HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-2012 s1 transit service fundcouncil .j ac,Enaa REpout
Meeting Date
May 8, 201 2
Item Number
S i
CITY OF SAN LUIS OB .ISP O
FROM :
Jay D . Walter, Director of Public Work s
Prepared By : John Webster, Transit Manage r
Tim Bochum, Deputy Director of Public Work s
SUBJECT :TRANSIT SERVICE STUDY SESSIO N
RECOMMENDATIO N
Receive report and information on Transit service in the City of San Luis Obispo .
DISCUSSION
Background
San Luis Obispo Transit (SLO Transit) has been in existence since 1974 when the City began a
small two vehicle public transit operation to assist people in getting around the City . During th e
system's 38 year history, the number of people riding the buses each year have increased fro m
about 200,000 in 1974 to just over 1,045,000 in 2011 .
Today, SLO Transit is a highly visible, well-established alternative transportation provider used b y
the general public, Cal Poly students, faculty and staff, working residents, seniors, people wit h
disabilities and riders making connections from other parts of San Luis Obispo County via the RT A
county bus system . This study session will present general information about the SLO Transi t
services, funding sources, statistics, achievements and challenges so that the Council and the publi c
can have a better understanding of how providing this service benefits the community . The
information below are just some of the highlights that the attached report covers in more detail .
SLO Transit Operations
SLO Transit,a program operated by the Public Works Department, is the City of San Luis Obispo's
transit provider and operates fixed route service throughout the City as well as trolley service t o
downtown . Other regional and paratransit service is provided to City residents by the San Lui s
Regional Transit Authority (RTA) through a joint powers agreement that the City participates in .
The City has contracted with First Transit, Inc ., since 2001 to provide operations and maintenanc e
for the SLO Transit system . SLO Transit operates a total of seven regular bus routes on weekdays ,
six routes on Saturdays, and four routes on Sundays, as well as a downtown trolley Thursda y
through Saturday . Major trip generators include Cal Poly, the Downtown core, County facilities ,
shopping centers, major employers, schools, and hospitals .
SLO Transit Fundin g
Transit funding is made up of grant funds acquired from the local, state and federal levels and is a
highly complex, staff-intensive effort . Each of these various funding sources has particular
requirements that must be adhered to or criteria that must be maintained in order to receive th e
funding . Examples of these requirements include :
Transit Service Study Session
Page 2
• Maintaining a minimum 20% farebox recovery ratio for transit operating costs . This
means that at least 20% of the cost of day-to-day operations must come from wha t
riders pay for the service (including contract with Cal Poly which is discusse d
below).
• Maximum 50% use of Federal funding (dollar for dollar match) for operatin g
assistance .
• Various local matching requirements (that range from 10-20%) for use of funds for
capital project s
The City and Cal Poly renegotiated a five-year subsidy agreement in return for free rides on th e
SLO Transit system in 2011 . Cal Poly provides approximately $380,000 annually to support use of
the SLO Transit system : On-campus parking fees and fines are the funding sources for thi s
payment. This agreement continues the very positive relationship between Cal Poly and the City i n
promoting transit ridership, reducing vehicle congestion in and around the City .
As a result of the ever-changing State budget situation and the continued delay in Federa l
Transportation Act budget reauthorization, the Transit Fund has recently been challenged in it s
ability to forecast budgets as it moves into each new fiscal year . This situation is not likely t o
change anytime soon, but staff has been diligent in our efforts to account for these instabilities an d
make long range forecasts for the financial health of the system .
SLO Transit Performanc e
This year, because of the strong performance (i .e . high ridership) of the two transit providers in th e
area, Federal performance measurement criteria were exceeded, resulting in an estimated $720,00 0
in additional funding being made available to SLO Transit and RTA . These additional funds wer e
put to good use and programmed as part of the Federal apportionment for the area .
Ridership numbers for SLO Transit continue to increase, as staff work to maximize the efficiency o f
the system . Ridership tends to increase as the cost of gasoline rises, causing some people to leav e
their cars at home and use the bus for work and school trips . The system's biggest customer remain s
Cal Poly and its students, faculty and staff, who make up about 60% of the annual ridership .
