Beaver County Transit

Transcription

1 Beaver County Transit Authority

2 Who am I? Kristen Sheleheda, Supervisor of Planning and Service Quality Primary duties: Design routing and scheduling for fixed and flexible route services Track and analyze service data and statistics Apply for and administer grant funding Oversee the customer service function Maintain local agency relationships

3 What is BCTA? Beaver County Transit Authority Incorporated by the Beaver County Board of Commissioners in 1980 Prior to incorporation, public transportation in Beaver County was operated by: Port Authority of Allegheny County Greater Aliquippa Transit Authority (GATA) Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, and Assorted local human service agencies BCTA s Purpose: to acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain and operate, own, [and/or] lease all facilities necessary or incidental for the operation of a mass transportation system.

4 What is BCTA? BCTA: Purchases and maintains vehicles Hires, trains, and supervises drivers, dispatchers, mechanics, and administrative staff Plans and operates transit service Constructs, operates, and maintains transitrelated facilities Provides information to customers, not only with respect to our services, but with respect to other mobility services as well

5 What is BCTA? Three principal types of service offered: Fixed routes operate by a set routing and schedule (Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 11) Demand And Response Transit operate on varying routing and scheduling according to customer needs (more personalized but more expensive) Flexible routes include both a fixed and demand-responsive component (Route 8 Midland)

6 How are Transit Services Funded? Federal funds: Primarily restricted to capital improvements Replacement vehicles or fleet expansion Construction of facilities Purchase of fixed equipment (computers, fareboxes, telephones) Allocated based on complex formulas including population, service area size, and ridership Also include dedicated earmarks from elected officials

7 How are Transit Services Funded? State funds: Provide for both capital improvements and operating expenses Fuel Wages and benefits Vehicle maintenance Come from a variety of sources Slow growth and inconsistency in these sources Slow growth and inconsistency in these sources has brought about a transit funding crisis in Pennsylvania

8 How are Transit Services Funded? Local funds: Provide mostly for operating expenses Allow us to subsidize DART fares for certain customer groups In our case, these are provided by Beaver County, but they can also come from individual municipalities or a local sales tax These are important because they not only help us to operate, but also indicate a hometown investment in and commitment to transit

9 How are Transit Services Funded? Passenger fares: Offset our reliance on federal, state, and local subsidies Usually set far below market price of service Transit agencies are increasingly being judged by elected officials and taxpayers on their ability to recover a high percentage of their operating costs through these fares Sound route planning and fare policies help to increase this percentage

10 BCTA Fixed Routes Route 1 Control cities: Chippewa to Pittsburgh General routing: State Routes 18, 51, and 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) Connects to: Routes 2, 3, 6, 8, and 11 at the Rochester Transportation Center Route 2 and Port Authority 16A and OV at Ambridge Park and Ride Numerous Port Authority routes in Pittsburgh

11 BCTA Fixed Routes Route 2 Control cities: Rochester to Ambridge General routing: State Route 18, Brodhead Road, and local streets in Aliquippa and Ambridge Connects to: Routes 1, 3, 6, 8, and 11 at the Rochester Transportation Center Routes 4 and 6 at the Expressway Travel Center (in Center Township) Route 6 at Green Garden Plaza Route 1 and Port Authority 16A and OV at Ambridge Park and Ride

12 BCTA Fixed Routes Route 3 Control cities: Rochester to Pittsburgh General routing: State Routes 51 and 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) limited stops Monday through Friday Only 2 peak inbound trips 2 peak outbound trips Connects to: Routes 1, 2, 6, and 11 at the Rochester Transportation o Center Numerous Port Authority routes in Pittsburgh

13 BCTA Fixed Routes Route 4 Control cities: Chippewa to Pittsburgh General routing: State Route 60, Parkway West, and West Busway limited stops Monday through Friday Only 4 peak inbound trips 4 peak outbound trips Connects to: Routes 2 and 6 at the Expressway Travel Center Numerous Port Authority ty routes in Pittsburgh

