Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 21, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: SYSTEMWIDE BUS NETWORK RESTRUCTURING PLAN
Action
ACTION: APPROVE MODIFICATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Modification No. 1 to Task Order No. PS878320003041, under Contract No. PS4010-3041-F-XX, with Cambridge Systematics, Inc. for additional enhancements to the systemwide bus network restructuring plan for a firm fixed price of $764,325, increasing the total Task Order value from $1,295,762 to $2,060,087, and extending the period of performance through December 30, 2021.
Issue
ISSUE
The NextGen Bus Study is to design a new bus network that is more relevant, reflective of, and attractive to the residents of LA County. We believe this redesigned network will improve service to current customers, attract new customers, and win back past customers.
As we progress through the study, it is necessary for additional tasks to be completed to ensure comprehensive and effective public outreach and final implementation.
As the Modification amount exceeds Metro’s Chief Executive Officer’s delegation of contracting authority, staff is requesting Board approval for the task order modification.
Background
BACKGROUND
In November 2017, Cambridge Systematics, Inc. was awarded the Systemwide Bus Network Restructuring Plan task order for an amount of $1,295,762. As the project moves forward, additional technical work is necessary to address several new enhancements which were not originally included. These enhancements include improved network optimization, stakeholder project team coordination, public outreach, implementation support and evaluation of results.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Network Optimization - Given the number of new findings from preliminary data on markets and travel demand, there is a need to delve further into this new data. The data will be analyzed to integrate with traditional route segment evaluation information in order to develop a service concept that results in new routes and services. Further, to support the Board-approved MicroTransit and Mobility-On-Demand (MOD) pilot projects and their finalized service zones, additional work is needed to interface these projects to ensure coordinated and synergistic services as part of the overall transit network. Towards the end of the project, additional work will be needed to develop a Phasing Plan for implementation.
Stakeholder project team coordination - With the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Visioning Study and Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) underway, the consultant team must engage with these other projects to ensure coordinated strategies and timeline so service can be optimized with emerging projects such as MicroTransit and MOD. Coordination is also needed with municipal transit operators such as LADOT and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus to ensure connecting services are coordinated to encourage overall transit use.
Public outreach - Extensive public outreach and stakeholder engagement is critical to the success of this project. Initially, this project separated the technical and outreach consultants into separate contracts. As a result, the technical consultants were not budgeted for working group meetings or stakeholder support. Given the significant outreach and stakeholder engagement to date and anticipated through the remainder of the project, there will be additional need for technical consultants to participate and support first-hand from these public outreach activities.
Implementation Support and Evaluation of Results - While the study is critical to planning this project, the implementation and subsequent evaluation of results is critical to address outstanding issues quickly and measure effectiveness of service changes. The technical consultant will be needed to make refinements to service proposals and recommend improvements to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with the goal of maximizing success and effectiveness of the NextGen Bus Plan. The technical consultants will assist in implementation with pre-scheduling work, optimizing operational challenges such as turnaround loops and layovers, and establishing accurate travel times for new route segments and service in new areas. Once service changes are implemented, the technical consultant will be retained to evaluate the results of the NextGen Bus Plan.
Speed and Reliability improvements on 5 corridors - Pursuant to the CEO’s Ridership Action Plan effort to improve speed and reliability of the transit system, staff identified 5 bus corridors to dissect and develop transit priority programs for consideration. This detailed level of effort requires additional support from the technical consultant to develop specific solutions for each congestion hotspot along each of the 5 corridors.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Conducting this study will not have any impacts on the safety of our customers and/or employees.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY19 budget includes $400,000 in Cost Center 3151, Account 50316 - Professional & Technical Services, Project 306004 - Service Planning & Enhancements. Since this is a multi-year contract, the Cost Center Manager and Chief Operations Officer will be responsible for budgeting future years for the balance of the remaining project budget.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action will include Measure R Administration funds. Use of these funding sources maximizes established funding provisions and guidelines. These funds are not eligible for operating or capital functions.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of this recommendation supports the following Metro Strategic Plan Goal 2) Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system. This project will improve safety, service, and reliability in an effort to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Staff considered conducting additional study using in-house resources. The alternative is not recommended as extensive public outreach is critical to success but resource intensive, and the bus system continues to be misaligned with current day travel demand, infrastructure and travel options and there are insufficient in-house resources to conduct the study and develop a Plan of this magnitude.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute a task order modification with Cambridge Systematics, Inc. under the Countywide Planning Services Bench Contract No. PS4010-3041-F-XX, Task Order No. PS878320003041 to provide additional enhancements to the systemwide bus network restructuring plan.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Task Order/Modification Log
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Stephen Tu, Sr. Mgr., Service Planning, Scheduling and Analysis, (213) 418-3005
Conan Cheung, SEO, Service Planning, Scheduling and Analysis, (213) 418-3034
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: James T. Gallagher, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3108
Debra Avila, Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