SLO Transit Challenge s
In reality, 2012-13 is anticipated to be a very challenging year based on projected revenue amounts .
While there is likely to be an increase in state funding,this will be offset with greater needs at th e
regional level, the system's own cost increases and the potential for Federal funding to be reduced .
Capital expenditures will be limited to projects that can be funded from grant revenues, keeping the
local match required to a minimum, and preserving as much for operating expenses as possible .
Fuel costs are once again very volatile . Fuel pricing is similar to 2008-09 when the City saw th e
price of diesel fuel spike to $4 .40 per gallon in July 2009 . If fuel costs continue to rise, the transi t
budget will not be able to absorb all of the cost increase and service reductions or fare modifications
may be required . Staff continues to look for ways to help reduce the impacts of rising fuel costs an d
the impact to the budget .
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Transit Service Study Session Page 3
FISCAL IMPAC T
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this Council item, and staff will return with more detaile d
and comprehensive financial information as part of the 2012 Enterprise Fund review .
ATTACHMENT
SLO Transit Facts and Figures
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city o fsan lu g s oiispo
San Luis Obispo Transi t
919 Palm Street =
San Luis Obispo, California
93401
www .slotransit .org
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2012 slo tRansi t
facts anO fJQute s
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2012 .SLU t;12~ilSIt ~I \CtS dl1C>1..IC:Q UI E S
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
Executive Summary :3
Service Overview 4
Citywide and InterCity Transit Services 5
Annual Performance Indicators 5
FY 2011 Ridership Statistics 6
Annual Costs and Revenues 8
Intelligent Transport Systems and Social Media 1 0
Cal Poly Subsidy Contract and Partnership 1 3
Where to Buy Passes 14
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X012 SW tRansit - iac:ts . nnO i-lcunf:s
city o fsan Luis oi3isp o
Executive Summar y
The City of San Luis Obispo is centrally located in California between San Francisco and Lo s
Angeles . The City has an estimated population of 45,119 (2010 Census Bureau estimate). Sa n
Luis Obispo is also home to the California Polytechni c
State University (Cal Poly), a major source o f
population, employment, and other overall economi c
and social impacts .
SLO Transit is the City of San Luis Obispo's transi t
provider and operates fixed route service throughou t
the City along with trolley service to downtown .
Providing just over 1,000,000 rides a year SLO Transi t
continues to be an integral lifeline service for the City's
transit dependent and transit choice riders . Serving Ca l
Poly and the surrounding community SLO Transit i s
viewed as one of the nation's more successful transi t
systems and has received numerous recognitions at the
state and federal levels .
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2072 St.0 tRanSft f \CtS anO ficit.m ;S
O ed 71f 22o
Service Overvie w
SLO Transit is the City of San Luis Obispo's transi t
provider and operates fixed route service throughout th e
City along with trolley service to downtown .
SLO Transit, a program operated out of the Departmen t
of Public Works with service operations and maintenanc e
contracted to First Transit, operates a total of seve n
regular bus routes on weekdays, six routes on Saturdays ,
and four routes on Sundays, as well as a Downtow n
Trolley Thursdays through Sundays . Five routes operat e
Monday through Friday evenings during the school year .
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2012 SLo t12 fSlt I=ACtS a11O rIC,t1Rt.S
2012 SLO Transit Route Map
Citywide and InterCity Transit Service s
Each year SLO Transit operates approximately 400,000 revenue miles of public transportatio n
services with just over 1,000,000 riders annually .
Citywide paratransit service is provided to the City through the San Luis Regional Transi t
Authority (RTA) and its Joint Powers funding agreement . RTA operates the Runabout deman d
responsive system within the City and also provides intercity fixed route bus service as well a s
demand responsive service to and from other areas of the county to San Luis Obispo . Other
public transit services are provided throughRide On,a subsidiary of United Cerebral Palsy of Sa n
Luis Obispo, Inc . that acts as the county's Coordinated Transportation Service Provider (CSTA )
that provides specialty services such as the senior and veteran's shuttles.
