HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. Coordination Plan Outline 2021_Draft_01.2020
MONTANA COORDINATION PLAN OUTLINE 2020
Date Adopted by Board of Directors:
1. This plan was adopted on January 23, 2020 by the Board of Directors of the Human
Resource Development Council District IX, Inc., 32 South Tracy, Bozeman, Montana.
Adoption was based on a recommendation by the Streamline Advisory Board and the
BTAC. Minutes from the Board of Directors’ meeting will be forwarded as soon as they are
available. Minutes from the Streamline Advisory Board are included as well as the TAC
minutes.
2. Agencies involved:
Please describe the agencies associated with your Coordination Plan and their level of
participation. Describe your entire coordinated transportation service. Include route
information and days and hours of service. Explain how each vehicle is used in this coordinated
system. The following information must also be included: year, vehicle type, mileage, and
accessible or non-accessible.
2.1 Streamline/Galavan provides general public transportation in the Bozeman,
Belgrade, Livingston, and Four Corners areas. Other recipients of FTA 5311 or 5310 grants in
Southwestern Montana include the following:
2.1.1 Skyline—Big Sky
2.1.2 West Yellowstone Foundation—West Yellowstone
2.1.3 Windrider—Livingston
2.2 Karst Stage and First Student provide charter services
2.3 Greater Valley Taxi and Montana Yellow Cab offer taxi services throughout the area.
The major hotels also provide shuttle service to and from the airport.
2.4 Besides senior homes, two human service agencies provide transportation:
2.4.1 REACH, Inc.
2.4.2 Head Start
2.5 Financial Contributors Include:
2.5.1 Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU)
2.5.2 Montana State University Bozeman (MSU)
2.5.3 Human Resource Development Council District IX (HRDC)
2.5.4 City of Bozeman
2.5.5 City of Belgrade
2.5.6 Area IV Agency on Aging
2.5.7 United Way
2.5.8 Gallatin County
2.5.9 Bridger Bowl
2.5.10 Bozeman Health
2.6 Other agencies with transportation needs:
2.6.1 Montana State University Bozeman
2.6.2 Montana Independent Living Project
2.6.3 Bozeman Chapter-Montana Association of the Blind
2.6.4 Gallatin Mental Health Center
2.6.5 Major private employers
2.6.6 Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
2.6.7 Bridger Bowl (weekdays)
2.6.8 Gallatin County Pre-Release
2.6.9 Family Promise of Gallatin County
2.7. Other Coordinating Businesses:
The relevant transportation providers and agencies are described in more detail below.
STREAMLINE/Galavan
Streamline Transportation, the Montana Transit Program of the Year for 2014, has been
honored as one of five rural transit systems throughout the nation to be awarded an
Outstanding Public Service Award by the Federal Transit Administration.
Streamline provides fixed route public transportation in Bozeman, Belgrade and Livingston with
complementary demand response paratransit service through Galavan. Streamline began as a
partnership between the Human Resource Development Council District IX, and the Associated
Students of Montana State University. The partnership now includes the cities of Bozeman and
Belgrade and the President’s Office at Montana State University.
Streamline began operations in August 2006 by combining the fixed route but seasonal service
of Bobcat Transit with the demand responsive service of Galavan. By leveraging the funding of
these two organizations, Streamline was able to obtain federal money through the Federal
Transit Administration Section 5311 program.
Services provided by Streamline include:
Daytime (Fixed Route)
Latenight (Deviated Fixed Route)
Bridger Bowl (Deviated Fixed Route) (Seasonal)
Saturday Service (Fixed Route)
Sunday Service (Deviated Fixed Route)
Livingston Commuter (Fixed Route)
Belgrade Commuter (Fixed Route)
MSU Campus Shuttle (Fixed Route)
STREAMLINE SCHEDULES
Streamline daytime service runs 5 times per day to Belgrade with the Green Line from 6:35 am
to 8:16 am; 12:15 pm to 1:20 pm; and from 5:20 pm to 7:02 pm.
