Title
Partial Restoration of Bus Service
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Public Transit Department to restore the first hour of bus service that had previously been reduced on May 4, 2020, and to allow for the addition of commuter RAPID routes, as needed, to ensure capacity is available as ridership recovers. Additionally, Public Transit requests authorization to limit passengers to seating on every other row, with installation of appropriate signage designating which seats are "unavailable." Various measures implemented to keep the riding public and transit employees safe (face covering requirements, cleaning protocol enhancements, hand sanitizer dispensers, PPE provision to transit personnel, etc.) will remain in place. Additionally, the installation of permanent bus operator shields will begin soon.
Report
Summary
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a substantial ridership decline, Public Transit, working in concert with Valley Metro, had previously suspended some early-morning and late-night hours of operation, adjusted some commuter route schedules, and designated reduced passenger capacity limits on buses.
Based on an ongoing review of ridership data, passenger feedback, and regional traffic volume data, it is apparent that more people are resuming their use of public transportation. As a result, Public Transit is seeking authorization to restore the first hour of early morning bus service and add trips to commuter routes as warranted by ridership data. If authorized by Council, these actions will be implemented as part of the regularly scheduled "biannual transit service change" on Oct. 26. Public Transit will work with Valley Metro to coordinate changes.
Additionally, Public Transit is seeking to limit bus seating to every other row and install signage designating which seats are "unavailable." With this change, bus operators can more easily enforce passenger limits and distancing. This method of limiting seating to every other row has been an effective method of social distancing on buses for other transit agencies across the country.
Public Transit staff will continue working with Valley Metro and its member agencies regarding a timeline for restoring other service aspects, such as offering late-night service hours, reinstituting front-door bus boardings and fare collection, and expanding light rail service. No changes to these service aspects are requested at this time.
Additional Information
The above changes to bus service are recommended because of an increase in ridership and desire from passengers for more service options and do not lift any other restrictions currently in place. At the Oct. 7, 2020 Formal City Council meeting, staff said it would return to City Council in two weeks with updated data and metrics (Attachment A).
Financial Impact
The cost to restore the first hour of service is estimated to be $7.7 million on an annual basis. Funding is available in the Public Transit Department’s operating budget T2050 funds, as the current fiscal year's budget was developed with the presumption that bus service would return to normal, pre-pandemic levels of service.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.