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Agenda Item # 9

BOARD MEMORANDUM

BACKGROUND:

In December 2003, the VTA Board of Directors approved the initial Service Management Plan, which formalized the methods and procedures used to design, develop, evaluate, and modify VTA bus, light rail, shuttle, and paratransit services.   The Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 Service Management Plan utilizes the Board-adopted criteria to evaluate the performance of VTA transit services, identify underutilized service, provide recommendations for improvement, and outline future activities to improve the productivity and efficiency of services provided.

This item will be presented to the Board at its Workshop on April 22, 2005, and will be considered for adoption at the Board meeting on June 2, 2005.

DISCUSSION:

Since reaching all-time highs in ridership in FY 2001, VTA has experienced a significant extended downturn in the local economy that has taken a heavy toll on bus and light rail ridership and operating revenues. Consequently, VTA put most of its expansion plans on hold until the economy recovers, sufficient operating revenues are available to support system expansion and, more importantly, when ridership demand supports expansion plans.

The attached document represents the initial phase of a two-phase process that is tied to the development of the VTA budget. The second phase of the process includes initiating marketing activities and finalizing service changes based on the findings identified in phase one of the process using the Board adopted service design guidelines and service change process. Staff anticipates that the service plan will not include an expansion of service hours/miles, but will instead reallocate resources to supplement existing services, or implement new services such as Enhanced Bus or Community Bus.

The current Service Management Plan clearly illustrates the ongoing impact of the downturn in the economy and declines in ridership performance. It also provides clear direction that it is time for our community to look at new approaches to providing public transit service in Santa Clara County based on the expansion of the light rail system and a variety of other factors.

Following are key recommendations of the Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 Service Management Plan.

Underutilized Bus And Shuttle Service

Based on the Board-adopted criteria for managing VTA services, a significant number of routes have been identified for corrective action in Part 3.1 of this Plan. Actions to correct underutilized service include marketing activities, route modifications, reducing frequencies, and eliminating routes. Considerations will be made relative to financial contributions from external entities, Title VI, and Lifeline service that will impact the development of a package of proposals that staff will submit to the Board of Directors in the late Fall of 2005 for implementation in January 2006. Staff is proposing that resources from any service eliminated should be reallocated to supplement current or implement new services.

Bus/Rail Integration

Associated with the opening of the Vasona extension, VTA’s connecting bus service will be adjusted to integrate the two modes. Most of these lines will only need minor schedule adjustments, but more significant changes will be required in the Campbell and Los Gatos areas to connect the Vasona line with the surrounding communities. These changes have been presented to the community and incorporated in the FY 06 budget.

Community Bus

The opening of the Vasona light rail extension will require VTA to introduce two new light rail feeders. Lines 48 and 49 will connect the Winchester Light Rail Station with points in Campbell and downtown Los Gatos. Line 48 will serve stops along Winchester Boulevard and Line 49 will serve stops along Los Gatos Boulevard. Both lines will terminate in downtown Los Gatos near the Town Hall.

VTA will begin reviewing other areas to implement various forms of Community Bus as part of the Comprehensive Operations Analysis that will be conducted beginning in Fall 2005.

Paratransit Service

Staff is recommending that the Board of Directors defer the implementation of trip-by-trip eligibility, curb-to-curb service, paratransit fixed-route feeder service, and the South County surcharge through the end of FY 2007 based on the need to conduct additional feasibility analysis and review alternatives. Additionally, staff recommends implementing travel training by partnering with other agencies that currently provide this type of service.

Enhanced Bus Line 522

VTA Rapid Line 522 will replace Limited Stop Line 300 and supplement Line 22, providing faster, more frequent, and more direct service between Eastridge and the Palo Alto Transit Center.

Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA)

A COA will be conducted to determine the most cost-effective and cost-efficient approach to improving and expanding public transit service in Santa Clara County. Initially, a market segmentation analysis will be performed to gather demographic and attitudinal information from non-riders and to ascertain key elements needed to attract new riders to our system. Following this analysis, an on-board survey will be conducted to gather information from our existing customers.

Based on the results of the market segmentation analysis and on-board survey, a study will be conducted to develop service alternatives and priorities for VTA. Staff will engage in an extensive public participation process to ensure that the final recommendations reflect the needs and expectations of the community. This study will be initiated in the Fall of 2005.

ALTERNATIVES:

The Board of Directors can request staff to modify the recommendations contained in the Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 Service Management Plan.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Sufficient funds are included in the current FY 2005 budget or will be included in future budgets to support the recommendations contained in the Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 Service Management Plan.

CONTACT BOARD SECRETARY'S OFFICE FOR ATTACHMENT

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