2016 brunswick lcp

2016 Locally Coordinated

Human Services

Transportation Plan

Brunswick County

Prepared with the assistance of the Cape Fear Council of Governments

Wilmington, North Carolina Last Updated April 26, 2016

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Table of Contents I. Background ............................................................................................................... 1 A. Public Transportation in North Carolina ................................................................................................ 1 B. Federal Regulatory Background ................................................................................................................ 2 C. Federal Section 5310 – Elderly and Disabled Persons Program.................................................... 3 D. Federal Section 5311 – Formula Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas Program .............. 4

II. Plan Approach ........................................................................................................ 4 A. Public Involvement – Needs Assessment ............................................................................................... 4 B. County Background Information ............................................................................................................... 5

III. Assessment of Available Services ................................................................ 7 A. Brunswick Transit System – Existing Services ..................................................................................... 7 B. Wave Transit Brunswick Connector ......................................................................................................... 7 C. Other Transportation Providers ................................................................................................................. 8

IV. Needs Assessment ............................................................................................... 9 A. Public Involvement .......................................................................................................................................... 9 B. Current Service Needs and Gaps ..............................................................................................................10 Most Critical Needs .............................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Other Needs and Issues ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11

C. Needs List from 2013....................................................................................................................................14 Most Critical Needs .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Other Needs and Issues ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15

V. Appendix ................................................................................................................. 16 A. 2015 BTS Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics .............................17 B. 2014 BTS Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics .............................21 C. 2013 BTS Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics ..............................25 D. County Base Map ............................................................................................................................................29 E. Population by Township Map ....................................................................................................................30 D. Population Age 65+ Map .............................................................................................................................31 E. Population Age 65+ with Disabilities Map ...........................................................................................32 F. All Persons with Disabilities Map.............................................................................................................33 G. Population in Poverty Map .........................................................................................................................34 H. Limited English Proficiency Map .............................................................................................................35 K. County Map showing Zero Vehicle Households .................................................................................36 I. Invitation Email for Meeting .......................................................................................................................37 J. March 3, 2016 Brunswick Beacon Ad .......................................................................................................38 K. Coordination Meeting Agenda ..................................................................................................................39 L. Coordination Meeting Sign-In Sheet .......................................................................................................40

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I. Introduction A. Public Transportation in North Carolina The provision of public transportation in the State of North Carolina began with the establishment of the Mass Transit Division of the Department of Transportation in 1974. The Division’s mission was to “foster the development of intercity, intracity and rural public transportation in the state and administer federal and state transit grant programs.” In 1979, the division’s name was changed to the Public Transportation Division. The division currently administers $53 million in state transit funding each year to 99 public transportation systems across North Carolina. Transportation systems receive funding from federal, state and local sources, which includes match funds and passenger fares. There are four principal types of public transportation options in North Carolina: Human Service Transportation, Community Transportation, Urban Transit and Regional Transit. Other public transportation options available include private intercity bus services, car and van pools, NCDOT-sponsored Amtrak passenger rail service and the N.C. Ferry Division. Federal rural transit funding is incorporated into following programs: the NC Community Transportation Program (CTP), the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP), the Rural Planning Program, Regional and Intercity Program, the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Elderly and Disabled Individuals Transportation Program (FTA Section 5310). The Community Transportation Program (CTP) provides the majority of rural public transportation funding in North Carolina, combining federal and state funds. The following programs are covered by an application for CTP funds: 1. Formula Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas Program (FTA Section 5311): Provides

up to 80% federal funding for capital programs and up to 50% for operations projects for rural areas under 50,000 in population. Will go into greater detail later in this section.

2. Rural Capital Program: Provides up to 90% of capital costs through federal and/or state participation.

3. Human Service Transportation Management Program: Provides up to 85% of administrative costs of human service transportation in nonurbanized areas and urbanized counties without a consolidated urban/rural transportation system.

The Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) consists of the three programs funded by the state and covered by a single ROAP application: 1. Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP): Provides up to

100% of the cost of service to transport the state’s elderly and disabled citizens. 2. Rural General Public Program: Funds community transportation systems in rural areas

for the use of the general public. Up to 90% of the cost of service is provided.

Brunswick County Locally Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan

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3. Employment Transportation Assistance Program: Funds transportation to employment for low-income people. Supports N.C. Rural Vanpool Program. Provides up to 100% funding for cost of service.

