RFP: Bullhead Area Transit System Short Range Transit Plan

APPENDIX A
Scope of Work
1. Overview and Study Area
Bullhead Area Transit System is the exclusive public transportation provider within the city
limits of Bullhead City, Arizona. The system performed its last major comprehensive
evaluation of service of its efficiency in 2013 with the completion of a Short Range Transit
Plan. A subsequent Long and Short Range Plan was developed but never adopted in 2022 after
being rendered obsolete after the City was federally designated as a small urbanized area
("UZA"). With the absence of a current studies purview of guidance and ever shifting
landscape of present and future needs of the local community, there necessitates a complete
operational review for a future guiding framework.
The City of Bullhead City ("City") is located next to the Colorado River in Mojave County,
Arizona, covering an area of 59 square miles. The 2020 Census estimates indicate the City
supporting a population of just over 50,000. The study area for this study will be restricted to
the Bullhead Area Transit System service boundaries encompassed by the City of Bullhead
City.
This Scope of Work is provided as a guide to the type of work anticipated to be involved with
this type of transit planning project. Proposers are highly encouraged to offer refinements to
this Scope of Work in their proposal, highlighting the suggested refinements.
2. Time Frame
As with any planning study, it is important to identify a planning horizon within which the
recommendations of this study can be implemented. For this particular study, the planning time
frame is five years (2026 -2030). The expected study completion time will be one year from
contract award.
3. Study Deliverable
The end product of this study will be a planning document that will, hereinafter, be referred to
as the Short Range Transit Plan, ("SRTP"). Each identified work task will require a working
paper deliverable at the conclusion of each work task. The SRTP will serve as the policy and
programming document for transit operations for the City of Bullhead City.
4. Stakeholder and Public Involvement
The SRTP will be conducted according to a cooperative planning process involving
stakeholders that include Bullhead City Metropolitan Planning Organization ("BHCMPO")
staff, Bullhead City staff, elected officials, the general public and other transit providers.
Throughout the Study, information will be presented to and solicited from stakeholders through
interviews, focus group meetings, surveys and public meetings.
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The City is seeking an innovative public outreach program that will be highly effective in
gaining public input and acceptance of the transit plan. This will likely involve the use of web-
based tools and social media programs, as well as traditional public meetings. The consultant
will propose an outreach program that will increase collaboration, provide better information
and input to inform the study team enabling a more efficient transit system design and a more
prosperous result.
The consultant shall conduct at least three public meetings at local events and public open
houses for gathering public information, origin and destination information (to include
intercity travel to Lake Havasu City and/or City of Kingman), willingness to use public
transportation, and other useful input. A second round of at least two additional public
meetings shall be conducted to provide an overview and explanation of existing conditions and
proposed solutions/alternatives for existing & expected conditions. Following these meetings,
a public outcome as to which solutions/alternatives are preferred should be evident and
documented.
The consultant shall meet with local businesses, industrial managers, service employers, local
county and tribal officials, and local interest groups to gauge their interest in participating with
the local transit system that could include their potential involvement through incentives to
assist their employees (and potentially customers) with transit passes and other financial
assistance.
The consultant shall also provide a set of three informational and educational presentations to
elected officials at a scheduled Bullhead City Council meeting, a Bullhead Area Transit System
Commission meeting, and a joint session with the BHCMPO board. The first set of
presentations will provide a summary overview of the current conditions, gaps in service,
established goals, objectives and standards, and needs assessment for transit in the City
community and designated UZA. The second set of presentations shall include options for
service, including maintaining the status quo, and a summary of capital and on-going
operational costs along with identified funding sources.
The consultant shall be responsible for:
* Preparation of all presentation and informational materials for the general public meetings
and the stakeholder meetings.
* Preparation of materials and cost of advertisements and outreach activities.
* Preparation of contact lists, public notices, and documentation of the public involvement
process and input received in the plan.
