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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTrans 2016-09-19 Item 2B - Update - Transit Network PlanCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor Public Works Department - Bob Giberson, Director INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Transportation Committee FROM: Bob Giberson, Public Works Director BY: Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program Manager CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: September 16, 2016 SUBJECT: Transit Network Plan Update Project No. 91510409 ISSUE Update on the Transit Network Plan and present the draft document for discussion. (Continued discussion from 8/15/16 Transportation Committee meeting.) BACKGROUND The Transit Network Plan was first developed and adopted in 2005 as part of a larger update to the Transportation Element Update. In 2012, the City updated the Transportation Element again, but did not update the Transit Network Plan. PSRC strongly suggested that the City update the Transit Network Plan during their certification review of the latest Transportation Element. Nelson \Nygaard was retained to update the Transit Network Plan in July 2015. One key focus for this update was to identify transit needs for Tukwila's diverse population and to develop strategies to improve residential access to public transportation. To gather this information, there was a large public outreach element which included: an online survey translated into multiple languages; face -to -face meetings with employers, organizations and groups representing the traditionally underserved population; and a pop -up open house held at the Saars grocery store on Tukwila International Boulevard with interpreters in five languages. Another key focus for the City was to have updated data, vision, and policy direction on public transit, particularly to support the City's interest in regional long range transit plans under development for both King County Metro and Sound Transit. The ongoing work developed for this Transit Network Plan, including the details of the local transit needs discovered during the public outreach efforts, have been provided to both Metro and Sound Transit as part of the formal comment processes. DISCUSSION The draft Transit Network Plan is a comprehensive document intended to set a clear direction for transit in Tukwila for the next 10 years and recommends short -term actions to improve transit service for the entire City. In general, Tukwila has good transit service, but there is still room for improvement. The document identifies service and policy recommendations as well as capital improvements that should be considered by Council for inclusion in the Plan. The next step for this draft Transit Network Plan is to go back out to the public and solicit feedback regarding the conclusions and recommendations included in the draft Plan. Comments on the plan will be solicited from the general public, elected officials, and outside agencies. A second pop -up open house at the Saars grocery store will be held as well as a scheduled open house at a location to be determined. After the public input round, revisions to the draft plan will be made and the final version will be presented to Council for consideration. The final adoption of the Transit Network Plan update will be done via a resolution. Revised Plan sheets and minutes from the 8/15/16 Transportation Committee are attached. FINANCIAL IMPACT None. The update is part of the current project scope and budget. RECOMMENDATION Information and discussion only. Attachments: Draft Transit Network Plan provided earlier under separate cover; Revised Plan Sheets; TC Minutes from 8/15/16 11 W: \PW Eng \ PROJECTS \A- RW 8 RS Projects \Transit Network Plan Update (915104091\Design\Plan Documents \INFO MEMO Draft Plan to TC 09 -16 -16 gl sb rrt.docx TUKWILA TRANSIT PLAN UPDATE City of Tukwila Park- and -Rides All major park- and -rides in Tukwila are heavily utilized. While the City's park and ridc strategic) dependent on passage of ST3), tThere will remain an ongoing need for intermediate solutions to meet the demand of drivers who wish to connect to all modes of transit. Tukwila International Boulevard Station Parking utilization at TIBS saw a rate of 99% in 2015, and will likely remain very high if parking capacity does not increase or feeder services into the station are not improved. As the City explores options to increase access to transit service at TIBS, it should remain conscious of the • balance parking supply and TOD opportunities. Tukwila Station Parking utilization at Tukwila Station was at 97% in 2015, and the potential for additional Sounder service will likely increase demand. The City should work with Sound Transit to construct additional parking stalls to the south of the existing lot. Interurban Ave. S. Park - and -Ride Parking utilization at Metro's Interurban Ave. S. Park - and -Ride was at 99% in 2015. The City should continue to look for opportunities, especially considering that Metro has indicated short- term plans to increase frequency on Route 150, the highest- ridership route serving the facility. Customer Amenities Bus Shelters Additional shelters should be installed at Tukwila bus stops, as they improve rider comfort and can increase transit ridership. This analysis identified 