Powell River Regional Transit Service Review: Final
Transcription
Powell River Regional Transit Service Review: Final
Powell River Regional Transit Service Review: Final Draft Report & Proposed Service Changes Powell River Regional District Special Rural Services Committee – March 19, 2015 Alison McDonald, Transportation Planner 1 Chris Fudge, Regional Transit Manager Purpose To provide the Powell River Regional District Board with: A. a recap of the local transit system, and Service Review Public Engagement processes & participation B. Service Review Key Findings C. a detailed look at the Service Review’s Short-term Options (proposed for September 2015 implementation) Desired Outcomes Receive approval at the March 26 Regional Board Meeting to: 1. work with Regional District staff to finalize the Final Draft Service Review Report 2. proceed towards September 2015 implementation of the proposed short-term service changes herein and that the Regional District Board: 3. receive the Fare Structure Review (Service Review Report Appendix A) as information 2 Presentation Topics 1. Powell River Regional Transit: System Overview 2. Powell River Service Review: Public Engagement Process & Participation 3. Powell River Service Review Report: Key Findings 4. Proposed Service Changes: a) Guiding Principles b) Decision Process c) Short-Term d) Medium- & Longer-Term, Other Considerations 5. Proposed Next Steps 6. Recommendations 3 Powell River Regional Transit: System Overview 4 Powell River Regional Transit: System Overview Paratransit (PRRD): • Route 12 Stillwater: Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri, 3 round trips/day • Route 13 Texada: Thur only, 2 round trips/day • Route 14 Lund operates Tue & Fri only, 2 round trips/day Conventional/Fixed-Route Transit (City): • Three fixed routes • Operates Monday-Sunday • 7:00am to 11:00pm (depends on route/day of week) Custom Transit/handyDART (City): • • • • Door-to-door, demand-responsive For people with a disability (physical/cognitive) Operates Monday-Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm 5 Powell River Service Review: Public Engagement Process & Participation 6 Powell River Service Review: Public Engagement Process Presentations to CoPR and PRRD, with input on engagement process Project website: Sep 2013~ Key Stakeholder Workshop: Feb 2014 On-Board Bus Survey: Dec 2013, Feb 2014 Online Survey: Nov 2013 – Mar 2014 Bus Driver Survey: Nov 2013 Sliammon & Klahanie Survey: July 2014 Public Open Houses: Oct 28-30, 2014 (6 events) Online Survey: Oct 17-Nov 3, 2014 Engagement publicity: Surveys & Open Houses advertised in local media, plus posters on buses and in key community locations 7 Powell River Service Review: Public Engagement Participation Engagement Type Participation (People/Responses) Key Stakeholder Workshop 40+ Driver Survey 13 On-Board Bus Survey 274 Online Surveys 347 Door-to-Door Survey (Sliammon) 159 Public Open Houses 136 8 Powell River Service Review Report: Key Findings 9 Service Review Report: Key Findings Paratransit Service Overall, ridership has flattened – the system continues to serve those most likely to use it a) Ridership has increased by 75% overall since 2004-05, and by 3% since 2013-14 b) Route 12 Stillwater’s ridership share exceeds its service hour share c) Route 14 Lund’s ridership share matches its service hour share d) Route 13 Texada’s ridership share underperforms relative to its service hour share e) Bus stop safety, signage, and amenities need improvements f) Service expansion for the medium term should focus on Route 12 Stillwater 10 Proposed Service Changes: Guiding Principles 11 Proposed Service Changes: Guiding Principles Key Stakeholder & Public Feedback collated with: Technical Analysis Transportation Planning Best Practices Short-term: Driver & Passenger Safety Schedule Reliability Travel Time System Transit attractiveness attractiveness Ridership & Revenue Costs: Cost-neutral / Minimal capital costs Target implementation date: September 2015 Medium-term: Consider expansion opportunities with highest ridership and revenue potential (ROI) Longer-term: Reconsider expansion options with minimal projected ROI at present Other Considerations: Include additional Key Stakeholder & public proposals 12 Proposed Service Changes: Decision Process 13 Proposed Service Changes: Decision Process Work with Key Stakeholders & local residents: -- inform, engage, listen & learn, collaborate Analyze existing transit system performance focusing on efficiency & effectiveness Match strategies to increase system efficiency & effectiveness with Key Stakeholder and local resident feedback Focus as a priority on improving system attractiveness to existing & potential riders at zero or minimal cost: -- improve on-time performance, schedule reliability; -- increase routing efficiency for faster, more direct service Outline & recommend service changes to staff and elected officials: -- short-, medium, and longer-term changes -- other considerations 14 Proposed Service Changes: Short-Term 15 Proposed Service Changes: Short-Term Proposal 1: All routes Audit schedules to verify running times Benefits: • • improve schedule consistency & reliability cost-neutral Challenges: • if more trip running time were needed* to improve on-time performance/schedule reliability: o risk of (longer-term) increase in annual service hours & costs * scenario is unlikely, but possible 16 Proposed Service Changes: Short-Term (ctd.) Proposal 2: Route 14 Lund Relocate Hwy 101/Southview Rd southbound bus stop to Sturt Rd Benefits: • • • improve driver & customer safety improve stop accessibility for wheelchairs cost-neutral (100% funded by MoTI Minor Betterments Fund) Challenges: • potentially increased walk distance for a few passengers (change) Existing bus stop pole Existing pull-in area (driveway) Road contour Proposed relocation site (Hwy 101 at Sturt) Existing southbound stop (Hwy 101 at Southview) 17 Proposed Service Changes: Short-Term (ctd.) Proposal 3: Route 14 Lund Adjust City routing in Townsite/Cranberry area Benefits: • • • • • no ridership in this area affects first AM trip only faster, more direct service improved on-time performance cost-neutral Challenges: • passengers adjusting to change 18 Proposed Service Changes: Short-Term (ctd.) Proposal 4: Replace outdated bus stop signage at 25 bus stops (Route 12 Stillwater & Route 14 Lund)^ Benefits: • • improve transit system attractiveness potential to attract new ridership and revenue Challenges: • costs Estimated cost to implement: • • • Capital: $1,000 Local share: $400* Provincial share: $600 * does not include local labour costs for sign replacement ^ to allow for greater routing flexibility, Texada does not use bus stop signs old-style design (rural system) new-style design (90% of the fixedroute system) 19 Proposed Service Changes: Medium- & Longer-Term, Other Considerations 20 Proposed Service Changes: Medium- & Longer-Term, Other Considerations Medium-Term 5. Route 12 Stillwater: Relocate Zilinsky Rd bus stop 6. Bus stop amenities: Improve with shelter & bench additions 7. Route 12 Stillwater: Introduce 2 additional trips (commuter times) 8. Route 12 Stillwater: Introduce Saturday service 9. Evening service: Introduce charter service for special events 10. Route 14 Lund: Introduce service Wed, Sat & Sun, July to August 11. Route 12 Stillwater: Create bidirectional routing in Stillwaterarea loop Longer-Term 12. Route 14 Lund: Introduce 1 more service day/week – Wed (year-round, from existing 2 days/week) 13. Route 13 Texada: Introduce 1 more service day/week – Mon (from existing 1 day/week) Other Considerations 14. Improve transit<->ferry connections 15. Introduce Texada internal transit service 16. Route 14 Lund: Introduce daily weekday service (year-round) 17. Route 14 Lund: Improve transit connections with Lund Water Taxi 18. Introduce full rural handyDART service 8am to 4pm, Tue & Thur 19. Introduce transit service to Vancouver 21 Proposed Next Steps 22 Proposed Next Steps September 2015 Implement proposed short-term service changes 23 Recommendations 24 Recommendations It is recommended that the Regional District Board approve: 1. finalization by BC Transit and Regional District staff of the Final Draft Service Review Report 2. beginning the process for September 2015 implementation of the proposed short-term service changes and that the Regional District Board: 3. receive the Fare Structure Review (Appendix A) as information 25 Chris Fudge Regional Transit Manager T: 250.995.5831 C: 250. 