Title
Proposal to Implement April 2017 Bus Service Efficiency Changes
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to implement bus service efficiency changes effective April 24, 2017. The recommended changes are part of “Moving Phoenix Forward” provided through the Transportation 2050 Plan and are expected to have an annual net cost of $10,270,000.
Report
Summary
Bus service enhancements for implementation in April 2017 were developed based on public input and an analysis of current and projected future service demands, connections/destinations, and population and employment densities. Phoenix Dial-a-Ride (DAR) service increases will mirror any bus service increases.
Bus service changes are coordinated regionally and occur in April and October of each year. The Public Transit Department looked at the elements that could be addressed within the initial year of T2050 without additional studies or additional fleet. Based on this analysis, staff determined that extending bus and DAR service to match light rail service hours and adding frequency to the majority of bus routes could be accomplished.
The bus service changes for fiscal year 2017 were proposed for implementation over two service change periods - October 2016 and April 2017. On Oct. 24, 2016, step one of the T2050 bus and DAR improvements were implemented. Step two, April 2017 proposed service changes, will achieve an efficient system that mirrors light rail’s operating hours. The proposed April 2017 bus service changes are as follows:
A. Further expand bus and Dial-a-Ride service hours:
* Friday: 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. (additional 2 hours from October)
* Saturday: 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. (additional 4 hours from October)
* Sunday: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (additional 1 hour from October)
B. Route 39 (40th Street):
* Option 1: Connect with Route 16 (16th Street) at Shea Boulevard and SR-51 Park-and-Ride.
* Option 2: Connect to Paradise Valley Mall Transit Center.
* Staff is recommending Option 1 but not Option 2 at this time due to additional fleet needed.
C. Route 70 (Glendale Avenue/24th Street):
* Terminate south end of route at new 24th Street and Baseline Road Park-and-Ride.
D. Route 122 (Cactus Road):
*Create light rail connection from 19th Avenue and Cactus Road to 19th Avenue and Dunlap Road.
*Extend route from 51st Avenue and Cactus to ASU West Campus at 51st Avenue and Thunderbird Avenue.
Financial Impact
Bus Service Description and Annual Cost
A. Proposed April 2017 hours of operation expansion: $9,500,000
B. Route 39 (40th Street): $179,500
C. Route 70 (Glendale Avenue/24th Street): ($73,000)
D. Route 122 (Cactus Road): $663,500
Annual Net Bus Investment for April 2017: $10,270,000
The estimated annual cost of these changes is $10,270,000, and the estimated implementation cost in the current fiscal year is approximately $1.9 million. Funds are available in the Public Transit Operating Budget using Transportation 2050 funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Citizens Transportation Commission unanimously recommended this item on Nov. 17, 2016 and the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee unanimously recommended this item on Dec. 13, 2016.
Public Outreach
The Public Transit Department used the locally adopted process for public outreach for the April 2017 proposed bus service changes. Staff coordinated closely with Valley Metro staff in communicating and conducting public outreach on the proposed service changes which included regional proposed bus service changes. From Oct. 3 through Nov. 4, 2016, Public Transit and Valley Metro staff provided multiple opportunities for public comment on service changes, including a public hearing in downtown Phoenix on Nov. 1, 2016. Staff received 33 comments from the public via email regarding April 2017 Phoenix bus service changes. The following summarizes the feedback by route:
Route 39 (40th Street): 10 for, 2 opposed.
Route 70 (Glendale Avenue/24th Street): 10 for, 2 opposed.
Route 122 (Cactus Road): 8 for, 1 opposed.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is recommended by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.