12 stops that have at least 25 boardings per day but no shelter. The City should advocate to King County Metro to install stops at these locations, which meet Metro's standards for installing shelters. Upgrade Amenities at RapidRide Stops As ridership increases on the F Line, the City of Tukwila should advocate to King County Metro to increase the level of amenities at RapidRide stations in Tukwila, with the most frequently requested amenity being real -time information signs. Additional amenities include larger shelters, ORCA card readers, improved lighting, and maps showing connecting transit routes. Other Capital Improvements Non - Motorized Access to Transit An analysis of stop -level ridership and sidewalk connectivity was conducted to help the City prioritize where to make improvements for non - motorized access to transit. Among stops in Tukwila with at least 25 daily boardings, 56% have a medium level of connectivity, and 24% have a low level of connectivity. A map illustrating this analysis is included on page 9 -12. Proximity to transit should be taken into account as the City is prioritizing sidewalk improvements. Nelson \Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. I 1 -2 12 TUKWILA TRANSIT PLAN UPDATE City of Tukwila There is a lack of transit access in lower income areas. The rising cost of housing in areas with good transit access is an increasing concern for lower income residents. Residents that seeking lower housing costs in less central locations must often contend with less transit coverage and reduced service in less central locations. Agencies that place refugees in Seattle -area housing have favored Tukwila, in part due to its strong transit coverage, but increased housing costs lie -are forcied agencies to look outside of Tukwila for less expensive areas for some placementswith greater frequency. SERVICE AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Regional Transit 1-405 BRT The I -405 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, part of the proposed Sound Transit 3 plan (ST3), would improve the lack of regional east -west connections for transit riders and provide a one -seat ride for commuters traveling to Bellevue, Lynnwood, and stations in between. The BRT would largely operate on expressways, both in general purpose and managed lanes for different route segments. While current plans for the route include Tukwila International Boulevard Station (see map on page 8 -2), consideration should be given for the BRT to directly serve the PSRC identified Regional Growth Center that includes both Tukwila Station and the Tukwila Transit Center. Tukwila — Bellevue Express Route Before I -405 BRT is implemented, a new express route operating between Tukwila and Bellevue should be considered. Currently, there are a significant number of people commuting from Tukwila to the Eastside who do not have a one -seat ride. In order to maximize the ridership potential, this route should be targeted to both Tukwila residents as well as Sounder riders. A non -stop trip between Sounder and Bellevue will attract South King County and Pierce County riders that would otherwise have to connect in Kent. A map of the proposed route is shown on page 8 -4. Existing Bus Route Service Changes — Short Term Changes are recommended to bus routes operating in Tukwila. Descriptions and maps of these routes can be found in Chapter 6 Route by Route Evaluation. The primary recommendations are frequency improvements on routes that are currently below the target service levels identified by King County Metro. Additional recommendations include providing earlier service and additional trips to meet demand on certain routes (based on both public input and ridership levels). Routes are ranked in priority order: • Route 124 Tukwila — Downtown Seattle. Increase frequency to every 15 minutes during peak and midday periods (currently 15 to 3o minutes). Add additional service before 5:0o a.m. ■ Route 150 Kent — Downtown Seattle. Increase frequency to better than 15 minutes during peak periods (currently 15 minutes). Add additional service before 5:0o a.m. • Route 128 Southcenter — North Admiral Increase frequency to every 15 minutes during peak and midday periods, from 3o minutes today. Add additional service before 6:oo a.m. from Southcenter. Nelson \Nygaard Consulting Associates Inc. 1 1-4 13 Transportation Committee Minutes August 15, 2016 D. Transit Network Plan Update Staff updated the Committee on the Transit Network Plan, which was first developed in 2005 as part of the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. In July 2015 the City contracted with Nelson \Nygaard to provide an update. It is intended to be a comprehensive document laying out a clear direction for transit in the next 10 years, with recommendations for short -term actions to improve service. The next step is to engage the public and solicit feedback after which the draft will undergo Council review. Councilmember Quinn suggested developing a user - friendly overview of the Plan to enhance public understanding. The Committee also requested the following amendments to the draft Plan: Introduction and Executive Summary Capital Recommendations, Park - and - Rides, Page 1 -2 (sic): As the City explores options to increase access to transit service at TIBS, it should the potential tradeoffs