WHERE AND WHEN YOU NEED IT On-Demand TRANSIT STRATEGY 2017 Effective: July 2017 York Region Transit On-Demand Transit Strategy | 3 Contents Appendices Executive Summary ............................................................4 A – DAR Routes and Implementation Dates .................. 18 Overview ...............................................................................6 B – On-Demand Service Hours by Route 1.1 Vision for Future On-Demand Transit Service......6 as of July 2017 ............................................................... 19 1.2 Purpose......................................................................6 C – Manual vs. Reported Ridership Counts for Conventional DAR Routes ( March 2017 )............ 20-21 1.3 Objectives ..................................................................6 D – Dial-a-Ride ridership and cost comparison Background Information ....................................................6 ( July to December 2016 ) ......................................22-23 1.4 History of Dial-a-Ride...............................................6 E – Mobility Plus DAR Program cost by route ( July to December 2016 ) ............................................25 1.5 Existing Dial-a-Ride Service in York Region .........6 F – Benefits and Challenges to Current 1.6 Dial-a-Ride Performance ........................................7 On-Demand Transit Service by Route ................26-29 1.6.1 Daily Average Dial-a-Ride Ridership ( Route Comparison ) ................................................7 G – Current Technology Limitations ............................... 31 1.6.2 Ridership comparison .............................................7 1.6.3 Fleet capacity ............................................................8 H – Process Mapping Figure 12-1 1.6.4 Actual cost .................................................................8 Process for DAR 61 – King ..........................................32 1.7 Benefits and Challenges ..........................................8 H – Process Mapping Figure 12-2 Process for DAR 56 – Newmarket ............................33 Technology ...........................................................................8 H – Process Mapping Figure 12-3 1.8 Current Technologies...............................................8 Process for DAR North ..............................................34 1.8.1 RouteMatch ...............................................................8 1.8.1.1 Tap Ride ( Doublemap ) .............................................8 H – Process Mapping Figure 12-4 – Process for 1.8.2 Technology requirements .......................................8 DAR Zone ( 31 / 32 / 84 ) – Aurora / Oak Ridges, Route 15 Stouffville, Route 44 – Bristol ....................35 1.9 Research ....................................................................9 1.9.1 Key Performance Measures I – Global Best Practices Summary ..........................36-37 for Assessing On-Demand Transit .........................9 1.9.2 Best Practices Review .............................................9 J – On-Demand Parameter Analysis Matrix ..................39 Analysis ............................................................................... 10 K – Alternative Analysis ............................................. 40-43 1.9.3 Parameter Analysis ................................................ 10 L – Proposed Standardization of Hours ................... 44-45 1.9.4 Alternative Analysis ................................................ 13 M – Factors influencing Demand 1.9.5 Proposed Implementation Strategy..................... 13 Responsive Performance ...................................46-47 1.9.6 Short Term Implementation ................................. 16 1.9.7 Medium ( 2018-2020 ) and Long Term Glossary ............................................................................. 48 Implementation ( Beyond 2020 ) ........................... 16 Works Cited ........................................................................49 4 | On-Demand Transit Strategy York Region Transit Executive Summary The objectives of the On-Demand Strategy align with York Region’s Transportation Master Plan ( TMP ) and YRT / Viva’s 2016 – 2020 Strategic Plan. On-Demand The purpose of this report is to outline a strategy Strategy objectives include: > Improving service efficiency that will guide future service delivery to low-demand > Increasing ridership > Expanding service area coverage areas and improve service efficiency. YRT / Viva > Promoting the use of public transit > Connecting customers to main transit corridors operates various Dial-a-Ride ( DAR ) models which > Continuing to develop innovative transit services Parameters for service delivery were established are the premise for the On-Demand Strategy. DAR based on current practice, external research and staff acumen. They were further selected based on their is a demand-responsive transit service whereby relevance to operational efficiency, customer value and cost effectiveness. The parameters were utilized customers call in advance to book a trip, and to qualitatively analyze each of YRT / Viva’s current on-demand DAR models. Data was used to rank the performance of each DAR model against the selected immediate local travel is provided within a specified parameters using the Mobility Plus service model as a zone where demand for transit service is limited. benchmark. Based on analysis, the zone-based service delivery The current DAR delivery models have been model out-performed all other models from a customer, cost and operational perspective. reviewed to create one On-Demand model that fully The Region’s geographic context has been considered and it is anticipated that challenges may still exist integrates the YRT / Viva Family of Services. by classifying rural, suburban and urban as one region-wide On-Demand model. The vision towards one model can still be attained with a technological platform allowing for distinctions accommodating rural customers with curb-to-stop service, and suburban / urban customers with stop-to-stop service. York Region Transit On-Demand Transit Strategy | 5 An implementation strategy identifies short ( 2017 ), Medium and long-term goals are contingent on the medium ( 2018-2020 ) and long-term ( beyond 2020 ) creation of technology for further implementation. goals. Short-term goals that were implemented in Technology will allow for service to migrate over July 2017 include: to the mobile platform. Additionally, an analysis of conventional service reduction should be completed in > Conventional Route 50A – Sutton-Pefferlaw accordance with the 2019 Transit Initiative ( TI ) process. service replaced by DAR North service on Medium and long-term initiatives include: weekdays and DAR Sutton-Pefferlaw service on weekends / holidays > An on-demand analysis to be part of the 2019 and beyond TI framework to identify existing > DAR Sutton-Pefferlaw provides on-demand low-demand conventional service service using existing stops along the former conventional Route 50A routing. Virginia Beach > A marketing plan be created that includes a Ferry Docks and the stop at Black River Road and rebranding strategy for all On-Demand transit Dalton Road have been added to the service services in York Region ( example: Orlando Lynx ) > DAR North span of service extended to provide > On-Demand service contracts be created all-day weekday service consistent with the proposed zone boundary model that integrates DAR and Mobility Plus services > The TapRide contract was not extended beyond June 30, 2017, and Route 56 DAR service was moved > The transition of Route 9 – 9th Line to DAR service, to the existing RouteMatch software as per the 2017 Annual Service Plan, be aligned with the implementation of the mobile platform > All conventional DAR service was replaced by an technology On-Demand service operated by Mobility Plus, once the contract with Care Accessible expired > Introduce On-Demand Aurora GO Shuttle service on July 31, 2017 > Standardization of operating hours > Formalize On-Demand service zones as recommended for DAR service > Align contracts to ensure language reflects both On-Demand and existing Mobility Plus service 6 | On-Demand Transit Strategy York Region Transit Overview Background Information 1.1 Vision for Future On-Demand Transit Service 1.4 History of Dial-a-Ride ( DAR ) Historical DAR implementation dates are provided in On-Demand transit in York Region will be a cost- In March 2006, the Municipality of Newmarket Appendix A. effective method to provide service to all residents in requested that YRT / Viva develop a business case for low-demand areas. It will replace conventional routes the implementation of a zone bus / DAR pilot for Route 1.5 Existing Dial-a-Ride Service in York Region identified as operating inefficiently during low-demand 44 – Bristol with a dedicated vehicle at the Newmarket There are currently three DAR service delivery models service periods. GO Bus Terminal. In June 2007, York Regional Council in which YRT / Viva operates. YRT / Viva DAR service authorized YRT / Viva to operate this pilot project. The models include: 1.2 Purpose pilot was initially funded to run for one year with an The purpose of this report is to outline a strategy that option to extend the contract for an additional year. > Stop-to-stop along a defined route will guide future service delivery to low-demand areas > Stop-to-stop within a defined service boundary and improve service efficiency. YRT / Viva operates