•SLO RT A
•Greyhoun d
•Amtrak
• RTA - Runabou t
• Ride On (CSTA )
Annual Performance Indicator s
With a service area of just over 50,000 residents (including Cal Poly) SLO Transit continues t o
provide service to over 1,000,000 passengers annually – a significant ridership amount for a
population this size .
Annual System Performance Measures
Annual Passengers 934,534 1,003,630 1,032,232 1,019,509 1,045,299
Revenue Hours 32,653 33,760 34,150 34,606 33,72 6
Revenue Miles 367,21 7,381,609 378,994 396,405 397,495
Peak Vehicles 11 10 10 10 10
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2012 SLo tl2\nSIt f \CtS .MIlO MULIF S
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,00 0
200,000
Annual Passengers and Revenue Mile s
955,287 1,003,630 1,032,232 1,045,29 9
1,019,50 9
721,466
934,534
677,355 705,80 6
394,674 6•.4 .396,405 397,4 9
392,462 361,37 8
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 201 1
----Annual Passengers Revenue Mile s
364,539 367,217 378,99 4
FY 2011 Ridership Statistic s
FY 2011 Non-Cal Poly/Senior/Disabled Pass Usage
1 Ride Pas sPass Type Riders Percentage 1,40 7
Regional Pass 53947 40.54%1 %
Regional Day Pass 15336 11 .53 %
31-Day Reg Pass 21469 16 .13%Regiona l
31-Day Student Pass 12697 9 .54%Pas s
53,94 7DAPPass1348310.13%40%1-Day Reg Pass 6279 4.72%
3-Day Reg Pass 2389 1 .80%
Pass Override 3417 2 .57%
5-Day Reg Pass 1113 0 .84%
Punch Reg Pass 303 0 .23%
1 Ride Pass 1407 1 .06%
7-Day Reg Pass 1226 0 .92%
Subtotal :133066 0.00%Regiona l
Day Pass
15,33 6
11%
1-Day Reg
Pas s
6,27 9
5 %
Punch Reg
Pas s
30 3
0%
Pas s
Overrid e
3,41 7
3 %
3-Day Re g
Pas s
2,389
2%
5-Day Re g
Pas s
1,11 3
1%
7-Day Re
Pas s
1,22 6
1%
31-Day Reg
Pas s
21,46 9
16 %
31-Da y
Student
Pas s
12,69 7
10%
DAP Pas s
13,48 3
10%
0
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2012 SLO tPADSIt 'ACES %n 1icW2€s
FY 2011 Senior/Disabled Cash and Pass Usag e
Senior/Disabled &Cash Riders Percen t
Regular Cash 97,927 46 .42 %
S/D Cash 26,323 12 .48 %
Punch S/D Pass 119 0 .06 %
S/D 31 Day Pass 86,600 41 .05 %
Subtotal :210,969
FY 2011 Cal Poly Pass Usag e
Cal Poly Riders Riders Percent
Cal Poly 635,947 99 %
CP Invalid Card 4,182 1 %
Subtotal :640,129
Non Revenue Riders Riders Percen t
SLO Transfers 20,008 33%
Free Riders 16,106 26%
VIP 8,882 15%
Prado Token 8,147 13 %
Newcomer 251 0%
Promo Pass 241 0%
Free Ride Token 173 0 %
Free Ride Event 1,934 3 %
Amtrak 37 0 %
Youth 5,42 6
Subtotal :61,205
Yout h
5,42 6
9%VI P
8,88 2
15%
Amtrak Prad o
37 Toke n
0%8,14 7
13 %
SL O
Transfer s
20,00 8
33%
Cal Pol y
635,94 7
99 %
FY 2011 Non Revenue Riders
Free Rid e
Event
1,93 4
3 %
ee Rider s
16,10 6
26 %
Promo Free Rid e
Pass Newcomer Toke n
241 251 17 3
0%1%0 %
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2012 S()tRMSlt ° J-aCtS 2 lc>Clqui €S
FY 2011 Ridership By Typ e
Rider Type Riders Percen t
Regular Rides 230,993 22 .10 %
Senior/Disabled 113,042 10 .81 %
Non Revenue Riders 61,205 5 .85 %
Cal Poly 640,129 61 .23 %
Subtotal :1,045,369
Senior/Di s
Cal Poly,Non abled ,
640,129,Revenue 113,042 ,
61%Riders,11 %
61,205, 6 %
Annual Costs and Revenue s
Annual System Expenses
2007 2008 2009 2010 201 1
Purchased Transportation $1,407,686 $1,770,499 $1,852,431 $1,803,066 $1,831,806
Fuel $326,399 $392,652 $284,734 $300,630 $387,857
Transit Administration $459,115 $303,700 $338,055 $342,545 $404,719
Subtotal Direct Cost s
(rounded):$2,193,200 $2,466,900 $2,475,200 $2,446,200 $2,624,400
General Governmen t
(Overhead )
Total Operations :
