AM 1:00 AM 1:05 AM 1:10 AM 1:15 AM 1:20 AM Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Page 12 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services DRAFT Updated to 081111 Phoenix Schedule and Route Alignment The one-way mileage of the Phoenix schedule is 119.10; operating this schedule two days a week will result in the accumulation of 74,318.40 annual miles. The schedule will require two vehicles and three drivers on each day of operation. Ridership estimates suggest that minibuses might be needed for this route. If the route were operated on an advance reservations basis, vans could be assigned on light days. As gasoline prices climb, Tribal residents will want to depend more and more on public transportation for shopping, medical visits, and access to evening sports events concerts, and other urban area attractions. The late night return schedule enables these activities. The Phoenix route alignment is shown in Figure 2-2. West of Miami, the Phoenix route would operate over US 60 through Superior to Apache Junction, thence west on US 60 to Mesa. US 60, Interstate 10, and SR 51 could be used in the Phoenix area. The proposed Phoenix schedule terminates at the Indian Health Service in Phoenix, a destination mentioned by a number of survey participants. It would also stop at the Mesa station of Phoenix’s METRO light rail service, where connections to a number of Valley locations are available. METRO runs through both the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses of Arizona State University, and also stops near Sky Harbor Airport, Chase Field, US Airways Center, the Heard Museum, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. METRO also serves Park Central and Specrtum (Christown) Malls, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Convention Center, and numerous downtown restaurants, theatres, museums, and other cultural and entertainment destinations. For both time and financial constraints, operation of this schedule as a fixed route within the Phoenix area would be desirable, relying on the light rail and frequent bus connections rather than making extensive detours in Valley traffic. Further study should be undertaken before the final route and stops are selected. Joint Operation of Phoenix Services For the purposes of this Short-term Implementation Plan, the proposed Phoenix schedule is presented as an operation implemented and managed by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services on its own. However, regional interest exists in restoring intercity transit service along the US 60-US 70 corridor between Phoenix, Superior, Miami, Globe, and Safford. The Tribe will want to explore the option of partnering with Cobre Valley Community Transit, ADOT or other entities to operate the service. Funding assistance could be provided through a number of public agencies including ADOT, Gila, Graham, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties, the Cities of Globe, Phoenix, and Superior, the Town of Miami, and other sources. Such a service might be implemented as part of a newly-implemented regional transit network that would include service along the SR 77 corridor to Winkleman, San Manual, Oro Valley, and Tucson. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 13 FIGURE 2-2. PHOENIX ROUTE Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Page 14 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 2013-2014 Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures for the 2013-2014 period include    Additional Ford chassis cutaway minibus, $93,200 Replacement Ford E-350 van, $55,000 Five more bus stop signs for the Phoenix route checkpoints. 2014-2015 In 2014-2015, two-days-per-week service to Tucson will be added. The proposed Tucson schedule is shown in Table 2-5. TABLE 2-5. TUCSON ROUTE SCHEDULE Southbound Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office Bashas' China Town (Old. B. Ball Court) Tribal Administration Area Satellite Center Apache Gold Casino Winkelman San Manuel Tucson - Tohono Tadai Transit Center Tucson - Health Sciences/Streetcar Tucson - VA Medical Center Northbound Tucson - VA Medical Center Tucson - Health Sciences/Streetcar Tucson - Tohono Tadai Transit Center San Manuel Winkelman Apache Gold Casino Satellite Center Tribal Administration Area China Town (Old. B. Ball Court) Bashas' Peridot Nnee Bich’o Nii Office 1st Run 7:00 AM 7:05 AM 7:10 AM 7:15 AM 7:20 AM 7:40 AM 8:20 AM 8:55 AM 9:55 AM 10:10 AM 10:25 AM 1st Run 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 12:35 PM 1:15 PM 1:35 PM 1:40 PM 1:45 PM 1:50 PM 1:55 PM 2nd Run 2:00 PM 2:05 PM 2:10 PM 2:15 PM 2:20 PM 2:40 PM 3:20 PM 3:55 PM 4:55 PM 5:10 PM 5:25 PM 2nd Run 5:30 PM 5:45 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:35 PM 8:15 PM 8:35 PM 8:40 PM 8:45 PM 8:50 PM 8:55 PM Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Short-term Implementation Plan Page 15 Tucson Schedule and Route Alignment The Tucson Route would follow the alignment of the Globe route between Peridot, San Carlos, and the Casino. Leaving the Casino, the route would follow US 70 to its junction with SR 77 and then operate over SR 77 to the Tucson Area. (See Figure 2-3) The proposed Tucson Route would be 144 miles in length, and would terminate at the VA Medical Center in Tucson, after making stops in San Manuel, at a transit center north of downtown, and in the vicinity of the University of Arizona. Two round trips are proposed for each day the route is operated. Operation of the Tucson route two days per week would add an additional 59,991.36 annual miles to the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services system. The route is designed to be operated with one vehicle, but would require two drivers. The Tucson Route is designed to take advantage of existing and future transit services in Tucson, to facilitate distribution and collection of San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services riders and minimize the amount of route deviation in Tucson traffic. As is the case with the Phoenix Route, the consultant recommends that San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services plan to operate this service as a fixed route within the Tucson area to save the time and expense of deviating in urban traffic. Stopping at the Tohono Tadai Transit Center near Stone Avenue and River Road will give SCATS riders connections to Tucson’s SunTran bus system. The Transit Center is also within walking distance of Tucson Mall, a major regional mall featuring major stores such as Dillards, Penny’s and Sears, as well as specialty shops. There are also a number of popular restaurants in the area. Another Tucson stop would be near the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, giving access to another highly respected and patronized health care facility as well as the terminal of the Tucson Modern Streetcar, which is expected to be operating by 2014. The Streetcar will connect to additional areas of the University of Arizona campus, the Tucson Amtrak Station, and the downtown Ronstadt Transit Center. Joint Operation of Tucson Services As was the case with the Phoenix schedule, the proposed Tucson schedule is presented as an operation implemented and managed by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services on its own. However, regional interest exists in implementing intercity transit service along the SR 77 corridor between Globe, Winkleman, Oro Valley, and Tucson. The Tribe will want to explore the option of partnering with Cobre Valley Community Transit, ADOT or other entities to operate the service. Funding assistance could be provided through a number of public agencies including ADOT, Gila, and Pima Counties, the Cities of Globe and Tucson, and other sources. Page 16 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 FIGURE 2-3. TUCSON ROUTE Source: Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. 2014-2015 Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures recommended for 2014-2015 are as follows: Short-term Implementation Plan Page 17      Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus, $93,200 Ford E-350 Van, $55,000 Upgrade GPS/GIS tracking and dispatch system, $25,000 New radio repeaters (2 @ $25,000 each), $50,000 Five bus stop signs for the Tucson route, $500 If the Phoenix and Tucson Routes, both of which would begin by operating two days per week, are operated on different days, the same vehicle could be used. However, a spare cutaway minibus, to be available for maintenance and to protect the Globe, Phoenix, and Tucson services, is recommended. Five more bus stop signs will also be needed. During the 2014-2015 period, the consultant recommends upgrading the GPS/GIS tracking and dispatch system developed with the assistance of Jacobs during the conduct of the 2009 San Carlos Apache Tribe Transportation Study. After the tracking and dispatch system was placed in service, several ―dead‖ spots were identified within the reservation where radio communication with the vehicles needed for the tracking system is not possible. Radio repeaters to be located on Pinal Peak, south of Globe, and on Hill Top, north of San Carlos, are recommended to achieve complete coverage. 