OCTA Systemwide Transit
Study Launches

TMD is leading a team of Booz Allen Hamilton, Iteris, Steer Davies Gleave, and CGR Management Cosultants that is rethinking OCTA fixed route and paratransit services and delivery as well as their role in providing public mobility under a Livable City Greenhouse Gas initiative (SB 375).

The OCTA System-Wide Transit Study (SWTS) seeks to evaluate and improve the operation of fixed-route and paratransit bus services. The primary goal of the study is to provide OCTA with a strategically developed and financially feasible phased service implementation plans to deliver cohesive, efficient, effective, and sustainable service in the short, intermediate and long term periods.
 
STWS officially kicked off in May. Since then, project work has mainly focused on project management task work (i.e. finalizing the project work plan and schedule, creating a project contact list, requesting data/reports, etc.) and the  initial development of the system-wide framework and project approach. During the last bi-weekly meeting, the discussion on framework development focused on three main topics. These included: maintaining financial sustainability, interaction with SCS, and the livable cities approach to transit development vs. coverage. These topics will likely expand as the project progresses.

Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Line By Line and Alternatives Analysis Is Underway

TMD is leading a team including URS Corp., Consensus Inc., and TransTrack Systems that is reviewing Big Blue Bus ridership, service, and operations while conducting an AA for potential corridors connecting the upcoming Expo LRT and future Purple Line subway.

sTMD recently kicked off a Line-By-Line analysis of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus system. We recently completed the first phase of the project, which included a full system ridecheck and passenger survey. Further tasks include extensive ridership and operational analysis, along with recommendations for system improvements. The project also includes a corridor study of various alignments, which would connect the future Exposition light rail line with key areas in Santa Monica.

MTC/AC Transit Financial Analysis Is Underway

TMD is working through MTC with AC Transit undertaking the service and operations analysis tasks of a major financial review that seeks to address the transit system’s continuing structural deficit.

The review includes such areas as operator utilization, work rules, scheduling practices, division assignments, operating model options, as well as a peer analysis. Work will be completed by Fall 2010.

IndyGo Bus Plan is Nearing Completion

The Bus Plan is part of the overall Indy Connect initiative being collaboratively developed by the MPO and IndyGo. The market-based Bus Plan recommends Short, Mid, and Long Term transit improvements and is coordinated with the longer term Indy Connect Regional Transit Initiatives.

The Bus Plan is intended to support major transit investment initiatives and result in a transit system that is financially sustainable. The project has included Market Assessment, Service Evaluation as well as multi-stage outreach program and Financial Capacity Analysis.

Based on these efforts the draft Bus Plan was collaboratively developed with IndyGo and the MPO staff. The plan includes a focus on expanded transit service on key corridors. The final Bus Plan is currently undergoing review.

Los Angeles DOT Line by Line Analysis recommendations approved by City Council.

TMD recently completed the first major restructuring of LADOT’s transit programs: DASH, Commuter Express, and CityRide. The City Council recently approved the recommended changes in both services and fares/user fees that had the goals of being equitable and minimizing impacts, while addressing the structural financial deficit.

The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) sought to develop recommendations to improve transit service effectiveness and efficiency while increasing revenues from fares and user fees in order to address a major ongoing structural financial deficit. The purpose of this comprehensive report is to develop a complete understanding of existing transit demand and service; to present options for modifications to services, operations, and pricing; and to discuss the impacts of proposed service changes and fare modifications to the fixed-route and demand responsive programs that are part of the LADOT Transit Bureau. These recommendations are intended to assist LADOT in operating a financially sustainable transit system in the most efficient and effective way possible.