Implementing Quality and Efficiency in Transit Planning

Mike Summerlin Former Chairperson

Raleigh Transit Authority

Raleigh Transit Authority Nine members, 2 year terms, 6 consecutive years, Appointed by the Raleigh City Council

Implement and update transit development Market and promote transit service Monitor quantity and quality of transit service Operational, short-term transit planning & coordination with long-range & regional transportation planning Scheduling, routing, and ratesPublic Works Department, Transportation Ops -Transit Section serves as staff to the authority

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

CAPITAL AREA TRANSIT

CAT SYSTEM OVERVIEW 26 fixed routes 7 day Service (Sunday service added in Jan

2005) Showtime Trolley route

Serves downtown Thursday - Saturday evenings 5:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Cash Fare - $1.00 Senior & Persons with

Disabilities - $0.50 ART (Accessible Raleigh

Transportation)

CAT SYSTEM OVERVIEW 2.5 million miles per year 4.06 million passengers per

year Passenger revenue -$2.1

million per year Expense per passenger -

$4.06 Fare Box Recovery

(system avg. per year): FY 04 17.31% FY 05 19.18% FY 06 19.15%

CAT Ridership Characteristics

3,000,000

3,250,000

3,500,000

3,750,000

4,000,000

4,250,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Rid

es

CAT Operating Revenue 2006C A T O perating Revenues

FY2006

17%

1%

17%

17%

48% CAT Passenger Revenue

Other

FTA

NCDOT

General Fund

CAT Operating Expenditures 2006C A T O perating E xpenditures

FY2006

17%

53%

15%

3% 1% 5% 1% 2% 3%

Maintenance

Transportation

Insurance &SafetyGeneral &AdministrationMarketing

Taxes

Repairs &UtilitiesPension

ManagementFee

Remove 'time-wasters'

Rambling chairperson No time limits ‘Uncontrolled grievances’ Hidden agendas Random initiatives Unethical behavior Poor parliamentary procedure, if any

Streamline the process of planning and administering transit Public input process Focused agenda Prioritize requests to align with 5Y

strategic plan Realign committees and place strong

leaders Committee output must be likely

approvable by full board or held for more work

Develop a strategic plan Reasonable – Cost,

frequency, Safety, reliabbility

Transit-dependent & choice markets

Environmentally sound

Linked to growth in Raleigh - CAMPO

User Friendly Direct routes

Multiple trip types Service comfort &

amenities / technology

Marketing Public Image Long term goals Regional Seamless

Service Fiscal Reality &

Economic benefit

Use strategic planning to ensure funding

Aligned with City of Raleigh Transportation & Comprehensive Plans

Part of the city’s budget scope NCDOT & CAMPO Exploit grant funding for capital

improvements, primarily buses, facilities Requests to NC & US representation NCPTA – NC Public Transportation

Association

Develop and grow a 'transit' culture

Public input - various venues Marketing in all available media outlets Bus visibility – “Wraps” Specialty service

Provide NC State Fair shuttle service from 3 locations Urban planning - Transit planning new

developments “Smart Commute” Corridor development - work, live, play,

shop, in nodes of density and mixed use

Embed Ways of Working

Training of new members Strict discipline & efficiency “First things first” Make it interesting Ensure riders are getting the best

solution

Reap rewards of a quality-transit culture.

Fill a need – transit dependent More choices for mobility Less cost Guaranteed ride home (TTA) Less congestion, control sprawl Reduces stress Air quality Quality of life, family, personal,

community

Questions?

Implementing Quality and Efficiency in Transit Planning

Mike Summerlin Former Chairperson

Raleigh Transit Authority