Photo courtesy of the Division of Rail and Mass Transportation
A team of Caltrans workers in the Division of Rail and Mass Transportation (DRMT) huddled late last year to explore how to help facilitate better public-transportation options in California.
Specifically, they tried to figure out how reimbursement funds from the department’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) could be delivered more quickly and efficiently. Once a local agency has paid for and completed an intercity rail, bus or ferry project, it is eligible to apply for TIRCP funds.
The program was initiated to achieve specific policy objectives set by the Legislature in 2014. Caltrans has administered three TIRCP award cycles and plans to announce the fourth-cycle recipients in April.
Gary Atway, Susie Beesley, Ezequiel Castro, Brooke Garcher, Kyle Gradinger, Jonathan Harmon, Jeff Ng, Yesenia Ochoa, Angel Pyle, Bruce Roberts, Anthony Serna, Ron Sheppard and Rich Williams were among the DRMT workers who attended and/or played a role in the three-day, off-site Rapid Process Improvement (RPI) event. Together, according to Project Management Professional Michelle Badman, they “created a high-level process overview and then prioritized the allocation and contracting sections.”
Twenty-nine solutions were approved, and TIRCP is now focusing on implementing those solutions. They include:
- A “welcome webinar” for local agencies to reinforce and enhance .
- Defining roles, responsibilities and expectations among Caltrans, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the California Transportation Commission (CTC)
- Coordinating how to share information with other Caltrans staff members regarding TIRCP awards.
- Developing standardized templates and contract language.
TIRCP is the biggest and most visible program administered by the Division of Rail and Mass Transportation. TIRCP administration involves working with CalSTA, which has delegated authority over the program, and the CTC.
For more information about the TIRCP, contact Rich Williams at rich.williams@dot.ca.gov.