The Red Line, Yellow Line, and Blue Line in Bozeman run one hour routes between 6:30 am and
7:15 pm, Monday through Friday. In 2011 there were three additional daytime routes added to
the Red, Yellow and Blue Lines on the half hour during peak times from 7:00 am and 9:30 am
and between 4:00 and 6:30 in the afternoon during the MSU school year. In 2012 the Blue half
hour route was suspended due to lack of use. In January 2018 it was restored because of
increased ridership from the fast developing northwest side of Bozeman. Streamline provides a
connection to Intra-state bus transportation with its stop at Wal-Mart. We have also added
time to our routes when the Warming Center is open during the winter months.
Rides are fare free on all Streamline buses.
In FY 2008, Streamline added a Latenight service that runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
between 7:45 pm and 2:47 am. We encourage those who work late, like to shop in the
evenings, or to take in a movie to make use of this service. The Latenight Downtown and
Upstream buses run Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Bozeman Police and DARE have both
endorsed the use of the buses at night.
A weekend Bridger Bowl service runs during the ski season, approximately the second weekend
of December through the first weekend of April. Bridger Bowl service runs three buses on
Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with half hour service.
There are three routes that run on Saturday during the day from 7:30 am and 6:15 pm. These
three routes are shorted days for our Blue Line, Red Line and Yellow Line. The Red Line Route
was added in January 2014 and has been very successful. Sunday has one deviated route that
began January 2018.
A Livingston commuter service started on October 13, 2008 with the morning run at 5:50 am
from Bozeman (Wal-Mart) to Livingston and departing Livingston at 6:30 am. The return run
departs from the Evergreen Business Park at 4:35 pm and returns to Bozeman at 6:45 pm.
In January 2019, in partnership with ASMSU, a Campus Shuttle pilot project was launched. An
updated route was launched in January 2020. If successful ASMSU will look for funding
opportunities, including the possibility of increased fees to students in order to pay for the
service.
For further information on Streamline routes and times, please consult the brochure included
with this application.
Please see the attachment for a print out of all Streamline buses currently in use. These buses
are used daily on our fixed route system and meet ADA requirements by having ramps into
each bus.
GALAVAN
Galavan’s mission is to ensure that the lack of affordable transportation is not a barrier to
individual independence. In operation since 1973, Galavan first began as the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program’s “Mini-Bus.” The Mini-Bus was used to transport volunteers from the
valley into Bozeman work sites. In the late 1970s, the service became the Senior
Transportation Service, operated by Thrift Stations. In 1984 when Thrift Stations could no
longer keep up with the demand for service HRDC became the program’s sponsor.
When HRDC took over the Gallatin Area Van program, it shortened the name to the present
Galavan. Later HRDC developed an in-house agreement so that Galavan would provide
transportation for the Head Start program. When Galavan joined forces with Streamline in
2006, Galavan became Streamline’s paratransit service provider as required by the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
Galavan provides service to residents of Bozeman and the surrounding communities. Pre-
arranged pickups and drop offs are available for certified customers who are unable to access
the regular Streamline stops. Galavan is open to anyone 60 years of age or older or has a
disability which qualifies them for service. Eligible riders can call 587-2434 by 3:00 pm the day
before the trip to schedule a ride.
Many seniors and people with disabilities are able to and are encouraged to use the regular
Streamline fixed route system. The Galavan office offers assistance in understanding how to
use Streamline. Galavan and Streamline are dispatched out of the Smyth Building at 1812 N.
Rouse Avenue in Bozeman.
Please see the attached list of all Galavan vehicles. These vehicles are all lift equipped with the
exception of two ramps and are used on a daily basis for the transportation of elderly and
disabled customers throughout the Gallatin Valley. They are also used to transport many of our
REACH customers as per the HRDC contract with REACH.
Reach, Inc.
Reach Inc. supports adults with developmental disabilities to attain their individual goals and
aspirations. Reach is a private, non-profit organization operating in Bozeman, Montana that
began providing services on April 4, 1974. Starting from a small rented work center, Reach has
grown to serve over 100 people in the Gallatin Valley. Reach provides vocational, residential,
recreational, and transportation support for adults with developmental
disabilities. Developmental disabilities include cerebral palsy, autism, Down Syndrome,
traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions that impact neurology. These disabilities occur in
the development state of life, before the age of 18.
