PTAC Agenda 08/17/2021
Public Transit Advisory Committee
Collier Area Transit
Hybrid Meeting
Collier County Museum Lecture Hall
3331 Tamiami Trail East Naples, Florida
August 17th, 2021
3:00 p.m.
1) Call to Order
2) Roll Call
3) Approval of Agenda
4) Approval of Minutes
a. June 15th, 2021 Minutes
5) Committee Action
6) Reports and Presentations
a. Route Reduction due to Driver Shortage
b. Study Recommendations
7) Member Comments
8) Public Comments
9) Next Meeting Date – September 21st, 2021 Collier County Museum Lecture Hall
10) Adjournment
11) Two or more members of the Board of County Commissioners may be present and may participate
at the meeting. The subject matter of this meeting may be an item for discussion and action at a
future BCC meeting.
Collier Area Transit operates in compliance with Federal Transit Administration, (FTA) program requirements and
ensures that transit services are made available and equitably distributed and provides equal access and mobility to
any person without regard to race, color, or national origin, disability, gender or age. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964; FTA Circular 4702.1A, "Title VI and Title VI Dependent Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration
Recipients.
Anyone who required an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or other reasonable accommodations
in order to participate in this proceeding, should contact the Collier County Facilities Management Department
located at 3335 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida 34112 or 239-252-8380 as soon as possible, but no later than 48
hours before the scheduled event. Such reasonable accommodations will be provided at no cost to the individual.
June 15, 2021
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MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
June 15, 2021 Naples, Florida,
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Public Transit Advisory Committee in and for the County
of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 3:00 P.M. in REGULAR
SESSION at Collier County Museum Lecture Hall, 3331 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, Florida
with the following members present:
Chairman: John DiMarco, III
Vice-Chairman: Arthur Dobberstein
James Bennett
Peter Berry
Devon Browne (ZOOM)
James Caton
Sonja Lee Samek (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Michelle Arnold, Director, Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement
Omar Deleon, Public Transit Manager, Collier Area Transit
Natalia Esteban
Tamarin Kirby, MV Transit Planner
Elena Ortiz-Rosado, Events and Sales Marketing Coordinator
Alexander Showalter, Senior Planner, Collier Area Transit
June 15, 2021
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1. Call to Order
Chairman DiMarco called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM.
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, and a quorum was established.
The members present recognized Devon Browne was attending via ZOOM.
3. Approval of Agenda
Mr. Bennett moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Mr. Berry. Carried unanimously 6 - 0.
4. Approval of Minutes
a. May 18, 2021 Minutes
Mr. Berry moved to approve the minutes of the May 18, 2021 Public Transit Advisory Committee
meeting as presented. Second by Mr. Bennett. Carried unanimously 6 - 0.
5. Committee Action
a. Draft COA Report – Ryan Suarez – Kimley-Horn and Associates
Since January 2021, Collier County Public Transit and Neighborhood Enhancement (PTNE) Staff
have been working with consultant staff on a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) of the
fixed-route service network.
Mr. Suarez of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Planning and Design Engineering Consultants,
presented a PowerPoint of the Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) for Collier County
Public Transit noting:
• The COA is a thorough analysis of the fixed-routes and provides recommendations to
improve productivity and service efficiency.
• Key elements include a focus on short-term operational improvements and a cost neutral
implementation plan.
Short term: less than five (5) years, focused on operational improvements primarily
of service changes.
Cost neutral approach: operations that require minimal investment; reallocation of
resources from underperforming services within the means of the existing budget.
CAT bus operators and members of the public were interviewed to ensure the planning
meets the goals and objectives of the County.
• Evaluation of Existing Services
Data and analysis for each CAT fixed bus route including level of service, service
statistics and service performance measure were evaluated with supporting service
and performance profiles.
• Development of Performance Standards
Key performance indicators and standards were developed and applied to the
existing fixed-route network to provide a basis for evaluating routes for
modification.
June 15, 2021
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Data reviewed consisted of FY 2019 annual ridership, revenue hours, and operating
expense for each CAT fixed route. Standard performance evaluation ratios were
developed reflecting the ridership productivity and cost effectiveness of a route.
• Service Alternative and Evaluation
The range of service alternatives was developed from the existing conditions
evaluation.
Public Outreach included two (2) Public Workshops held in April 2021 and a
Survey.