14 BCTA Fixed Routes Route 6 Control cities: Rochester to Robinson General routing: State Routes 18 and 60 Connects to: Routes 1, 2, 3, 8, and 11 at the Rochester Transportation Center Routes 2 and 4 at the Expressway Travel Center (in Center Township) Route 2 at Green Garden Plaza Numerous Port Authority routes throughout the Airport area

15 BCTA Fixed Routes Route 11 Control cities: Rochester to Vanport General routing: State Route 68, Dutch Ridge Road Connects to: Routes 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8 at the Rochester Transportation Center

16 What Does a Ride Cost? Fixed Route Also includes flexible route ( bus stop-to-bus s stop ) All in-county trips: $1.75 Out-of-county trips: $1.00 surcharge past Sewickley on the Route 1 ($2.75 total fare) $0.25 surcharge past Hopewell on the Route 6 ($2.00 total fare) All express trips between Beaver County and Pittsburgh: $3.50

17 Ways to Save Fixed Route Reduced fare program Intended for persons with disabilities Customer completes an application and presents verification of disability at BCTA in Rochester Customer receives a card valid for travel at half fare, rounded to the lower nickel Card valid on all Pennsylvania transit systems Temporary disability = temporary eligibility ibilit Program in effect all day, every day Customer cannot use another discounted fare payment method in tandem with this program

18 Ways to Save Fixed Route Free senior transit program Intended for persons age 65 and older Customer completes an application and presents verification of age at BCTA in Rochester Customer receives a card valid for free travel Card valid on all Pennsylvania transit systems In lieu of this card, customer can present Medicare card and proof of age Program in effect all day, every day

19 Ways to Save Fixed Route Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Intended for those eligible for Medical Assistance Customer must register with the MATP Coordinator at BCTA in Rochester Customer is then eligible for free trips on fixed route services These trips must be taken for medical purposes (appointments, treatment, prescriptions)

20 Ways to Save Fixed Route Children Age 5 and under ride free with a fare-paying passenger (limit 2) Age 6-11 ride at half-fare, rounded to the lower nickel

21 Ways to Save Fixed Route Transfers Are free and worth the base fare ($1.75 full fare/$0.85 half fare) Valid for three hours on any connecting route Not valid for return or continuing trips on the same route Customer pays applicable zone charges, if any Allows travel between any two points in the county for one reasonable fare

22 Ways to Save Fixed Route Transfers Express transfer Morning: customer pays express fare on the connecting route Boards the express route and pays no additional fare Afternoon: customer pays express fare on the express route Boards a connecting route and pays no additional fare for trips within Beaver County Transfer agreement with Port Authority in Ambridge, Aliquippa, and Airport Corridor

23 Ways to Save Fixed Route Transfer sample picture:

24 Ways to Save Fixed Route Day pass Customer purchases this directly from the di driver for $3.25 Price includes unlimited trips within Beaver County until the end of the service day Out-of-county can also use by paying the applicable surcharge Valid out-of-county - except downtown Pittsburgh Route 1 out-of-county (Leetsdale, Sewickley): adds $1.00 Route 6 out-of-county: adds $0.25

25 Ways to Save Fixed Route Day pass Eliminates the hassle of requesting and presenting transfers Unlike a transfer, the day pass can be used on return or continuing trips on the same route Non-transferable When compared to cash, offers a slight discount of 4-7% on a round trip more if the customer travels a lot during the day

26 Ways to Save Fixed Route Day pass sample picture:

27 Ways to Save Fixed Route 10+1 trip ticket Customer purchases this directly from BCTA or from one of our remote ticket outlets It is purchased for the fare value most frequently used ($1.75, $2.00, $2.75, $3.50) Good for trips at or below the purchased fare value, or can be supplemented with cash Customer pays for 10 one-way trips, and receives the 11 th trip free No expiration date Because a finite amount of trips are being purchased, this ticket can be transferred, or used to pay for multiple fares at one time (for example, you and a friend) When compared to cash, offers a discount of 9% Good for the infrequent rider

28 Ways to Save Fixed Route 10+1 trip ticket sample picture:

29 Ways to Save Fixed Route 7-day pass Customer purchases this directly from BCTA or from one of our remote ticket outlets It is purchased for the fare value most frequently used ($1.75, $2.00, $2.75, $3.50) Good for trips at or below the purchased fare value, or can be supplemented with cash Can be held until needed, and validated upon first use

