What is the purpose of the study?
- To evaluate Metro’s current system and develop a network for the future.
- To address the current economic climate and help Metro use its resources effectively.
- To provide an in-depth review of Metro’s transit system that will:
- Complete a detailed market, ridership, & operational review.
- Analyze Metro’s current fare structure.
- Update Metro’s Transit Strategic Assessment.
What does Metro hope the results will achieve?
- Answers to how Metro can best serve its existing and potential future customers within its financial and operational constraints.
- Enhancement of public mobility while improving system performance & sustainability
- A solid platform for growth that builds advocacy for continued and increased investment in public transit.
What will be studied?
- Ridership
- Who is the Metro customer?
- Which service characteristics (route frequency, operating day/hours) matter most?
- Where are trip origins/destinations?
- What are the key transit routes?
- Markets
- What are the area demographics?
- What are the region’s travel patterns?
- Where are the future developments?
- Where is rail service warranted?
- Service Performance
- What works and what doesn’t?
- Does the service match the markets?
- Can service productivity improve?
- Service Delivery
- What issues impact service reliability?
- How is service managed?
- Are the vehicles and fleet right-sized?
What are the keys to a successful study?
- Focus on the customer
- Align service to better meet the customer’s travel needs
- Make the system easier to understand and use
- Attention to service quality
- Improve the customer’s travel experience
- Make it easier to deliver high-quality service
- Expecting more from transit
- Build on system strengths; prioritize new investment
- Keeping stakeholders engaged
- Build ongoing relationship with the community
- Involve internal stakeholders
Beyond the Service Plan—what are other positive outcomes of the study?
- A redefinition of transit’s role as a regional travel option and in supporting economic development
- Preparing the transit system for extra ridership from rising fuel prices and environmental initiatives
- Develop closer links between Metro and the community
What is the study timeline?
- Data Collection (January- March 2009)
- Analysis (April- July 2009)
- Outreach (June2009 & March 2010)
- Preferred Service Plan (August 2009- January 2010)
