SR-1000-001-06 (4)
B BB :TD:J BC:JS: pc:f:\trans\admin\cou ncil\LinebyLineOO. wpd
Council Meeting: October 10, 2000
OCT 1 0
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute
a Contract with First Transit, Inc. to Undertake a Line-by-Line Analysis of
Transit Service, a Five Year Plan for a Service Improvement Program, and
a Fare Restructuring Evaluation.
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute an agreement with First Transit, Inc. for a line-by-line analysis of transit service,
a five year plan for a service improvement program, and a study of fare revenue generating
options.
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 triennial Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP), an
eligibility requirement for federal and state funding. A new service improvement program
is developed every four years to prioritize strategic service goals. A revenue study will
determine how the Big Blue Bus can maintain compliance with state and local farebox
recovery requirements
The analysis includes an on and off passenger count at every stop for every trip on every
route, a transfer count by route and an on-board passenger survey on all routes to
determine the type of fare paid, origin and destination locations, and demographic data.
The line-by-Iine analysis will be completed in May 2001 and will be used in the
development of the service improvement program (SIP). The SIP will define a phased
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OCT 1 0 200f)
implementation of modifications to routes and schedules justified by the line-by-Iine
analysis. The evaluation of fare generating options will determine how BBB can maintain
a farebox recovery ratio of at least 38 percent of the cost of operations, while meeting
service demands.
The BBB advertised the RFP in the August 7th and August 14th issues of Passenger
Transport magazine. Request for Proposals (RFP) were then sent to 65 consulting firms
specialized in transit operations analysis, transit planning, and financial planning. The two
firms that submitted proposals were Weslin Consulting Services, Inc., and First Transit, Inc.
The proposals were 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.
Both proposals were similar in price. First Transit's scope of work and past performance
were superior and their passenger counting process is automated and thorough, ensuring
the highest level of data accuracy. First Transit's proposal included a higher number of
survey hours which will assure a better assessment. Finally, First Transit's personnel has
extensive experience with similar operational analyses of fixed route transit systems. The
project manager's transportation planning experience exceeds the other proposers' primary
managers. Their proposed manager for the fare restructuring evaluation has completed
a variety of financial plans and studies for transit systems across the country. The firm
produced high quality work on time and on budget for the two previous line-by-Iine
analyses for the Big Blue Bus.
Budget/Financial Impact
The First Transit, Inc. proposal forthis project is $169,861.74. Budgetary authorization for
this expenditure is contained in Transportation Account Number 41659.555068.
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