30 Ways to Save Fixed Route 7-day pass Good for unlimited travel within seven consecutive days upon validation Non-transferable Price based upon ten one-way trips In this manner, when compared to cash, offers a discount of ~ 14% - more if a customer rides evenings and Saturdays Value for the frequent or everyday rider who cannot afford the purchase of a greater number of trips

31 Ways to Save Fixed Route 7-day pass sample picture:

32 Ways to Save Fixed Route 31-day pass Customer purchases this directly from BCTA or from one of our remote ticket outlets It is purchased for the fare value most frequently used ($1.75, $2.00, $2.75, $3.50) Good for trips at or below the purchased fare value, or can be supplemented with cash Like the 7-day pass, can be held until needed, and validated upon first use

33 Ways to Save Fixed Route 31-day pass Good for unlimited travel within thirty-one consecutive days upon validation Non-transferable Price based upon forty-four one-way trips In this manner, when compared to cash, offers a discount of ~ 18% - more if a customer rides evenings and Saturdays Our best value for the everyday rider

34 Ways to Save Fixed Route 31-day pass sample picture:

35 Ways to Save Fixed Route Fare cards Sold with no discount directly by BCTA and select remote ticket outlets Customer purchases as many as they need individually (phasing in sales of books of ten) Available in four values ($0.85, $1.00, $1.35, $1.75) Can be mixed and matched to make up any full or reduced fare value Good for customers who cannot or choose not to carry cash

36 Ways to Save Fixed Route Fare card sample picture:

37 Demand and Response Transit (DART) Door-to-door, advanced reservation, sharedride service provided by BCTA Covers all of Beaver County Rural area trips made Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only Ub Urban area served dmonday through hsaturday No Sunday service Hours of service: Monday and Friday: 7:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 7:30am to 9:30pm Saturday: 9:30am to 4:30pm

38 Demand and Response Transit (DART) Service available ailable to: Persons not living within ¼-mile of a BCTA fixed route Those with specialized transportation needs Daily routes and schedules vary according to y y g customer requests hence the daily schedule is a direct response to the collective demand of the market

39 Demand and Response Transit (DART) Norestrictionontripp on trip purpose rpose(canbetaken for any reason) No type of trip is given priority over another in the scheduling process Service is door-to-door, with reasonable assistance available from the driver Customer, however, must share the ride with other customers DART is not a direct point-to-point p taxi service

40 Demand and Response Transit (DART) Reservation process: Reservations are accepted Monday through hfid Friday, 800 8:00am to 300 3:00pm Reservations must be made by 12noon the working day before the trip, and up to a week in advance Customer receives a call after 3:30pm with pick-up time for the next day Actual times are within a 15-minute window of given times

41 Demand and Response Transit (DART) Cancellation process: If it is necessary to cancel a trip, this must be done by 12noon the working day before the trip This allows another customer use of the system Extenuating circumstances may be taken into consideration Failure to follow this procedure results in the assessment of a late cancellation or no-show Upon the third no-show, riding privileges are suspended until payment is made for the three no-shows $15 per trip for a total of $45

42 What Does a Ride Cost? DART Sticker price of all trips is $9.25 Many funding sources are available to subsidize the fare for certain customer groups (to be covered shortly) Transfers to the fixed route are available at no additional charge

43 Ways to Save DART Children Age 5 and under ride free with a fare-paying passenger (limit 2) Age 6-11 ride at half-fare, rounded to the lower nickel

44 Ways to Save DART Senior lottery program Intended for persons age 65 and older Customer completes an application and presents verification of age at BCTA in Rochester Customer receives a card valid for travel at a fare of $1.25 each way Pennsylvania Lottery subsidizes 85% of the general public fare Beaver County Office on Aging subsidizes the remainder, less the $1.25 co-pay

45 Ways to Save DART Beaver er County Office on Aging Intended for persons age Customer completes an application and presents verification of age at BCTA in Rochester Customer is then eligible for travel at a fare of $1.25 each way Beaver County Office on Aging subsidizes most of the general public fare For this particular group, work trips are not eligible for subsidy