589.0099 chris_fudge@bctransit.com Alison McDonald Transportation Planner T: 250.385.2551 x5341 C: 250.516.7115 alison_mcdonald@bctransit.com 26 Appendices 27 BC Transit Partnership: Powell River 28 BC Transit Partnership: Powell River Funding partner for conventional & handyDART systems City of Powell River Local Operator Operator for conventional system Powell River Municipal Transportation BC Transit Funding partner for paratransit system Powell River Regional District Local Operator Powell River Taxi 2001 Powell River Regional Transit Partnership Operator for paratransit & handyDART systems 29 Proposed Service Changes Paratransit: Overview 30 Paratransit Service Changes: Overview (Short-Term) Powell River Regional Transit System Paratransit Service Option Summary: Preliminary Estimated Additional Annual Impacts* Service Option Revenue Vehicles Rides Hours Total Revenue Total Costs $0 $0 Net Local BC Transit Share of Share of Total Total Costs Costs Short-Term Options (2015 to 2016) Option 1: Audit schedules to ensure consistent trip running times 0 0 0 $0 $0 Benefits: Improve schedule consistency and reliab ility Challenges: Increased annual service hours and costs, should increased trip running time b e required in order to improve on-time performance Option 2: Route 14 Lund: Relocate Highway 101/Southview Rd southbound bus stop All capital infrastructure & relocation costs funded via MoTI's Minor Betterments Fund $0 $0 - $0 $0 $0 $1,000 $400 $600 Benefits: Address a primary safety issue affecting the transit driver and customers, plus all other area road users Challenges: Increased walk distance for passengers who use the existing stop and reside closer to Southview Rd than Sturt Rd Option 3: Route 14 Lund: Adjust City routing inTownsite and Cranberry areas (zero ridership demand -- duplication of City Route 1) 0 0 0 $0 Benefits: Make service faster and more direct; increase trip efficiency Challenges: Passenger accustomization to change Option 4: Replace outdated bus stop signage Capital cost (signage only): Benefits: Improve transit system attractiveness Challenges: Replacement costs Notes: * Based on preliminary 2014/15 budgets. Final costs may change based on final budgets and confirmation of final operational details. 31 Paratransit Service Changes: Overview (Medium-Term) Powell River Regional Transit System Paratransit Service Option Summary: Preliminary Estimated Additional Annual Impacts* Service Option Vehicles Revenue Total Rides^ Hours Revenue^ Total Costs Net Local Net BC Transit Rides Total Share of Local Share of per Cost per Total Cost per Total Costs Hour Ride Costs Ride Medium-Term Options (2015-16 to 5 years from now) Capital costs: Option 5: Route 12 Stillwater: Relocate Zilinsky Rd bus stop dependent on loc al labour c osts 100% - Benefits: Improve driver safety, and customer safety and convenience Challenges: Costs Capital costs: Option 6: Improve bus stop amenities (shelter and bench additions) dependent on availability of loc al sponsorship, provinc ial funding opportunities, selec ted shelter/benc h type, loc al labour c osts, & etc . Benefits: Increase passenger safety and comfort; increase transit system attractiveness; attract new ridership and revenue Challenges: Costs Option 7: Benefits: Route 12 Stillwater: Introduce two additional trips at commuter times 0 500 2,900 $5,300 Capital costs (signage only): $29,900 $10,700 $13,900 $120 $100 $100 5.8 $10.31 $3.69 Enab le customers to use the transit service for work and provide additional travel options for non-commuters, including a connection to the first ferry departure for Comox Challenges: Costs; unpredictab ility of demand for this additional service Option 8: Route 12 Stillwater: Introduce Saturday service 0 200 1,100 $2,100 $11,700 $4,100 $5,500 5.5 $10.64 $3.73 Benefits: Improve transit's convenience for work, shopping etc.; attract additional ridership and revenue Challenges: Costs Option 9: Introduce charter evening service for special events (based on 2 hours of service per week) 0 100 500 $900 $5,900 $2,300 $2,700 5.0 $11.80 $4.60 100 500 $900 $4,700 $1,600 $2,200 5.0 $9.40 $3.20 Benefits: Increase customer convenience; attract additional ridership and revenue Challenges: Costs; unpredictab ility of demand for this additional service Option 10: Route 14 Lund: Introduce three more service days per week (Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays) July through August 0 Benefits: Improve transit's convenience for work, shopping etc.; attract additional ridership and revenue; reduce summer tourist parking issues in Lund Challenges: Costs; unpredictab ility of demand for this additional service Option 11: Route 12 Stillwater: Create bidirectional routing in Stillwaterarea loop Capital costs (signage only): Benefits: Improve trip directness and reduce trip time (only when Saltery Bay service is requested) Challenges: $40 $20 $20 **plus significant construction costs Costs of signage (minimal) and construction work (significant) to create b us stop on opposite side of Scotch Fir Point Rd and Rob erts Rd (culvert fill-in, paving, and etc.) Notes: * Based on preliminary 2014/15 budgets. Final costs may change based on final budgets and confirmation of final operational details. ^ The rides and total revenue figures show n here are based on the first 12 months follow ing implementation. Due to ridership taking on average 12 months post-implementation to stabilize, the figures used are 60% of the estimated ridership expected once implementations are mature. 32 Paratransit Service Changes: Overview (Longer-Term) Powell River Regional Transit System Paratransit Service Option Summary: Preliminary Estimated Additional Annual Impacts* Service Option Revenue Total Total Vehicles** Rides^ Hours Revenue^ Costs^^ Net Local BC Transit Net Rides Total Share of Share of Local per Cost per Total Total Cost per Hour Ride Costs^^ Costs^^ Ride Longer-Term Options (5-10 years from 2015-16) Option 12: Route 14 Lund: Introduce one more service day per week (year round -- from existing 2 days per week) 0 200 200 $500 $8,800 $4,200 $4,100 1.0 400 400 $1,000 $136,500 $60,900 $74,600 1.0 $44.00 $21.00 Benefits: Increase customer convenience; attract additional ridership and revenue Challenges: Costs; low projected demand for this additional service Option 13: Route 13 Texada: Introduce one more service day per week (from existing 1 day per week) 2 $341.25 $152.25 Benefits: Increase customer convenience; attract additional ridership and revenue Costs; low projected demand for this additional service (under the Regional Transportation Plan's transit option evaluation scores, this option Challenges: ranked second-lowest when ordered b y pub lic score) Notes: * Based on preliminary 2014/15 budgets. Final costs may change based on final budgets and confirmation of final operational details. ** The vehicle requirements show n here appear feasible but w ould need to be confirmed by BC Transit’s Fleet Standards department closer to the implementation date. ^ The rides and total revenue figures show n here are based on the first 12 months follow ing implementation. Due to ridership taking on average 12 months post-implementation to stabilize, the figures used are 60% of the estimated ridership expected once implementations are mature. ^^ Includes annual lease fee costs: Annual lease fee costs for a light-duty vehicle used in these estimates are $54,440. 33 Paratransit Service Changes: Overview (Other Considerations) Powell River Regional Transit System Paratransit Service Option Summary: Preliminary Estimated Additional Annual Impacts* Service Option Vehicles** Revenue Total Total Rides^ Hours Revenue^ Costs^^ Net Local BC Transit Net Rides Total Share of Share of Local per Cost per Total Total Cost per Hour Ride Costs^^ Costs^^ Ride Other Considerations - Option 14: Improve transit connections with ferry services Benefits: Increase customer convenience; potential to attract additional ridership and revenue Ongoing daily and seasonal ferry schedule changes, especially on short notice; potential sailing delays; time interval b etween passenger drop Challenges: off (departing) and passenger pick up (arriving); limited demand; minimal projected additional ridership or revenue; disruption to existing transit schedules and passengers leading to net loss in ridership and revenue; negative return on investment Option 15: Introduce Texada Island-wide (internal) transit service for all residents - Benefits: Attract new ridership and revenue Costs; low projected demand for this additional service(under the Regional