The Rural Planning Program provides up to 100% of regional feasibility study costs with state and federal money, and 90% of implementation plan and local planning study costs. The Rural Transit Assistance Program provides up to 100% of federal funds for training, technical assistance and research costs. The Regional and Intercity Program provides federal and state funds to expand intercity bus service into underserved areas and also provides bus tickets for homeless, stranded and indigent travelers through the Travelers’ Aid program. Up to 50% of net operating costs are provided through the program. Human Service Transportation Systems work with local human service agencies to provide medically, educationally, recreationally and employment-oriented transportation for riders referred by the agencies. Community Transportation Systems provide similar services to Human Service Transportation, but is required by federal funding regulations to be available to the general public; this includes subscription rides, dial-a-ride and deviated fixed-route services. There are currently 80 Community Transportation Systems operating in North Carolina. Further information on public transportation systems in North Carolina is available at www.ncdot.org/transit/transitnet. B. Federal Regulatory Background For thirty years, the federal and state governments have worked to better coordinate human service transportation activities. In 1985, Congress heard testimony on the lack of federal coordination between agencies such as the Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Health and Human Services (HHS). A year later, the Secretaries of HHS and DOT agreed to establish the Joint DOT/HHS Coordinating Council on Human Service Transportation (CCHST), which has been tasked with identifying barriers to interagency cooperation on transportation. Sixty-four factors were identified as barriers to transportation coordination, including uncertainty regarding federal transportation responsibilities, fragmented accounting and reporting procedures, uncertainty in using resources for recipients other than program constituents and not being able to charge fares under the Older Americans Act. Congress included provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) that better supported coordination, including a requirement for Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) programs to be part of a coordinated public transit/human services transportation planning process. In 2004, President George W. Bush established by executive order the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) to improve human service transportation coordination; 11 federal departments were represented. The CCAM’s purpose was to:


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1. Promote interagency cooperation 2. Establish appropriate mechanisms to minimize overlap and duplication of federal

programs so disadvantaged people have more transportation options 3. Find the appropriate, cost-effective transportation services within existing resources 4. Enhancing customer access to available transportation resources 5. Create and implement administrative, policy and procedural mechanisms that enhance

transportation services at all levels There are 62 federal programs run by the 11 departments that provide some kind of transportation service for seniors, lower-income people and those with disabilities. This leads to poorly coordinated and managed services at the state and local level. The CCAM reported in May 2005 to President Bush with recommendations on breaking down barriers to disadvantaged groups at the federal level, which led to the United We Ride initiative (further information at www.unitedweride.gov), which continues to function along with the CCAM during the Obama Administration. In August 2005, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient and Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which required public transportation and human service planning; starting in 2007, a human service transportation coordination plan was required to receive funding from three programs: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310), Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) (Section 5316) and New Freedom (Section 5317). The next year, the CCAM issued two policy statements on coordinated human service transportation planning and vehicle sharing, which led to federal departments taking action on improved coordination. This is the purpose for Brunswick County’s coordinated plan: to follow federal guidelines to better coordinate public transportation in the county for seniors, the disabled and low-income individuals. In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). It continued to require coordination planning provisions, but eliminated the JARC program (Section 5316) and combined the New Freedom program (Section 5317) into Section 5310; it was authorized for two years and then extended through subsequent acts of Congress. Programs that were previously eligible for 5316 funding became eligible for the Formula Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas Program (Section 5311). The program provides both capital and operational funding for projects. In December 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST) reauthorized the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program and continues to require a coordinated transportation plan for programs funded by it or the former New Freedom and JARC programs. C. Federal Section 5310 – Elderly and Disabled Persons Program The purpose of this program is to provide transportation services that meet the needs of elderly and disabled individuals for whom mass transit solutions are unavailable or inadequate. The planning and design of facilities and services to best allow these groups to use public transportation is given a special effort. The program provides grants to


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nonprofit organizations and public agencies approved by the NC Department of Transportation, Public Transportation Division, who, along with the other 49 State Departments of Transportation, manage the program on behalf of the Federal Transit Administration. These grants can be used for both capital spending and operations. There are three requirements for projects receiving money from the program: 1. The projects selected are “included in a locally developed, coordinated public

transit/human services transportation plan.” 2. That the coordinated plan “was developed and approved through a process that

included participation by seniors, individuals with disabilities, representatives of the public, private and nonprofit transportation and human resource providers, and other members of the public.

3. That “to the maximum extent possible, the services funded…will be coordinated with transportation services assisted by other federal departments and agencies,” including HHS grant recipients.

Sixty percent of 5310 program funds are set aside by a population-based formula to large urban areas, 20% are set aside for small urban areas and 20% are set aside for rural areas. D. Federal Section 5311 – Formula Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas Program The Formula Grants For Other than Urbanized Areas is formula based and provides funding to states for the purpose of supporting public transportation in rural areas, with population of less than 50,000. The goal of the program is to provide the following services to communities with population less than 50,000: 1. Enhance the access of people in nonurbanized areas to health care, shopping,

education, employment, public services, and recreation. 2. Assist in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of public

transportation systems in nonurbanized areas. 3. Encourage and facilitate the most efficient use of all transportation funds used to

provide passenger transportation in nonurbanized areas through the coordination of programs and services.