Capital Improvements
$287,800
$2,481,000
$-
$280,900
$2,747,800
$919,600
$292,100
$2,767,300
$2,432,400
$350,20 0
$2,796,40 0
$986,500
$357,200
$2,981,600
$2,728,100
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`0112 SL0 tRanSlt aCtS .anO f iqune s
Annual System Revenues by Sourc e
Transit funding is highly complex and requires significant staff time to seek out, acquire an d
administer grant funds at the local, state and federal levels . Each of these various fundin g
sources has particular requirements that must be adhered to or criteria that must be maintaine d
in order to receive funding . Examples of these requirements include :
o Maintaining a minimum 20% farebox recovery ratio for transit operating costs .
o Maximum 50% use of federal funding (dollar for dollar match) for operatin g
assistance .
o Various local matching requirements for capital projects that range from 10 -
20%.
2007 2008 2009 2010 201 1
Interest on Investments $4,800 $6,381 $55,900 $5,100 $5,600
Grant s
STATE TDA (LTF,STA)$ 1,546,100 $ 1,598,100 .. $ 1,139,500 $992,400 $ 1,046,200
Other Grants (ARRA,Pro p
1B, other)
$5,000 $683,600 $-$979,100 $ 1,290,300
Federal Transi t
Administratio n
Fare s
Fares & Service Charges
$473,00 0
$505,500
$ 1,421,30 0
$516,400
$ 2,080,00 0
$623,800
$ 1,331,000
$584,900
$ 2,663,500
$592,800
Other Revenue
Total :
$260,50 0
$ 2,794,900
$4,000
$ 4,229,800
$13,20 0
$ 3,912,400
$(33,000)
$ 3,859,500
$22,50 0
$ 5,620,900
Genera lGovernmen t$357,20 012%2011 Expenses By Typ e
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2012 SID tRanSlt ° I+aCtS AnO I :ICU1 cs
As a result of the ever-turbulent State budget situation and the continued delay in Federa l
Transportation budget authorizations, the Transit Fund has recently been impacted i n
forecasting budgets as we move into each fiscal year. This situation is not likely to change due t o
a number of factors including the state of the economy, the continuing problems at the Federa l
level in passing budgets on time and with priorities, and the continued conversion o f
transportation grants, particularly for capital, to competitive processes .
Transit Funding Source s
State Federa l
•Transportation Development Act(TDA)•Federal Transit Administratio n
•State Transit Assistance (FTA )
•Proposition 1B •American Recovery an d
•Public Transportation Modernization Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Improvement Account (PTMISEA )
•State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP )
•California Emergency Management Agency (CA L
EMA)
System Farebox Revenues by Source
2007 2008 2009 2010 201 1
Cash Fares $121,296 $127,230 $137,103 $140,784 $126,00 0
Trolley Cash $6,852 $6,815 $9,320 $6,648 $6,00 0
Prado Tokens $5,690 $7,570 $17,707 $24,084 $12,600
Downtown Access Pass $-9,500
General passes $44,675 $49,480 $49,233 $51,198 $ `51,709
Script/Promo Pass $7,700 $2,745 $1,910 $2,319 $2,342
Other Pass $(2,677)$557 $5,643 $(275)$6,00 0
Cal Poly $322,000 $322,000 $391,600 $341,610 $351,900
SLORTA Regional Pass $-$-
$516,400
$11,190
623,800
$18,500
$584,900
$26,75 6
$592,800Total:,$505,500 ,
Source : Year End Transit Cha n ge In Worki ng Ca p ital Actuals
Intelligent Transport Systems and Social Medi a
Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) & OTvia 2
In 2009/10 the City replaced SLO Transit's antiquated Efficient Deployment of Advanced Public
Transportation Systems (EDAPTS) which functioned as our bus information and locator system .
