|
TO: |
Board of Trustees |
|
THROUGH: |
Jay Fox, Executive Director |
|
FROM: |
Nichol Bourdeaux, Chief Planning and Engagement Officer |
|
PRESENTER(S): |
Russ Fox, Director of Planning |
|
|
Alex Beim, Manager of Long Range Strategic Planning |
|
|
Matt Gray, Strategic Planner II |
TITLE:
title
UTA Bus Speed and Reliability Program (BSRP)
end
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
None, Discussion Only
BACKGROUND:
The Bus Speed and Reliability Program (BSRP) is a system-wide, ongoing effort to improve the speed and reliability of bus service across UTA's service area.
Fast and reliable access to destinations is essential to meeting transportation needs. Travel times that are competitive with driving are critical for attracting ridership and public support for transit. Buses that regularly arrive when they are scheduled to are essential for service that meets the daily needs of transit users. Fast and reliable service can also improve operational efficiency for UTA and support better working conditions for bus operators.
UTA's buses move more people than all other services combined, and proportionately more low-income and minority populations and zero-car households. In Utah and elsewhere, commutes made by bus take more time on average than commutes made by a personal vehicle.
UTA has successfully developed large capital bus projects in recent years. However, a mechanism has not been established to tactically make smaller improvements along existing bus routes. This program is intended to fill that missing process by evaluating potential changes and making them in a timely and cost-effective manner. Projects may start as temporary installations to test designs and gather feedback for refinement.
DISCUSSION:
Some of the many tools for improving speed and reliability include transit signal priority for buses at signalized intersections, bus-only lanes on stretches of road or at intersections, improvements to bus stops to facilitate boarding and exiting of passengers, and adjustments to routing, placement of stops, and scheduling.
This program focuses on six initial study routes selected due to high ridership and frequency and for geographic diversity in the region. These are Routes 33, 35, 200, 217, 612, and 850.
Work to date includes collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data on speed and reliability issues and coordination with related UTA and partner efforts. UTA Planning is conducting route-specific stakeholder agency workshops and organized bus rides to gauge and generate support for project concepts, discover opportunities and challenges, and find pathways for implementation.
Partnerships are critical to the program, as UDOT buy-in and collaboration are necessary to implement improvements on state-owned roads. Some improvements are also considered for city-owned facilities, and engagement with cities, townships, MPOs, and other local agencies will also provide local knowledge of needs, opportunities, and challenges.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
• $100,000 per year is approved in the 5-year Capital Plan for the implementation of projects.
• Staff will explore grant and partner funding opportunities, depending on projects.
• This program is intended to make small, cost-effective improvements to bus routes, with savings coming from in-house design, pilot installments, and coordination with existing construction projects or planning efforts.
ATTACHMENTS:
None