Reach offers three types of transportation services. Work transportation brings clients from
the six homes or other residences to the Work Center on the north side of Bozeman. Daytime
supportive employment transportation carries clients to their jobs in the community. Finally,
Reach-owned houses and apartments include residential-based transportation. Client needs,
transportation budgets, and levels of independence vary. Most Reach clients currently use
Reach transportation services. Some clients also independently use Galavan and
Streamline. The people in Reach-owned homes who are most likely to use Streamline live at
2752 Durston Road and 434 N. Tracy. The people living at 50 and 54 Michael Grove and 5508
and 5512 Golden Valley Drive are capable of using Streamline with staff support. Those living at
436 N. 3rd and 1127 N. Cedarview do not generally use Streamline. HRDC and REACH are
working to expand consolidation between the two organizations. The two organizations feel
right now that full consolidation would be very difficult given differing missions and makeup of
clientele. If there was adequate funding, we could envision REACH staff riding with clients with
fewer capabilities on a Galavan or Streamline vehicle. At this time, we are working on
consolidation through small steps.
Bridger Bowl
Bridger Bowl is a local community ski area approximately 20 minutes from downtown Bozeman.
Bridger Bowl is committed to operating their ski areas in the most socially responsible manner
possible. Energy and product purchases, waste stream management and care for the land are
conducted in an accountable manner consistent with prudent and environmentally sustainable
practices. Most local residents only need to drive 16 to 20 miles each way to and from Bridger.
Consequently, the collective carbon footprint is significantly less compared to those traveling 3
to 5 times that distance to ski or recreate. Despite the close proximity to Bozeman, strongly
encourages local residents to carpool or use public transit whenever possible. Bridger Bowl has
a designated carpool lot for vehicles with 2 or more passengers in their top Lot A. They have
also coordinated a carpool parking lot at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds at the corner of
Tamarack and N. Black in Bozeman.
Beginning with the 2007-2008 season, there was a free park and ride bus service between
Bozeman and Bridger Bowl established. The contracted service with Streamline is a fixed route
bus offering hourly round trips between Bozeman and Bridger Bowl.
Karst Stage
One of the largest providers of transportation services in southwestern Montana, Karst Stage is
a charter provider, with some scheduled service to Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Chico and
Mammoth during the primary tourist season. The scheduled service is based primarily on flight
arrival and departure times from Bozeman, Yellowstone International Airport located in
Belgrade Montana. Karst is the contractor providing service for Skyline, the Big Sky public
transportation service.
Karst Stage provides charter transit service across the United States. The firm operates over-
the-road coaches, transit buses, school buses, and mini-buses for several different types of
contract services throughout southwestern Montana.
Karst Stage also has an airport shuttle office that operates vans, mini-buses and motor coaches
for individual passengers going from the Bozeman airport to selected cities including Big Sky,
West Yellowstone, and Mammoth. Additionally, Karst is working with Salt Lake City Express for
intercity connections between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. The connection gives access
for passengers to travel between Salt Lake City, Utah and Bozeman with I-90 corridor
connection points.
In 2010 Karst became the contract provider for drivers and maintenance for the Streamline
Transit service.
First Student/Bozeman Public Schools
First Student is currently the contractor providing the school bus service to the Bozeman school
district. They serve Bozeman and the surrounding area.
In addition to providing the school bus transportation, they provide charter services to school
district groups, wedding shuttles, and other contracted trips in the area.
Although First Student does not actively participate in our TAC, the school district does.
Head Start
HRDC’s Head Start Program has been operating in Gallatin, Park, and Meagher Counties since
1991. Head Start is a free program that serves 168 children with a focus of providing for the
healthy development of children and the strengthening of families. The program serves
children with a wide range of developmental levels including children with special needs. This
brings a greater degree of social competence to the children of participating families by
maximizing their unique strengths and abilities which is the overall goal of the program. The
program promotes parents as the primary educator of their children and supports them as an
integral part of the Head Start Program. Until FY 2009, Head Start contracted with Galavan to
provide transportation to its Gallatin Valley classrooms. Federal budget cuts have forced the
Head Start Program to discontinue transportation service other than field trips.
