Meeting_Body
REVISED
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
AUGUST 18, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: PERFORMANCE UPDATES ON LINE 501 PILOT EXPRESS BUS SERVICE
ACTION: APPROVE CONTINUED OPERATION OF LINE 501 EXPRESS BUS SERVICE AND ADOPT STAFF'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE MODIFICATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. Extending Line 501 Pilot Express Bus Service for an additional 180 days; and
B. Approving modification of the service to improve scheduling efficiencies and increase service.
Issue
ISSUE
On October 2015, the Metro Board approved staff's implementation plan for a 180 day pilot bus program. The new service was expected to mitigate some of the impacts to travel in this region caused by the Interstate 5 construction expansion project in the Burbank area, as well as connect residents of the San Gabriel Valley via the Metro Gold Line to the San Fernando Valley Metro Orange and Red Lines. A new express bus service, Line 501, began service on March 1, 2016. The Board requested staff report back with a review of the operation and performance based on criterion established at the start of service.
Line 501 was designed to be a frequent service that provided quick service connecting the Orange Line with the Gold Line with few stops in high demand areas such as the Burbank Media District and Glendale. The route was placed on the freeways as much as possible to expedite travel. Caltrans assisted by providing revised HOV entrance and exit locations so this bus service could enter the HOV lanes as soon as possible.
In the implementation report approved by the Board, it was recommended that the performance of the new express line should be at least 25 passengers per revenue bus hour, which is half of the Metro system average of 50 passengers per revenue bus hour. At the rate of 25 passengers per bus hour, this line was expected to attract 1,750 riders on an average week day. If performance measures could not be achieved, it was stated ...
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