THE OHIO RURAL INTERCITY BUS PROGRAM GUIDELINES
(49 U.S.C. SECTION 5311 (f))
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT
Calendar Year 2010 (CY2010)
Table of Contents
I / Introduction / 1
II / National Objectives & State of Ohio Priorities / 1
III / Rural Intercity Bus Service Definition / 2
IV / Funding / 3
V / Eligible Applicants / 4
VI / Eligible Projects / 5
VII / Documentation of Public Hearing Opportunity / 7
VIII / Project Administration Program Requirements / 7
IX / Roles & Responsibilities / 9
X / Selection Process / 10
XI / Additional Information / 10
XII / Project Administration:
Proposal Due Date & Submittal Information / 11
Appendix 1 / Target Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Services / 13
Exhibit A / Map of Existing & Proposed Ohio Rural
Intercity Bus Network / 14
Exhibit B / Schedule of Target Ohio Rural Intercity Feeder Bus Service / 15
Exhibit C / Rural Intercity Bus Service & Compliance Requirements / 19
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program (Section 5311(f)) is designed to address the intercity bus transportation needs of the entire state by supporting projects that provide transportation between non-urbanized areas and urbanized areas that result in connections of greater regional, statewide, and national significance.
The purpose of the Section 5311(f) funding is to provide supplemental financial support to transit operators and to facilitate the most efficient and effective use of available federal funds in support of intercity bus service in rural areas.
Section 5311(f) specifies eligible intercity bus activities to include “planning and marketing for intercity bus transportation, capital grants for intercity bus shelters, joint-use stops and depots, operating grants through purchase-of-service agreements, user-side subsidies and demonstration projects, and coordination of rural connections between small public transportation operations and intercity bus carriers.” Capital assistance may be provided to purchase vehicles or vehicle related equipment such as wheelchair lifts for use in intercity service. Charter and tour services are not eligible for assistance under this program.
In 2007, ODOT Office of Transit assessed intercity needs and in collaboration with stakeholders has determined that it will use its CY2010 Section 5311(f) funds in support of four (4) rural intercity bus routes that address unmet need and provide meaningful connections to the nationwide intercity bus network operated by Greyhound and its interline partners. Because the State of Ohio constitution precludes ODOT from directly entering into a contractual agreement with a private for-profit public transportation company (private carrier), ODOT will identify interested local public or non-profit agencies to serve as project administrators. Selected project administrators will work with ODOT Office of Transit to conduct competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) processes, and enter into third-party service agreements with selected private carrier applicants. In addition, public and non-profit agencies are eligible to compete within the RFP process as direct applicants for eligible projects if such agencies can satisfy all RFP criteria, including service, performance and compliance requirements as explained in Appendix 1, Exhibits A, B and C.
II. NATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND STATE OF OHIO PRIORITIES.
The Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program (Section 5311(f)) addresses Ohio’s intercity bus transportation needs by providing financial assistance for operating, capital, and/or planning grants that support the three (3) national objectives:
OBJECTIVE #1: To support the connection between non-urbanized and the larger regional or national system of intercity bus service.
OBJECTIVE #2: To support services to meet the intercity travel needs of residents in non-urbanized areas.
OBJECTIVE #3: To support the infrastructure of the intercity bus network through planning and marketing assistance and capital investment in facilities.
Greyhound has indicated that they are keenly interested in creating a network of feeder services in cooperation with the existing rural public transit network in Ohio. In 2007, ODOT Office of Transit conducted a needs assessment and in collaboration with stakeholders identified four (4) rural intercity bus routes that address unmet need and provide meaningful connections to the nationwide intercity bus network operated by Greyhound and its interline partners. These routes are further described in Appendix 1 and include the following services: Athens to Cincinnati via State Route 32; Wooster to Columbus; Mt Vernon to Columbus; and Athens to Columbus.