The consultant shall also be responsible for coordinating meetings between the City and
Transit Stakeholders and for the presentation of the Draft Transit Plan and the Final Transit
Plan to the Bullhead Area Transit System Commission ("Commission"), BHCMPO Technical
Advisory Committee, BHCMPO Executive Board, and the City Council.
The consultant shall use social media and innovative internet-based survey and outreach
mechanisms and strategies to strengthen outreach efforts to reach a broader audience.
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The consultant shall prepare and provide a Public Outreach Plan summarizing all planned
public outreach events, the processes to be employed for public and stakeholder involvement,
and the objectives to be accomplished. The public outreach plan should be consistent with the
City and BHCMPO's Title VI plan.
5. Regulatory Compliance
The study process and products must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations,
and policies that apply to long-range transportation planning. These include, but are not
limited to: 23 CFR Parts 450 and 500, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 USC 2000,
Federal-aid Highway Act of 1973, 23 USC 324, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
29 USC 794, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 USC 6101, the Civil Rights Restoration
Act of 1987, PL 100-259, Fair Housing Act amendments of 1988 (42 USC 3601-3631),
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, PL 101-336, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
of 1993, the Stafford Act, as amended in 2000.
Of particular note is Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice
in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations, which established environmental justice
as a federal government priority. Environmental justice was initially established in Title VI of
the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This Study must examine the potential effects, both positive and
negative, that its recommendations/policies may have on minority and low-income
populations.
Should any disproportionate burden be placed on minority or low-income populations, as a
result of this Study, then considerations that dictated this recommendation over alternative
actions should be discussed. In addition, a concerted effort must be made to reach minority and
low- income populations when conducting the Study's public outreach. Documentation of
efforts to address environmental justice issues must be included in the appropriate Study
products.
6. Work Tasks
A. Preliminary Work task: Prepare a Project Management Plan ("PMP") Work Product: PMP
1. Provide the PMP with a schedule of the project that will:
a. Outline in detail each of the tasks described below;
b. Describe the activities undertaken to accomplish these tasks;
c. Identify the people responsible for each activity;
d. Identify time associated with each activity; and
e. Identify budget and any potential constraints to complete said tasks.
B. Work Task 1: Prepare overview of current transit system
Work Product: Working paper 1
1. Brief History of Transit Program (e.g., year of formation, facilities and fleet
development, changes in service focus areas, key milestones and events).
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2. Governance:
a. Type of unit of government (e.g., City).
* Composition and nature of representation of the Commission:
* Number of members;
* Elected or appointed (if appointed, how, and what agencies and/or groups do
members represent (e.g., cities, county, general public); and
* Current members and terms.
b. Composition and nature of representation of the BHCMPO:
* Number of members;
* Elected or appointed (if appointed, how, and what agencies and/or groups do
members represent (e.g., cities, county, general public); and
* Current members and terms.
3. Organizational Structure of Transit provider (use graphic format):
a. Management and staff positions;
b. Reporting relationships;
c. Contracted transportation services (name of contractor(s), length of current
contract(s).
4. Transit services provided and areas served: Describe service area, routes, frequency,
hours of service, fare structure, number of vehicles, revenue and deadhead miles,
revenue and deadhead hours and the number and type of vehicles (revenue/support)
required for each type of service.
a. Fixed Route:
* Local;
* Express;
* Commuter services (e.g., subscription service);
* Services provided in partnership with others
* Accommodation of bicycles;
* Vanpool.
b. Demand Response
* General public;
* Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
* Persons with disabilities (non-ADA);
* Older adults.
5. Connecting services provided by others/private operators, e.g. local taxi services,
expanding opportunities with ridesharing.
C. Work Task 2: Review and update of Goals, Objectives and Standards
Work Product: Working paper 2
1. Describe the existing Goals, Objectives and Standards for the system.
2. Evaluate the relevance of each of the above with respect to current socio-economic
trends and extrapolate for the next five years and next fifteen years to identify gaps that
need to be addressed.
