Week of Apr. 28, 2008

Metro keeping up with continued growth in transit ridership

Metro is seeing more riders than ever boarding its buses.

The ridership trends made Metro the fastest growing large bus system in the nation last year. The steady ridership increase over the past few years was fueled by rising gas prices and strong job growth – two of the biggest drivers for transit use locally.

From January through March of 2005, Metro averaged 317,000 boardings on weekdays. This year, preliminary estimates indicate the average daily number has leaped to 376,000 – an 18.6 percent increase in three years.

“Metro’s ridership has actually been on the rise since 2002,” said General Manager Kevin Desmond, “and, it’s not just on our buses. In 2007, our VanPool/Van Share program set new records that look to continue this year. Total participation in the RideshareOnline database shows a 14 percent increase over the same period last year. We've also had a 10 percent increase in the start-up of new commuter vans with a 20 percent increase in overall van ridership.”

The ridership increases have been steady, but over time have added to crowding and slowed travel times on some popular routes.

“Existing bus routes have had to absorb most of this increase in riders, and we know many trips on many routes are crowded,” said Desmond. “When you have more people riding the bus, it can take longer to board passengers and travel times can increase. Addressing overcrowding and improving schedule reliability is a big goal for us in 2008.”

Desmond said Metro is making adjustments to accommodate the ridership growth in several ways.

Transit Now - a 10-year plan approved by voters in 2006 to expand Metro service by up to 20 percent – is paying for new service, which frees up some of Metro’s operating budget to address crowding and scheduling issues.

In 2007, for the first time in about four years, Metro was able to add some bus trips to existing routes to help reduce passenger loads and to help keep the buses on schedule despite traffic congestion and more boardings. Later this year, 22 new buses will be added to the fleet to help with these efforts.

The recent 25-cent fare increase is also helping Metro enhance service reliability, dependability, and performance.

The reopening of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel last September not only benefitted the schedules of routes assigned to the tunnel, but also allowed re-structuring of bus service on downtown streets. That particularly helped relieve bus congestion for routes on Second and Fourth avenues.

Technology also plays a role. In many congested urban areas, Metro partners with cities to install bus lanes and traffic signals that are primed to give buses extra green light time or get jump on traffic. And, Metro will be installing a new on-board radio system that uses GPS to monitor bus trips. This will give Metro’s schedulers better data on traffic patterns and other factors that can affect bus travel times so that they can adjust bus routes as necessary.

Construction projects disrupting travel on local streets and highways also affect bus travel. Some large projects that had been slowing Metro travel through the Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill, and near Harborview Hospital are completed to the point where they are no longer as much of a problem.

But as those projects end, others are springing up. Desmond said while construction projects are always something Metro has to deal with, some cause more delays than others, particularly when they stretch over extended periods of time and impact corridors with a large number of bus trips. Some upcoming projects – such as Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, State Route 522 corridor work, and the University District light rail extension – will begin soon and are expected to impact bus service.

Desmond said Metro’s focus on improving performance is paying off. Over the past seven months, the on time performance for the bus system has been improving. Metro defines “on-time” as being less than five minutes late and no more than one minute early. Overall, Metro buses met that definition 76 percent of the time last month in March.

It’s a constant effort to strike a balance between operating cost-efficient service and offering our customers a comfortable, reliable trip,” said Desmond. “But, it is important to us that we continue to attract new riders and serve our existing passengers well.”

Metro weekday boardings
Average during first quarter of the year (Jan-March):

• 2005: 317,000
• 2006: 331,000
• 2007: 354,000
• 2008: 376,000

TRAFFIC WATCH: Public marches on Thursday, May 1 On Thursday, May 1, there will be public marches going on in downtown Seattle that could affect traffic and bus service. The May Day marches are scheduled to arrive from various points to downtown around 4 p.m. The biggest impact to bus service will probably be South Jackson Street and on Fourth Avenue, and also in the Seattle Center area. Metro buses will remain on regular route and will serve their normal stops; however crowds and traffic may cause delays of one hour or more on bus service that operates through downtown Seattle. Delays caused by the event in downtown Seattle and in the Seattle Center area could have a domino effect on operations throughout Metro's service area. So, buses could be delayed system-wide on Thursday afternoon and evening. For more information, visit Metro Online. Metro seeking public comment on new design for bus stop signs Metro is seeking public comment on a new design for bus stop signs. The signs will be temporarily installed this week on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle, near the southbound bus stop at Union Street by Benaroya Hall. They will remain in that location until Thursday, May 8. Metro is testing the signs as part of a multiyear program to invest in an up-to-date design for passenger facility signs that is more informative, easier to see and use, and more attractive for transit customers. During this program, Metro plans to replace its 18-year-old signage system with new signs, beginning in 2009 with signs at bus stops. If you would like to comment, please fill out the survey on Metro Online. Metro is also conducting on-the-street surveys at the sign location with transit customers and passersby. Flynn is Metro’s top Vehicle Maintenance employee Dan Flynn about to cut his celebratory cake. Dan Flynn, a 28-year Metro veteran, has been named Vehicle Maintenance Employee of the Year for the transit agency. Flynn has worked in the body shop throughout his career at Metro. During that time, he’s repaired and restored damage to dozens of different bus models – and even got to repair the Seattle Monorail back when Metro operated the line. Managers say Flynn has been the “go-to person” in the body shop for many years, because of his personal efficiency and thoroughness. He is also a great mentor to new employees.

KCDOT says goodbye to award-winning manager Win Mitchell is retiring from King County after 35 years of dedicated service. Windell Mitchell, the director of the Fleet Administration Division for the King County Department of Transportation, is retiring after 35 years of service to King County. The Fleet Division manages the acquisition, maintenance, replacement, and disposal of a diverse number of vehicles and off-road equipment, including King County Sheriff Office patrol cars. It manages the purchasing and warehousing of a large inventory of construction materials and supplies, traffic signs, safety equipment and hand tools. It handles the disposal of all surplus property. Fleet also provides reimbursable vehicle services, stores materials and supplies to more than 188 cities, jurisdictions, and government agencies. Since becoming director of the division, Mitchell has instituted many measures to increase productivity and improve employee skills and service. He has also been at the forefront of King County’s climate change efforts. Mitchell and his staff have won numerous national awards for their groundbreaking work. “Win has been the spark plug and risk-taker we needed to green the fleet,” King County Executive Ron Sims recently told Government Fleet magazine. Women in Trades Fair features transportation jobs Staff from the King County Department of Transportation (KCDOT) is participating in this week’s annual Women in Trades Fair, which will be held Friday, May 2 at the Seattle Center. The annual event is an opportunity for women of all ages to meet recruiters and women employees who are carpenters, transit operators, electricians, painters and custodians. Fair attendees will learn about wages, training and skills necessary to get these jobs. KCDOT staff will be at the fair demonstrating some of their on-the-job skills, and answering questions about careers in transportation. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center’s Fisher Pavilion.

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