4. Assist in the development and support of intercity bus transportation. 5. Provide for the participation of private transportation providers in nonurbanized

transportation. 6. The Rural Transit Assistance Program is funded as a takedown from 5311. Eligible recipients include states or Indian tribe that receives a federal transit program grant directly from the Federal Government. A subrecipient of the program includes state or local governmental authorities, nonprofit organizations, or operators of public transportation or intercity bus services that receive federal transit program grant funds indirectly through a recipient. Eligible activities include funding for capital, operating, and administrative expenses for public transportation projects that meet the needs of rural communities. Examples of


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eligible activities include: capital projects; operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation; and the acquisition of public transportation services, including service agreements with private providers of public transportation services. The federal share of eligible capital and project administrative expenses may not exceed 80 percent of the net cost of the project. In North Carolina, the state will provide up to an additional 10 percent of the net cost of the capital project. For operating, the federal share may not exceed 50 percent of the net operating cost of the project. For projects that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Clean Air Act, or bicycle access projects, they may be funded at 90 percent Federal match.

II. Plan Approach Programs funded through the FAST programs require the development of a local, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan, which incorporates private and nonprofit transportation, human services providers and the general public. The planning process requires the participation of several organizations and the creation of or update to the LCP every three years. The planning team for Brunswick County is made up of the following three agencies:

North Carolina Department of Transportation, Public Transportation Division (NCDOT)

Cape Fear Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RPO) Brunswick Transit System, Inc. (BTS)

A. Public Involvement – Needs Assessment The Human Service Transportation Coordination Committee’s purpose is to guide and assist the development of the Local Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan, to begin discussions about coordination opportunities and develop strategies and actions based on the feedback received from the public through the process. The most crucial part of this process is to have public participation on current and projected public transportation needs and service gaps. On April 5, 2016, a public meeting was held to identify, discuss and prioritize needs. The following organizations participated:

Brunswick Transit Service, Inc. (BTS) Cape Fear Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RPO) Public Transportation Division, North Carolina Department of Transportation

(NCDOT) New Hope Clinic Town of Oak Island Brunswick Community College – Brunswick Interagency Program


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Brunswick Senior Resources B. County Background Information Brunswick County is currently the fastest growing county in North Carolina, and has consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Since 1970, the population of the county has nearly quintupled, from 24,532 to the 2015 estimate of 122,765. Two major factors have led this rapid growth. Brunswick County’s barrier islands have been the catalyst for tourism becoming the most important industry in the county. From Sunset Beach to Bald Head Island, tourists enjoy the county’s quiet, more family-oriented beach communities as an alternative to the highly developed Grand Strand region. Proximity to beaches and mild weather have also brought large numbers of retirees, primarily from the Northeast, to settle in the county. This population has driven the development of golf-based residential projects throughout the coastal portion of the county. The wide selection of golf courses has made Brunswick County a year-round tourist destination. Second, with the rapid growth of Wilmington and New Hanover County, the need for more affordable suburban development has transformed Leland from an impoverished, rural crossroads to the second largest municipality in Southeastern North Carolina. Leland has a population of 17,015, more than twice as large as the second-largest town in the county, Oak Island. As New Hanover County begins to run out of available land for development, the Leland area will continue to grow as Wilmington’s primary suburb. The town projects another 20,000 housing units will be built in the town by 2030. Most of Leland and neighboring Belville is included in the Wilmington urban area, and the majority of northeastern Brunswick County is within the boundaries of the Wilmington MPO. There are three major population areas for Brunswick County: the Leland area (including Belville, Navassa, Northwest and Sandy Creek), the Southport-Oak Island area (including Bald Head Island, Caswell Beach, St. James and Boiling Spring Lakes), and the Shallotte-South Brunswick Islands area (including Varnamtown, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Calabash and Carolina Shores). The central and northwestern portions of the county remain largely rural. The county seat and community college are centrally located near Bolivia and is roughly equidistant from the three population centers. The county is located in the Myrtle Beach MSA due to the concentration of population in the west of the county, even though more people commute from the county to Wilmington for work instead of the Grand Strand. The Shallotte/South Brunswick Islands area is included in the Grand Strand MPO area, with much of that region also located within the Myrtle Beach urban area. With an abundance of developable land available for both tourist-based development near the beach communities and suburban development in the Leland area, the prospects for continued growth remain bright for Brunswick County.


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Brunswick County 2000 2010 % Change Total Population 73,143 107,431 46.9% 65 Years or Older 12,380 23,026 86% Total Veterans 10,976 12,943 17.9% Total Population In Poverty 9,095 13,694 50.6% Total Workers 34,240 42,687 24.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The following charts identify where Brunswick County residents tend to work and the length of their average commute. A large majority of Brunswick County residents (62.8%) work within the county limits; that figure is down from the 2000 rate of 66%. This is due mainly to an increase of commuters to Wilmington. Commute times are lower than 30 minutes for 68.7% of workers, as most either commute short distances within the county or across the river from Leland to Wilmington. Nearly 30% of workers now work outside of county limits, and 7% work out of state. Of all workers in the county over 16 years of age, 2.3% have no vehicle available. The most frequent destination for Brunswick County workers who commute out of county is by far New Hanover County (10,507); one quarter of all commuters travel there. Horry County, SC, is a distant second with only one fifth of New Hanover’s commuters (1,998), followed by Columbus County (770). No other county has more than 500 commuters from Brunswick County working there, but the other counties account collectively for a total (2,226) larger than even Horry County’s total.

