This document summarizes a regional rural transportation plan for central Florida. It describes the planning process that was used to develop comprehensive goals and strategies around promoting mobility, economic development, and coordination across the region. Key aspects of the plan include coordinating existing transportation services, identifying priority new route connections, and establishing a regional governance structure to pursue funding opportunities and ensure ongoing collaboration between stakeholders. The overall goal is to optimize rural mobility across the multi-county area.

1. NADO National Conference on Rural Transportation
Greenville, South Carolina
April 24 – 26, 2013

2. LEGISLATURE
GOVERNOR
COMMISSION FOR THE
TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED
MULTI-COUNTY LOCAL
COORDINATING BOARD
(HARDEE, HIGHLANDS,
OKEECHOBEE)
PURCHASERS
•MEDICAID
•CTD
•SECTION 5311
•DEOA
•CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES
•PUBLIC
CONTRACT CARRIERS
•A-1 TAXI d/b/d RGK TRANSPORT
•CLASSIE TRANSPORTATION
•HAYES MEDICAL TRANSPORT
•POSITIVE MOBILITY
FTA/FDOT
VEOLIA TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES, INC.
OFFICIAL PLANNING AGENCY
CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL
PLANNING COUNCIL

3.  16% of total population in rural areas
 26 of 67 counties are rural
 Per capita income 15% to 25% lower than in urban
counties
 Rural population with high school diploma is 7% less than
national average
 Per capita incomes in Florida’s Designated Rural Areas
of Critical Economic Concern” are 60% of national
average
 High unemployment

4.  Six Rural Counties
 Four Rural Communities
in
Two Urban Counties
 5,000 + Square Miles
 Diverse Population
>300,000
 Wide range of needs

5. What ?
Heartland Rural
Mobility Plan
Why ?
Planning Framework
Maximize Funding
Partnerships
Serve Mobility Needs of
Communities
Optimize Coordination

6.  PERSONAL VEHICLE
 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
 PARATRANSIT SERVICES
 PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
 COMMUTER SERVICES
 VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

8. A comprehensive planning effort that was
developed around 5 major goals:
1.Promote mobility within the Heartland region.
2.Support the Region’s economic development
opportunities.
3.Provide coordination between the Region’s land use
development and promotion of smart growth.
4.Promote mobility from the Heartland to other regional
destinations.
5.Coordinate regional mobility governance, planning and
funding.

9.  Coordination
 Project Priorities
 Joint Marketing / Outreach
 Shared Resources
 Maximize Economic Development / Growth
Management / Funding Eligibilities
 Promote Partnerships / Grant Opportunities
 Education and Awareness

10. MMRecognition of “No One Size Fits All”
But we’ve
always done
it this way

11. Functions
Processes
Systems
Facilities
Equipment
Collaboration
Innovation
Partnerships
Federal $$
State $
Local $
Private $
Counties
Cities
Agencies
Medicaid
Workforce
Health Depts
Aging
Modes
MOBILITY

12.  Provides funding for staff to coordinate and
implement the HRMP.
 Federal Transit Administration 5311 Mobility Management
Capital Funds Grant (80%/20%)

13. Coordinate Existing
Mobility Alternatives
CTC/Paratransit
Social Services
Fixed-Route
Commuter Services
Regional Bus
Regional Rail
(AMTRAK)

14.  Clewiston to Belle Glade
 SR 27
 Estimated
Ridership =
31,000

15.  Bowling Green / Zolfo
Strings
 Ninety (90) minute
frequency
 Estimated
Ridership = 37,000

16.  Avon Park to Lake
Placid US 27
 Estimated
Ridership = 112,000

17.  Wauchula /
Zolfo Springs
to Avon Park
 Estimated
Ridership =
37,000

18.  La Belle /
Clewiston SR 80
 Estimated
Ridership =
110,000

19. Arcadia Circulator

21.  Launched in 2007
 Program of the Florida Department of
Transportation – District 1
 Collaborating with businesses, commuters,
and local communities
 12-county region – new
employer-based approach
with planning/marketing
emphasis

23.  Focus on Economic Development
 Regional Network Development
 Mobility Relevance
◦ Economy, Job Access, Education, Healthy Communities
 Regional Cooperation
 Planning Process – currently working to establish
a 6 county Transportation Planning Organization

24. Possibilities for Our Future
DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry,
Highlands, Okeechobee and
Polk Counties

26.  Identify Region Characteristics and Demographics
 Identify Transportation Resources
 Establish Public Involvement Plan
 Assess Overall Regional Mobility Needs
 Evaluate Existing Public Transportation Services
 Develop Goals, Objectives and Policies
 Identify and Evaluate Mobility Alternatives
 Develop Rural Mobility Operations and Strategic
Implementation Plan

27.  County Administrator
Representation
 FDOT, RPC Support
 Other Key Regional Partners
 Work Program Development
 Coordination Process
 Public Involvement
 Grants/Funding Collaboration
CTC’s
Operators
FDOT Local
Govt.
RPC
Mobility
Working
Group