Transportation Plan's transit option evaluation scores, this option ranked lowest when ordered b y pub lic score); non-conformance with minimum recommended population density for new transit service Challenges: introduction of 1,000 residents per square kilometre: Texada = approximately 3.5 residents per square km (for comparison purposes, Gab riola = approximately 70 residents per square km; Salt Spring Island = 178 residents per square km); minimal return on investment. Recommended to b e organized as a local grassroots initiative, due to increased ab ility for flexib ility and responsiveness to local needs. Option 16: Route 14 Lund: Introduce daily weekday service (year round) 2 500 500 $300 $140,000 $63,500 $76,200 1.0 $280.00 $127.00 0.6 $383.75 $175.50 0.6 $324.40 $149.20 Benefits: Increase customer convenience; potential to attract additional ridership and revenue Challenges: Costs; low productivity on existing service; limited demand; minimal projected additional ridership or revenue; minimal return on investment Option 17: Route 14 Lund: Improve transit service connections with the Lund Water Taxi - Benefits: Increase customer convenience; potential to attract additional ridership and revenue Limited demand; minimal projected additional ridership or revenue; changing Route 14 Lund's schedule would involve major schedule changes for existing customers on Route 14 and Route 12 Stillwater (the most productive route), leading to net loss in ridership and revenue; Challenges: Option 18: Introduce full rural handyDART service, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 700 400 $800 $153,500 $70,200 $82,500 Benefits: Increase customer convenience; potential to attract additional ridership and revenue Challenges: Option 19: Rural handyDART service already included as part of paratransit service; costs; low productivity on existing service; limited demand; minimal projected additional ridership or revenue; minimal return on investment Introduce service linking Powell River to Vancouver (based on one trip per week) 2 900 500 $1,000 $162,200 $74,600 $86,600 Benefits: Increase customer convenience; potential to attract additional ridership and revenue Challenges: Difficulty of connections with ferries, Sunshine Coast Transit System, and Translink; length of round-trip time (estimated at 17 hours); existing Vancouver service availab le on Malaspina Coach Lines; minimal return on investment Notes: * Based on preliminary 2014/15 budgets. Final costs may change based on final budgets and confirmation of final operational details. ** The vehicle requirements show n here appear feasible but w ould need to be confirmed by BC Transit’s Fleet Standards department closer to the implementation date. ^ The rides and total revenue figures show n here are based on the first 12 months follow ing implementation. Due to ridership taking on average 12 months post-implementation to stabilize, the figures used are 60% of the estimated ridership expected once implementations are mature. ^^ Includes annual lease fee costs: Annual lease fee costs for a light-duty vehicle used in these estimates are $54,440. 34 Proposed Service Changes handyDART/Custom Transit: Overview 35 handyDART Service Changes: Overview Powell River Regional Transit System Custom Transit Service Option Summary: Preliminary Estimated Additional Annual Impacts* Service Option Revenue Total Total Vehicles** Rides^ Hours Revenue^ Costs^^ Net Local BC Transit Net Rides Total Share of Share of Local per Cost per Total Total Cost per Hour Ride Costs^^ Costs^^ Ride Short-Term Options (2015 to 2016) Option 1: Educate customers about BC Transit's new No Show and Late Cancellation Policy 0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Benefits: Free up handyDART resources; increase ridership and revenue; reduce costs from the Taxi Supplement program Challenges: Customer compliance rate with new Policy; ab ilities of dispatchers (and drivers) to inform ab out new Policy and, when appropriate, enforce Option 2: Encourage custom transit registrants to use the conventional transit system where possible 0 0 2,000 $2,100 $0 $0 $0 Benefits: Free up handyDART resources; increase ridership and revenue; reduce costs from the Taxi Supplement program Customer willingness to switch to