Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 12, 2012
Metro seeks public input to maximize Metrobus service
Better Bus program matching capacity to demand, improving reliability
Metro plans to conduct public hearings in October on a slate of Metrobus service changes that will improve service for many customers without increasing operating expense. The Metrobus service adjustments are part of Metro’s commitment to invest $5 million to provide customers with ‘better bus’ service, the biggest improvement to bus service in five years.
“Over time, neighborhoods grow, workplace locations change, and travel patterns shift,” said Tom Downs, Metro Board of Directors’ Customer Service and Operations Committee Chair. “To serve our customers efficiently, our bus services must change with the region. In the simplest terms, we have to put the buses where most riders need them.”
The current proposal the public will be asked to review includes input from bus route studies, feedback from customers and the jurisdictions, as well as data on population, ridership and development. Customer input through public hearings will help shape the final plan before it is implemented. Under the current plan, 15 customers will see improvements for every one customer who might experience an adverse impact.
“This is an opportunity to make Metrobus service work smarter and harder without adding vehicles or cost,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “We are confident that with the public’s assistance we can improve commutes for bus customers throughout the region.”
Highlights of the improvements and changes include:
- Adding trips to reduce crowding
- Adjusting schedules in response to changing ridership
- Adding evening and weekday trips
- Reducing unproductive and underutilized routes
- Potential benefits of the improvements include improved service for customers, increased ridership and revenue, more efficient use of buses and improved on-time performance.
Metrobus carried more than 132 million trips in Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012), an increase of 7 million over the previous year.
Under the current proposal, Metro would:
- Convert one route to limited stop MetroExtra service and begin limited stop MetroExtra service on Saturday on another route
- Reroute four routes to serve new markets
- Discontinue non-productive service on ten routes
- Implement study recommendations on seventeen routes?
- Alter service in conjunction with the Silver Line opening on eleven routes
With the Board of Director's approval, public hearings would be held in late October, followed by a review of feedback. It is expected that service changes would be implemented beginning in March 2013.
News release issued at 11:58 am, September 12, 2012.