Source: US Census Bureau

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27.2

5.8

68.7

24.6

1.8

Less than 30 minutes 30-60 minutes More than 60 minutes

Commute Length for Brunswick County Residents

2000 Census 2010 Census


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66

27

7

63.8

29.2

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Work in county of residence Work out of county in state of residence Work out of state of residence

Where Brunswick County Residents Work

2000 Census 2010 Census

Brunswick County, 26309

New Hanover County, 10507

Horry County, SC, 1998

Columbus County, 770

Other, 2226

Destinations for Brunswick County Commuters


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III. Assessment of Available Services A. Brunswick Transit System – Existing Services The coordinated planning process requires an inventory of existing transportation services. An assessment of existing services in Brunswick County was conducted, taking into account public, private and human service options. The inventory of services and providers follows: The main public transportation agency is Brunswick Transit System (BTS), a nonprofit organization based in Shallotte that has been providing general and human service transportation since 1989. General transportation is provided throughout the county by BTS through its Dial-A-Ride program. All residents of the county are eligible for the service, which requires a reservation 48 hours in advance. The service is available from Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The pickup time will vary depending on the number of passengers, so riders are advised to be ready for pickup up to two hours before the scheduled pickup time. Trips can be cancelled with at least two hours’ notice. Depending on the length of the journey, fares can be $1.50, $3.00 or $5.00 for one way service. Tickets can be purchased over the phone or in person at the BTS office. Trips can be taken throughout Brunswick County any day of the week, but trips into New Hanover County are also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. BTS has a fleet of 16 vans and buses for the county’s transportation needs; several are equipped for persons with special needs as determined by the ADA. Human service transportation is also available from BTS and is sponsored by the appropriate agency. Statistical Data on BTS is available in Appendices A-C: Brunswick Transit Service Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics Report (FY 2013-15). B. Wave Transit Brunswick Connector Wave Transit, the public transportation agency for Wilmington and New Hanover County, has a bus route that serves northeastern Brunswick County known as the Brunswick Connector (Route 204). It leaves Wave’s Downtown Station on Second Street to serve the following stops before returning to Wilmington: 1. Village and Fairview Roads (near Piggly Wiggly shopping center) 2. Main Street and Old Mill Road (near Navassa Town Hall) 3. Lanvale and Old Fayetteville Roads 4. Leland Middle School 5. North Brunswick High School 6. Village Road (near Food Lion shopping center)


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7. Drager Drive (near Harris Teeter shopping center in Waterford) 8. Brunswick Village Blvd Roundabout (near Lowes Foods shopping center in Brunswick

Forest) 9. West Gate Drive (near Walmart shopping center) Transfers to the remainder of the Wave Transit bus system are available upon arrival at Downtown Station. The service runs every 60 minutes from 6 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. There is no weekend or evening service. Fares are $2.00 for most riders, but costs $1.00 for seniors, persons with disabilities, K-12 students, and students of local colleges. UNCW students and staff ride fare free. The Brunswick Connector is paid for partially with a subsidy provided by the Brunswick County government.

Source: Wave Transit

C. Other Transportation Providers Taxi companies based in Brunswick County include the following: 1. AE Cab in Southport 2. Southport Taxi in Southport 3. A-1 Transport in Oak Island 4. A-Cab Oak Island in Oak Island 5. Royal Cab in Supply 6. Adonis Taxicab in Shallotte 7. Beaches Taxi in Ocean Isle Beach 8. East Coast Designated Driver Service in Ocean Isle Beach In addition, Brunswick County is served by taxi companies in nearby counties, particularly those in Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. Uber’s Wilmington service area includes the whole of Brunswick County. There is currently no intercity bus service anywhere in Brunswick County; the closest Greyhound stations are in Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. Brunswick County has a ferry route connecting Southport to Fort Fisher in New Hanover County. The ferry takes 35 minutes to travel across the Cape Fear River, and saves travelers a roughly 50 mile trip via Leland and Wilmington to travel between the two. The fare is $5