46 Ways to Save DART Reduced fare program Intended for persons with disabilities traveling within urbanized parts of Beaver and Allegheny Counties Customer completes an application and presents verification i of disability at BCTA in Rochester Customer receives a card valid for travel at half of the general public fare, rounded to the lower nickel Beaver County subsidizes half of the general public fare Temporary disability = temporary eligibility

47 Ways to Save DART Rural Transportation Program for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Intended for persons with disabilities living or having travel needs in more rural areas of Beaver County Customer completes an application and submits verification of disability to BCTA in Rochester Customer eligible for travel at 23% of general public fare, rounded to the lower nickel Temporary disability = temporary eligibility Funding source of last resort

48 Ways to Save DART Human Services Development elopment Fund (HSDF) Intended for low-income persons age Customer submits an application to BCTA in Rochester Customer is then eligible for one or two free round trips on DART per week, depending on funding levels These trips must be taken to and from human service agencies and/or medical appointments

49 Ways to Save DART Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Intended for those eligible for Medical Assistance Customer must register with the MATP Coordinator at BCTA in Rochester Customer is then eligible for free trips on DART These trips must be taken for medical purposes (appointments, t treatment, t t prescriptions)

50 Ways to Save DART Other programs Clients of Beaver County Rehabilitation Center (BCRC) under certain circumstances have all or a portion of their DART fares paid by that agency Volunteers with the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) have all or a portion of their assignmentrelated DART fares subsidized by that program

51 BCTA Flexible Route Route 8 Flexible service: Bus stop-to-bus stop passengers ride according to the public timetable Door-to-door passengers riding off of the established route, but within the service area must call the DART office for a reservation These customers are given an individualized set of pick-up and drop-off off times The bus then flexes off the established route to pick the customer(s) up

52 BCTA Flexible Route Route 8 Control cities: Rochester to Midland General routing: State Route 68, Dutch Ridge Road Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: ~9:00am to ~6:30pm Saturday: ~9:15am to ~5:30pm No Sunday service Frequency: Varies, but generally every 4 hours Connects to: Routes 1, 2, 6, and 11 at the Rochester Transportation Center

53 Convenience Proximity BCTA provides service to almost 400 major destinations (shopping, housing, medical, recreation, schools, etc.) alone or in conjunction with Port Authority of Allegheny County 44% of Beaver County residents live within ¼- mile of a BCTA fixed bus route Fixed routes run along most Beaver County Main Streets DART service covers the entire County, according to need

54 Convenience Hours of service Weekday fixed route service starts at ~5:00am and continues until ~9:00pm Saturday fixed route service starts at ~8:00am and continues until ~7:00pm Some routes begin a bit later and/or end a bit earlier DART hours vary according to need Provides access to most major work shifts in Beaver County and Pittsburgh

55 Convenience Frequencyenc Most fixed route service operates on a consistent hourly headway Express services and Route 1 commuter services operate as frequently as every 30 minutes DART service operates according to need This gives the customer numerous and predictable options for traveling to and from their destination

56 Convenience Simplicity As stated earlier, most services operate according to a consistent hourly headway Easy to know when the next bus will be arriving Fare system has been greatly simplified All routes are identified by a: Number Color Shape

57 Convenience Connectivityit Fixed route services operate according to a pulse system Uses two main hubs (Rochester and Ambridge) All routes arrive and depart at about the same time Minimizes i i transfer waiting time Close connections at other hubs as well Transfer agreement with Port Authority in Ambridge, Aliquippa, and the Airport area DART trips can be timed to meet fixed routes

58 Convenience Seat availability ailabilit BCTA takes passenger loads into account when assigning vehicles to trips, or purchasing new vehicles We regularly review ridership data and add or delete service where it can be done safely Capacity is matched to demand The end result: one very seldom sees a customer standing on a BCTA bus

59 Reliability Schedule adherence No more than 1 minute ahead or 5 minutes behind schedule is considered on-time Transfers Our policies include a maximum six-minute hold at hubs to ensure that connections are made Drivers can communicate transfers to one another via an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system Vehicle maintenance A strong emphasis on preventive maintenance keeps our vehicles on the road and minimizes service interruptions

