PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT GUIDELINES FOR

THE LAWRENCE TRANSIT SYSTEM (“T”)

 

 

General Purpose.  Public involvement is a necessary and integral part of transit’s planning process. This document contains the transit department’s public participation process that will be followed.

 

Fare Increases.  The City of Lawrence shall receive public comment on any proposed rate or fare increase in excess of 10% per year.  The City of Lawrence shall not propose and/or consider an increase in the regular passenger fare per trip within 12 months of the last fare increase without a majority vote of the Lawrence Public Transit Advisory Committee authorizing the increase proposal.  Any increase in rates or fares shall be reviewed by the Lawrence Public Transit Advisory Committee and approved by the Lawrence City Commission.  Prior to approval, the general public shall be given an opportunity to make comment on the proposed fare increase.

 

Route Modifications.  A route modification shall be a change in any fixed route transit service that exceeds 10% of the total inbound and outbound trip mileage of a route.  Any route modification shall be reviewed by the Lawrence Public Transit Advisory Committee and approved by the Lawrence City Commission.  Prior to approval, the general public shall be given an opportunity to make comment on the proposed route modification.

 

Service Reductions.  A major service reduction shall be any reduction in system-wide service hours exceeding five percent (5%) of the current number of daily service hours provided.  Any major service reduction shall be reviewed by the Lawrence Public Transit Advisory Committee and approved by the Lawrence City Commission.  Prior to approval, the general public shall be given an opportunity to make comment on the proposed service reduction.

 

Notice.   Public hearings for fare increases, route modifications, and service reductions shall be advertised in a daily publication of general circulation at least fourteen (14) days prior to conducting such hearing and shall be held at a location that is accessible to all interested persons including those with disabilities and easily accessed by public transportation. In addition, notices will be distributed on the fixed route and paratransit, as appropriate, at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the scheduled public meeting date.  Notices will also be provided to neighborhood associations, local and college newspapers, and local and college radio stations.  Such notices will also be included on the department website.  When proposed changes related to routes and scheduling on the fixed route system, notice will additionally be delivered through transit’s list-serve.

 

Agendas.  Agendas, as appropriate, will be made available on the transit web-sit at:  http://www.lawrencetransit.org, as well as at the transit administrative office.

 

Plans, Maps or Programs.  When transit plans, maps or programs are proposed to change, copies of the existing document and proposed changes will be made available at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the scheduled public hearing date at the transit administrative office as well as on the transit web-site.

 

Outreach Efforts.  In addition to receiving public comment from and educating those already interested and involved, the Lawrence Transit System will provide outreach to the community.  Innovative and creative strategies will be implemented by the Marketing Coordinator to reasonably assess the general public sentiment as well as to solicit helpful public input and educate those individuals unaware of the services provided by the transit system.  The framework for this outreach effort is defined in the Lawrence Transit System’s Communication Plan.  Examples of outreach efforts would be interaction with neighborhood associations, human resource organizations, schools, social service agencies, presentations to community civic groups.

 

Meetings.  The Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) is structured to allow public comment at the beginning and end of each meeting and after each motion prior to the vote.  Public notification of PTAC meetings is provided on transit’s website and through the Community Calendar of the local newspaper.

 

News Releases.  When press coverage of specific events or decisions is warranted, releases are sent to the media in our area.

 

Technology.  The Lawrence Transit System maintains detailed information about the transit system including routes, schedules, reroutes, how to ride guides, contact information, ADA paratransit applications, rules and regulations, and announcements.  The website also includes an online opportunity for public comment through an email link.  In addition, we promote our e-route list serve that provides timely information about reroutes to the community.

 

Surveys.  The Lawrence Transit System conducts quarterly satisfaction surveys on the fixed route system.  Passengers are encouraged to provide comments about the system beyond answering the survey questions.

 

Consideration for Traditionally Underserved Populations.  Emphasis has been placed on recruiting board members who represent a cross-section of our community.  While not a requirement of board membership, we maintain a mix of riders, non-riders and community leaders and/or organizations that include the disabled, racial and ethnic minorities, and low-income residents.  In addition, all public meetings are held in locations that are accessible by public transit and are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Upon advance notice deaf interpreters, translators, and Braille documents can be provided for public meetings.  How to Ride Guides for fixed route and paratransit and paratransit applications are available on tape and in Braille, and in Spanish.  Other requests for alternate formats would be met upon request. 

 

Documentation of Public Input.  The Lawrence Transit System documents all input received from the public.  This assists transit staff in reviewing public input, which can then be used in the development of our transit system.  All comments submitted in writing will be summarized and/or complied, reviewed and considered.  If comment is made by telephone, transit staff will draft a summary.  A written record of the major points and themes of public hearings will be kept.  When applicable, the comments will be presented to the PTAC and/or City Commission for action.

 

Questions or Concerns about this Public Involvement Process?

If you have questions about the Public Involvement Guidelines for the Lawrence Transit System or general questions about public transit in Lawrence, please contact Karin Rexroad at (785) 832-3465 or krexroad@ci.lawrence.ks.us.

 

Approved by the Public Transit Advisory Committee on ________________, 2004

 

 

__________________________________________

Danny Kaiser

Chair, Lawrence Public Transit Advisory Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by the Lawrence City Commission on ­­­­­­­­_______________, 2004

 

 

__________________________________________

Mike Rundle

Mayor, City of Lawrence