The purpose of this webpage is to share relevant information and notices for the project with stakeholders and the public. To that end, this webpage contains the following sections with additional information and resources:
- Final Report & Appendices, November 2013
- Project Background
- Documents and Other Resources
- Kickoff Meeting, July 24, 2013
- Summary of Stakeholder Meetings, September 2013
- EasTexConnects Workshop, October 2013
- Questions and Comments
Final Report & Appendices, November 2013
Final Report
TTI researchers used all available information and feedback from committee members to evaluate a suite of coordination strategies for EasTexConnects. The report documents strategy approaches and order of magnitude costs for several areas of interest of the EasTexConnects committee.
Download the final report: “Coordination Strategies for EasTexConnects Final Report”
Download the coordination strategies matrix: Coordination Strategies Matrix
Download the appendices:
Appendix A. 2006 Regional Coordination Plan Projects Appendix B. 2011 Regional Coordination Plan Update Projects Appendix C. Comparison of 2006 and 2011 Plan Projects Appendix D. Summary of Prior Work Appendix E. Peer Case Studies Appendix F. Stakeholder Discussion Tool Appendix G. Stakeholder Response Summary Appendix H. Workshop Materials Appendix I. Workshop Evaluation
Project Background
“Facilitation to Identify EasTexasConnects Coordination Strategies” is a project funded by the Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Division (TxDOT PTN) through the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). ETCOG contracted with Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to provide analysis and facilitation to stakeholders in Planning Region 6 of the State of Texas.
TTI Scope of Work
GOAL: Conduct research and collaboratively prepare a report on options for transportation providers in Planning Region 6 to function and serve the public more efficiently.
OBJECTIVES: ensure independence and impartiality by engaging a third party to lead the project, build on previous study findings, do not duplicate previous work, engage stakeholders in Planning Region 6 throughout the project, identify various options for transportation providers to serve the public more efficiently, document cost and benefits of the options, document opportunities and risks of the options, and share project deliverables to ensure transparency for the project process, findings, and reports.
Stakeholders include but are not limited to EasTexConnects (ETC), East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), East Texas Regional Transportation Partners (ETRTP), Longview Transit, Tyler Transit, Amtrak, inter-city bus companies, private operators, human services agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders.
The following two documents closely relate to TTI’s scope of work (click on image to view):
ARM Scope of Work
2008 Transfer Study
ETCOG is pursuing joint activities with Longview Transit and Tyler Transit through the Alliance for Regional Mobility (ARM). The ARM scope of work is grant funded by TxDOT to ETCOG. The ARM is “a strategic alliance of the region’s three public transit providers established to increase service and reduce costs through shared resources and joint operational planning while pursuing unified goals”.
Documents and Other Resources
EasTexConnects website: http://www.etcog.org/511/EasTexConnects.htm
TxDOT PTN sponsored Regional Service Planning website: http://www.regionalserviceplanning.org/
The following are previous coordination and planning studies pertaining to the region, in addition to the 2008 transfer study listed above near the scope (click on image to view):
2010 Henderson County Study
2011 Regional Coordination Plan
The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) produces a variety of quality research reports and guidance documents. TCRP is an invaluable resource to transit agencies, stakeholders, and planners. Click on the image at right to visit their website and search the document library.
Kickoff Meeting, July 24, 2013
Agenda
Approximately 3:30pm (following EasTexConnects regular meeting)
Summit United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1901 E End Blvd, Marshall, TX 75670
Summary of Stakeholder Meetings, September 2013
Please download and review the summary of what EasTexConnects committee members shared with TTI during interviews conducted in July and August 2013. The information will be further discussed in the workshop, scheduled for October 29, as will other information.
EasTexConnects Workshop (October 29, 2013 at Synergy Park in Kilgore)
TTI invited members of the EasTexConnects committee to participate in an afternoon workshop about strategies for transit and coordination in East Texas. Thank you to the more than 20 members who participated! Everyone received a binder of materials and contributed to collaborative breakout sessions.
Questions and Discussion
Have a question? Have something to add to the discussion? Great! Please contact us.