• Service Policies
Policies are identified and described for potential modification or enhancement.
• Implementation Plan
A phased implementation plan consisting of near-term (1-2 years), short-term (3-4
years), and mid-term (>5 years) service improvement recommendations.
The near-term service network results in a cost neutral implementation which is
consistent with the objective established for the COA at the onset of the project.
Near-Term (1 to 2 years) service frequency improvements include elimination of
Route 12B, Addition of Route 24B and Route20/26 and Route 25 Monday through
Friday service only.
Mr. Berry motioned to recommend the Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) accept the
Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) report and proceed with implementation of the
recommended service changes identified in the near-term phase. Second by Mr. Caton. Carried
unanimously 6 – 0.
b. Golden Gate Parkway RAISE Grant Support Letter – Alexander Showalter – CAT Senior
Planner
Mr. Showalter presented a letter from Chair DiMarco, III, Chairman, Public Transportation
Advisory Committee (PTAC), addressed to Honorable Pete Buttigieg, United States Secretary of
Transportation, conveying support for Collier County’s application to the US Department of
Transportation (USDOT), Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity
(RAISE) grant application.
• Collier County has a vision for Golden Gate City to be a safe, diverse, family-oriented
community that offers easy access to education, parks, shopping, and services within a
vibrant walkable community.
• The Growth Management Department (GMD) has been working with the community to
develop the project with the goal of transforming Golden Gate Parkway to be a more
walkable and multimodal area.
• Transportation Planning Division has identified grant opportunities with the US Department
of Transportation (USDOT) under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure program which
may aid in funding the improvements along the corridor.
• The Collier County Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) supports the grant
application because the construction of complete streets along Golden Gate Parkway could
have substantial benefits to residents of the neighborhoods as well as those passing through.
• Staff requested the endorsement of the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Doberstein moved to recommend the Public Transportation Advisory Committee endorse
Collier County’s RAISE grant application to the US Department of Transportation for
June 15, 2021
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construction of the “Golden Gate Parkway Complete Streets” project. Second by Mr. Bennett.
Carried unanimously 6 – 0.
c. TDP Annual Update – Alexander Showalter – CAT Senior Planner
Mr. Showalter presented an Executive Summary “Fiscal Year 2020 Transit Development Plan
(TDP) Annual Update” for consideration. The ten-year planning document identifies
recommendations and implementation strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of Collier Area
Transit.
• To receive State Block Grant Funds for system operations, each transit agency must develop
a Transit Development Plan (TDP) Major Update every five (5) years and an annual
progress report for all other years.
• The deadline to submit all TDP updates to the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) for approval is September 1, 2021.
• The Annual Progress Report outlines the progress Collier Area Transit has made in FY2020
towards achieving the goals and objectives identified in the TDP Major Update, approved
October 27, 2020.
• The summary action highlights:
Covid-19 impact on transit ridership (down 59%).
Operational changes to comply with CDC guidelines (cleaning, masks, etc).
Release of a mobile APP, allowing “safer” ticket purchases.
Renovation of fourteen (14) shelters and bus stops.
• The Progress Report is required to go through the Collier Area Transit Public Participation
Plan process, which includes endorsement from the Public Transit Advisory Committee and
a fifteen-day public comment period (commencing June 10, 2021 and expiring on June 24,
2021).
Mr. Berry moved to endorse the Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Progress Report to the Transit
Development Plan. Second by Mr. Caton. Carried unanimously 6 – 0.
6. Reports and Presentations
a. Regional Transportation Service Provide Lease Agreement – Update
Ms. Arnold presented an Executive Summary “Regional Transportation Service Provider Lease
Agreement “for information purposes and provided an update on a lease to share CAT Transfer
Facility space with Regional Transportation Service Providers.
• On January 27, 2021, the Conditional Use for the Radio Road location that houses the
Collier Area Transit (CAT) Operations was amended to allow for the use of the Transfer
Facility by Regional transportation services like Greyhound.
• Staff is working with the County Attorney’s office to prepare a standard lease agreement to
establish parameters for the prospective tenants.
• A draft lease has been prepared with the assistance of the County Attorney’s office and Real
Property; final review will be with Risk Management.
• PTAC’s input on the lease will be sought on review completion.