2015-2016 During the 2015-2016 period, the Phoenix service would be increased to three days per week. Subject to adjustments identified through operating experience, the schedule would remain the same. 2015-2016 Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures for the 2013-2014 period include   Additional Ford chassis cutaway minibus, $93,200 Replacement Ford E-350 van, $55,000 2016-2017 During the 2016-2017 period, the Tucson service would be increased to three days per week. Subject to adjustments identified through operating experience, the schedule would remain the same. 2016-2017 Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures for the 2013-2014 period include   Additional Ford chassis cutaway minibus, $93,200 Replacement Ford E-350 van, $55,000 Page 18 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 PARATRANSIT SERVICE In addition to providing scheduled runs, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services functions as the primary paratransit service provider in its service area. Most of the paratransit needs of the San Carlos Apache community are addressed by means of scheduling vehicles to deviate from the fixed routes as needed to pick up or deliver riders with mobility limitations. In addition, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services schedules special trips for youth groups, Tribal elders, and others. The GPS system that San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services makes use of to track the locations of its vehicles also facilitates the efficient dispatching of vehicles needing to deviate from the established route to pick-up or deliver paratransit clients. The practice of operating a deviated fixed-route system legally absolves San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services from operating an additional complementary paratransit service. However, additional human services transportation is provided in the service area by the Tribal Emergency Medical Services, which provides medical transportation, and the Tribal Older Adults Center. Complementary Paratransit Service Funded Through FTA Section 5310 ADOT administers over $3.9 million annually in formula FTA and Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for the FTA Section 5310 program. These funds are used for the purchase of vans and minibuses for the transportation of seniors and mobility-limited persons. Eligible program participants include private non-profit, public, and Tribal agencies that provide transportation to elderly and disabled persons, such as senior centers. Agencies that provide transportation for developmentally disabled and/or seriously mentally ill populations are also eligible to receive Section 5310 funds. Section 5310-funded vehicles are used for transportation to:     Medical Appointments Adult Day Care Facilities Service Appointments such Banking, Social Services, etc. Employment as    Nutrition Appointments Education and Training Shopping Trips In Arizona, approximately 150 public and private agencies currently participate in the 5310 Program. Tribal communities have been particularly active in the Program (Arizona Department of Transportation, www.azdot.gov) Councils of Governments such as CAAG assist ADOT in screening applicants for 5310 funds. ADOT then makes the final decision based on input received from CAAG, for example, and available budget. The Tribal Older Adult Center currently receives 5310 Program funds. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 19 VANPOOLS In portions of the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii service area the public transportation demand might be characterized by a small group of riders who regularly travel to a specific destination that is not currently served by the scheduled services, such as a copper mine or other industry. Under such circumstances, facilitating the formation of a vanpool might be a more cost-effective way to provide transportation. Types of Vanpool Programs Four basic types of vanpool programs exist: 1. Owner/operator Vanpools, initiated by individuals who buy or lease a van with which to start a vanpool, exist primarily on the East and West Coasts—particularly in the Washington, DC and San Francisco Bay areas—where there is severe traffic congestion, together with extensive networks of high-occupancy vehicle lanes that encourage vanpooling and carpooling. A major challenge for owner/operators is finding liability insurance that is both adequate and affordable. 2. Employer Vanpools where companies buy or lease vans for use by their employees. Many of these vanpools were established in the 1970s during the first oil embargo and the first episode of rapidly rising gasoline prices. As gas prices dropped during the 80s and 90s, many of these vanpools were discontinued. Currently, with gas prices again on the rise, company-sponsored vanpools could be an appealing option, For example, a San Carlos-based employer may commit to using vanpool vehicles for employees commuting from Mesa or Phoenix. Annual participation contracts with renewal clauses should be signed. The vanpool administrator/coordinator holds meetings with employees and signs up 14 users for each van. Two-or-more drivers for each vanpool agree to a three-hour driver-training course and they are certified to drive the vehicle. In exchange for driving, fueling the vehicle, and arranging for scheduled maintenance, the primary driver may receive transportation free each month, or may have personal use of the vehicle for up to between 35 and 50 miles on the weekends/evenings. This is a valued incentive where the employer pays for most or all of each individual’s commuter costs. 3. Private Operators—sometimes referred to as third-party vanpool providers—are either for-profit or non-profit companies who operate vanpool services for commuters, companies, and government agencies. One example of a private operator is the 1-800-Vanpool service managed by Enterprise Rent-a-car and discussed at length below. 4. Public Transit Systems also sponsor vanpools by providing an assortment of capital and operating subsidies to encourage participation in vanpooling as part of transportation demand management or to provide mobility for areas where the levels of demand do not justify the implementation of traditional transit services. The Page 20 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 agencies can establish their own vanpool networks or team with a private operator. Both Valley Metro in Phoenix and SunTran in Tucson have vanpool programs in which residents of those urban areas can participate. A public agency such as Nnee Bich’o Nii or Gila County could purchase vehicles and administer a vanpool program. In certain instances, a private business owner can supply the capital for vehicle lease or purchase. Participants can share the cost of operating the vanpool; however, employers may fully or partially subsidize the costs. The calculation for deciding how to price this type of vanpool service is based on several factors:       Vehicle depreciation cost spread over five years or 50,000 miles of operation Vehicle usage calculated on a monthly average of 21 days Fuel costs per mile, a conservative estimate, reflecting fluctuating fuel costs Mileage calculated on a round-trip basis Per-mile maintenance costs are determined Administrative responsibilities include marketing, training drivers, keeping vanpools viable and full, and creating incentive and promotional programs Nnee Bich’o Nii could consider providing a ―ride sharing‖ service for identifying potential participants in a carpool or vanpool. A database could be developed that would be accessible through the Nnee Bich’o Nii Web site. Visitors to the site interested in participating in the ride sharing program could enter their home and work addresses and the shift times that they work. The software would then ―match‖ them with others living nearby, and working at the same location on the same shift. A few issues arise with shared-use vehicles. If the driver of the vanpool is an employee who is also commuting to work, the type of insurance needed is different than if the driver is paid or if the vehicles are used for other service during the day. As with any formal bus service, vanpools need back-up vehicles or a plan for alternate service. Other issues that can make or break a vanpool deal with passenger ―rules.