Short Range Transit Plan 2008-2013 - Omnitrans

IBI GROUP
SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN REPORT
OMNITRANS COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
& SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN
7.1.1 FIXED ROUTE PERFORMANCE AGAINST STANDARDS
Key performance measures for fixed route transit service include farebox recovery, on-time performance
and the percentage of buses that actually make their pullout times. The current systemwide farebox
recovery ratio is 20.9%. Current farebox recovery is under the proposed 25% farebox recovery ratio for
the 2008-2013 Omnitrans SRTP. While on-time performance for the timed transfer A timepoints is
meeting the 95% standard, weekday on-time performance for entire routes at 81% is below the existing
and proposed 90% on-time performance standard. Also of concern is the percentage of buses that
actually make pullout. In a reliable transit system, no trips are cancelled or late to start because of the
lack of roadworthy equipment or because operators do not show on time. Currently, 95% of buses
actually make their pullout, whereas the proposed standard is 100%. If Omnitrans can increase its
pullout, the public will respond to the higher level of service reliability. This is an important way to
increase ridership, even in a financially constrained scenario.
Farebox Recovery: Monitoring and evaluation of farebox recovery should be at the individual route level
and by timeframe (peak, midday, evening and weekend). Routes that fall below the minimum farebox
recovery established for the route category and time period should be identified for service changes that
could correct a shortfall, whereas routes that consistently fall below the minimum standard should be
placed on a probationary list for possible service cutback.
On-Time Performance: Monitoring and evaluation of on-time performance should also be conducted at
the individual route level. Routes that consistently run late need to either add additional running time to
their schedules, or adjust their schedules to reallocate time to route segments where the route runs late.
In some cases, short turns or interlines may have to be considered for all or some trips to maintain ontime
performance. Equipment breakdowns can also significantly impact on-time performance.
Pullouts: The problem of buses not making pullout should be examined at the facility level (West Valley
and East Valley) to determine what is causing the shortfall. It could be operators not making their shift or
buses not cycled out of maintenance quickly enough. In the case of the former, there may be a
requirement for a larger extra board. In the case of the latter, it could be the adjustment of maintenance
shifts to ensure sufficient night resources or an increase in the spare bus ratio. Not meeting bus pullout
has a significant impact on on-time performance and service reliability.
7.1.2 ROUTES ON PROBATION
Routes that consistently do not meet farebox recovery minimums should be placed on a probation list.
Poor performing routes should be identified through monthly monitoring. Poorly performing routes should
be reported to the Omnitrans Management Team monthly for the consideration of corrective measures or
for possible cancellation. Management should review the probationary list with the PPC on a monthly
basis and recommend either continued efforts to improve performance, or cancellation of the route at all
or selected time periods. Route performance recommendations should be brought to the full Board on a
quarterly basis.
7.2 OmniLink Performance Standards
Proposed OmniLink performance standards are organized into financial, cost effectiveness, cost
efficiency, coverage, service utilization, amount of service, labor productivity, service quality and service
reliability categories. The proposed standards are summarized in Figure 7-5 through Figure 7-12.
Included are a definition of the measure, the proposed target and (where data are available) an indication
of actual performance in FY 2006.
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