Bus Rapid Transit and all that JAZZ September 30, 2013 Michael Hernandez Assistant General Manager/COO Monterey-Salinas Transit mhernandez@mst.org
MST Service Area
MST Today Monterey County s Sole Transit Operator Transit District /Regional Taxi Authority Administrator 60 regular/seasonal bus routes 142 vehicles (80 buses, 8 trolleys, 54 minibuses) 237 direct employees, 85 contracted (MVTI) $30M annual operating budget 4.5 Million annual passenger boardings
QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW
QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW
Start With The Data Oct 2005 - Implementation of MST Grapevine Express service demonstrated that elimination of transfers and unique branding resulted in dramatic ridership increase on a single route. Dec 2005 - Customer Survey revealed lowest levels of customer satisfaction in the following areas: On-time Performance Service Frequency Bus Stop Amenities Aug 2006 - COA reveals lines serving Sand City, Seaside had a highest percentage of transfers to routes serving Cannery Row and Monterey Bay Aquarium
Fremont/Lighthouse BRT Line Aquarium Cannery Row Highest ridership corridor on Peninsula Nearly 4,000 passengers per day Conference Center Fisherman s Wharf
Fremont/Lighthouse BRT Line 6.75 mile corridor highest ridership in area Cities of Monterey, Seaside and Sand City, and State of California Links major visitor and shopping destinations Monterey Bay Aquarium Cannery Row Fisherman s Wharf Downtown Monterey - Conference Center - Historic Dist. Monterey County Fairgrounds Regional Shopping Malls Hotels, Motels & Inns
Fremont/Lighthouse BRT Goals Create a seamless transit connection between the local communities for residents, employees and tourists of the area Improve the level of service for transit through more frequent service, more reliable service, and a higher capacity of service Showcase a high-quality transit service that is an attractive option for all forms of local travel Support local land use planning goals to develop mixed-use corridors that are well served by transit
Fremont/Lighthouse BRT Goals Achieve operational benefits of BRT without high capital investment No dedicated lanes Target congested intersections Use vehicles appropriate sized vehicles Create stations that keep passengers informed and comfortable Fast, frequent, reliable service!
QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW
BRT Project Funding FTA Section 5309 Very Small Start Program: $2,773,038 State of California Prop. 1B: $2,645,250 City of Monterey Regional Surface Transportation Program Fund: $607,000 AB-2766; Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District: $350,000 Total Budget: $6,375,288 13
Six Phases Of A Project 1. Enthusiasm 2. Disillusionment 3. Panic 4. Search for the Guilty 5. Punishment of the Innocent 6. Praise and Honors for the Non-Participants
MST BRT Brand Identity What should we call our BRT????? Bay Rapid Transit historical name of MST Breeze, Wave tie to oceanfront location English/Spanish - Rapid, Viva, Bravo, Presto Symbols???
Seeking Inspiration Lane Transit District Emx, Eugene OR
Seeking Inspiration Cleveland RTA Healthline
Key Design Features of the JAZZ Distinctive shelters & totems at 27 bus stops Custom concrete sidewalk improvements Bus stop Nubs and Bulbs Jazz-themed vehicles/stations Real-time bus arrival information Traffic enhancements Queue Jumps Signal Priority 10 minute frequency express service with stations ~ ½ mile apart. Linear museum of Monterey Jazz Festival history Each shelter/totem features museum quality display QR Codes enable riders to listen to historic performances Mobile website allows options to purchase music 21
JAZZ BRT Stops
JAZZ TOTEM Signage Design
JAZZ BRT Stops Unconstrained Locations Bus stops in lane of travel Mini-plazas created High-tourist locations Constrained Locations Bus stops partially in parking lanes No room to widen sidewalk into property
Fremont/Lighthouse BRT Stops Central Monterey Fremont at Aguajito (eastbound and westbound) Caltrans Freeway ROW Aguajito MPC
LED Lamps shine on glass chips circular pavers Decorative Pavings
Transit Info Panels - Route Map - Schedule - Fares / Passes - Phone Numbers - Website - Bilingual
Project Challenges: 100% staff change from original consultants Initial cost estimates were inadequate; level of effort under-represented Final construction approval from local jurisdictions Contactor delays, bid protests, bizarre events Production delays: shelters, electronic signage, furniture Modifications to construction sites Field Fit challenges Conforming existing grades and condition of project sites Change orders & modifications after approval of plan State DOT changed mind about jump queue lane 33
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JAZZ BRT Project Cost Summary: Construction: $3,262,930 54.1% Bus Stop Amenities: Shelters, Totems, Benches, Bike Racks $1,082,329 18.0% ITS Technology - TSP, Cameras, On-Street $609,277 10.1% Design & Engineering / Consulting $775,264 12.9% Advertising, Marketing, Promotion, Branding $238,055 3.9% Misc. Additional Expenses: $61,397 1.0% Total: $6,029,252 37
So What Was Accomplished? 38
Significant Street, Sidewalk, Curb, Gutter and ADA improvements at 24 locations within four jurisdictions 34 Traffic Signals upgraded providing improved coordination and traffic flow Increased number of shelters by 280% ( 5 shelters to 19 shelters ) Total seating capacity on benches and in shelters increased 71% (63 to 108 seats) Shortened trip length the through the 6.75 mile corridor by 28% (:50 to :36) Passenger Boardings and On-Time performance outpacing system average Created hundreds of local jobs during a lengthy economic downturn Created a unique customer experience that marries art, history and transit 39
Accomplishments Jump Queue Lane in Action Traffic Signal Priority In Action Adwheel Award Winning TV Commercial
Lessons Learned 48
The Very Small Starts Program Is A Viable Source of Funding Multi Jurisdictional Projects Are Exceedingly Complicated There Is No Such Thing As A Small Construction Project There is No Such Thing As A Simple Visit By The Secretary of DOT Never Link A Project Completion To A Fixed Date/Event Have A Well-funded Legal Reserve On Hand and Insurance Coverage Murphy Was An Optimist! 49
General Manager / CEO Monterey-Salinas Transit csedoryk@mst.org Michael Hernandez Assistant General Manager/COO Monterey-Salinas Transit mhernandez@mst.org 50