‖ Vanpool issues include:          How long the will the van wait for late passengers? Is there a central meeting place for commuters? Does the program require parking for commuters? Is the vehicle secure during the day or evening hours? Are eating and drinking allowed in the vehicle? What happens when a member of the vanpool drops out? Who is responsible for filling the empty space? How will conflicts among participants be resolved? How is gas money collected? How and when does maintenance on the vehicle occur? Short-term Implementation Plan Page 21 Vehicle Replacement: Cost for vehicle replacement must be considered in funding vanpool programs. The operating agency must collect enough of a per-mile cost to accrue the purchase cost of the vehicle over five years or 50,000 miles. The key to implementing a successful vanpool program is to develop partnering relationships with the businesses that will benefit. The partnership of the employer and employee is critical to maintaining stable and cost effective vanpools. From the acquisition of the vehicle to securing a full roster of riders, a positive mutual advantage must be present. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an example of a vanpool private operator that provides service in Arizona. According to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, their ―1-800-Vanpool‖ service can be implemented anywhere within the state, including comparatively rural areas such as the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The 1-800-Vanpool service includes the following elements:        Late-model Ford van specifically equipped for vanpooling including cloth upholstery, AM/FM stereo and CD player, power locks/windows, cruise control, and front and rear air-conditioning. Service and maintenance program 24-hour vanpool roadside assistance Insurance program Month-to-month flexibility to adapt to the changing rideshare needs of participants Optional guaranteed ride home program Administrative support In rural areas, some of the features, such as the 24-hour roadside assistance, might be structured differently than in urban areas. The service and maintenance would likely be contracted out to a nearby Ford dealer, such as McSpadden Ford in Globe. The service provides either 8-passenger or 15-passenger vehicles. The monthly cost per vanpool participant for an 8-passenger van is $155; the monthly cost per participant for a 15passenger van is $90.00. Note that the cost of gasoline is not included in these prices. Monthly prices may vary depending upon the daily mileage driven. Luxury vans are available for a slightly higher cost per person and include the following additional features: high-backed reclining ―captain’s chairs‖ with individual armrests, and interior overhead lights. Program details can be obtained by visiting the Web site at ww.vanpool.com. Using a third-party operator such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car might be a good way to test the concept without making the commitments needed to acquire the additional vans and insurance. However, once established, vanpools are one form of transit service that can actually make a profit; Nnee Bich’o Nii may ultimately want to establish their own operation. Page 22 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 DRAFT FLEET MAINTENANCE PLAN The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires each recipient of federal funding to have a current written maintenance plan for its federally funded rolling stock, as provided for in FTA Circular 9030.1C. A draft document that fulfills these federal requirements is included as Appendix A. In addition to the explicit provisions of this Fleet Maintenance Plan, the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services may perform additional maintenance on its transit fleet pursuant to the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer and consistent with established San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services vehicle maintenance procedures. The draft Fleet Maintenance Plan has been developed from the Fleet Maintenance Plan adopted by the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transit Agency (NAIPTA) and approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). DRAFT SAFETY PROGAM San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services has a Safety Program in place. However, the consultant team was asked to draft a new Safety Program that San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services management could review for comparison. A draft document was developed that covers nearly every conceivable safety issue that might arise in the office, in the maintenance shop, or on the road, and draws heavily from ―boilerplate‖ language obtained through online research. Due to the length of the Safety Program document, it has been provided under separate cover for review. The final Safety Program could contain elements from the existing San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services Program as well as elements from the new draft. The Safety Program will be finalized with input from the ADOT Project Manager and San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services management and staff. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 23 3. SYSTEM BUDGET This chapter presents the system budget, including vehicle specifications and cost, operating and maintenance costs, and the proposed fare structure and estimated revenues. A concept for tracking and recording ridership and revenue is presented, along with a five-year transportation improvement plan and a five-year capital improvement plan. VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS AND COST OF ACQUISITION Two general types of vehicles are proposed to be used. The first type are the Ford e-350 vans similar to those already being operated by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services. The estimated cost per van to be acquired is $55,000. The second type of vehicle is a Ford chassis ―cutaway‖ minibus having a capacity of 16 passengers and positions for two wheelchairs. These vehicles are estimated to cost $93,200 each, including a bus wrap, bicycle rack, seatbelts, wheelchair lift, and destination sign. These vehicles are typically manufactured with a white body, and a plastic ―bus wrap‖ is applied to the vehicle that includes the system name and logo and other ―paint scheme‖ design elements. An external view of an Eldorado Aerotech, which is a common version of this type of vehicle, is shown in Figure 3-1. Note that the example shown does not include a wheelchair lift or bike rack. FIGURE 3-1. EXTERNAL VIEW OF CANDIDATE VEHICLE Source: Thor Industries Commercial Bus Division A typical floor plan for a cutaway minibus is shown in Figure 3-2. Page 24 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 FIGURE 3-2. EXAMPLE FORD CHASSIS CUTAWAY MINI-BUS PLAN Source: Arizona Bus Sales OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS Estimated operating and maintenance costs for the 2012-2013 fiscal year are presented in Table 3-1. These costs were estimated based San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services experience as well as typical operating costs for similar operations and have been reviewed by ADOT transit program personnel. In subsequent fiscal years, appropriate cost increases were assumed. For example, fuel was assumed to increase by 25 cents per gallon per year, and driver salaries were assumed to increase by 25 cents an hour per year. As was discussed in the Final Report of the feasibility phase of the study, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services vehicle care and maintenance practices are above average. McSpadden Ford in Globe, which has been handling much of the maintenance on the current vehicle fleet, is extremely complimentary regarding the condition of the vehicles. The maintenance cost per mile of the much of the existing fleet is unusually low, with many of the vans costing less than $ .03 to maintain. (source: McSpadden Ford) However as vehicles age and accumulate road miles, the cost of maintaining the vehicles increases—often dramatically. The Federal Transit Administration has established vehicle age and odometer mileage thresholds with respect to vehicles that were acquired with any type of FTA funding. This data is presented in Table 3-2. The ―light duty small bus/van‖ category, which includes all of the vehicles in San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services’ existing fleet, has age and mileage thresholds of four years or 100,000 miles respectively. Some of the existing vehicles already exceed this minimum. Transit systems operating in rural Arizona can expect to accumulate mileage more rapidly than systems operating in urban areas. Over-the-road mileage—particularly on paved highways—tends to result