For CY2010, ODOT Office of Transit wishes to fund the four (4) interlined feeder service routes using Section 5311(f) funds. Greyhound has indicated that it will not seek Section 5311(f) assistance to directly operate the feeder service routes but has agreed to include these projects within a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) initiated pilot allowing the use of Greyhound’s unsubsidized capital expenses as local in-kind match. Consequently, ODOT Office of Transit intends to fund each of these four (4) projects using Section 5311(f) funds, and Greyhound intends to provide the eligible local in-kind match consistent with FTA’s pilot program. These routes are considered interlined feeder service and must comply with federal regulations and other industry standards including: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) operating authority; National Bus Traffic Association (NBTA) membership; insurance; driver and vehicle safety standards; and operating and terminal access agreements. These services and compliance requirements are further defined in Appendix 1, Exhibits A, B, and C. Section XI, Additional Information, provides contact information for obtaining further information on intercity bus service, federal regulations and industry standards.
Because the State of Ohio constitution precludes ODOT from directly entering into a contractual agreement with a private for-profit public transportation company (private carrier), ODOT will identify local public or non-profit agencies that are interested in serving as project administrators. Selected project administrators will work with ODOT to conduct a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the operation of the target interlined feeder service routes. Private for-profit (private carrier), public and non-public agencies will be eligible to compete within the RFP process. The project administrators will enter into third-party service agreements with successful private carrier applicants. This document is intended to provide further information on the ODOT CY2010 Section 5311(f) Program and requirements of selected project administrators and service providers.
III. RURAL INTERCITY BUS SERVICE DEFINITION
§ Regularly scheduled bus service – available to the general public, operating on fixed – routes, fixed-schedules to more distant points.
§ Making limited stops – Stops should be at a physical location where one or more modes of transportation meet with supporting services (i.e., ability to purchase tickets, restrooms, food/drink vendors) for customers/passengers to make trips safely and as seamless as possible. This includes an intermodal facility, a station/terminal such as Greyhound, and/or Amtrak, and limited additional stops at major activity centers such as a medical facility or shopping center.
§ Connecting two (2) or more urban areas not in close proximity – Close proximity is defined as communities located within a distance greater than 15 miles apart of each other. Urban area is defined very broadly (see 49 U.S.C. 5302(a)(16)) as “an area that includes a municipality or other built-up place that…is appropriate for a local public transportation system to serve individuals in the locality.”
§ Providing capacity for transporting baggage – An area within the bus (i.e., racks above the seating area, or as designated in an outer compartment) where luggage can be carried safely.
§ Providing meaningful connections and reasonable lay-over times – A meaningful connection is one which allows connectivity at a designated physical location served by intercity bus carriers, either directly, or on the street immediately adjacent to the facility, allowing transfers for both outbound and inbound passengers within a two (2)-hour time frame upon either side of the rural service schedule (four (4) hours total). Schedule information for intercity service is typically maintained in the Official Bus Guide (Russell’s Guide).
IV. FUNDING
In CY2010, ODOT Office of Transit intends to fund project administration, provision of each of the four (4) target rural intercity bus service route projects (see Appendix 1), and eligible planning and marketing projects using Section 5311(f) funds. Funding for project administration and eligible planning and marketing studies will be based on a statewide solicitation of eligible public and non-profit agencies. Funding for the four (4) target routes will be allocated through a statewide competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation of all eligible applicants.
The match ratios are the same for both the Ohio Rural Transit Program (Section 5311) and the Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program (Section 5311(f)): 50 percent of the net cost for operations and 80 percent of the net cost for capital projects and project administration. Net cost of operating expenses are those expenses that remain after operating revenues, which at a minimum include farebox revenues, are subtracted from eligible operating expenses. Greyhound intends to provide the eligible local in-kind match for directly provided operations consistent with FTA’s pilot program.
