SR-1000-001-08 (3)
BBB:SN:JdM:PC:f\trans\admin\council\LineAnalysis.doc
Council Meeting: September 9, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Agreement with Perteet Engineering, Inc. to Undertake a Line-by-Line
Analysis of Transit Service and to Prepare a Three-Year Plan for a
Service Improvement and Efficiency Program
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a professional services agreement in the amount of $143,973 with Perteet
Engineering, Inc. to prepare a line-by-line analysis of transit service and to develop a
Service Improvement and Efficiency Program for Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus.
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. A new service improvement program
is developed every three years to prioritize strategic service goals.
The line-by-line analysis includes on and off passenger 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
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priorities for service improvement from the passengers’ point of view, and demographic
data. The line-by-line and passenger survey analysis will be completed in April 2004
and will be used to identify potential modifications to routes and schedules. A survey of
users of the Big Blue Bus web site, a study of potential opportunities to expand the
employer sponsored transit card program and community transit enhancements are
also included in the scope of work.
DISCUSSION
The BBB advertised the RFP in Passenger Transport magazine, a national
transportation trade magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. A Request for Proposal
(RFP) was sent to 19 consulting firms specialized in transit operations analysis, transit
planning, and financial planning. Four proposals were submitted. 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.
Based on the evaluation, staff recommends that the agreement be awarded to Perteet
Engineering, Inc. Perteet demonstrated superior understanding of potential
applications of line-by-line data in the service planning process and the best ability to
identify potential service opportunities using geographic information systems in
conjunction with 2000 Census data and ridership data. Perteet’s record in performing
similar studies for other transit agencies illustrates a sound approach to planning transit
improvements and efficiencies that is based on a firm understanding of operational
constraints and community needs.
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Budget/Financial Impact
Perteet Engineering’s proposed cost for this project is $143,973. Budgetary
authorization for this expenditure iscontained in the FY2003-04 budget at account
number 41643.555068.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement in the amount of $143,973 with Perteet
Engineering, Inc. to prepare a line-by-line analysis of transit services and to develop a
Service Improvement and Efficiency Program for Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus.
Prepared by : Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Janeene de Martinez, Assistant Director, Transit Finance and
Business Services
Paul Casey, Senior Transit Programs Analyst
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