in less ―wear and tear‖ per mile than city driving. However, analysis suggests that, even allowing for vehicles to reach 160,000 miles or more before being replaced, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services can expect to turnover virtually Short-term Implementation Plan Page 25 TABLE 3-1. ESTIMATED OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR 2012-2013 FISCAL YEAR Expenses Annual $ % Time Administrative Expenses 80% FTA/20% SCA Nnee Bich’o Nii Services Administrative Staff 172,923 20.00% $ 34,584.60 (four full time total) Fringe Benefits 12,110.91 Space Rental/Maintenance Program Audit 750.00 Utilities 840.00 Marketing/Advertising 1,200.00 Printing 600.00 Supplies 600.00 Telephone 525.00 Postage 250.00 Substance Abuse Program 3,200.00 Subtotal 54,678.51 Operating Expenses 58% FTA/42% SCA Nnee Bich’o Nii Services Supervisor/Dispatcher $29,993.00 90.00% $ 26,993.70 Shop Foreman Shop Assistant Custodian $18,720.00 50.00% 9,360.00 Driver Salaries 173,153.75 Fringe Benefits 73,327.61 Fuel and Oil 195,793.59 Maintenance and Parts ($0.5 per mile) 37,062.06 Vehicle Licenses 2,000.00 Vehicle Insurance 2,500.00 Vehicle Cleaning and Supplies 2,400.00 Communications 1,500.00 Uniforms 695.00 Subtotal $ 524,785.71 TOTAL $ 579,464.22 its entire vehicle fleet within five years if the proposed service additions are implemented. (See Table 3-3)Note that the purchase dates and vehicle types listed in Table 3-3 correlate to those discussed in the system operating plan in the preceding chapter. As the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services vehicles have been so well maintained, it may in some instances make sense to rebuild key components of a specific vehicle, such as the engine and transmission, rather than replacing the vehicle. However it is difficult to ―capitalize‖ such repairs from a federal funding standpoint, which creates a disincentive for this approach. Page 26 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 TABLE 3-2. MINIMUM LIFE-CYCLE COST REPLACEMENT AGES AND MILEAGES BY SERVICE-LIFE CATEGORY Vehicle Type / Category Heavy-Duty Large Bus: 12-Years / 500,000 Miles Heavy-Duty Small Bus: 10-Years / 350,000 Miles Medium-Duty Small Bus: 7-Years / 200,000 Miles Light-Duty Midsize Bus/Van: 5-Years / 150,000 Miles Light-Duty Small Bus/Van: 4-Years / 100,000 Miles Annual Vehicle Mileage 25,000 35,000 45,000 25,000 35,000 45,000 25,000 35,000 45,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 Minimum Cost Age 17 14 12 12 11 11 9 8 7 7 6 5 6 5 4 Minimum Cost Mileage 425,000 490,000 540,000 300,000 385,000 495,000 225,000 280,000 315,000 140,000 180,000 200,000 120,000 150,000 160,000 Note: Shaded cells indicate where minimum cost point exceeds FTA age or mileage minimums. Source: Federal Transit Administration, Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans, Final Report, April 2007. FARE STRUCTURE AND ESTIMATED REVENUES To estimate revenues for each fiscal year in the short-term plan, the forecasted demand for each year was used, together with an estimate of what the average fares would be and how the ridership would split among the schedules being operated within a particular fiscal year. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services has created fare zones for the existing Casino, Globe, and Safford schedules as shown in Figure 3-3. These fares and zones were parsed into a table and fictitious zones for the Phoenix and Tucson routes were added, with logical increases in rates to match the longer distances. (See Table 3-4). As a technical origin/destination analysis of potential riders was outside the scope of this study, the consultant chose to parse out the ridership for a given year based on the relative number of trips operated to each of the destinations. For each route, the fare from Zone 1 (San Carlos/Peridot) to the key destination was assumed to be the average fare collected. The projected revenues by year resulting from this procedure are presented in Table 3-5. These revenue figures were used, along with the expenses explained above, to develop proforma statements of expense and revenue for each fiscal year. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 27 TABLE 3-3. PROPOSED VEHICLE ACQUISITION AND RETIREMENT Vehicle Description Vehicle Date Number Purchased 08 Ford 350 Econo Van 08 Ford 350 Econo Van 08 Ford 350 Econo Van 08 Ford Econo Van Lg 04Ford E-350 Van Sm. 05 Ford Econo Van Lg. 09 Ford Econoline Van 09 Ford Econoline Van 09 Ford Econoline Van #001 #002 #003 #004 #005 #006 #007 #008 #009 10/01/08 10/01/08 10/01/08 02/01/08 12/01/03 03/01/05 09/01/09 09/01/09 10/01/09 Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Total Annual Miles #010 #011 #012 #013 #014 #015 #016 #017 #018 03/01/12 03/01/12 03/01/13 03/01/14 03/01/14 03/01/15 03/01/15 03/01/16 03/01/16 Page 28 Prior Mileage 49,965 47,047 50,114 121,594 141,359 151,222 53,134 65,923 837 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 Annual Accumulated Annual Accumulated Annual Accumulated Annual Accumulated Miles per Miles per Miles per Miles per Miles per Miles per Miles per Miles per Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Current Fleet 28,367 78,332 31,190 109,522 37,062 146,584 35,884 182,468 28,367 75,414 31,190 106,604 37,062 143,666 35,884 179,550 28,367 78,481 31,190 109,671 37,062 146,733 35,884 182,617 28,367 149,961 31,190 181,151 To be retired at end of 2013 28,367 169,726 To be retired at end of 2012 28,367 179,589 To be retired at end of 2012 28,367 81,501 31,190 112,691 37,062 149,753 35,884 185,637 28,367 94,290 31,190 125,480 37,062 162,542 35,884 198,426 28,367 29,204 31,190 60,394 37,062 97,456 35,884 133,340 Proposed Acquisitions 14,183 14,183 31,190 45,373 37,062 82,435 35,884 118,320 14,183 14,183 31,190 45,373 37,062 82,435 35,884 118,320 15,595 15,595 37,062 52,657 35,884 88,541 18,531 18,531 35,884 54,415 18,531 18,531 35,884 54,415 17,942 17,942 17,942 17,942 283,669 296,302 370,621 430,612 2015-2016 2016-2017 Annual Accumulated Annual Accumulated Miles per Miles per Miles per Miles per Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle Vehicle To be retired at end of 2015 To be retired at end of 2015 To be retired at end of 2015 To be retired at end of 2015 To be retired at end of 2015 54,365 187,705 To be retired at end of 2016 54,365 54,365 54,365 54,365 54,365 54,365 54,365 27,183 27,183 489,286 172,685 172,685 142,906 108,780 108,780 72,307 72,307 27,183 27,183 57,698 57,698 57,698 57,698 57,698 57,698 57,698 57,698 57,698 519,282 230,383 230,383 200,604 166,478 166,478 130,005 130,005 84,881 84,881 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 FIGURE 3-3. SAN CARLOS APACHE NNEE BICH'O NII SERVICES PICK-UP POINTS AND FARE ZONES Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Short-term Implementation Plan Page 29 TABLE 3-4. PROPOSED FARE STRUCTURE To: From: Zone 2 East $1.50 $3.00 Zone 3 East $2.50 $5.00 $1.50 $3.00 Zone 4 East $3.50 $7.00 $2.50 $5.00 $1.50 $3.00 Zone 2 West $1.50 $3.00 $2.50 $5.00 $2.50 $5.00 $4.50 $9.00 Zone 3 West $2.50 $5.00 $3.50 $7.00 $4.50 $9.00 $5.00 $10.00 $1.50 $3.00 Zone 4 West* $4.50 $9.00 $5.00 $10.00 $5.50 $11.00 $6.00 $12.00 $3.50 $7.00 $2.50 $5.00 Zone 5 West* $5.00 $10.00 $5.50 $11.00 $6.00 $12.00 $6.50 $13.00 $4.50 $9.00 $3.50 $7.00 $3.50 $7.00 Zone 2 South* $4.50 $9.00 $5.00 $10.00 $5.50 $11.00 $6.00 $12.00 $3.50 $7.00 $5.50 $11.00 $6.00 $12.00 $6.50 $13.00 OW RT OW Zone 2 East RT OW Zone 3 East RT OW Zone 4 East RT OW Zone 2 West RT OW Zone 3 West RT OW Zone 4 West* RT OW Zone 5 West* RT OW Zone 2 South* RT Source: San Carlos Apache Bich’ o Nii Services *These rates represent future rates for zones to be served by Phoenix and Tucson Routes proposed by R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Zone 1 Page 30 Zone 3 South* $5.00 $10.00 $5.50 $11.00 $6.00 $12.00 $6.50 $13.00 $4.50 $9.00 $6.00 $12.00 $6.50 $13.00 $7.00 $14.00 $4.50 $9.00 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 TABLE 3-5. ESTIMATED FIVE-YEAR RIDERSHIP AND REVENUES Total Estimated Ridership Total Estimated Revenue Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Route Fare Estimated Route Annual Revenue Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Route Fare Estimated Globe Annual Revenue Safford Route - Monday through Friday Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Route Fare Estimated Route Annual Revenue Phoenix Route – Two Days per Week Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Trip Fare Estimated Route Annual Revenue Phoenix Route - Three days per week Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Trip Fare Estimated Trip Annual Revenue Tucson Route – Two Days per Week Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Trip Fare Estimated Route Annual Revenue Tucson Route - Three days per week Weekly runs Unlinked Passenger