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3 Add/revise new Goals/Objectives/Standards that reflect current operating conditions as
well as desired conditions for the next five years and set Goals/Objectives/Standards
that can be consistent for the next 5 years.
D. Work task 3: System and Service Evaluation
Work Product: Working paper 3
1. Review data provided by Bullhead Area Transit System staff/contractor and measure
performance against industry standards for the following metrics and provide a
summary of findings:
a. Quantitative
* Passengers per revenue hour
* Operating cost per mile
* Operating cost per passenger
* Subsidy per passenger
* Farebox recovery ratio
b. Qualitative
* Service Coverage Area
* Frequency
* Hours of Operation
* Stop Quality/Directness
* On Time Performance
c. Patron Convenience
* Speed
* Loading Time
* Bus Stops Locations
* Dependability of Service
d. Passenger Comfort/Amenities
* Waiting Shelters
* Bus Stop Signs
* Revenue Equipment
* Information Dissemination
e. Demand Response
* Operating cost per hour
* Service Coverage Area
* No-shows/Trip cancellations
* On time performance/reliability
* Trip denials
* Reservation system
f. Fleet evaluation
* Revenue fleet
* Non-revenue fleet
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g. Staff Composition
* Position Duties Evaluation
* Compensation Evaluation
2. Compare with contractual standards (if applicable).
3. Compare with at least 5 peer agencies in the Southwestern United States with specific
regards to size of agency, hours and type of service, service area covered, and size of
population served.
4. Whenever possible provide graphs and diagrams to depict information.
E. Work task 4: Develop Operations, Marketing, Capital and Financial Plan
Work product: Working paper 4
1. The Operations Plan will provide a framework for evaluation of service and
implementation of service changes and is prescribed for a specific time period. In this
case, the Operations Plan will set forth Bullhead Area Transit System objectives with
respect to providing fixed route and demand response services.
a. Current service: Describe the components of the operating plan while providing the
level of service that is currently needed.
* Level of service;
* Cost of service: admin/operating and capital;
* Number of vehicles;
* Number of employees;
* Service Miles;
* Service Hours;
* ITS Technologies (Intelligent Transportation Systems);
* GTFS framework;
* Mobile Ticketing
* Needs implementation plan for dedicated transit facility;
* Safety
b. Change of service (expansion or reduction)
* Include the entire BHCMPO UZA Boundary and reasonably populated areas
within it.
* Address the need for any perceived expansions or reductions in service. There
shall be a rational relationship between this need and the information portrayed
in the "Service and System Evaluation" section of this document.
c. Prepare an implementation schedule for delivery of recommendations in the
Operations Plan.
2. The Budget Plan provides expense forecasts, revenue projections (federal, regional and
local), fare policy, service agreements, etc., that all tie back to the level of service
described in the Operations Plan above.
The narrative must specifically explain, and the spreadsheet clearly isolates by year
(e.g., through individual line items) the following:
a. Change in fare revenue due to a fare increase or decrease.
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b. Change in fare revenue due to a change in the level of service.
c. Change in expenses due to a change in the level of service.
d. Change in expenses due to a labor or service contract change.
e. All operations expenses and revenues are to be stated in year of expenditure dollars,
with the assumed escalation factors stated.
f. All sources of revenue shown in the operations and in the capital financial plan
should be identified individually.
g. The basis for the operating cost forecasts shall be clearly portrayed (e.g., cost per
service hour and service hours)
3. The Marketing Plan discusses marketing strategies to increase ridership and revenue
generation opportunities (sponsorship, signage, social media, etc.) with measurable
objectives presented for future evaluation. After an assessment of the existing
marketing strategies, recommendations shall be provided for new strategies with
specific emphasis on:
a. Timeline;
b. Cost;
c. Shelter and Onboard revenue generating options
d. Integration of social media and ITS system into marketing outreach
e. Initial and rollout marketing options for future multimodal transit facility to
implement
f. Branding and Rebranding possibilities
g. Effectiveness of recommended strategy; and
h. Target audience with specific focus on aging local population and younger
generation of dependent riders.
