HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-02-2010 - 7aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 2, 2010
Action Agenda
Item No. 7-Q
SUBJECT: Report of Orange Public Transportation Vital Statistics and Rural Operating
Assistance Program (ROAP) Transit Vital Signs
DEPARTMENT: Aging/Transportation PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
A- Orange Public Transportation Vital
Signs (Total Transit System) Jerry Passmore 245-2010
B- ROAP Transit Vital Signs AI Terry 245-2002
PURPOSE: To provide the Board of County Commissioners with athree-year comparison
report of the operational efficiencies of Orange Public Transportation.
BACKGROUND: Orange Public Transportation provides transit services to Orange County
residents outside the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Transit area. In doing so, Orange Public
Transportation utilizes funds from the N. C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the N. C.
Division of Aging, Orange County, and revenues collected.
The two attached reports, Total System Transit Vital Signs (Attachment A) and ROAP (Rural
Operating Assistance Program) Transit Vital Signs (Attachment B) provide information of how
the funds were expensed. The Total System Transit Vital Signs report provides statistical data
for the operation of the entire transit service, and the ROAP Transit Vital Signs provides
statistical data for three major NCDOT funded programs:
(1) Elderly/Disabled Transit Assistance (EDTAP);
(2) Rural General Public (RGP); and
(3)Employment-Work First Transition.
Highlights:
The Total System Vital Signs report shows a decrease of 13.86% in ridership from 2008 to
2009. However, this statistic is misleading. If the ridership statistic (23,919 rides) of Chapel Hill
Transit which took over the rural Orange peak hours of route 420 in 2009 is included, there was
an increase in demand for rides of 2.6% in rural Orange. (refer to section 142 of Attachment
A and Rural General Public section of Attachment B).
The Total System Vital Signs report indicates efficiencies of Orange Public Transportation as
compared to neighboring counties. In 2009 Orange County cost per passenger trip was
$8.77 compared to Chatham County-$13.23, Durham County-$21.55, Alamance County-
$17.75, and Person County-$12.55. A passenger trip is a one way transport for each client
In 2009 Orange Public Transportation provided 7,381 yearly trips per driver, in comparison to
Chatham County-3,494, Alamance County-3,281, and Person County-6,218 (refer to section
143 of Attachment A).
On January 4, 2010 all senior residents 65+ began riding the 420 route fare free. This will
improve connectivity between the two Senior Centers and Chapel Hill/Hillsborough. In October
2008, Triangle Transit contracted with Chapel Hill Transit to provide the peak hour service of
the 420 route. This arrangement improved service to rural Orange commuters with a larger
bus capacity at no cost to the County and provided Orange Public Transportation with funds to
support the non-peak hour service of the 420 route.
Also in 2009 the ROAP Elderly/Disabled Transportation's cost per trip increased by 7.31%
($2.74) due to medical clinics being located further away (outside Orange County) than in
past years.
In 2009 the ROAP Rural General Public's cost per trip increase by 25.2% ($.47) due to
Chapel Hill Transit providing the highly successful peak hour trips of the 420 route.
In 2009 the ROAP Employment Transit, Program increased by 5.4% up by 9, serving a total
of 122 clients.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact. However, these reports indicate the
efficiencies of the system and how funds are expensed.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report as
information with no action required.
~~}~ A
Transit Vital Signs
System Name Orange County...
Historical Operating Statistics
2007 2008 2009 % change os-os
Total Service Miles 472,281 472,684 453,296 -4.10%
Transit System Service Miles 472,281 472,684 453,296 -4.10%
Total Service Hours 36,162 32,799 30,556 -6.84%
Total Passenger Trips 128,006 133,892 115,331 -13.86%
Total Transit System Trips 128,006 133,892 115,331 -13.86%
TotalAdmin/OperRevenue $1,018,857 $1,103,860 $1,011,140 -8.40%
Total Contract Revenue $289,532 $245,325 $281,201 14.62%
Fare Revenue $22,434 $24,439 $31,013 26.90%
TotalAdmin/OperAdj. Expense $1,018,857 $1,103,860 $1,011,140 -8.40%
Peak Vehicles 18 18 19 5.56%
Driver FTE 17.26 15.63 15.63 -0.03%
Orange County's Pulse
2007 zoos zoos
Passenger Trips per Hour (M-F) 3.47 3.99 3.67
Passenger Trips per Mile (M-F) 0.27 0.28 0.25
Total Passenger Trips per Hour 3.54 4.08 3.77
Total Passenger Trips per Mile 0.27 0.28 0.25
Cost per Passenger Trip $7,g6 $8.24
$8.77
Cost per Hour $28.17 $33.66 $33.09
Cost per Mile $2.16 $2.34 $2.23
Service Miles per Peak Vehicle 26,238 26,260 23,858
Trips per Driver FTE 7,416 8,569 7,381
142 Review the Operating Statistics table. Explain +/-10°k variance between FY08 and FY09 performance.
TOTAL PASSENGER TRIPS/TOTAL TRANSIT SYSTEM TRIPS- reduced due to Chapel Hill Transit operating the peak high demand
hour service for the 420 route (Chapel Hill to Hillsborough) that was previously operated by Orange Public Transportation in 2008. The
transfer of peak hour service was due to necessity to contract with Chapel Hill Transit which operates larger vehicles to accommodate
the increase in ridership. Chapel Hill Transit provided 23,919 rides during peak hours which provided a increase in total ridership. If
OPT had the larger vehicle capacity and continued to operate the peak hour route, there would have been a 2.6% increase in total
passenger trips/total transit system trips.