Trips Estimated Average Trip Fare Estimated Route Annual Revenue Total Weekly Trips Percentage of total Apache Gold Casino/Resort Route Globe Route - Monday through Saturday Safford Route - Monday through Friday Phoenix Route – Two Days per Week Phoenix Route - Three days per week Tucson Route – Two Days per Week Tucson Route - Three days per week 2012-2013 23,876 $55,745 2014-2015 30,696 $83,789 2015-2016 33,794 $95,510 2016-2017 35,685 $102,994 49 10,173 $1.50 $15,260 49 10,611 $1.50 $15,916 49 11,142 $1.50 $16,712 49 11,744 $1.50 $17,616 49 12,059 $1.50 $18,089 36 7,474 $2.50 $18,686 36 7,796 $2.50 $19,489 36 8,186 $2.50 $20,464 36 8,628 $2.50 $21,571 36 8,860 $2.50 $22,149 30 6,229 $3.50 $21,799.83 30 6,496 $3.50 $23,476.46 30 6,821 $3.50 $24,603.66 30 7,190 $3.50 $26,284.22 30 7,383 $3.50 $26,956.29 12 2,599 $5.00 $12,993 12 2,729 $5.00 $13,643 18 4,314 $5.00 $21,571 18 4,430 $5.00 $22,149 8 1,819 $5.00 $9,095 8 1,917 $5.00 $9,587 12 2,953 $5.00 $14,766 139 115 123 131 135 42.61% 31.30% 26.09% 38.58% 28.35% 23.62% 9.45% 36.30% 26.67% 22.22% 8.89% 34.75% 25.53% 21.28% 33.79% 24.83% 20.69% 12.77% 5.93% 12.41% 6.11% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Short-term Implementation Plan 2013-2014 27,501 $71,134 100.00% 8.28% 100.00% Page 31 TRACKING, RECORDING, AND REPORTING RIDERSHIP AND FARE COLLECTION DATA As the operation becomes more complex, and the number of daily riders continues to grow, the importance of keeping accurate records of ridership and fare collection data increases commensurately. One way of keeping and maintaining these records is by means of software and hardware designed specifically for that purpose. Trapeze Group, which has an office in Scottsdale, is a prominent supplier of transit record keeping software. Figure 3-5 depicts an example schedule editor screen from the Trapeze Novus software that highlights some of the key features of their system. FIGURE 3-5. TRAPEZE NOVUS SOFTWARE SCHEDULE EDITOR SCREEN Source: Trapeze Group By means of a hand-held device such as an iPad or a Blackberry, drivers could enter passenger origin, destination, and fare data during the trip and ―text‖ the data to the office. When the driver checks in at the end of each trip, the driver and supervisor can cross-check the amount of cash and vouchers collected by the driver with the fares due. Over time, the origin and destination data gathered through this process would prove invaluable in future route and schedule restructuring. The principal drawback to these systems is the cost. Trapeze estimates that a start-up installation for San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services would be upwards of $40,000 for the software package, with an annual license maintenance fee of approximately $8,000.00. Such a cost would likely eclipse the amount of fare revenue lost, if any, through manual record keeping. However, it might be possible to emulate some of the features of a sophisticated set-up such as Trapeze with a simple spreadsheet or database-based system. At a future date, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services may want to consider the conduct of a follow-up study to develop such a system. Moreover, one or more ―add-ons‖ to the Page 32 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 existing GPS system may be available that could be used to assist in tracking passenger origin and destination, and fare collection, as well as the ―real time‖ location of each of the vehicles. TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT PLAN Table 3-6 presents a Transit Improvement Plan and provides an idea of how operating costs will rise as services are expanded and new services are added. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY The Capital Improvement Program Summary (Table 3-7) presents all of the improvements in chronological order, along with the Tribal share of the capital expenditure estimated for each time period. Vehicles programmed to be purchased throughout the time periods will enable older, high vehicles to be retired, maintaining a manageable average age for the vehicle fleet. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 33 TABLE 3-6. FIVE-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN Year 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 Description Implement Globe Schedule, Monday through Friday. Pursue coordination with CVCT. Purchase two buses and shop equipment. Add Saturday Globe Service, Implement Safford Route, Monday through Friday. Purchase replacement van. Add Phoenix Service, two days a week. Purchase bus and van. Add Tucson Service, two days a week. Purchase bus and van. Upgrade GPS tracking and communications system. Increase Phoenix Service to three days a week. Purchase bus and van. Increase Tucson Service to three days a week. Purchase bus and van. Total Expenses Net Revenues Net Expenses Federal Tribal/Other $585,982 $41,098 $544,884 $378,866 $166,019 $524,024 $55,745 $468,279 $295,676 $172,603 $727,414 $71,134 $656,280 $425,221 $231,059 $727,246 $83,789 $643,458 $401,680 $241,778 $884,822 $95,510 $789,312 $502,269 $287,043 $931,242 $102,994 $828,248 $524,852 $303,396 Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Page 34 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 TABLE 3-7. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY Description 2011-2012 Ford Chassis Cutaway Buses (2 @ $186,400 $93,200 ea.) Shop Equipment 10,000 Bus stop signs (15) 1,500 Ford E-350 Van Bus stop signs (5) Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Bus stop signs (5) Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Upgrade GPS/GIS tracking and dispatch system New radio repeaters (2 @ $25,000 each) Bus stop signs (5) Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Ford Chassis Cutaway Bus Ford E-350 Van Total $197,900 San Carlos Apache Tribe Share $39,580 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 $55,000 500 $93,200 55,000 500 $93,200 55,000 25,000 50,000 500 $93,200 55,000 $55,500 $11,100 $148,700 $29,740 $223,700 $44,740 $148,200 $29,640 $93,200 55,000 $148,200 $29,640 Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Short-term Implementation Plan Page 35 4. MARKETING PLAN This chapter presents elements of a proposed marketing plan for San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services. CONCEPTS FOR SYSTEM NAME, LOGO, AND COLOR SCHEME In 2010, Otis Rustin, Jr., a Tribal artist designed an attractive and distinctive logo that is shown in Figure 4-1. In 2011, the name of San Carlos Apache Transit Services was changed to San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services pursuant to a Tribal resolution. FIGURE 4-1. SAN CARLOS APACHE NNEE BICH’O NII SERVICES LOGO Source: Otis Rustin, Jr., Nnee Bich’onii DRAFT COLLATERAL MATERIAL The consultant team is currently drafting collateral material for consideration by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services for use in providing information to passengers as well as in marketing and promoting the service. Figure 4-2 is a draft tri-fold information brochure, for distribution at key locations within the service area and to persons boarding the vehicles. This is proposed to be the first of a ―family‖ of brochures and flyers. Other material in this group will include brochures containing schedules for each of the routes and a brochure explaining the fares and fare zones. A PowerPoint presentation will be drafted for submittal to the Tribal Project Manager along with the Implementation Plan Final Report. Versions of this presentation could be adapted for presentation to seniors, students, and other groups of potential users of the service. Page 36 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 FIGURE 4-2. TRI-FOLD INFORMATION BROCHURE Short-term Implementation Plan Page 37 FIGURE 4-2. TRI-FOLD INFORMATION BROCHURE (Continued) Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Page 38 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 PUBLIC OUTREACH STRATEGIES This section discusses outreach strategies that can be used by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services in promoting its transit service. Facebook San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services currently maintains an ―Apache Transit‖ Facebook page. A detail of this page is presented in Figure 4-3. Cleaver use has been made of Facebook’s ―photos‖ feature to display current schedules and the fare zones map. A visitor to the page is able to copy and print the information. FIGURE 4-3. APACHE TRANSIT FACEBOOK PAGE DETAIL Source: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002134632083 Adding Transit Data to Google Maps A number of larger transit systems are now participating in the Google Transit program. According to Google, over 500 cities provide transit information that can be accessed in Google Maps. Google Transit’s Web site, www.google.com/transit, has the complete listing. All agencies, such as San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services, which provide public transportation and operate with fixed schedules and routes are encouraged to participate in the Google Transit program at no charge. Figure 4-4 depicts the screen that a potential passenger would use to obtain fare and schedule information for travel between any two points. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 39 FIGURE 4-4. GOOGLE MAPS TRANSIT TRIP PLANNING ENTRY SCREEN Source: www.google.com/transit Note that a potential transit user can have step-by-step transit instructions sent to his or her cell phone. The Google system can generate instructions for travel over two connecting systems. For example, if San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services operated a schedule to the Phoenix area that connected with the METRO light rail system, which is already participating in the Google Transit program, the traveler could obtain information for travel from downtown Phoenix to San Carlos, or other points served by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services. Google Transit can also provide information for local travel completely within the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services service area. The following steps summarize the process of participating in the Google Transit program: 1. Prepare a data feed according to Google’s General Transit Feed Specification and Best Practices document, both of which can be downloaded from the Google Transit Web site. 2. Validate the data feed using the Feed Validator available on the site. 3. Inspect the data feed in Schedule Viewer. 4. Zip the files in the data feed. Name the zip file google_transit.zip. 5. Host the data feed on a web server for Google to fetch. Google supports both HTTP and HTTPS. 6. Contact the Google Transit team to sign-up for the partnership 7. Google would then setup a private preview and have San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services complete an online agreement before launch. Page 40 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 8. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services would test the data in the private preview until the result is satisfactory. 9. Implement participation in the program (Source: Google Transit) Creating a data feed San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services could create its own data feed using a spreadsheet, by means of an open source tool developed by Bob Heitzman from San Luis Obispo County. If, in the future, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services chooses to make use of the Trapeze software discussed in Chapter 3, or similar scheduling software, the software provider may be able to provide an interface that would facilitate exporting the data in Google format. Alternatively, an information technology specialist could assist San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services in setting up a procedure for providing periodic fare and schedule updates to Google. Once the data feed file has been transferred to Google, the data can be validated using tools provided by Google free of charge. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'onii Services Web site In addition to the Web presence on Facebook, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services will want to develop its own Web site. Web sites can be programmed so that a search for any likely phrase by a potential user, e.g. ―Nnee Bich'onii‖, ―Apache Transit‖, or ―San Carlos Transit‖ will bring up a link to the site in the Web browser. The Web site can contain high-resolution PDF files of brochures, timetables, fare zone maps, and other collateral material that the visitor can download and print for reference. The site could include a password-protected ―Staff Only‖ section that could function as a means of distributing updated information to San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services employees and other Tribal stakeholders. Once a Web site is up and running, all other material including brochures, flyers, business cards, and even the Facebook page would promote the Web site address. One drawback to Web sites is that periodic maintenance and updating of the site is essential, but also tedious and time-consuming. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services may want to designate an information technology specialist in-house to assume the responsibility of Web site maintenance, or consider retaining the services of an IT contractor to perform the work. A draft concept for a Web site Home Page is presented in Figure 4-5. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 41 FIGURE 4-5. CONCEPT FOR WEB SITE HOME PAGE Source: R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC Coordination with Cobre Valley Community Transit (CVCT) One most important outreach activities, and one which San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services is already pursuing, is coordination with transit services with service areas that abut the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services service area. Concurrent with the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services Transit Study, CVCT is evaluating a proposed expansion and restructuring of their service. It is essential for the ultimate success of both San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services and CVCT that their services be coordinated and complement—not compete—with one another. The establishment of one or more transfer points with CVCT in the Globe-Miami area is desirable. Where this point—or points—should be located will depend upon the specific route structures of both systems at the time that CVCT fixed route service is implemented. Page 42 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 One logical location would be the Arizona Eastern Railway depot in downtown Globe, especially if the future introduction of year round rural passenger service is anticipated. Different transfer points could be used for connections to different routes. For example, if San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services establishes a San Carlos – Tucson route, establishment of a transfer point at the Apache Gold Casino would give Globe and Miami passengers access to the service without the schedule having to deviate west of the US 70/SR 77 junction that is the turn-off to Tucson. While SCATS may need to traverse ―CVCT Territory‖ to, for example, operate to and from Phoenix, the two agencies can work together to ensure that the operations of one do not adversely impact those of the other agency. Perhaps a system of honoring each other’s tickets and settling collected revenue could be developed that would also facilitate ―seamless‖ travel from the passengers’ point of view. PROMOTIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN One of the key findings of the Tribal survey that was conducted by Nnee Bich’o Nii staff in the fall of 2010 was that many members of the community are unfamiliar with all of the public transportation services that Nnee Bich’o Nii provides. Two of the principal groups of users of the service are students and seniors, and an initial promotional campaign targeting these groups could prove effective. Moreover, seniors tend to pass word along to younger family members and neighbors about what they have learned, and students tell their parents and their peers. The time that Nnee Bich’o Nii takes delivery of the new bus in the fall of 2011 or the spring of 2012 would be an ideal time to kick-off such a campaign. Nnee Bich’o Nii staff could demonstrate the vehicle at schools, senior centers, and other locations where members of the target audience are likely to be found. At the schools, features of the vehicle especially appealing to students, such as the bike rack, could be highlighted. Seniors could be shown the convenience of the wheelchair lift so that those with mobility limitations would be encouraged to try out the service. Brochures describing the service could be distributed to senior centers and college campuses, as well as urban locations such as the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce and, if rail service is being offered, the Arizona Eastern depot. The successful Tribal survey was conducted door-to-door. Consideration should be given to distributing transit information in the same fashion. Information could also be distributed at locations frequently visited by community members, such as the Department of Economic Security, medical centers or places where bills are paid. Retailers such as Wal-Mart are sometimes willing to post flyers for non-profit ―events.