60 Accessibility All fixed route vehicles are equipped with either a wheelchair lift or ramp All DART vehicles are lift-equipped Majority of fixed route buses kneel in addition, to accommodate those with limited mobility Designated seating for those with mobility limitations Fixed route drivers announce principal timepoints for those with visual impairments

61 Accessibility Armband program to help fixed route drivers identify customers with visual impairments DART drivers will assist passengers between the door at their point of origin, the vehicle, and the door at their final destination DART drivers will also assist with a limited number of packages

62 Accessibility Written materials available ailable in alternative e formats upon request: Braille Audiotape Large print Telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) available to facilitate fixed route and DART customer service and information All staff receive sensitivity training with respect to the needs of those with disabilities

63 Safety Traffic safety Membership in the State Association for Transit Insurance, Inc. (SAFTI) Vehicle safety Our emphasis on preventive maintenance helps to uphold our safety record Passenger safety No criminal incidents on board BCTA vehicles in recent memory No reported criminal incidents at stops or facilities Drivers are a resource to passengers and have a direct link to dispatch and the authorities

64 Safety Driver training All fixed route and DART drivers undergo a rigorous safety training program before being permitted to enter revenue service Defensive driving CPR Fire safety Training also given on an ongoing g and remedial basis BCTA has successfully cut its percentage of high risk drivers since taking over operations

65 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 1: Select the route(s) needed Tips: Control cities generally listed on the front cover List of cities/towns and major destinations also generally listed on the front cover List of timepoints inside give clues as to routing (read down) Basic maps included

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67 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 2: Locate the timepoint closest to your point of origin Tips: Cities and towns along the route are listed in colored bands use these to narrow search Principal timepoints (intersections or landmarks) in each town are also listed This is the practice due to large number of stops You will find two that apply to your trip one in each direction

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69 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 3: Select your direction from point of origin Tips: Direction in the form of control cities listed in the black band at the top of the timetable As you read down, is the route traveling in the direction you need to go? This becomes easier as you develop a general understanding of the system routing

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71 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 4: Select the time you need to depart from your point of origin Tips: Read directly across from your selected timepoint to see times that the bus serves that location Depending on whether your specific stop falls before or after the timepoint, you may have to adjust your departure time slightly We recommend arriving at the bus stop several minutes ahead of schedule, e, to account for differences in setting clocks and watches

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73 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 5: Locate the timepoint closest to your destination Tips: Again, use cities/towns and timepoints to narrow your search Should have already figured out the proper direction (read down from your point of origin) Read directly across from your selected timepoint to see times that the bus serves that location

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75 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 6: Note the time you will arrive at your destination Tips: Imagine a straight vertical line it connects your departure and arrival times You can adjust one or more spaces to the left or right to tailor the times to your needs Depending on whether your specific stop falls before or after the timepoint, you may have to adjust your arrival a time slightly

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77 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 7: If needed, plan your connecting trip Tips: Bear in mind BCTA s transfer points Rochester Transportation Center Ambridge Park and Ride Expressway Travel Center Green Garden Plaza These are shown on the maps in each schedule Repeat steps 1 through 6

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79 How to Read a Bus Schedule Step 8: Return to your point of origin Tips: Start t with the connecting route, if any, then move to your initial route from earlier Reverse your direction Continue to read down the schedule to trace the routing of the bus Continue to shift left or right to find times that meet your needs Connect your departure and arrival times with a vertical line

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82 How to Locate the Bus Stop Remember, printed timetables only include major timepoints You may call BCTA for specific stops close to your origin and destination, or request a full stop list Stops are listed in the following format: MAIN STREET/CLOSEST CROSS STREET For example, Merchant Street/11 th Street means along Merchant Street, at or near 11 th Street

83 How to Locate the Bus Stop Most stops are also designated near side or far side For example, a near side stop at Merchant Street/11 th Street would mean you would wait along Merchant before the intersection with 11 th Based upon the direction the bus is traveling, it would reach you before it reaches the intersection Once you figure out where you need to wait, look for the BCTA Bus Stop sign 12 wide by 24 inches tall White, black, and blue color scheme

