For the first time since redesigning its transit system, StarMetro may conduct a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) beginning this year. At their January 29 meeting, the City Commissioners will vote on approving funding for StarMetro to hire a consultant for the COA.
In November 2019, the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) approved the project and the use of $250,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) through a request for proposal.
According to the meeting agenda, conducting a COA is recommended but not required by the FDOT.
“Conducting a COA allows public transit agencies to better align their operations with the goals and objectives set forth within their Transit Development Plans (TDP), which are required for agencies receiving state transit block grants,” staff reports.
According to the meeting agenda, the FDOT recommends conducting a COA every 10 years, and StarMetro’s last COA was in 2005.
In 2011, StarMetro completely redesigned its transit system, replacing all previous routes. Since that time, ridership has consistently declined. For example, in 2010 there were 4.946 million StarMetro passenger trips. Based on 2018 numbers, the number of annual StarMetro passenger trips has declined 33.5% during this eight year period.
Conducting a COA could help uncover inefficiencies and further streamline the transit system.
“The COA will collect a variety of data including ridership, on-time performance, stop-level usage, and individual route characteristics,” staff reports. “The data will be used to perform route efficiencies and determine additional modifications to routes and services that will improve overall system performance.”
If the Commission approves accepting the funding, StarMetro will plan to proceed with the COA and present an update to the Commissioners at the end of 2021.
City Commissioners to Consider Funding for StarMetro Operational Analysis added by Lexie Pitzen on
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Try this, for one week, give the Riders a Survey sheet to feel out about their experiences in riding the Bus, 10 questions and an Essay. When they turn it in they get a Free Day Bus Pass. That will be a LOT cheaper then $250,000 AND you get REAL Feedback.
Politics aside, people vote with their wallets. Its called Uber.
Seems like the pols aren’t getting the message, though they get that sweet, sweet nectar.
To the pols reading this: better hope your name isnt on an unsealed indictment. Check Pacer.gov, there’s 650 in the Northern Florida District right now.
The only way TalTran will ever return to profitability is if we put a RINO or a Democrat in the white house.
Thanks to Donald Trump’s roaring economey even your brother-in-law has a new car now.
Very few people are riding the bus as it was set up to manage The USA’s decline in the Obama economey.
Yeah you all do need an Operational Analysis and I just gave it to you.
$250,000 saved right there!!!!!!
You are welcome!!!!!!
I’m so tired of seeing empty busses, even though Star Metro tries to disguise this by placing advertising over the windows so you cannot see in. I was just in Toronto and the public buses always ran on time and were always full. Seems like Tallahassee wants to make the bus routes personal, catering to individual neighborhoods, and not caring about direct routes. Commissioners, this waste stops now. Put on your big boy pants and stand up to special interest groups. It’s my tax dollars that you are wasting.
$250,000? You might be able to get FSU or possibly FAMU to do the COA for HALF that.
” Based on 2018 numbers, the number of annual StarMetro passenger trips has declined 33.5% during this eight year period.” ……………. How much has the Fare increased during that time? Back when I was married, we decided to buy a House, I looked for a place that would allow her to take a single Bus to work. There was not a single Bus Route that allowed that. Every Route made her get off one Bus and get on another.