conventional transit; ab ilities of drivers and dispatchers to encourage change in customer hab its; successful Challenges: implementation of travel-training programs Longer-Term Options (5-10 years from 2015-16) Option 3: Add a third handyDART vehicle + operating hours 2 2,000 4,400 $4,600 $227,300 $93,900 $128,800 2.2 $51.66 $21.34 Benefits: Increase availab ility of handyDART service to match the expected increase in demand due to population aging Challenges: Costs (including additional administrative costs not shown here, for e.g. wages for 1 more dispatcher to cover peak b ooking times) Notes: * Based on preliminary 2014/15 budgets. Final costs may change based on final budgets and confirmation of final operational details. ** The vehicle requirements show n here appear feasible but w ould need to be confirmed by BC Transit’s Fleet Standards department closer to the implementation date. ^ The rides and total revenue figures show n here are based on the first 12 months follow ing implementation. Due to ridership taking on average 12 months post-implementation to stabilize, the figures used are 60% of the estimated ridership expected once implementations are mature. ^^ Includes annual lease fee costs: Annual lease fee costs for a light-duty vehicle used in these estimates are $54,440. 36 Supporting Strategies 37 Phase 1 Public Engagement: Highlights (Supporting Strategies) Fares & Marketing Infrastructure & Vehicles Fares Infrastructure • Cheaper fares • Bus stop upgrades* • More benches and shelters at stops • Improved street lighting, snow clearance Marketing • Increased advertising, include promotional videos and social media • Free transit to special events, free transit days • Rider’s Guides included in City mail-outs • Mobile-friendly website • Targeted marketing • Fare product promotion Vehicles • Smaller vehicles * One request submitted to MoTI by BC Transit (May 2014) – work in progress Other • Lost Property system reinstatement 38 Supporting Strategies Fares: Fare Structure Review completed as part of current Service Review Marketing: • General promotion, via e.g.: Riders’ Guides bundled with tax assessments • Targeted promotion (City only) for seniors and others able to use transit during off-peak period (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) Vehicles: • Vehicle fleet (City only): Review for possible replacement of 40’ vehicles with smaller vehicles 39 Service Review: Goals and Progress 40 Rationale for Service Review The rationale for this review is based upon: • The length of time since completion of the Powell River Transit System Business Plan (2001) • Changes over time in the community since then, for example: • • • • demographics employment patterns community programs land use and development The Service Review is: An analysis of the Powell River Transit System, to determine to what extent it meets current and future community needs, and to make recommendations for improved effectiveness and efficiency. 41 Service Review Goals • Analyze, and report on, performance of existing system • Examine future local transit requirements • Build awareness of, and support for, the Powell River Transit System • Outline and recommend service changes to staff and elected officials: short-, medium-, and longer-term changes focus on performance: efficiency, effectiveness • Make recommendations on supporting strategies 42 Project Progress and Timeline Project Start-up Sep 2013 Council / Board Presentations or Workshops Engagement: Phase 1 Engagement: Phase 2 Context & Analysis Options Analysis Oct P Nov Feb 2014 Jun Jul Sep W P Oct Nov Draft Report Final Report Dec Mar 2015 P Key Stakeholder Workshop Public Engagement = data collation, analysis, report writing 43 Framing Thoughts: Historical Ridership Trends Powell River Transit: Annual Ridership 250,000 Ridership 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fiscal Year Conventional rides Paratransit rides handyDART rides 44 Framing Thoughts: Historical Ridership Trends Rides (Conventional) 250,000 12,000 10,000 200,000 8,000 150,000 6,000 100,000 4,000 50,000 2,000 0 0 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Rides (Paratransit & Custom) Powell River Transit: Annual Ridership Fiscal Year Conventional rides Paratransit rides handyDART rides 45