MVTA-Prior Lake-Shakopee Merger SCALE Presentation, October 10, 2014
MVTA Commitment Our Vision The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority is a trusted partner in transportation, serving as an innovative leader moving people to destinations. Our Mission The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority provides mobility through an efficient, integrated network of equipment, facilities and service. Our Focus is Customer Service We want to increase service and partnerships We do what makes sense we have the ability to make changes that will result in high quality, efficient service We are collaborators Our Ultimate Goal: Provide increased and improved transportation opportunities south of the Minnesota River 2
Benefits - Identified by Scott County in 2005 & in 2011 Legislative Auditor s Report Provide more transit options for current & future riders Continue to provide excellent service Increased and improved service and partnerships Efficiencies in linking trips and sharing buses Opportunities to add and enhance connections MVTA Board will collectively make decisions to grow and expand transit service south of the Minnesota River Increased transit representation and advocacy Reliable approach to transit planning Opportunities in Highway 169 Corridor 3
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Fast Facts MVTA Prior Lake & Shakopee Daily Ridership 10,000 750 Number of Routes 25 5 Service Types Local, Express, Reverse Commute, & BRT Circulator, Express, & Reverse Commute Active Fleet 128 12 2014 Operating Expenses $24.3 million $2 million Primary Corridors I 35W & Cedar TH 169 Facilities 5 park & rides 6 transit stations 2 bus garages 3 park & rides Service Area Population 224,580 61,327 MVTA platform hours increase by 11% with the addition of Prior Lake and Shakopee 5
Guiding Principles Capture Intent Guiding Principles 1. Focus on Customer Service; strive to increase service and partnerships 2. Maintain (at a minimum) existing level of services 3. Maintain and upgrade existing capital assets 4. Review overall service plan (express, local, and unmet needs) and consider service adjustments 5. Establish priorities, based on updated service plan 6 MVTA Service Change Process
Process Technical Work Group (staff) reviewed and discussed issues Tracked progress on milestones Provided updates to cities and counties in Monthly Memos Subcommittees formed as needed to discuss specialized issues Finance Legal Elected Work Group discussed policy direction and TWG recommendations MVTA Board approved final agreement and JPA amendment Prior Lake & Shakopee approved in August Amended JPA forwarded to MVTA members; completed Sept. 9 7
Merger Agreement Major Points Establishes an Effective Date September 9, 2014 (date of signature of the last MVTA member to approve the JPA Scott County) Amended JPA has been approved by ALL parties On the Effective Date, Prior Lake and Shakopee become full members of the MVTA Board Councilor Mike Luce (Shakopee) and Mike McGuire (Prior Lake) were sworn in at Sept. 24 MVTA Board meeting) Staff is in the process of fully consolidating services. Establishes a Consolidation Date of January 1, 2015 MVTA takes over full administration of the Prior Lake and Shakopee transit services. For the first few months, MVTA plans to work with the current providers. Complete integration of the services is expected to occur in the Spring of 2015, with new schedules, branding, etc. 8
MVTA Board 9
Merger Agreement Major Points Includes a list of start-up costs (Exhibit F) Establishes a schedule for the transfer of funds Exhibit G: Date Activity Prior Lake Amount Shakopee Amount 1 month after Effective Date 1-Jan-2015 Transfer Start-Up Costs $410,000 $275,000 Consolidation Date 15-Feb-2015 15-Aug -2015 Transfer 75% of minimum fund balance amount Transfer remaining 25% of minimum fund balance amount $250,000 $300,000 $62,500 $75, 000 15-Aug-2015 Transfer any remaining transit balance TBD TBD 10
Merger Agreement Major Points Establishes a minimum length of initial membership of for Prior Lake and Shakopee. 3 years (until December 31, 2017) States MVTA shall use its best efforts to maintain the existing level of all services provided to all customers in MVTA s system, including Prior Lake and Shakopee MVTA will conduct Northern Scott County Service Study in 2015 (Regional Solicitation for expanded service in 169 Corridor) Requires Prior Lake and Shakopee to audit transit revenues and expenditures to ensure compliance with all federal and state requirements. 11
MVTA Background Formed in 1990 Guided by Strategic Plan Operates METRO Red Line Suburb-to-suburb service in south metro Jefferson Lines (Burnsville) Bike Lockers/Links to Bike Trails How to Ride the Bus Classes 12
MVTA Plans Opportunity to Engage local High Schools Individual Rider Surveys in 2014 Non-Rider Survey in 2015 Combined Rider Survey in 2016 New MVTA website in development 13