27,737 27,584

26,626

28,718

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015

Wave Brunswick Connector Annual Ridership


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for most cars and trucks, $10 for vehicles from 20-40 feet in length, $15 for 40-65 feet in length, $3 for motorcycles, scooters and golf carts, $2 for bicycles and $1 for pedestrians. The ferries run about every 45 minutes; schedules vary depending on the time of the year and day of the week. Brunswick County has two general aviation airports: the county-owned Cape Fear Regional Jetport (formerly known as the Brunswick County Airport) in Oak Island, and the Ocean Isle Beach’s Odell Williamson Municipal Airport. Flight instruction and scenic flights are available at both airports, with helicopter and skydiving available at Cape Fear. Tiedown, storage and fuel facilities are available at both airports, with mechanic and car rental facilities also available at the Cape Fear. Commercial air service is available in Wilmington (ILM) and Myrtle Beach (MYR). IV. Needs Assessment A. Public Involvement

One of the keys of developing a coordinated transportation plan is public input, particularly from the involved stakeholders. The main purpose of this plan is to encourage public transportation coordination and create a network of diverse stakeholders who have a common interest in human service transportation. The process gives stakeholders an opportunity to collaborate on how best to provide transportation to targeted populations in the federal funding program. Stakeholder outreach and participation are key components in developing the plan. The FTA and NCDOT requires public participation and recommends that it be as inclusive as possible, representing a broad range of groups and organizations who have an interest in human service transportation. On April 5, 2016 from 9:30 to 11:30 am, key stakeholders came together in a public meeting at the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Building in Bolivia. The facilitator of the meeting was B.J. Eversole of the Cape Fear Area RPO, with key insight provided by Yvonne Hatcher of Brunswick Transit Systems, Allen Serkin of the Cape Fear Area RPO, and Crystal Odum of the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT. Before discussion began on needs, there was a brief introduction into the locally coordinated plan process, as well as the current services offered by BTS. Those in attendance then came up with an exhaustive list of public transportation needs for Brunswick County, covering both current needs and potential needs in the near future, and the group then determined which needs were the most crucial going forward.


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B. Current Service Needs and Gaps The Local Coordinated Plan is focused on identifying the most significant transportation needs not being met, and gaps in service faced by targeted groups. The most crucial needs identified are as follows: Most Critical Needs: 1. Maintain and expand current BTS service to BCC students, particularly those with

special needs in the Brunswick Interagency Program (BIP). It was mentioned that there is a current waitlist for transportation services for the BIP, a problem that is caused by not having enough vehicles at peak-hour times. Implementation strategy: Additional vehicles and drivers would be needed to provide expanded service, especially at peak hours. BCC students have a fixed schedule that often corresponds with other agency transportation, so service expansion is crucial. Apply for grant funding, especially 5311.

2. Maintain and expand services for senior citizens to senior centers for case management and nutrition sites. As another key service offered by BTS, it is crucial that seniors in Brunswick County continue to have the option of public transportation when receiving services from agencies such as Brunswick Senior Resources, as well as medical transportation to doctor’s appointments. Better coordination for doctor’s appointments was also identified as a need; BTS does try to work with medical facilities to best align with available seats on BTS vehicles. Implementation strategies: Additional vehicles and drivers; more coordination with agencies and medical facilities. Apply for grant money, particularly 5310.

3. Maintain and expand general services for handicapped/disabled people. This includes making sure that there is a sufficient number of wheelchair accessible vehicles and staff trained in meeting the needs of these populations. Making sure that current services provided by BTS and other transportation providers are maintained is crucial to meet the needs of disabled Brunswick County residents. Whenever there is a recognized need for expansion, such as the BIP’s current waitlist, the resources should be made available at the state level for expansion. Implementation strategy: Make sure that BTS has the proper number of vehicles and trained staff to accommodate disabled passengers, especially at peak hours; expand fleet and staff if necessary to serve disabled riders. Apply for grants, particularly 5310.

4. Connections with Wave Transit’s Brunswick Connector. The Brunswick Connector is currently the only fixed-route bus line in Brunswick County. There was a general discussion of going towards deviated fixed routes for BTS, which would include dropping off BTS riders at the Wave Transit’s Park and Ride lot at Brunswick Forest. This will take greater coordination with Wave to make sure that all connections happen as quickly as possible, allowing for more efficient public transportation from throughout Brunswick County into Wilmington and New Hanover County. Implementation strategy: Coordination with Wave Transit on service harmonization. Apply for additional funding to facilitate coordination, particularly 5311.


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5. Increased regional connections to provide transportation information to the public. There was a need identified for a “One-Stop Shop” information system, where potential riders will be able to obtain information on transportation options across a variety of services, including BTS, agencies within Brunswick County, Wave Transit, and neighboring county transportation systems. Such a service would include both a hotline (with potential TTY service for the hearing impaired) and website. This service could also include a central booking agency, which will allow BTS to book trips for other agencies in and out of the county. In order to undertake this effort, BTS would need to consider the hiring of a mobility manager. Coordination between transit and human service agencies will be necessary to meet this need, and additional funding from state and federal sources will be needed for the hiring of a mobility manager and technology needs. Implementation strategies: Hiring of a mobility manager, purchasing of necessary technology, coordination with regional transportation partners and human service agencies. Apply for grant money; particularly 5310 and 5311.