Regional Providers
Angel Line
Angel Line’s mission is to ensure that lack of affordable transportation is not a barrier to
individual independence. In operation since 1993, Angel Line began operation when the City of
Livingston asked Park County to join with them and the Montana Department of Transportation
to obtain affordable transportation for seniors in Park County.
Angel Line provides service to residents of Livingston and the surrounding communities. Angel
Line is open to anyone 60 years of age or older and to anyone with a doctor’s letter of disability.
Eligible riders can call 222-4668 the day before their trip to schedule a ride. Angel Line is
dispatched out of the Senior Citizens Center of Park County, 2006 South Main in Livingston.
Angel Line has the following hours of operation:
Livingston-five days per week (M-F) 8:15 am to 4:15 pm.
To outlying communities in Park County as needed
Angel Line provided an average of 693 rides per month to 125 individual customers during FY
15. Vehicle travel average was 2,067 miles per month. The cost per ride and cost per mile are
in line with other Montana providers.
Windrider Transit
Windrider Transit seeks to provide an efficient and courteous free fixed route service delivery
system to citizens and disabled persons in Park County, Montana. Windrider provides general
public and paratransit services within the City of Livingston.
Windrider operates Monday-Friday 6:15am – 6:15pm.
Skyline
Skyline is the public transportation service that operates both within Big Sky and between Big
Sky and Bozeman. The Big Sky Transportation District, which had previously operated the
“Snow Express” service, started operating as Skyline in December 2006.
Skyline is a year-round service that provides a vital connection between Big Sky and
Bozeman. This service is referred to as the “Link” and/or “Link Express.” Since operations
began, Skyline has provided more than 1.3 million rides within Big Sky and nearly 750,000
between Big Sky and Bozeman.
To meet the high demand for service, Skyline is currently providing thirteen (13) roundtrips per
day between Big Sky and the greater Bozeman area (including Gallatin Gateway and Four
Corners), and is working with the folks in West Yellowstone to coordinate transportation from
West to Big Sky. The main stops for Skyline in Bozeman are Walmart and Montana State
University. Many people from Big Sky ride Skyline to get to Bozeman, and use Streamline to
travel around Bozeman.
Funding for Skyline comes from the local option sales tax in Big Sky (Big Sky Resort Area District)
and FTA 5311 funds, which are administered by the Montana Department of
Transportation. Skyline also receives funding from the Big Sky Resort, Big Sky Owners
Association, Gallatin County, Madison County, Moonlight Basin, Spanish Peaks Resort and
Yellowstone Club. The Big Sky area has its own TAC and includes West Yellowstone in their
TAC. Route and schedule information is available at www.skylinebus.com.
West Yellowstone Foundation
The West Yellowstone Foundation operates between West Yellowstone, Montana and
Bozeman twice each week. Named Galavan West, this service provides rides to primarily
seniors traveling to Bozeman for medical and retail purposes.
Madison County Transit (Hollowtop Senior Center)
Madison County Transit provides service in Madison County including the communities of
Ennis, Harrison, and Pony. Madison County Transit currently provides service to Bozeman three
times per month with service to Butte once a month.
Passenger Airlines
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the 7th busiest passenger airport in the Pacific
Northwest with over 1,000,000 passengers using the facility every year. The airlines, Frontier,
Delta/Delta Connections, Horizon Air, United Express, Jetblue, Sun Country, American, and
Allegiant, provide daily non-stop service to Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City,
Seattle/Tacoma, and Chicago. Depending on market conditions, the airlines also provide
seasonal non-stop service to other destinations.
Hotel Shuttles
Many of the hotels in the Bozeman area provide van service to and from the Bozeman
Yellowstone International Airport.
Attach cooperative agreements/contracts.
3. Agencies not involved:
Please see the notes below about the local taxi company.
Please document in your own files which agencies have chosen not to participate in the
locally developed Coordination Plan.
4. Needs Assessment
Streamline is the public bus system that serves Bozeman, Montana, a city with a
population over to 48,000. The bus system began operating in 2006 and is widely popular
among both Montana State University students and Bozeman residents alike. Many different
methods are used to determine the needs of our customers. Data is collected through surveys,
website contacts and our Facebook page. College classes have volunteered to do senior
projects for Streamline. The last full Streamline data survey was obtained through a survey
distributed in the fall/winter of 2015. Galavan did a full survey of riders in the fall of 2013 with
follow up phone calls conducted in the spring of 2014. In the fall of 2019 Transportation Design
Management (TMD) was hired as a transit planning consultant to redesign the fixed routes,
expected to include stakeholder meetings, public survey/map and public comment sessions.
