SR-1000-001 (4)~_ . .
City Council Report
~ City of
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: September 26, 2006
Agenda {tem: 1-C
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Professional Services Contract with Perteet Engineering, Inc. to
Undertake a Line-by-tine Analysis of Transit Service and Preparation of a
Three-Year Service Improvement and Efficiency Program
Recommended Action
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with Perteet Engineering, Inc. to undertake
a line-by-line analysis of transit service and to prepare a three-year service
improvement and efficiency program in an amount not to exceed $159,346.
Executive Summary
Every three years, the Big Blue Bus conducts a line-by-line analysis which is used to
identify potential modifications to routes and schedules for inclusion in the Short Range
Transit Plan. This analysis includes passenger surveys and detailed passenger counts
throughout the system. The last analysis was completed in 2003. A study of potential
opportunities to expand the employer sponsored transit card program and improved
transit connections befinreen neighborhoods within the City are also included in the
scope of work. Funds for the analysis are contained in the adopted budget for FY2006-
07.
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Discussion
Background
Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus undertakes a line-by-line analysis every three years to
obtain data required for the development of the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP), an
eligibility requirement for federal and state funding. The federal and state authorities
reviewing the SRTP are largely concerned with projected service improvements in the
context of social equity goals. The Service Improvement Efficiency Plan develops
overall strategies and priorities based on current and projected travel needs in the
service area and serves as a detailed planning guide focused on implementation of
service changes. Because data requirements for the two documents overlap, they are
produced in the same triennial time frame.
The line-by-line analysis includes passenger boarding and alighting counts at every stop
for every trip on every route, the number of passengers who ride each segment of each
route, a transfer count by route, and the schedule adherence of every trip in the system.
The on-board passenger survey consists of an in-depth questionnaire distributed on all
routes to determine the type of fare paid, trip origin and destination locations, the
priorities for service improvement from the passengers' point of view, and demographic
data.
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Contractor/Consultant Selection
The BBB advertised the RFP in Passenqer Transport magazine, a national
transportation trade magazine. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent to 17 consulting
firms specializing in transit operations analysis, transit planning, and financial planning.
One proposal was submitted. The proposal was evaluated by staff based on the
following criteria: 1) understanding of project requirements; 2) responsiveness and
thoroughness of proposal; 3) experience of the firm and personnel; and 4) past
perFormance in conducting similar projects.
Based on the evaluation, staff recommends Perteet Engineering, Inc. to complete this
project. Perteet demonstrated excellent understanding of potential applications of line-
by-line data in the service planning process and the ability to identify potential service
opportunities using geographic information systems in conjunction with the most recent
data from the US Census and other sources. Perteet's record in perForming similar
studies for other transit agencies as well as for Big Blue Bus in 2003 illustrates a sound
approach to planning transit improvements and efficiencies that is based on a firm
understanding of operational constraints and community needs.
Public Outreach
Perteet staff will participate in a series of community outreach meetings to be conducted
by Big Blue Bus in the winter of 2007 to present findings of the line-by-line analysis and
to incorporate concerns and suggestions of riders and members of the community at
large in the overall study.
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Budqet/Financial Impact
Funds in the amount of $159,346 are available in account 41643.555068.
Prepared by:
Paul Casey, Senior Transit Programs Analyst, Big Blue Bus
Approved:
St~anie Negriff ~
Di ctor of Transit Services
Forwarded to Council:
afi~ont Ewell
Manager
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