84 How to Locate the Bus Stop Bus stop sign sample picture:

85 How to Identify Your Bus Look at the destination sign on the front of the bus, above the windshield The signs list: Route number Final destination Major interim destinations In many cases, buses have signs along the side that list these same types of information Don t hesitate to flag down the driver and ask questions if you are unsure

86 How to Identify Your Bus Bus front destination sign sample picture:

87 How to Identify Your Bus Bus side destination sign sample picture:

88 How to Board the Bus Please be at a designated stop on-time For insurance reasons, drivers will not permit boarding at non-designated stops In most cases, drivers must adhere to a strict schedule and will not be able to wait As the bus approaches, stand close to the stop and signal the driver Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, then board at the front door If you require the bus to kneel, or the use of a wheelchair lift, please ask the driver

89 How to Pay Your Fare As you board, please have your exact fare ready in the form of cash, pass, or ticket This will help speed the boarding process and keep the bus on-time Drivers do not carry change In most cases, drivers will allow an exception to you if you do not have the full amount needed to pay your fare however, this is a one-time courtesy only You will generally not be permitted to deboard at an interim stop to get change in order to pay your fare

90 How to Pay Your Fare If paying by cash, fare cards or paper transfer: You will notice two slots on the farebox Coins are dropped in the left slot Paper media are deposited in the slot on the right To ensure that the correct fare is being paid, and help to prevent farebox breakdowns, bills, fare cards, and transfers must be unfolded before being placed into the farebox If you need to transfer to another BCTA or Port Authority bus, ask the driver for a transfer If you are purchasing a Day Pass, please notify the driver

91 How to Pay Your Fare Farebox sample picture:

92 How to Pay Your Fare If paying by magnetic pass, ticket, or BCTA transfer: There will be a small box with a slot in the top in the immediate area of the main farebox Insert your unfolded pass, ticket, or transfer arrow side down into this slot If the magnetic card is used up or expired, the box will retain it expired cards are not valid for fare payment If you have trips remaining on the card, the box will process it and pass it back to you for future use

93 How to Pay Your Fare Magnetic reader sample picture:

94 How to Conduct One s Self Conduct prohibited aboard BCTA vehicles includes, but is not limited to, the following: Refusing to pay the proper fare Harassing or threatening the driver or other passengers Using profanity Drinking alcoholic beverages or being grossly intoxicated i t to the point of the following: Harassing or disturbing others Loud or disruptive Loss of control over bodily functions

95 How to Conduct One s Self Conduct prohibited aboard BCTA vehicles includes, but is not limited to, the following: Smoking Eating Drinking Except non-alcoholic beverages from a covered, spillresistant container such as a travel mug Carrying weapons Listening to music without headphones and/or at a volume that disturbs other passengers or the driver

96 How to Conduct One s Self Conduct prohibited aboard BCTA vehicles includes, but is not limited to, the following: Lying down or occupying more than one seat Of course, we make reasonable exceptions for children and sleepy adults as space permits Loud or disruptive behavior Putting feet up on the seats Littering Defacing the vehicle or other peoples belongings Bringing animals aboard that are not service animals or are not carried in an approved pet carrier

97 How to Conduct One s Self Violationoftheser of these rules lescanres result ltinthe the following: Expulsion from the vehicle Refusal of future service Fine Arrest In general, our rules are common sense and g we expect our passengers to treat others the way they would like to be treated

98 How to De-board the Bus Shortly after the bus passes the stop before yours, pull the cord located directly above or alongside your seat A stop requested light and a bell at the front of the bus will let the driver know you want to de-board Don t hesitate to ask the driver if you need help identifying your destination Please wait to exit the bus until it comes to a complete stop

99 How to De-board the Bus De-boarding features sample pictures:

100 If You Need More Information We will be happy to assist you in person, by mail, or over the phone Rochester Transportation Center 200 West Washington Street Rochester, PA Hours of operation Phone Monday through Friday: 5:30am to 7:30pm Saturday: 10:00am to 2:00pm Fixed route questions: (724) DART: (724) TDD: (724) Answers are also available over the web: Timely service news and updates Descriptions of BCTA programs Remote ticket outlets locations Contact information Schedules and fares