5. Public Involvement:
Describe how users of your service as well as low income, minority, and the general
population of your service area were able to participate in the development of this
application and Coordination Plan.
Public notices for all TAC meetings are posted in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle prior to meetings.
Both the Streamline and the City of Bozeman publish all Advisory and/or Committee meetings
on their respective websites. We also present Streamline/Galavan to the City of Bozeman
Commission and the Gallatin County Commission. The coordination plan has been discussed at
TAC meetings and Streamline Advisory Board meetings. Members of these groups provide a
cross representation of all stakeholders including elected officials, representatives of MSU
students and representatives for seniors and people with disabilities or are low income.
Comments from Streamline/Galavan service are also solicited over the phone and through the
webpage.
Each year Streamline involves the public through activities and presentations. In the past
Streamline has been active in the Community Climate Change Task Force and the North 7th
Beautification Project. Streamline also participates in the Belgrade Fall Festival Parade, the
MSU Homecoming Parade, and the Sweet Pea Festival Parade. Streamline/Galavan has
presented at many local civic organizations and clubs and participates in various public
outreach events.
6. Private Sector:
Describe any private transportation providers, including taxi companies in your
application and service plan.
Private providers include Greater Valley Taxi, Montana Yellow Cab, First Student, Karst Stage,
Highgate Senior Living, Bozeman Lodge, Aspen Point, The Springs at Bozeman, Bridger Care &
Rehabilitation, Mountain View Care Center, and other small assisted living facilities in the
valley. All of these groups have been invited to participate in the local TAC. See attached list
for invitees.
We continue to try to get the both taxi companies involved, but they have yet to become a TAC
member or sign the cooperative agreement. We have tried email, regular mail and phone calls
but have never seen nor heard a response from them. Greater Valley Taxi did attend a meeting
when the new owners took over about 8+ years ago.
7. Plan for Growth and/or increase Ridership:
Describe any changes in your current plan that would increase ridership including
additional vehicles, additional routes, coordination with other agencies, marketing,
innovative programs, etc.
In the fall of 2019 Transportation Design Management (TMD) was hired as a transit planning
consultant to redesign the fixed routes, including stakeholder meetings, public survey/map and
public comment sessions. TMD will provide route suggestions based on the funding level
currently in place and they will make suggestions if additional funding can be obtained. TMD
will also help Streamline begin to prepare for the changes that come if/when Bozeman
becomes a small urban after the 2020 Census. In August of 2018 we launched a “Why I Ride
Streamline” marketing campaign, asking everyone we talk to at local events for input. This has
grown into a broader marketing campaign along with some projects that came out of the
Transportation for America Technical Assistance Workshop held in September 2018. In the fall
of 2014 HRDC entered into a contract with the Western Transit Institute (WTI) to look at all
aspects of our service. One of our main concerns was reaching the people who most needed
daily transportation either for work, school, or other necessities. WTI continues to work with
us very closely to determine needs and changes that we should look at. Our goals for the year
are a continuation of his suggestions.
Goals set by the Galavan/Streamline Advisory Board for FY 2020-2021 are as follows:
1. Prepare to implement the recommendations from TMD as soon as possible. Those
recommendations are expected to be received in the fall of 2020.
2. Increase frequency and stops between Bozeman and Belgrade including additional stops
in Belgrade. This may also include weekend service at some point.
3. With our funding partners, we will work to establish a North 7th Corridor Route to
provide service directly between the north end businesses and downtown. This would
enable us to put a fifth route into place for our growing community.
4. With the help of Gallatin County, work to establish a weekday Streamline route to
include three round trips a day between Three Forks/Manhattan and Bozeman.
5. Collaborate with community leaders in White Sulphur Springs, West Yellowstone, and
Livingston/Park County to help promote additional transportation services in the area.