At that time, the EDAPTS system was over eight years old and performed intermittently due t o
old, outdated equipment and limited maintenance support . A new AVL system was chosen ,
Digital Recorders, Inc . (DRI) which uses fixed end equipment and software (including covert
4
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2012 sl.t)transit facts anc IIC UTzes
alarms) along with an internet based passenger access system (Otvia) which includes real tim e
bus information and locator .
Existing EDAPTS signs and equipment were retrofit and updated to integrate with the ne w
system and reinstalled at the Downtown Transit Center and on Cal Poly campus at Kenned y
Library . All new SLO Transit vehicles include equipment manufactured by DRI . This equipmen t
operates the automatic bus stop announcement system on the newer buses as well as the o n
time location devices used for the AVL system . The AVL system was funded using $405,000 o f
2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding and did not require any local match .
Transit system on time performance is a key performance indicator and the goal is for all routes
to operate at or above 95% on time . A bus is considered late if it is running ten or more minute s
from the printed route schedule departure time . The AVL system automatically tracks an d
reports system performance and SLO Transit routes individually and as a system consistentl y
average 96% or higher . On time performance is reviewed and evaluated on a monthly basis a s
part of the operations and maintenance contract with First Transit .
SLO Transit Automated Vehicle Location Syste m
Digital Recorders ®OTvia2 ®provides a new level of convenience and confidence to the ridin g
public . Rather than relying on traditional paper schedules, passengers can now be informed o f
arrival predictions in real time via their computer or smart phone .
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2012 sl.O tRanSlt -}-acts anO fIquPE:S
Online Vehicle Tracking available at :,,*.tlsclt~ctll a
OTvia2 e is web-based and independent of the City's
computing platform, universally empowering our passenger s
with the tools they need to optimize their time .By
incorporating standard Google'M maps and controls, OTviaf
provides a bus location interface that is both instantly familia r
and always up-to-date .
2:26 pm Kennedy Library Arrly
Kennedy Library Depar t
2:39pm Downtown Transit CV Arrive
245 pm L owetto-v s : Y ...it Ctr Depart
2:50 pm California/Taft
2:56 pm Kennedy Library Arrive
3 :02 pm ffi(ennedy Library Depart
3:09 pm Downtown Transit Cts kris
3 :15 pm Downtown Transit Ctr Depart
SLO Bus Tracker Mobile Ap p
I;kg!711 2:20
Tap to select route
7112:2 1
Olt a Tap to seI e
6
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Cal Poly Subsidy Contract and Partnershi p
Cal Poly passengers represent over sixty-two percent (62%) of the annual trips on SLO Transit .
Cal Poly encourages students, faculty and staff to utilize the SLO Transit system as part of it s
overall transportation sustainability strategies and as a convenience to its students . Strong Ca l
Poly ridership assists the City in capturing transportation funding from various state and federa l
sources in addition to the subsidy paid directly by Cal Poly . These funds allow the City to provid e
a more frequent transportation service to the entire San Luis Obispo community .
Cal Poly Crush Loads Upper Level
on the Double Deck Bus – Lower Leve l
The City and Cal Poly renegotiated a five year subsidy agreement to ensure free rides on the SL O
Transit system in 2011 . This agreement continues the very positive relations between th e
University and City in promoting transit ridership and reduced vehicle dependence in an d
around the City . The following shows the annual subsidy allocations to be provided by th e
University for the next five years .
