2016 Metro Transit Service Policies and Standards
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2016 Metro Transit Service Policies & Standards TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. 4 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................ 4 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE & BACKGROUND ........................................... 8 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 2015 Peer Review Committee (PRC) (Formerly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee BRC) .................................................................................................................. 9 1.3 Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 10 1.4 Background ........................................................................................................................... 11 1.5 APTA Peer Review Committee .................................................................................... 14 SECTION 2: DESIGNING A REGIONAL TRANSIT NETWORK .................................... 15 2.1 Key Principles of Network Design ............................................................................... 15 2.2 Markets Served ................................................................................................................... 18 2.3 Transit Service Classifications ...................................................................................... 18 2.4 Metro Transit Service Types ......................................................................................... 19 2.5 Alternative Service Delivery Options ......................................................................... 22 2.6 Facilities ................................................................................................................................ 22 SECTION 3: SERVICE DESIGN GUIDELINES ....................................................................... 25 3.1 Metro Service Councils .................................................................................................... 25 3.2 Service Design ..................................................................................................................... 27 3.3 Customer Information & Amenities ............................................................................ 39 SECTION 4: SERVICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION ................................................... 45 4.1 Service Performance Indicators .................................................................................... 45 4.2 Route Performance Index ............................................................................................... 49 4.3 Service Change Performance Evaluation .................................................................... 50 1 2016 Metro Transit Service Policies & Standards 4.4 Service Policy Regarding Realignment of Metro and Municipal Bus Service50 SECTION 5: IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN ............................................................................. 53 5.1 Changes to the Rapid Bus Network ............................................................................. 54 5.2 Goals and Objectives ........................................................................................................ 55 5.3 System and Service Evaluation ...................................................................................... 56 5.4 Develop Service Draft Restructuring Plan ............................................................... 56 SECTION 6: SERVICE CHANGE PROCESS ............................................................................. 58 6.1 Title VI Equity Analysis .................................................................................................. 59 6.2 Public Outreach .................................................................................................................. 61 6.3 Public Hearing Process .................................................................................................... 63 6.4 Implementing Minor Changes on an Interim Basis ............................................... 64 SECTION 7: CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................ 65 APPENDICES ....................................................................................................................................... 66 APPENDIX A: 2015 PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS .......................... 67 APPENDIX B: METRO LINE IDENTIFICATION ...................................................... 68 General Standards .............................................................................................................................. 68 Printed Materials and Electronic Customer Information .................................................... 68 Bus Stop Signage: ................................................................................................................................ 68 Vehicle Headsigns ............................................................................................................................... 69 Automatic Voice Announcements ................................................................................................. 69 Assigning Line Identifiers ............................................................................................................... 69 APPENDIX C: METRO RAPID PROGRAM SERVICE WARRANTS ................. 71 Corridor Alignment ............................................................................................................................ 71 Stop Location ....................................................................................................................................... 71 Transit Priority ................................................................................................................................... 72 2 2016 Metro Transit Service Policies & Standards Rapid Vehicle Fleet ............................................................................................................................ 72 Service Frequencies ............................................................................................................................ 72 Service Span .......................................................................................................................................... 72 APPENDIX D: TYPICAL BUS STOP/ZONE DESIGN AND GUIDELINES .... 73 APPENDIX E: SCHOOL TRIPPER SERVICE CHANGE PROCEDURES .......... 78 APPENDIX F: LOS ANGELES COUNTY LOCAL FIXED ROUTE TRANSIT OPERATORS ...................................................................................................................... 79 APPENDIX G: SERVICE CHANGE PROCESS ............................................................. 81 Metro Rapid Stop 3 2016 Metro Transit Service Policies & Standards EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Transportation Service Policy (TSP) document sets forth the policies, principles and requirements that will be used by Metro staff in the design or modification of the current service network in order to better serve our customers and make better use of available operating resources. Follow-on analyses will determine the actual service changes to be made in accordance with the requirements of the public review process. This document updates the 2012 version previously adopted by the Board. BACKGROUND On June 25, 2015, the Metro Board of Directors (Board) was given an update on the short- and long-term fiscal capacity of the agency.1 The overall assessment of the agency’s financial health is that both the capital and operating program is at risk given: The potential for economic downturn could trigger a recession event. Already signs are appearing that bids for capital projects are coming in higher than anticipated and operating costs are rising faster than the Consumer Price Index (CPI); Borrowing strategies which use the capacity of Propositions A and C are at risk because fares are not keeping pace with costs, and the demand for ACCESS Services transportation for the elderly and disabled are growing; New revenue sources are an important component for the agency’s fiscal stability. All told, for the period from FY2015 to FY2024, nearly $1.8 billion in projects have been added to the Short Range Transportation Plan (SRTP), which, when combined with the need for specialized services for individuals that cannot use public transportation among other items, has created the potential for a $1.0 billion operating shortfall. A fare increase would help keep the projected shortfall to the estimated $1.0 billion mark. However, if fares remain flat, if ADA costs continue to rise, and/or the region experiences an economic downturn, the potential exists for the shortfall to more than double to $2.1 billion within the same period. In short, the potential exists for Metro to be unable to support the very critical services needed by the residents and visitors of Los Angeles County. In March 2015, the Board directed staff to look at ways to innovate and redesign the service system to better meet the changing needs of the Los Angeles region. The principles outlined in the TSP are intended to carry the agency forward over the next 5-10 year period and will support improvements to Metro’s core services.