143 After reviewing the system's vital signs, what has the system been doing well?
COST PER PASSENGER TRIP: OPT consistantly performs well in this area. Although, the cost per passenger trip rose to $8.77
surrounding systems have a higher cost. Chatham County is $13.23, Durham County is $21.55, Alamance County is $17.75, and
Person County is $12.55. OPT accomplishes this low cost per passenger trip by grouping trips with multiple passengers. Again, OPt
provides 7,381 yearly trips per driver FTE. Chatham County'provides 3,494; Alamance County provides 3,281; and Person County
provides 6,218.
144 After reviewing the system's vital signs, what should the system do to improve it's performance outcomes?
OPT should purchase larger vehicles that can accommodate more passengers. Orange County is planning coordinated transit plans
with Chapel Hill Transit to provide a Chapel Hill in-town route for seniors. Also, OPT is planning a Hillsborough in-town route with the
assistance of Town of Hillsborough. OPT vehicle fleet is in need of replacement due to many of the vehicles already meeting the
NCDOT criteria for replacement.
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Attachment B
Rural Operating Assistance Program
TRANSIT VITAL SIGNS
Historical Operating Statistics
Elderly/Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP)• provides transit to
individuals that are not agency supported and certify under the elderly (60+) or disabled
process. There are six medical routes (M-F) along with two dialysis routes (M-Sat) that
these funds support. These routes are supported by billing a $3.00 co-payment per trip.
These funds are utilized to allow service to continue yearly. All of these routes are at or
near capacity.
2007 2008 2009 % of change
EDTAP $ $74,933 $94,023 $93,745 -0.06%
Total Tri s 10,090 12,831 10,744 -15.8%
Cost er Tri $7.43 $7.33 $10.07 +7.31
1Jxplain +/- 10% variance between FY 08 and FY 09 performance. Cost per trip increase
is due to the location of LTNC and Duke medical facilities. Many of these clinics are
located further away (LJNC in Durham County, Duke in Alamance and Orange County).
This causes an increase in payroll, fuel consumption, and operational hours.
Rural General Public (RGP): provides fixed route service to Orange County residents.
The Hillsborough to Chapel Hill public route #420 is supported through these funds.
There are two public fixed deviated routes: One covers the Cedar Grove/Efland areas
with fixed stops in Cedar Grove and Efland. This route deviates for Orange Enterprise
clients. The second route covers Chapel Hill/Carrboro areas. There are fixed stops in
Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro and provides general public and Orange
Enterprise transit service. Both of the fixed deviated routes are at or near capacity.
2007 2008 2009 % of change
RGP $ $79,696 $81,763 ~ $93,682 -18.5%
Total Trips 64,526 71,913 57,982 -19.6%
Cost er Trip $1.37 $1.14 $1.61 +25.2%
Explain +/- 10% variance between FY 08 and FY 09 performance. Reduction due to
Chapel Hill Transit operating the peak hour service for the 420 (Hillsborough to Chapel
Hill public route). Chapel Hill Transit provided 23,919 rides during peak hours
added to the nonpeak hour trips would have shown a 2.6% increase in ridership.
Chapel Hill Transit is under contract with Triangle Transit to provide the peak hour
services. Cost per trip up due to the same reason.
5
The Employment Program (Work First Transition)• provides funds to low income
and work transitional residents to ensure employment. The Wheels for Work Program
provided donated vehicles to these clients that ensured transportation for employment.
These funds were also utilized to cover maintenance, insurance, fuel, and alternative
transit options for low income clients. FY 2009/2010 the Wheels for Work Program was
dropped from the Orange County budget and these funds were transferred to Department
of Social Services. DSS will administer allocation of these funds in a similar way as the
Wheels for Work Program.
2007 2008 2009 % c,f ~hanvP
Em loyment $
$11,239
$21,492
$21,870 o-
+0.02%
Total Services 47 113 122 +5.4%
Cost per $239.13 $190.19 $179.26 -5.8%
Service
Explain +/- 10% variance between FY 08 and FY 09 performance. There was no
variance between 10%.
TOTAL SYSTEM ROAP VITAL SIGNS
2007 2008 2009 % of Change
08-09
Total ROAP $ $165,868 $197,278 $209,297 +5.8%
Total 74,663 84,857 68,848 -18.7%
trips/Services
Cost per $2.22 $2.32 $3.04 +22.6%
Trip/Service
Explain +/- 10% variance between FY 08 and FY 09: Performance reduction due to
Chapel Hill Transit operating the peak hour service for the 420 route (Hillsborough to
Chapel Hill public route). Increase in cost per trip due to the same reason. Also, overall
increases in trips due to the location and/or relocation of UNC and Duke medical
facilities.