6. BTS formal needs assessment project. Brunswick County is growing rapidly, and much of that growth is coming from older people who retire to the county from other parts of the country. This will include GIS mapping of current ridership and county demographics. Current ridership will be surveyed, but the greater county population will also need to be surveyed to determine overall transportation, whether or not they are currently being met by BTS or Wave Transit. There will be the need for grant funding to pay for this study, whether it is done in-house or if an outside consultant is used. Implementation strategies: Hire a consultant or designate staff to coordinate needs assessment. Utilize GIS for mapping BTS and county demographic data. Create and distribute surveys for both BTS riders and wider public; analyze data and use to plan future strategies. Apply for state and federal funding, especially 5311.

7. Veterans’ Transportation. Brunswick County’s rapid population growth comes mainly from retirees, many of whom are veterans. With a VA Clinic in Wilmington and VA Hospitals in Fayetteville and Durham, providing transportation to these facilities for veterans’ medical appointments is a crucial need. Neighboring Columbus County operates regular bus service to the Wilmington clinic and the Fayetteville hospital; this could be a service replicated by BTS. Implementation strategy: Apply for federal grants for veterans’ medical transportation in order to expand service if necessary. Coordinate with VA on scheduling appointments. Apply for federal and state grants, especially 5310.

Other Needs Identified: 1. Night and weekend service for work training programs to job sites. Many job trainees

work at times that do not correspond with BTS’s current hours of operation. Implementation strategy: Seek 5311 grant money for job training transportation to finance expansion of services to employment agencies.

2. Need for out of county medical transportation, especially to major medical facilities in Wilmington, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Chapel Hill and Durham. Implementation strategies: Have available vehicles and staff for long distance medical travel.


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Coordination with neighboring transit and human service agencies. Apply for 5310, 5311 and other available grant money.

3. Maintain and expand BTS service to DSS and other client agencies, especially for medical appointments. Implementation strategy: Service expansion. Best practices in coordination with agencies. Apply for grant money, especially 5310 and 5311.

4. Provide and expand BTS service for Medicaid patients, particularly with new Medicaid reimbursement structure in place. Could lead to delays in repayment for Medicaid services and could be detrimental to other services. Implementation strategy: Coordination with state Medicaid staff to ensure quick repayment, so there will be no gaps in other services due to lack of funds. Apply for grant money, especially 5310.

5. Provide services, especially medical transportation, for seniors that “fall through the gaps” of other services like Medicare and Medicaid. Implementation strategy: Apply for 5310 and other grant money to expand senior transportation services. Have available vehicles and staff for service expansion.

6. Closing the 48-hour scheduling window, especially to provide emergency/sporadic transportation for employment and job training. People who temporarily find themselves without an automobile (i.e. at the mechanic’s shop for repairs) should be able to depend on BTS to provide short-term transportation to employment/job training. Scheduling should be a more flexible process that can be done online or over the phone. Implementation strategy: Apply for 5311 grant money for short-term employment transportation. Same-day or less than 48-hour ride reservation process for transportation should be implemented.

7. Provide transportation to unaccompanied minors to non-school activities. There is a need for transportation to activities such as afterschool programs; such programs can potentially cut down on youth crime and improve educational performance. BTS currently cannot transport anyone under the age of 16 without an adult escort. Implementation strategy: Identify funding sources for expanded services. Coordination with Brunswick County Schools and other educational/children’s resources. Apply for grant money, especially 5311.

8. Bike Racks on BTS Vehicles. Adding bike racks to BTS vehicles can increase mobility and flexibility to those who seek or need an alternative to driving by allowing them to ride the bus for part of their trip and their bike for the remainder. Implementation strategy: Seek out grant money to purchase and install bike racks on BTS vehicles, especially 5311.

9. Transportation to local airports. This would provide an alternative to parking fees at local airports, or taxi fares. Implementation strategy: Coordination with Grand Strand Area Transit System (GSATS) and Wave Transit (Wave Transit currently does not have fixed-route service to Wilmington International Airport). Service expansion with necessary vehicles and staff. Apply for grant funding, especially 5311.

10. Providing and expanding service to the homeless. Implementation strategy: Coordination with Brunswick County Homeless Coalition. Service expansion. Apply for 5310 and 5311 grant funding.

11. Facility needs. These include centralized pickup locations, bus shelters, and security for the BTS facility (lights and fencing). Service implementation: Apply for capital expenditures grant funding, especially 5311.


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12. Providing transportation within the Brunswick County portions of the Myrtle Beach urban area. Wave Transit already provides public transportation in the Brunswick County portion of the Wilmington urban area with Brunswick Connector, so BTS is not eligible for reimbursement for trips within the MPO boundary in the Leland area. However, GSATS does not provide service to the Brunswick County portion of the Myrtle Beach urban area, which includes Shallotte, Ocean Isle Beach and Calabash. Trips within this area are therefore eligible for reimbursement from GSATS. Implementation strategy: Coordinate with GSATS on a reimbursement structure for trips within the Myrtle Beach urban area. Service expansion if necessary. Apply for grant funding, including 5311.