‖ Wal-Mart would likely want to encourage the use of a service that is bringing customers to its door. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 43 APPENDIX A – MAINTENANCE PLAN Page 44 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services Fleet Maintenance Plan August 2, 2011 Short-term Implementation Plan Page 45 Prepared for San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services Arizona Department of Transportation Prepared by Page 46 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 Fleet Maintenance Plan Contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 48 2 Maintenance Plan and Program ......................................................................... 48 3 Vehicle Inspection and Scheduled Maintenance ................................................ 48 3.1 Overall Requirements ................................................................................. 48 3.2 Operator Inspections ................................................................................... 49 3.3 Preventive Maintenance (PM) Inspections .................................................. 49 3.4 Wheelchair Lifts and Other Accessibility Equipment ................................... 49 4 Maintenance Documentation .............................................................................. 50 5 Warranty Recovery Program .............................................................................. 50 6 Monitoring Performance Indicators ..................................................................... 50 6.1 Safety Record ............................................................................................. 50 6.2 Safety Program ........................................................................................... 50 6.3 Service Performance.................................................................................. 51 7 Service Day Inspections ..................................................................................... 51 8 Monitoring Maintenance Effectiveness Indicators............................................... 51 8.1 On-Time Performance................................................................................. 52 8.2 Fuel and Fluid Consumption ....................................................................... 52 8.3 Unscheduled Maintenance.......................................................................... 52 8.4 Wheelchair Lift and Accessibility Equipment Failures ................................. 53 8.5 Air Conditioning Failures ............................................................................. 53 Short-term Implementation Plan Page 47 1. INTRODUCTION The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires each recipient of federal funding to have a current written maintenance plan for its federally funded rolling stock, as provided for in FTA Circular 9030.1C. This document implements the federal requirements for a written maintenance plan and program. In addition to the explicit provisions of this Fleet Maintenance Plan, the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services may perform additional maintenance on its transit fleet pursuant to the recommendations of the equipment manufacturer and consistent with established San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services vehicle maintenance procedures. This draft Fleet Maintenance Plan has been developed from the Fleet Maintenance Plan adopted by the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transit Agency (NAIPTA) and approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 2. MAINTENANCE PLAN AND PROGRAM This Fleet Maintenance Plan and Program addresses the unique needs of the fleet of vehicles that to be acquired by San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services and is tailored to the operating environment of the San Carlos Apache Tribal transit service area. In addition, the Plan and Program     Identifies and defines goals and objectives and how they are achieved Outlines procedures for maintaining accessibility equipment Describes preventive maintenance procedures Adheres to manufacturer’s requirements for vehicles under warranty The Fleet Maintenance Plan will be updated as necessary to respond to industry changes or future acquisition of different or additional equipment. 3. VEHICLE INSPECTION AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE 3.1 Overall Requirements San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services, its officers, operators, agents, representatives, and all employees directly concerned with the inspection or maintenance of transit vehicles shall comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMSCR), Parts 396.3, 396.5, 396.7, and 396.9. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services must also comply with all state and local laws. More specifically, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall perform maintenance and repairs for each vehicle according to manufacturer’s specifications and procedures. Deferred maintenance is permitted provided that there is no degradation to safety, reliability, warranty provisions, or passenger comfort. Page 48 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 3.2 Operator Inspections Operators will inspect vehicles and report maintenance defects and deficiencies per FMCSR, Parts 396.11 and 396.13. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services considers it sound maintenance policy for mechanics to clarify reported defects with operators, and to discuss vehicle maintenance procedures with the vehicle operators. 3.3 Preventive Maintenance (PM) Inspections San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall perform PM inspections on time. PM inspections will be scheduled based on the life miles of each vehicle. Maintenance actions shall be based on time intervals, mileage intervals, or a combination of mileage and time intervals. The fleet standard for on-time PM inspections is to be within 80 percent of the established target. Scheduled inspections must be tailored to vehicle manufacturers’ and component manufacturers’ recommendations, as well as San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services experiences with maintaining vehicles in local operating environments and duty cycles. Each scheduled maintenance inspection must include the following items: 1) Mileage or other interval at which inspection is to be performed (e.g., 3,000, 6,000, 12,000, and 24,000 mile intervals); and 2) A checklist of actions that must be performed at each interval (e.g., a list of actions for the 3,000 mile inspection, for the 6,000 mile inspection, etc.). 3.4 Wheelchair Lifts and Other Accessibility Equipment 49 CFR Part 37, Section 163 requires that San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services ―establish a system of regular and frequent checks of lifts sufficient to determine if they are operative,‖ and to ensure that vehicle operators report, ―by the most immediate means available, any failure of a lift to operate in service.‖ Maintenance of accessibility equipment may be incorporated into the regular Maintenance Plan or addressed separately with specific checklists. At a minimum, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall keep records that show accessibility features are checked regularly for proper operation and receive periodic maintenance. 49 CFR Part 37, Section 163 states that ―when a lift is discovered to be inoperative, then the entity shall take the vehicle out of service before beginning the vehicle next service day and ensure that the lift is repaired before the vehicle returns to service.‖ If no spare vehicle is available to take the place of the vehicle with an inoperable lift, and taking the vehicle out of service will reduce transportation service, the agency may keep the vehicle in service with an inoperative lift for no more than five days (since the San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services system will serve an area of less than 50,000 population) from the day on which the lift is discovered to be inoperative. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 49 4. MAINTENANCE DOCUMENTATION The federal requirement for recording inspections, repairs, and maintenance is contained in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Part 396.3, paragraphs (b) and (c), and 396.11 (c) (1). San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall document all repairs on work orders, and ensure manufacturers document and provide copies of any and all warranty work performed. Work orders shall reflect how they were generated; i.e., by PM inspection, road call or operator’s defect report. Work orders should include the date, vehicle number and life miles, mechanic(s) assigned to the maintenance action, information pertaining to how the inspection or repair was resolved, time spent on completing the maintenance action, and a list of parts used for repair work. The above information will allow technicians to determine whether (1) a defective part is covered under warranty, (2) the repair is a result of faulty workmanship done by the pervious technician, (3) a trend is developing, or (4) to note other conditions that could become apparent through historical data. 5. WARRANTY RECOVERY PROGRAM San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall follow all manufacturers’ required maintenance tasks, intervals, recommended lubricants, and fuels to ensure vehicle warranties remain valid. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall maintain a record of all warranty work, and annually produce a summary of warranty claims. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services must determine if vehicle defects and deficiencies are covered under warranty. Since the cost of warranty is factored into the purchase price of each vehicle and component, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services shall pursue reimbursement for all warranty repairs in accordance with procedures outlined in contractual provisions. 6. MONITORING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 6.1 Safety Record Maintaining an exemplary transit safety record is a top priority goal for San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services. Each operator involved in an accident or the supervisor on duty must fill out an accident report. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services requires a procedure to track the number of transit accidents on a monthly basis. 6.2 Safety Program All San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services involved in the maintenance and repair of system vehicles will comply fully with the rules and requirements of the Safety Program. Page 50 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 6.3 Service Performance Service performance is an important indicator of an agency’s overall effectiveness. Two categories will be used to monitor vehicles that encounter mechanical problems while operating in service: a) Road Call – occurs when any mechanical malfunction requires the dispatching of a service vehicle to repair or retrieve a troubled vehicle b) Service Interruption – occurs when any mechanical malfunction delays service but allows the vehicle to continue At a minimum, road calls and service interruptions will be classified as follows: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) Drivetrain (engine, transmission, differential, etc.) Brakes Tires / Wheels Steering / Suspension Electrical Accidents Accessibility features Air conditioning 7. SERVICE DAY INSPECTIONS Each vehicle to be operated will be inspected prior to the beginning of each service day. Such inspections typically include an examination of lights and mechanical defects that operators may not have identified. Service day inspections include the checking and replenishing of vital fluids including engine oil, coolant, automatic transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid and others. Fluid usage should be documented to track consumption. Service day inspections will also include checking fire extinguishers, escape hatches/windows for proper operation, vehicle accessibility equipment, tires for proper inflation, signs of wear and visible damage. Odometer mileage will be recorded for keeping track of vehicle life miles. 8. MONITORING MAINTENANCE EFFECTIVENESS INDICATORS To better gauge the effectiveness of overall maintenance programs, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services will monitor additional performance indicators. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 51 a) b) c) d) e) On-time performance Amount of fuel and fluid consumption Unscheduled maintenance Number of wheelchair lift failures Air Conditioning Failures 8.1 On-Time Performance Meeting schedules and having the correct numbers of vehicles ready for service is essential to every transportation organization. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services will keep a daily log of vehicles that were not able to leave the Operations Center on time to make their first scheduled checkpoint. 8.2 Fuel and Fluid Consumption The most costly item of a vehicle is its drivetrain. Monitoring the consumption of fuel and vital fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant is essential to assess the condition of each vehicle’s drivetrain and to help make cost-effective repairs. Monitoring fuel and vital fluid consumption is helpful in two ways: a) Identifying vehicles that suddenly exhibit a high consumption of fuel or vital fluids. This sudden rise in consumption is often related to a minor repair (i.e., leaking hose or fitting) which can cause a major repair of not identified and corrected immediately; and b) Identifying vehicles where consumption increases at a noticeable rate (i.e., worn piston rings). This gradually deteriorating condition where consumption increases gradually over time provides an understanding of the internal condition of components. Monitoring these vital indicators allows corrective action to keep components at an optimal working level and to minimize unscheduled failures. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services will use procedures recommended by vehicle manufacturers to identify potential engine and transmission failures. Fluid samples will be taken on a regular basis (e.g., at the 6,000 mile inspection) or when a specific problem is suspected. 8.3 Unscheduled Maintenance Unscheduled maintenance activities provide another indication of overall maintenance performance. Unscheduled maintenance is defined as any maintenance or repair that occurs outside the regularly scheduled service intervals. Although it can never be fully eliminated, the frequency and duration of unscheduled maintenance allow managers to look for the underlying cause of the problem so the repair can become part of a regularly scheduled service. Moving maintenance into a scheduled event allows managers to have greater control Page 52 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services REVISED Updated to 083111 and structure over their operations, and to reduce the frequency of road calls and other unscheduled maintenance activities. 8.4 Wheelchair Lift and Accessibility Equipment Failures The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires operators of federally funded transit vehicles to perform periodic inspections and maintenance of wheelchair lifts and other accessibility equipment to ensure proper operation. To ensure compliance with ADA requirements, San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services will monitor lift and accessibility equipment failures and the amount of time vehicles operate with defective equipment. 8.5 Air Conditioning Failures Providing a properly air-conditioned transit vehicle is essential to maintaining and attracting ridership during much of the year in the San Carlos Apache Tribal desert climate. San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services will implement a scheduled preventive maintenance program for transit vehicle air conditioning systems. To gauge the effectiveness of that program, we will monitor and record air conditioning failures and the steps taken to rectify the problem. During maintenance inspections, staff will thoroughly test air conditioning units in each transit vehicle. Any vehicle that fails to meet air conditioning standards during hot weather shall be taken out of service until repaired. Short-term Implementation Plan Page 53 REFERENCES Arizona Department of Transportation, www.azdot.gov Facebook, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002134632083 Federal Transit Administration, Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans, Final Report, April 2007 Google Transit, www.google.com/transit McSpadden Ford, Inc., Service Department, Globe, Arizona, Tribal Vehicle Maintenance Records, December 12, 2010. Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transit Agency, Flagstaff R. H. Bohannan & Associates, LLC, San Carlos Apache Tribe Transit Study Draft Final Report, August 3, 2011. Rustin, Otis, Jr., San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Services San Carlos Apache Tribe TANF Transit, TANF and Transit Vehicle and Ridership Records, January through October, 2010. San Carlos Apache Tribe, San Carlos Long Range Transportation Planning Study, Jacobs Engineering Group, 2009. TCRP Report 3, Workbook for Estimating Demand for Rural Passenger Transportation. Thor Industries Commercial Bus Division, Salina, Kansas Trapeze Group, Scottsdale, Arizona Page 54 San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich’o Nii Services