The Marketing Plan should include an implementation schedule for delivery of
recommendations with detail measurable objectives presented.
4. The Capital Plan discusses capital projects that need to be undertaken within a specified
time frame (five years) to support the services and operations set forth in the Operations
Plan. After an assessment of current facilities, vehicles, equipment and tools,
recommendations shall be provided for acquiring/rehabilitation and replacement them.
a. Describe and discuss policies (or basis), and justification for
replacement/rehabilitation/retrofit of vehicles (revenue and non-revenue):
* Life cycle considerations;
* Passenger amenity considerations;
* Emissions considerations;
* Relationship to operations expansion/contraction.
* Capacity issues
b. Describe and discuss policies (or basis), and justification for facilities
replacement/upgrade/expansion
* Discuss current facilities including all bus stops, transit facilities, maintenance
and fueling facilities; park and ride lots; vehicle storage/staging; bike facilities
etc. Discuss gaps and a plan to address them.
* Discuss tools and equipment inventory and replacement schedule. Include this
in the current/proposed projects list.
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* Discuss land owned for transit purposes, the need to acquire land if any, land
use policies that are beneficial for transit purposes, any major shifts in policy
that can be anticipated while making plans for the future.
* Tie all projected requirements to funding availability as discussed in the
financial plan.
5. The consultant shall include planning level budgetary cost estimates for each of the
presented scenarios. The budgetary cost estimates will include operating and capital
costs, transit stop improvements, and on-going maintenance costs, reasonable and
appropriate administrative oversight costs for the Bullhead Area Transit System, and
all other required costs to implement, operate and maintain the proposed transit system.
The budgetary level costs for the preferred alternative will be refined to show projected
farebox revenues, anticipated one time and recurring federal and state funding, annual
City appropriations, advertising income, and revenues from other potential public and
private sources.
6. The consultant should consider fare options including zone-based fares, electronic fare
cards featuring discounted fares for use and affording daily, multi-day, and monthly
passes for visitor purpose as well as issuance of senior and disabled rider passes for
reduced fare credentialing
7. The consultant shall investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with the
coordination between Bullhead Area Transit System and the Bullhead City
Metropolitan Planning Organization (BHCMPO). The consultant shall investigate
additional operational changes related to the transit from 5311 to 5307 Small Urbanized
Area (UZA) Grant Program.
F. Work Task 5: Short Range Plan Preparation
Work Product: Working Paper 5
1. The consultant shall prepare a short range plan. The purpose of the plan is to clearly and
concisely describe and justify the Bullhead Area Transit System's capital and operating
budgets and assess the City's financial capacity to carry out proposed levels of operations
and the associated recommended capital improvements. Task Activities shall include:
a. Demand Estimation: The first step will be to gauge the potential patronage of short-
range transit services. Traditional demand estimation tools often rely on analysis of
socioeconomic data to predict populations most likely to use transit, but this only
identifies what is typically referred to as "captive riders"; those who cannot make their
trip by private auto due to age, income, or disability. This approach tends to ignore
"choice" riders, a growing market share for transit. Travel distances and times between
major attractors and work areas within the City of Bullhead City and the designated
BHCMPO UZA areas that make transit an appealing option for an increasing share of
the choice rider market.
b. Key Trip Destinations: This task includes identification of destination locations sought
by both local and regional travelers. Destinations include, but are not limited to:
* Medical centers and hospitals
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* Education centers
* Major retail centers
* City hall and other public agency service centers
* Senior centers
* Major employment centers
* Future planned activity centers expected to generate significant regional traffic.