13. General transportation peak-time expansion, particularly for employment and medical transportation. General transportation riders have a difficult time using BTS services during peak times, when much of the transportation is provided for contract agencies. Implementation strategy: Purchase of two more vehicles for BTS fleet for expanded service, and hiring of needed staff for expansion. Apply for grant funding, particularly 5311.

14. Deviated fixed-route and shuttle service. There is a need to provide regular service to different portions of the county, as well as to key points of interest (county government complex, BCC, Novant Brunswick and Dosher Hospitals, area retail centers). There was discussion of a deviated fixed route that would leave the Shallotte area for Bolivia, then travel on to Southport before returning to Shallotte, picking up passengers in each area. There was also discussion of regular shuttle services to heavily-trafficked locations like Walmart in Shallotte and Southport, particularly during off-peak hours. Implementation strategy: Follow NCDOT guidelines for establishing deviated fixed-route service. Apply for necessary grant programs to expand service. Expansion of needed fleet and staff to begin deviated fixed-route and/or shuttle service. Apply for funding, including both 5310 and 5311.

15. Dialysis transportation. A continuing need to maintain and expand transportation to those who make regular visits to dialysis facilities. Implementation strategies: Coordination with Health Department and other relevant agencies. Service expansion if deemed necessary. Apply for grant funding, especially 5310.

16. Localized services. The idea of staging vehicles throughout the county to cut down on unnecessary travel to and from the Shallotte facility was suggested. Implementation strategy: Identify potential staging sites. Security measures at new facilities. Scheduling best practices for optimizing efficiencies in service.

17. Technology needs. There is a need for internet access, tablets and GPS navigation within BTS vehicles, as well as the means to take electronic payments both in advance on the website and when boarding. Automated reminders via text would be beneficial to BTS riders. There is also a need for centralized scheduling software. Implementation strategy: County and state/federal grant funding for technology-based capital needs. Potential payment app services that allow for credit card payments via tablet could be a possible means to allow electronic payment. Apply for 5311 and other grant money for funding.

18. “Backwards coordination.” This would allow for BTS to serve as a booking agency for other agencies’ transportation services. Implementation strategy: Coordination with


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other agencies to develop a booking strategy. Hiring of a mobility manager. Apply to 5310, 5311 and other available grant funding.

19. Marketing services, especially in doctor’s offices. There is a continuous need to promote BTS’s services to county residents using the website and promotional materials. A BTS social media presence may be of use in both promotion and getting information out about ride availability. Having material in doctor’s offices and making receptionists knowledgeable about BTS services will allow for coordination when making appointments. Implementation strategy: Distribution of information to doctor’s offices. Coordination with doctor’s offices in scheduling appointments to provide transportation. Creation of a BTS Facebook, Instagram and Twitter account. Apply for needed funding, including 5311 and 5310.

20. Maintaining and expanding current BTS service not covered in previous needs. Implementation strategy: Maintain grant funding for current services, particularly from 5310 and 5311, depending on the service.

D. Needs List from 2013 Most Critical Needs: 1. Van Scheduling Flexibility: This issue centers around the need expressed for the

availability of vans to meet the desires of passengers; i.e. eliminate the need to call BTS 24 or 48 hours in advance to request a ride as well as the availability of weekend or night service. Many meeting participants expressed a desire to have a shorter required time for advance notice. Funding Source: 5316. Project Implementation: Adjust schedule for greater flexibility. Progress: Ongoing need.

2. Daytrips to the beach: The question of providing public transportation to/from the beach has been explored numerous times in other communities. It is not certain if there would be adequate ridership to make it worthwhile. Also, it is likely that several vans would have to be dedicated to the initiative. Expressed another way, passengers would likely desire the convenience of frequently running vans rather than having to wait an hour or more for a ride. However, before any such action is taken, BTS should take a close look at the need and likely use of such vans. Funding Source: No available funding source to meet this need. Progress: Service not provided; not identified as a need for 2016 LCP.

3. Transportation to/from evening parenting classes: Evening parenting classes are held at several locations in the county. Providing rides to/from these classes could require several (3 or 4) vans and drivers to transport the students in a timely fashion. Funding Source: 5316. Project Implementation: Adjust schedule, if possible, to use existing fleet to meet the need. Progress: Ongoing need.

4. General transportation for seniors: This was identified as a need, although specifics were not addressed. Funding Source: 5310. Project Implementation: Extension of services to meet the identified need. Progress: Expansion and improvement of services for seniors remains a continuing need for BTS.