between- balanceifg parking supply and TOD opportunities. Capital Recommendations, Park - and - Rides, Tukwila International Boulevard Station, Page 1 -2 (sic): While the City's park and ride strategies will largely depend on the completion date and capacity of Boeing Access Road Station (also dependent on passage of ST3), there There will remain an ongoing need for intermediate solutions to meet the demand of drivers who wish to connect to all modes of transit. express service to Scuttle. The Committee also requested a legal update on the City's agreement with Sound Transit regarding parking at the Tukwila International Boulevard Station. RETURN TO COMMITTEE. E. King County Metro Park & Ride Issues This item was postponed until the September 6 Committee meeting. III. SCATBd No report was given. IV. MISCELLANEOUS Strander Boulevard Extension Phase 3 Update and Next Steps The project has received $17.2 million, or just under half of the total $38.5 million budget. Early Start Design is moving forward, but advocacy is needed at the state level. Staff recommends hiring a lobbyist to focus on this high priority regional project. Future potential funding sources include PSRC Surface Transportation Program, King County Metro, Sound Transit, State Budget, and more. Per previous Council direction to look into Local Improvement District funding, staff will return with a pre- feasibility analysis. The Transportation Committee Meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. 14 Seattle 129 Riverton Heights Photo Source: flickr user Oran Viriyincy TUKWILA TRANSIT PLAN UPDATE City of Tukwila Executive Summary September 2016 NELSON NYGAARD 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2015, the City of Tukwila embarked on a transit plan update to set a clear direction for transit over the next ten years. This transit plan considers future service changes and investments by King County Metro and Sound Transit, as well as investments that the City of Tukwila can make to improve transit service in the city. After completing an existing conditions report, the project team conducted a series of public outreach activities, including stakeholder interviews with employers and community members, a "pop -up" open house, and an online community survey. Findings from these efforts were incorporated into recommendations grouped and summarized into the following categories: transit enhancement strategies, local Tukwila transit improvements, and regional connections to Tukwila. TRANSIT ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES Based on feedback during public outreach efforts, the project team created a set of recommendations to make transit in Tukwila easier to access, safer to use, and more effective in carrying passengers where they need to go. Strategies include expanded park- and -ride capacity, improved connectivity and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, and increased security and comfort at stations and stops. The most requested transit enhancement strategy from both public and private stakeholders was the construction of Boeing Access Road Station, which will effectively improve regional mobility for Tukwila residents and workers. In order to get the most out of planned transit improvements from Metro and Sound Transit, this plan also recommends a network of transit priority corridors that will facilitate the efficient movement of transit through the City while maintaining a desired level of service for automobile traffic. Depending on the anticipated level of service, specific strategies may include transit priority signals, bus -only lanes, and pedestrian - friendly development. LOCAL TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS The primary recommendations for transit within Tukwila are frequency improvements on routes that are currently below the target service levels identified by King County Metro. Additional recommendations for these routes include providing earlier service and additional trips to meet demand on certain routes (based on both public input and ridership levels). Routes warranting improved service are ranked in priority order: • Route 124 Tukwila — Downtown Seattle • Route 150 Kent — Downtown Seattle • Route 128 Southcenter — North Admiral • RapidRide F Burien — Renton • Route 156 Southcenter — Kent 16 ■ Route 906 (DART) Fairwood — Southcenter • Route 154 Tukwila Station — Boeing Industrial District • RapidRide A Tukwila — Federal Way In addition to the improvements recommended for Metro's fixed routes, the plan outlines strategies to improve local accessibility within Tukwila. Potential options to serve Allentown and the Tukwila Community Center include a circulator shuttle, a taxi /transportation network company subsidy, and Metro's Community Van program. The plan also recommends maintaining the operation of the Hyde Shuttle, operated by Sound Generations, as it provides a valuable way to get around Tukwila for those with limited transportation options. REGIONAL TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS Regional transit improvements include shorter- and longer -term plans that will improve regional access for Tukwila residents, employees, and visitors. The proposed I -405 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which is part of the latest Sound Transit 3 plan (ST3) will improve regional east -west connections