• Timeline for implementation of a partnership with Regional Transportation Service
Providers is fall 2021.
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The Committee discussed the following:
• Locations such as McDonalds and Gas Stations currently being used by Regional
Transportation Service Providers, are not designed for this type of service.
• Current locations in use may experience loss of revenue.
• Staff does not anticipate and impact on the bus bay capacity.
• CAT Facility use will generate revenue for the operations.
7. Member Comments
Hurricane Preparedness
• Planning and exercise sessions are scheduled by the County.
Read-Ahead Package
• The Committee requested earlier distribution of the agenda material.
Consultants
• Staff works in tandem with consultants and reviews drafts and documents.
8. Public Comments
None
9. Next Meeting Date
July 27, 2021 - Collier County Museum, Lecture Hall, 3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order
of the chair at 3:57 P.M.
Public Transit Advisory Committee
_________________________________
John DiMarco, Chairman
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on _________________as presented________ or as
amended ___________.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Reports and Presentations
Item 6a
Temporary Route Reduction
Objective:
To temporarily suspend select routes to improve the reliability of Fixed Route service that has been
affected by driver shortage.
Considerations:
The Pandemic has significantly impacted the labor force creating a national driver shortage for the
Transportation Industry. For the past few months, the CAT system has struggled to have enough
drivers to cover the service. Each day the vendor identifies the routes they are unable to cover and
posts notices to the public via the MyStop app and on the website. Additionally, the vendor has
been closing routes during the day of service due to call outs and lack of extra board drivers to
cover. This has cause inconsistent delivery of service for our passengers.
Efforts have been taken by the vendor, MV Transportation Inc., to recruit new drivers, including
the following:
• Increased Fixed Route Operators starting wage from $13.00 to $16.00
• Hired a Recruiter to put focus on finding drivers
• Placed “Now Hiring” banners on the property
• Eliminated the training wage
• Increased the sign-on bonus from $500 to $1,500
• Established a new work schedule for the drivers, reducing the number of operators required
per day from 41 to 35
The shortage is affecting the vendor’s (MV Transportation, Inc.) ability to recruit enough drivers
to fully operate the service. Unfortunately, despite the steps taken above, the results have not
produced enough new candidates to fill the current 9 vacant positions.
In addition to the initiative identified above, PTNE has assisted by placing ads on CAT’s Facebook
page and adding the job availability on the “Getting back to work after the Coronavirus Pandemic”
link established by Fox-4 News.
With all this in mine staff determined the level of service that can be sustained with the current
number of drivers, providing for vacation leave and potential call outs. The routes revenue hours,
ridership and service areas were evaluated to select the routes that could be suspended with the
least impact to the community.
Routes 18, 20, 25, and 26 are being recommended for suspension until further notice. Route 18
was selected as it is already slated to be eliminated through the COA process. Route 17 will
continue to service the same areas that Route 18 was servicing. The other routes selected have
low ridership and would impact fewer passengers.
Recommendation:
To endorse the temporary closure of Routes 18, 20, 25, and 26.
Attachment:
Route Maps for Routes 18, 20, 25, & 26
Prepared by: ________________________________________ Date: ______________
Braian Morales, MV General Manager
Approved by: ________________________________________ Date: ______________
Michelle Arnold, PTNE Division Director
08/11/2021
08/11/2021
Route 18
Route 20
Route 25
Route 26
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Reports and Presentations
Item 6b
Study Recommendations
Objective:
The hear from the Committee on what Studies they might like the MPO to assist us with.
Considerations:
MPO staff advised PTNE that there is funding allocated for Transit Studies and would like to here
from us what we would like them to assist us on.
Staff has considered the following ideas but would like to hear from the Committee what other
ideas you all might have.
Ideas from the TDP:
•A Market Study for the development of marketing strategies and best practices to increase
awareness of CAT, CAT services, CAT image, and increase market share in terms of model
split ridership.
•Downtown Autonomous Circulator
•Electric Naples Pier Shuttle
•Mobility on Demand – Demand and Operations requirements study
•A Fare Study
Recommendation:
To receive input from Committee member.
Attachment:
None
Prepared by: ________________________________________ Date: ______________
Michelle Arnold, PTNE Division Director
Approved by: ________________________________________ Date: ______________
Michelle Arnold, PTNE Division Director
08/11/2021
08/11/2021