5. ”Out-Stationing” of the Vehicles: This would potentially increase the system’s efficiency and decrease wait time and mileage. Out-stationing would provide parking or “hubs” for the vehicles to be stationed in outlying areas of the county rather than


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having one central home location in Bolivia. This would reduce “deadhead” mileage (riding empty to/from Bolivia) and increase vehicle availability in the “hub” areas. The solution to this concern would be to add more vans to the fleet thereby giving BTS more flexibility with a larger pool of vans. Funding Source: 5310. Project Implementation: Consider establishing such sites near low income areas. Progress: BTS facility has relocated to Shallotte since last LCP, but no out-stationing of vehicles. Identified as a need for 2016 LCP.

6. Collaborate with Wave Transit (the public transit provider in the greater Wilmington area) to extend service: BTS should explore opportunities to connect the BTS routes in the Leland area with the Brunswick Connector; the van than runs a “loop” route in the Leland, Navassa, and Belville area. Funding Source: 5310, 5316 & 5317. Progress: Continuing need; identified as a need for 2016 LCP.

Other Issues and Needs Each of the following needs or issues received at least 2 votes in the aforementioned issue identification process: 1. Regular Pickup time for weekly appointments: BTS staff should explore the possibility

of making regular pickups for customers. Funding Source: 5310, 5316 & 5317. Project Implementation: Extend existing routes and explore opportunities for a fixed route system. Progress: Service not provided; not identified as a need for 2016 LCP.

2. Van attendants: Attendants would be able to provide attention to high risk or special needs passengers that otherwise would not be afforded a safe riding environment. An attendant could help physically challenged passengers, carry belongings, and assist with boarding/getting off vans. Funding Source: 5317. Project Implementation: See comment section above. Progress: Continuing need.

3. Providing transit for homeless: BTS should consider adding a representative of the homeless coalition. This will give them a better insight into public transit in the county as well as a stronger voice in the provision of public transit. Funding Source: 5316. Project Implementation: Provide transportation to and from employment. Progress: Continuing need; identified as a need for 2016 LCP.

4. Additional Handicapped Vans: BTS should carefully evaluate the need for additional vans to determine if the need can be justified. Funding Source: 5310 & 5317. Project Implementation: Service expansion. Progress: No additional vehicles purchased. Remains a crucial need for BTS.

5. Provide more work-related transportation: BTS should consider providing more transportation to/from the major employment centers that are likely to be utilized by public transit dependent consumers. This need was identified particularly as it relates to transporting workers from the rural areas north of US 17 to employment on or near the beaches. Funding Source: 5316. Project Implementation: See above comment. Progress: Continuing need. Identified as a need for 2016 LCP.

6. More Medicaid Transportation: There is an inadequate amount of Medicaid approved transportation in Brunswick County. It is often very difficult for the Dept. of Social Services to find adequate Medicaid approved transportation for their clients. Funding


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Source: 5310. Project Implementation: See above comment. Progress: Continuing need. Identified as a need for 2016 LCP.


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V. Appendix A. 2015 BTS Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics Report B. 2014 BTS Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics Report C. 2013 BTS Community Transportation Operating and Financial Statistics Report D. County Base Map E. Population by Township Map F. County Map showing Population Age 65+ G. County Map showing Population Age 65+ with Disabilities H. County Map showing All Persons with Disabilities I. County Map showing Low Income Population J. County Map showing Limited English Proficiency K. County Map showing Zero Vehicle Households L. Email Invitation to LCP Coordination Committee Meeting M. Ad for LCP Coordination Committee Meeting in Brunswick Beacon N. Agenda for LCP Coordination Committee Meeting O. Sign-In Sheet for LCP Coordination Committee Meeting P. Photos of Needs Identified on Whiteboard – LCP Coordination Meeting


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Public Involvement Meeting:

Brunswick County Public Transportation Issues

Do you have an interest in public transportation needs in Brunswick County?

Brunswick Transit System, Inc., in cooperation with the Cape Fear Rural Planning

Organization, is preparing a Locally Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan to

help address transportation needs for public transit users. To help identify the needs and

possible solutions a public meeting will be held as follows:

Date: April 5th 2016

Time: 9 am to 12 pm

Place: Cooperative Extension Office Training Room, 25 Referendum Dr NE

(Brunswick County Complex), Bolivia

Be a part of the solution. Public involvement is encouraged.

More info: Yvonne Hatcher, (910) 253-7800, [email protected]

Brunswick County Transportation Coordination

Meeting Agenda

April 5, 2016 Cooperative Extension Building

9 am to 12 pm Bolivia

I. Welcome and Introduction

II. Background Information

Meeting Format and Locally Coordinated Plan: B.J. Eversole (Cape Fear RPO)

Transit Services Overview: Yvonne Hatcher (Brunswick Transit Systems)

III. Break into small groups to discuss/identify issues (if necessary)

V. Issue Prioritization

VI. Identify Future Strategies for Key Issues

V. Wrap Up

2016 brunswick lcp

Documents