for commuters traveling to Bellevue, Lynnwood, and stations in between. In the meantime, the plan recommends a new Tukwila - Bellevue Express route, being that there are a significant number of people commuting from Tukwila to the Eastside who could benefit from more direct service. King County Metro's long -range network includes three routes that will improve regional transit mobility for Tukwila. These include a Tukwila Station - Kent Station route that will improve frequencies along corridors currently served by Route 906, a Fairwood - Des Moines route that will improve frequencies and a provide connections to Sea -Tac Airport Station and other destinations to the west, and a Downtown Renton - Seatac Airport Station route, which will offer another way to connect between Tukwila Transit Center, Tukwila Station, and downtown Renton. In addition to the planned expansion of regional routes, Sounder service will continue to be an important component of Tukwila's transit system. Future investments should allow for improved access and quality of service for Tukwila residents and employees. In turn, these strategies should support Sound Transit in efforts to increase and expand Sounder service in the area. Recommended strategies include: improving frequency, capacity, and span of service; increasing transit connectivity to destinations surrounding Tukwila Station; increasing non - motorized connectivity to destinations around Tukwila Station; increasing parking capacity at Tukwila Station; and coordinating with Sound Transit to incorporate transit - oriented development (TOD) at Tukwila Station. 17 L J Here's what you had t • say about transit in Tukwila. PnR L 1 • Increase transit Parking availability Link Station at Boeing Access Road. frequency. is important. Run transit service Improve local transit Boost security at earlier and later. access. transit stations. • d •• Ca,)••,) is n ass •• 7O1 TRANSIT � PLAN UPDATE • Here are our strategi to improve transit service. SHORT —TERM WHITE CENTER S 116TH 5T ROUTE 124 Target. Buses every 15 minutes during peak and midday RAINIER VALLEY ROUTE 154 Target. Additional trips to serve more Sounder trains 12TH 51 ROUTE 128 Target. Buses every 15 minutes during peak and midday 0 Burien Transit Center BURIEN O ROUTE 156 Target. Buses every 15 II minutes during during peak hours and every 30 minutes during all other times DES MOINES 03 Note: Scale is approximate 1 Mile 20011.1 aD 51201H 154TH ST MERCER ISLAND ALL ROUTES Earlier starting service, where possible before 5..00 a.m. ROUTE 150 Target. More frequent buses ( <15 minutes) d The Landing lc) RENTON 0 2ND ST ieo S RD ST 7TH ST Downtown Renton Tukwila Station International Boulevard Station r Southcenter L Mall SEATAC 180TH S ,61F S1 SeaTac Airport Station j 194TH ST A RAPIDRIDE A Target. Buses every 10 minutes during peak hours KENT SY 2 16TH RAPIDRIDE F Target. Buses every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during evenings 906 SE rARR Ho ROUTE 906 Target. Buses every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays LINK Light Rail Sounder OKey Stop or Station Note: intermediate stations are not shown Highway a City of Tukwila isti fENTIA LOCAL SERVICE OPTIONS Tu <wl l a OCommunity s 130th St Center tort Tu<wila Intl rTh Blvd Stator' Shuttle operating between Tukwila Int'I Blvd Station and Tukwila Community Center in Allentown LONG—TER *1 es OKing Street Station International District/ Chinatown WEST SEATTLE WHITE CENTER TUKWILA —BELLEVUE EXPRESS BUS Express bus service from Tukwila International Blvd Station to Bellevue Transit Center Burien Transit Center 9 BURIEN NEW KING COUNTY METRO ROUTES With improved connections to Highline College, Kent Station, Downtown Renton, and SeaTac from southern Tukwila Fe DES MOINES 0 RAINIER VALLEY I 1 -405 BUS RAPID TRANSIT With service from Burien to Lynnwood via Tukwila, Renton, and Bellevue MERCER ISLAND BOEING ACCESS ROAD LINK STATION New LINK light rail station at Boeing Access Road Boeing Access Road OStation The Landing 3 Downtown Renton ■ SeaTac Airport Station I76TH ST i SEATAC 520001ST j 212TH ST EA) S1 2ND ST Highline College Note. Scale is approximate Lel LIC 2 Miles Bellevue Transit Center BELLEVUE Fairwood Shopping Tukwila Center Station {� SE PETROVITSKY RD Kent Station KENT Proposed Express Bus Proposed Additional King County Metro Bus Route RapidRide LINK Light Rail Sounder OKey Stop or Station Note: Intermediate stations are not shown Highway A City of Tukwila 0 lye Partnership with a transportation network company (e.g., Lyft, Uber) for subsidized rides • • Community van Keep Hyde Shuttle service X016 TUKWILA S PLAN UPDATE Here are our strategies to improvebetan sit experience. TRANSIT PRIORITY CORRIUu v STRATEGIb.. ■ 0 0.5 1 Mil Legend Transit Priority Corridors P Level 1 Priority Level 2 Priority Level 3 Priority Level 4 Priority Park & Ride Location — r Link Light Rail Metro Bus Routes Serving Tukwila RapidRide -- Sounder Commuter Tukwila City Limits C�) 9) Tukwila International Blvd Station 51 Data Source: King County PnR *I • • • • • • Improvements to Park and Rides Traffic signal ► g ► priority for transit 4 Better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists Bus -only lanes qsI Boeing Access Road LINK Station Better security ® Identify opportunities for shared parking 701 TRANSIT � PLAN UPDATE