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City of C'ty ~®~~V~' ~\~p®~ i
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: April 13, 2010
Agenda Item: ~ -~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director Transit Services
Subject: On-Street Bus Stop Signage
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with CHK America in the amount of $179,550 to develop and design
new on-street bus stop signage and for on-going maintenance services to support these
signs during service changes.
Executive Summary
The Big Blue Bus (BBB) recommends contracting with CHK America, a leader in
information strategies for public transit, to redesign the Big Blue Bus system map and
eye-level signs at 1,200 bus stops. The redesign will create maps in a "spider diagram"
format with timetable information included. This format features information specific to
each bus stop, thereby reducing on-street clutter by decreasing the number of signs and
sign holders needed. This new format supports BBB's ongoing bus stop re-development
program. The contract/purchase order amount to be awarded to CHK America is $179,550,
of which $20,000 is for on-going design support when service changes require information
to be updated.
Background
On January 19, 2010 Council approved the rough schematic design of an improved bus
stop program. Part of this program included redesigning the customer information
available at bus stops to decrease clutter, reduce printing costs, and make information
easier to read and understand. There are over 1,200 bus stops in the Big Blue Bus
system which will need redesigned maps and timetables. ,
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Discussion
Bus stops are no longer just a place to wait for a bus, but are "store windows" that
convey brand messaging and are an important part of the experience of riding. public.
transit. They also impact the city streetscape and can add to a city's image. A primary
goal of the bus stop redevelopment project is to reduce clutter while at the same time
creating public information at stops that is easily readable and user-friendly. "Spider
diagrams" with integrated timetable information result in a better experience for transit
users. Each sign will show the bus line(s) that stop at that particular location, the
direction of travel, estimated time to travel the remainder of the line, and arrival times of
buses for that specific stop.
Because the "spider diagram" style is stop-specific, it conveys the same amount of
information as current signs using less than half the materials. For example, where the
current style may require three different panels of information to convey route and
schedule information for one bus line, the new style can consolidate the same
information into just one panel, thereby reducing costs of printing, sign frames, and
labor to install, while more effectively communicating information to riders.
An example of the recommended "spider diagram" style can be found in Attachment A.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
This contractor was selected using a sole source request as CHK America uses a
proprietary product and has a U.S. patent and trademark for the "spider diagram"
format.
CHK America is part of the Cook, Hammond and Kell Group (CHK), a leader. in
transportation mapping and passenger information for over 150 years. CHK has grown.
into one of the most prominent mapping and passenger information companies in
Europe and the United States, and is a provider of high quality maps, guides,
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timetables, and Internet-based services for public transportation authorities and local
governments throughout the world.
The trademarked "spider diagram" product was created by CHK for Transport for
London, one of the largest and most complex mass transit systems in the world. CHK
has over 130 clients, including Los Angeles .County Metro, Chicago Regional
Transportation Authority (RTA), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(WMATA), Austin Capital Metro, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), and Maryland MTA.
CHK America offers a unique service in that they can accept files from the Big Blue
Bus's scheduling software program and convert it directly into public information saving
time, money, and ensuring accuracy.
The scope of work for the City of Santa Monica is production of eye-level spider-
diagram maps and .schedules for every stop within the Big Blue Bus' 51 square mile
service area. Each of the over 1,200 stops will have specific timetable information
noting bus arrivals at that stop along with a simple to read map showing travel times
between stops along the line. These new maps will be installed with the new passenger
amenities being designed as part of the Bus Stop Redevelopment Program. Installation
of the new bus stops is expected to begin in FY2010-11.
Public Outreach
Over 17 different meetings were held between January and March of 2010 to show the
rough conceptual designs of the bus stop redevelopment program. Both public meetings
and meetings with Business Improvement Districts, Neighborhood Associations, and
boards including the Disabilities Commission, Architectural Review Board and the
Commission for the Senior Community were held. Each of the meetings featured a
review of the proposed new stop information and response was. overwhelmingly positive
about the new style and content of information to be used at bus stops.
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Additionally, a sample of the sign was made available online at www.BigBlueBus.com
and public feedback was invited. Several other transit and architecture related websites
also linked the Big Blue Bus web page, and feedback from those sites was positive as
well.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract amount to be awarded to CHK America is $179,550. Funds are included in the
FY2010-11 budget at account 0410114.589000. This amount includes $20,000 in on-
going maintenance support for changes to public information that occurs during annual
services changes: Additional changes after this will come from Customer Relations
division operating budget.
Prepared by: Dan Dawson, Transit Customer Relations Administrator
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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'L.9c~,t.~_ ~ ,
Ste~slh nie Negriff
Dire r of Transit Services
Attachments:
Rod Gould
City Manager
A. Sample of new eye-level using spider diagram
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Reference Contract No.
9196 (CCS).