The federal share for project administration and planning and marketing assistance is limited to 80 percent. The local share (local match) may be provided from various sources. Two or more sources of funds may be combined to provide the local match required. Appropriate sources of local match include: local appropriations; non-USDOT federal funds; dedicated tax revenues; private donations; revenue from human service contracts; and net income generated from advertising and concessions. Non-cash match such as donations, volunteer services, or in-kind contributions is eligible to be counted toward the required local match for operating projects, but documentation must be submitted and approved by ODOT in writing in advance of project selection (see OMB Circular A-87). Where approved, such non-cash match must represent a cost which would otherwise be eligible under the program, and should be included in the net project costs in the project budget as well as in revenue.
V. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible applicants for the Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program include:
§ Public governmental authorities and transit providers.
§ Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
§ Private non-profit organizations.
§ Private for-profit operators of transit services or intercity bus services (see the following paragraph; may participate in the program as third-party contractors for eligible subrecipients (i.e., public or non-profit agencies)).
§ Tribal Governments.
The State of Ohio constitution precludes ODOT from directly entering into a contractual agreement with a private for-profit public transportation company (private carrier). Consequently, ODOT will identify interested local public or non-profit agencies to serve as project administrators. Selected project administrators will work with ODOT Office of Transit to conduct competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) processes, and enter into third-party service agreements with selected private carrier applicants.
VI. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Operating Assistance / Project Administration of Private-Carrier Provided Operations (Carriers Selected through a Competitive RFP Process) / 80% / 24-60
Directly-Provided Operations
(4 target routes) / 50% of net / 12-60
Capital Assistance / Bus Purchase / N/A / N/A
Bus Related Equipment / N/A / N/A
Transit Infrastructure / N/A / N/A
Planning and Marketing Studies / 80% / Negotiable
Operating Assistance: Project Administration of Private-Carrier Provided Operations (Carriers Selected through a Competitive RFP Process)
As explained above, ODOT will identify local public or non-profit agencies that are interested in serving as project administrators and entering into third-party service agreements with private carrier applicants chosen through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the four (4) rural intercity bus service projects identified and described in Appendix 1, Exhibits A, B, and C.
§ ODOT will enter into an agreement with the selected project administrator(s) to reimburse 80% of the audited project administrative costs. Eligible project administrative costs may include, but are not limited to, general administrative expenses such as salaries of the project director, secretary, and bookkeeper; marketing expenses; insurance premiums or payments to a self-insurance reserve; office supplies; facilities and equipment rental; standard overhead rates; and the costs of administering drug and alcohol testing. Administrative costs for promoting and coordinating ridesharing may be eligible if the activity is part of a coordinated public transportation program. Interest on short-term loans for operating assistance is an eligible administrative expense if approved by the State.
§ The project administrator must assure appropriate marketing activities such as the production of route maps and/or schedules, information delivery, website development, and advertising. Marketing activities are considered an eligible project administrative cost and are reimbursable at 80% of the audited project administrative costs.
§ ODOT will provide the project administrator operating assistance grants that may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the operating deficit. As explained above, ODOT Office of Transit intends to fund each of the four (4) target Ohio rural intercity bus service route projects using Section 5311(f) funds, and Greyhound intends to provide the eligible local in-kind match consistent with FTA’s pilot program.
Operating Assistance: Directly-Provided Operations
§ Eligible rural intercity bus service projects will be limited to the four (4) rural intercity bus service projects identified and described in Appendix 1, Exhibits A, B, and C.
§ ODOT will work with selected program administrators to identify service providers through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Private for-profit, public and non-profit agencies are eligible to compete within the RFP process.
§ Commuter service is not eligible.
Capital Assistance: Bus Purchase/Bus Related Equipment
§ ODOT is purchasing four (4) to six (6) buses using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds to be used in support of the CY2010 Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program. Consequently, for CY2010, ODOT will not solicit for bus purchase/bus related equipment using Section 5311(f) grant funding.
Capital Assistance: Transit Infrastructure
§ ODOT Office of Transit will not solicit for transit infrastructure projects under the CY2010 Ohio Rural Intercity Bus Program.
§ ODOT Office of Transit will provide a new Intercity Bus Shelter at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio in support of the targeted Athens to Columbus Route.