Paris Metro Transportation

Description

Ark‑Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) is a voluntary coalition of local governments formed by nine Texas counties, and one Arkansas county. With a mission of improving the quality of life of local citizens, ATCOG engages in community problem solving, and coordinates services, resources, and funding.

Already operating a rural transportation system in several other counties, ATCOG recognized a need to replace the expensive, demand-response transportation service in Paris, Texas, because the existing system had difficulty accommodating local needs. Twenty-four hour advance scheduling was required for rides. Senior and disabled citizens often reported wait times of hours for transportation home after medical appointments.

Leveraging the U.S. Department of Transportation's P3 framework, a contractual risk-sharing agreement between a public transit agency and a private entity, ATCOG's first step included a local needs assessment. This was followed by creating a formal business plan complete with financial and other support expectations of partners. The plan also included flexible funding support levels paired with potential return on investment information. Another focus was gaining a 50% matched state funding opportunity that depended on the private partners' investment levels.

After formulating the initial business plan, ATCOG reached out to potential partners. The first stakeholder identified was Paris's largest employer, Paris Regional Medical Center, now Paris Regional Health. The medical center, sharing ATCOG's mission for improving healthcare access and economic opportunities, supported a 3-year funding commitment. Owned by RCCH Healthcare Partners, the 300 bed, acute care hospital providing health and wellness services, also agreed to supply a rent-free, central transportation office in unused medical space.

Next, ATCOG identified a local project champion. Paris's United Way chapter became the local voice presenting the ATCOG project to local businesses and educational institutions through Rotary and Kiwanis organizations. This effort gained support from six additional partners: the City of Paris, Paris Junior College, the RAM Foundation, the St. Joseph's Foundation, the Texas Oncology group, and The Results Company. After approximately five years of planning, Paris Metro began routine weekday, 12-hour operations in July 2016.

In the years since the grant funding, the transit network has evolved and is now connected with the Ark-Tex Council of Governments Rural Transit District (TRAX) transportation program.

Paris Metro was the recipient of the Texas Transit Association's 2016 "Innovative Project of the Year Award," a recognition based on innovative problem-solving techniques applied to the public transportation industry.

Services offered

Initial services at grant implementation included:

• Two buses on four routes run every 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Fifty cent fare per ride, and free for anyone age 60 and older, or disabled
• For those unable to ride the fixed route, paratransit service and rides by appointment can be scheduled for $1 per trip
• In 2018, 100% grant funding supported the purchase of 2 new, larger buses, complete with ramps instead of lifts for easier boarding.

Now existing as a mature transportation network, online scheduling is available, regular hours and routes are available, along with maps. It also operates an ADA complementary paratransit option.

Results

In May 2017, the service had tabulated 3500 trips per month since its start in August 2016. extrapolated data suggests that the area will experience a 200 percent increase from the prior transportation option. For 2018, the service will likely reach 52,000 for the year.

Initial data tracking also found a decrease in overall emergency room visits, likely a result of providing residents with a reliable transportation option for day-time scheduled appointments, a success factor measured by PRMC.

For more information: Public Transportation Guidebook for Small- and Medium-Sized Public-Private Partnerships, Transportation Research Board, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Challenges

Extended project planning intervals:

• The initial anchor community partnership with PRMC required time since the decision-making board was at a distance.
• After anchor partnerships, additional time was required to engage other community partners.

Replication

• Have familiarity with the P3 Checklist
• Have complete and clear goals, formal business plan, and stakeholder expectations outlined prior to meeting with stakeholders
• Present clear information on benefits to the partnership
• Ensure local champion(s) outside of the public entity to gain legitimacy and confidence of private stakeholders
• Find stakeholders with mutual shared community service vision to expedite business decisions

Contact Information

Ark-Tex Council of Governments
903-739-2444