* High-density residential areas
* Major parks and recreational areas
* Resorts, hotels, and motels
* Include locations outside of the current service area but within the designated
BHCMPO UZA area
* Key Indian Tribal areas within the BHCMPO UZA area
c. Key Stop Prioritization: This step will evaluate, prioritize, and rank the universe of trip
origins and destinations (some of which are identified above) to those most likely to
generate significant transit ridership. Future activity is included to map their proximity
to initial service routes. Future adjustments to the transit system shall be considered
and discussed to address providing expanded transit system service to the identified
future activity.
d. Route Development: Service routes between the proposed transit-served activity
centers and transit centers/transfer stations will be identified, delineated and routed to
minimize mileage and/or transit time. Hours of operation will be considered and
recommended, as should the need for and hours of weekend service.
e. This should include analyzing current routes and recommending modifications and/or
additional routes considering future expansion as conditions and transit travel demand
dictates. Route development will also consider environmental justice and Title VI
considerations to assure that the needs of minority and low-income groups and
neighborhoods are considered and served. The consultant shall identify at least three
alternative approaches to address the service areas identified in this task.
f. Fare Structure: A reasonable fare structure will be developed and recommended. Fare
box receipts shall be conservatively estimated as part of the overall system costing and
identification of funding sources.
g. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations: ADA accessibility shall be
part of the investigation and siting of transit stop locations.
h. Operator Procurement: The City of Bullhead City operates its transit service. The
consultant shall compare this to soliciting and contracting with a professional operator
to manage and operate the transit system. The transit system operations will include
dispatch, transit service, operator/driver recruitment, employment and training,
operations administration, and fleet vehicle maintenance.
i. Rolling Stock Assessment: Provide a general description of the revenue vehicle fleet.
Include the types of vehicles operated, number of vehicles and replacement schedule
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and projected costs for fleet replacement. This assessment can later be utilized in the
development of a Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan.
j. Safety, Performance Standards, and FTA Compliance: The consultant shall identify
and list various safety measures needed to assure that the transit service is maintained
at a high level of safety for the passengers and other motorists. On-time performance,
vehicular maintenance measures, and recordkeeping requirements shall also be
outlined, using best practices from similar transit systems in comparable communities
in the Southwestern United States. The consultant shall identify and quantify the
portion of the cost of the transit service that will be met with FTA funds, and the sources
and amounts of funds needed to supplement the FTA funds. These identified measures
will be utilized in future plan development such as the Public Transit Agency Safety
Plan (FTASP).
k. Transit Stops: Transit stop locations along the transit routes will be identified and
mapped. Individual transit stop improvements are relatively expensive to construct
individually as a stand-alone project, but much more affordable when done as part of a
larger construction project for the multiple transit stops that will be needed for the
initial transit system infrastructure. The consultant shall develop, as part of this study,
a set of recommended transit stop improvements including but not limited to:
* Visual theme, color palette, and branding design for the Bullhead Area Transit
system
* Signage including schedules and contact information (content, size, location)
* Wayfinding information, signage, and locations (content, size, location)
* Seating - provisions for shading anywhere a shelter may not be located (size,
location, type)
* Shelters at high boarding locations (size, locations, concept plan)
l. Access routes to transit stops shall be scrutinized to identify evident "architectural
barriers" with any needed corrections identified and noted with a mitigating solution.
The objective is to provide an ADA compliant access routes to/from the origin and
destination points. The transit stops shall be sited in locations that will enable a barrier-
free design so that those with wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids can safely
and conveniently access the transit stop site and transit vehicles. If the initially
identified location for a transit stop is determined to be relatively expensive to be
designed and constructed to meet ADA and transit standards, an alternate nearby
location shall be identified for the transit stop.
m. Transit Staff Evaluation and Needs Assessment: The consultant shall identify, evaluate,
and develop recommendations with regards to current and anticipated staffing needs.
This section shall also include evaluation of current Transit division job responsibilities
for all staff positions, as well as a salary assessment of those positions with regard to
position responsibilities and position titles. Evaluation needs to include comparison to
positions with agencies providing comparable levels of service to Bullhead Area
Transit System. Recommendations need to correlate to any suggested future
developments planned and suggested for the system to meet the needs required by those
changes.
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