FY Subsidy % Increas e
2010-11 *$351,858 *Agreement renegotiate d
2011-12 $380,000 8 .0 %
2012-13 $395,200 4 .0%
2013-14 $403,104 2 .0 %
2014-15 $415,197 3 .0%
2015-16 $427,653 3,0%
Total Payments $2,021,154
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2012 SI.O T;12dl1Slt acts anO Nunes
Where to Buy Passe s
SLO Transit works with SLO Regional Rideshare, RTA , other transit operators and privat e
consignment locations to sell passes to the SLO Transit System . Online passes can be purchase d
at ur r"~w..rg/p ur th s y ur s ,s x .
San ,.11 i Obispo Area Pass Out et s
Albarrtso
Albertson s
SLO Transit passe s
Corner of Foothill Boulevard and Broad Street, Sa n
Luis Obisp o
San Luis Obisp o
Chamber of Commerce
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerc e
SLO Transit passes
1039 Chorro Street,San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMEN T
t ,...,l le .
San Luis Obispo Public Work s
RTA, SCAT & SLO Transit passe s
976 Osos Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
805-781-5252
;Your Pas s
N,L .cs iLe
:ek.v IL e19 RlcySur carter: cha92 0Ply 'ismq`ace,L,act?r.er0.
i E u 9191 e-rl<v.oe a1P sc..::a Jta c$L
'w
aFGG~;J e
it Le a eE ci>cacOt L aa:e 2 .:,S Pe :fe of SLL Le
Leas LLsl •,L .",ri '.inct Ce loPiece4.,dr r ! eee 1'-ur paa :11cc One ultfe pune(elpeeee `V
_c2....a'.
:
lie 1241, Psee Iliac Pd1C1ee eLd FAG',.
1Jtt'xi Cie i':nx,,t„
SLO Ten~~elt 31 Day Angle r
ir...i_lLY, o an LL'e 01921 en 11 _LG'1'e~1 ;,l'411,1
Regional Rideshare Pass Sales Webpag e
V'OS'tg -ides har or 'our)E s f )4
8
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2012 SLO to \flSlt (~ACtS A11C>f lOLIRCS .
San ILui Obispo Area Pass u lets (con
OKJ O
San Luis Obispo Finance Department at City Hall
SLO Transit passe s
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
RTA & SCAT passe s
179 Cross Street, Suite A, San Luis Obispo, C A
93401 805-781-447 2
Look for the silver building with the bright red roof !
$A PI L T 8
~~i 1c'[.(
a 1 P 0
Cal Poly State University
RTA, SCAT & SLO Transit passe s
(Students, Faculty, and Emeritus only )
Cashiers Office, Administrative Buildin g
X„Y A-;:~-1
Cuesta College
RTA, SCAT & SLO Transit passe s
(Students and Faculty only )
Main Cashier, Administrative Buildin g
Rabobank
Raboban k
RTA & SCAT passe s
2276 Broad St ., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, o r
75 Santa Rosa St ., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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March 2012
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2012 Sl0 tRMISlt dinO liquiie S
SLO Transit Organization Char t
City Counci l
Mass Transportatio n
Committe e
Public Works Departmen t
Directo r
Deputy Directo r
How to Reach Us :
John Webste r
Transit Manage r
805-781-712 1
San Luis Obispo Transi t
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California 9340 1
www .slotransit .org
Transi t
Manager
City Council
Mayor :Jan Mar x
Vice-Mayor :Dan Carpente r
Council Members :
Andrew Carte r
Kathy Smit h
John Ashbaug h
Moss Transportatio n
Committe e
Chair :Elizabeth Thyn e
Vice-Chair :Stanley Yucika s
March 2012 Page J 16
S1 0
Jody Fre y
Susan Rain s
Jean Lon g
Todd Kat z
Art Apruzzes e
Louise Justic e
Jonathan Ellis
(Disabled )
(Cal Poly )
(Student )
(Member at Large )
(Technical )
(Alternate )
(Alternate )
Committee Members :Transit Assistan t
Transit Intern .5 FTE