6. Meet with private companies to discuss the possibility of shared rolling stock,
sponsorships, and investments in services and capital.
7. Sustain the Voucher Ride program with mILp to meet the needs during
Galavan/Streamline off hours.
8. We will continue to upgrade service through the placement of shelters and benches as
well as obtaining better equipment and completing our technical support plan.
Streamline plans for increased ridership in FY21 and beyond as more people use the service and
as funding allows for the increase of services through increased daily hours and expanded
weekend service. There are over 100,000 residents living in the micropolitan area (not
including Livingston) and Bozeman is expected to surpass 50,000 people in the 2020 census,
eventually moving the city to a small urban.
As noted by the attached letters and Cooperative Agreements, the current TAC members are
working to bring more agencies into the local TAC. Streamline and Galavan along with the TAC
members are working to establish a mobility plan which will train riders on the use of the
systems. The hope is to be able to coordinate with all health care agencies and retirement
homes as well as the hospital to provide safe and comfortable transportation for their patients
and residents. The TAC would like to be able to make available to all entities a Travel Training
Program to assist riders and agencies in learning how to use the two systems.
HRDC has a contract with 45 Degrees North as an organizational wide marketing and
advertising company to represent all areas of HRDC. One of the main focuses of this company
will be monthly advertising for Streamline including special events and awards. Advertising
with wraps on the outsides of the Galavan buses will also be a priority. We have broadened our
advertising reach to regularly include TV, radio and local grocery stores. We continue to
advertise in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and other local magazines and newspapers on a
regular basis as well as having a Website, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter account.
The Galavan/Streamline Advisory Board is responsible for advising Galavan and Streamline on
policy and strategic goals. This board has no final decision making ability. The HRDC Board has
the final decision making authority. The Operations Committee (subset of the Advisory Board) is
tasked with making route and/or timing adjustments.
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Active members of the Bozeman Area TAC include representatives of transportation providers
and community leaders interested in transportation. The group meets quarterly with an
additional meeting to endorse the MDT Coordination Plan. The Bozeman TAC has also worked
with transportation providers in Madison County, Livingston, and West Yellowstone to provide
better coordination between communities. The TAC includes all organizations in the Bozeman
area that receive public funding for transportation.
The current transportation plan was approved at the January 21, 2020 meeting of the TAC.
Minutes of that meeting are included with this plan. The following capital projects were
reviewed at that same meeting and were approved.
Vehicles: Listed by priority
1. HRDC/Galavan – 13 Passenger Cut Away
2. REACH – Minivan Accessible
3. HRDC/Streamline – 27 Passenger Transit Bus
4. REACH – Minivan
5. HRDC/Galavan – 13 Passenger Cut Away
6. HRDC/Streamline – 27 Passenger Transit Bus
7. REACH – Minivan
8. HRDC/Streamline – 2 Passenger Shelters
The TAC is made up of representatives of local planning agencies, city and county
governments, public transportation providers, human services agencies providing services
to the elderly, individuals with disabilities, low income customers and minority groups as
well as existing or potential riders from the general public and targeted population
passengers. It is one of three committees focused on public transportation in the Bozeman
area.
Bozeman Area TAC officers serve at will for a two year term and may move to a different
office at the end of term.
8. Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings:*
How often does your TAC meet?
TAC meetings are held quarterly. Meetings are currently held the fourth Tuesday of the
first month at the HRDC Conference Room at 32 South Tracy in Bozeman at 10:00 am.
Attach meeting minutes from
Meeting where capital projects were reviewed.
Meeting where the Coordination Plan was approved.
9. Transportation Advisory Committee Members: This should include consumers and/or
representatives from all agencies either receiving service, financially supporting the
program, and/or agencies participating in this Coordination Plan. Please indicate officers.
Name Representing
David Kack (Chair) Western Transportation Institute
Amber Reilly (Vice Chair) Western Montana Mental Health
Dee Metrick (Secretary) REACH
Dan Martin Karst Stage
Sunshine Ross HRDC/Streamline/Galavan
Doug Kellie Bozeman Public Schools
Scott Birkenbuel Montana Independent Living Project
Pat Sanders DPHHS
Tracey Orcutt DPHHS
Kevin Sylvester Eagle Mount