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Legislation Details
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Type:
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Discussion
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Status:
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Presented
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On agenda:
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4/28/2021
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Final action:
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4/28/2021
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Title:
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Microtransit/Flex Route - August 2021 Change Day
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TO: Board of Trustees
THROUGH: Carolyn Gonot, Executive Director
FROM: Nichol Bourdeaux, Chief Planning and Engagement Officer
PRESENTER(S): Jaron Robertson, Director Innovative Mobility Solutions; Eric Callison, Manager of Service Planning; Ryan Taylor, Special Services General Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Microtransit/Flex Route - August 2021 Change Day
end
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AGENDA ITEM TYPE: |
Discussion |
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RECOMMENDATION: |
Informational report for discussion |
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BACKGROUND: |
The South Salt Lake County Microtransit Pilot (UTA on Demand by Via) began in November 2019 to demonstrate and test innovative transit services and technologies for improved operations, customer experience, and transit coverage as part of a public-private partnership with Via. The pilot experienced early adoption and success prior to the COVID-19 pandemic meeting most pilot goals and objectives. UTA continued pilot operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was able to demonstrate the nimbleness and adaptability of microtransit by continuing to provide a high-quality transit service, maintaining a good customer experience, and lowering operating expenses. In October of 2020, the pilot was extended through the August 2021 Change Day. The pilot has enjoyed broad support from UTA customers and stakeholders. During the pilot, multiple customer and community engagement initiatives were utilized to gain customer information and data regarding the pilot. This included obtaining customer ratings and comments on each trip, customer feedback through the Open UTA portal, and UTA and Via customer service centers, two customer surveys, and various other engagement efforts with the cities and stakeholders in the service area. As part of the pilot, UTA has maintained existing fixed route and flex route services within the microtransit service area including routes F504, F518, F534, F546, and F547, (note the F534 was suspend in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). These routes are considered duplicate service and are low performing routes per UTA’s Service Design Guidelines. |
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DISCUSSION: |
As the pilot is scheduled to end August 2021 Change Day (August 8, 2021), the staff recommends the microtransit service in South Salt Lake County become permanent as part of the August 2021 Change Day process. Recommendations are being made to discontinue the routes which are considered duplicate service operating in the microtransit service area. UTA’s Planning Department and Operations teams have further identified other service improvements and route alignment changes which support and balance the impacts of the proposed flex route service changes. The benefits of the proposed changes include: • Improve service and expand coverage for the community • Improve financial efficiency for Special Services • Increase connections in west Salt Lake County • Improve operator working conditions • Removal of duplicate service • Eliminate low-performing routes • Balance headcount • Advance the Five-Year Service Plan The August Change Day public comment period is April 28th - May 28th. A public hearing will be held to garner further feedback from the community on the proposed changes. |
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ALTERNATIVES: |
Staff is recommending a service plan that has been evaluated extensively. The Board could ask staff to consider a different service plan for the Flex routes. |
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FISCAL IMPACT: |
The estimated cost impacts are as follows: Microtransit Pilot: No Change (included in the 2021 operating budget) New Flex Route Service: $1,617,000 Discontinued Service: -$898,000 Fixed Route Cost: $-607,000 Net Agency Cost: $112,000 |
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ATTACHMENTS: |
None |
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