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From page 59... ... 59 Introduction This chapter describes the approach to planning transit service. Many topics covered in this chapter apply to developing new service or enhancing existing service. Read the entire page →
From page 60... ... 60 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook The advantages of fixed-route service are that it can be provided at a relatively low cost on a per-passenger-trip basis, schedule reliability is high because buses do not deviate from their routes, service does not require advance reservations, and service is easy to understand. Fixed-route transit service is seldom attractive to people with automobiles in smaller communities and rural areas. Read the entire page →
From page 61... ... transit Service planning 61 response service for low-density areas with low levels of transit demand. Improved technology has led to improvements in dispatching and scheduling, which has increased the efficiency of demand-response service and now allows for real-time dispatching. Read the entire page →
From page 62... ... 62 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook is primarily for employment trips for individuals without disabilities because liability issues arise when individuals with disabilities ride using vanpool service. Commuter Service Commuter service bus routes are primarily designed for employment purposes. Read the entire page →
From page 63... ... transit Service planning 63 Performance Standards In planning tribal transit services, it is important to establish goals accompanied by specific objectives and corresponding performance standards. Resources to operate a transit service are limited and should be dedicated to the greatest needs and the most cost-effective service. Read the entire page →
From page 64... ... 64 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook The Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma has a 13-county service area. According to Angie Gilliam, Transportation Director of Chickasaw Nation, "Chickasaw Nation Transportation Services has one of the biggest service areas in the state of Oklahoma. Read the entire page →
From page 65... ... transit Service planning 65 Cherokee Transit has difficulty providing service due to the rural nature of the reservation it serves, which is further exacerbated by the terrain. Kathy Littlejohn, transit manager of Cherokee Transit, says, The furthest point out in the reservation is 18 miles, but it takes more than an hour to travel that distance due to 30 miles-per-hour speed limit and steep and winding roads without guard rails. Read the entire page →
From page 66... ... 66 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook is expected to be 10 passengers per hour or more. Demand-response service typically can achieve a level of about five passengers per hour. Read the entire page →
From page 67... ... transit Service planning 67 Coordination can improve transportation system performance by eliminating duplicate efforts and increasing the efficiency of transportation operations. Coordinating transportation often means doing better with existing resources. Read the entire page →
From page 68... ... 68 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook Common Coordination Strategies This section describes a variety of coordination strategies. Joint Procurement Joint procurement (or bulk purchasing) Read the entire page →
From page 69... ... transit Service planning 69 a coalition in that it primarily brings together agencies that have a need for service with other groups, such as local municipalities, and is specifically formed to accomplish a strategic goal, such as to implement a new service. The coordinating council acts in a similar way as a transportation advisory committee in a regional area. Read the entire page →
From page 70... ... 70 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook (AVLs) Read the entire page →
From page 71... ... transit Service planning 71 transportation providers, other transportation providers, and those agencies whose clients have transportation needs. Mobility management is defined as "short-range planning and management activities and projects for improving coordination among public transportation and other transportation service providers." The concept includes personnel and related technology for mobility management. Read the entire page →
From page 72... ... 72 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook The HSP is designed to address both routine and severe security events. The policies documented in the plan will have cross-applicability and will enable the organization to respond to and mitigate other events, such as safety incidents and natural disasters. Read the entire page →
From page 73... ... transit Service planning 73 • Prevent – Technology to Protect System ▪ Provide equipment as appropriate to protect the agency, such as radio, dispatch, alarms, fences, locks, cameras, AVL. ▪ Design systems to be interoperable and reliable with appropriate backup. Read the entire page →
From page 74... ... 74 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook mechanics performing vehicle checks to detect suspicious packages, thereby preventing an incident involving a dangerous substance, and securing vehicle keys to prevent theft of vehicles. Table 7.1 lists hazard prevention activities that may be included in the HSP. Read the entire page →
From page 75... ... transit Service planning 75 Preparation Approaches and Necessary Materials Over time, some security-related incidents will occur, but the transit agency can be ready with preparedness activities that anticipate and minimize the impacts of such incidents. Proper planning equips employees to better manage these incidents. Read the entire page →
From page 76... ... 76 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook occur ahead of time. This planning entails establishing lines of authority and responsibilities for security and emergency actions, arranging for the resources to support them, and periodically conducting drills or practice sessions along with training events. Read the entire page →
From page 77... ... transit Service planning 77 Table 7.3. Preparedness activities. Read the entire page →
From page 78... ... 78 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook Table 7.4. Response activities. Read the entire page →
From page 79... ... transit Service planning 79 Maintenance and Safety Plan Standards for Maintenance and Safety An excellent guide to planning for vehicle maintenance has been published by the Texas Department of Transportation (Texas DOT) Read the entire page →
From page 80... ... 80 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook Preventive maintenance inspections and services should be performed and documented according to a schedule. All documentation for a specific vehicle should be kept through the life of the vehicle. Read the entire page →
From page 81... ... transit Service planning 81 (a maintenance item) or non-chargeable (a warranty item) Read the entire page →
From page 82... ... Source: Texas DOT. Texas Maintenance Management and Safety Guide, 2003, page 30. Read the entire page →
From page 83... ... Source: Texas DOT. Texas Maintenance Management and Safety Guide, 2003, page 32. Read the entire page →
From page 84... ... 84 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook • Footwear: Soft-soled shoes should be prohibited in all vehicle maintenance areas. Shoes with steel or reinforced toes and nonskid soles are highly recommended. Read the entire page →
From page 85... ... transit Service planning 85 Source: Texas DOT. Texas Maintenance Management and Safety Guide, 2003, page 42. Read the entire page →
From page 86... ... 86 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook ADA-Accessibility Equipment Accessible vehicles and equipment are necessary for the fleet. Equipment may include • lifts, ramps, and other means of access to vehicles; • securement devices, such as clamps or tie-downs; • elevators; and • signage, stop annunciators, or systems to aid communication with persons who have impaired vision or hearing. Read the entire page →
From page 87... ... transit Service planning 87 Government Contract Maintenance Pros: Cons: Generally lower charges for maintenance work Facility may be more modern than a private repair shop May have a body shop Potential to use federal funds to upgrade facility to perform bus maintenance work and hire a mechanic dedicated to the bus ﬂeet No guarantee for services performed, which may increase costs if corrective work is needed May place lower priority on repairing transit buses as compared to snow plows, road maintenance equipment, and police cars Contract Service Pros: Cons: Guaranteed work; if it's not done right, the contractor pays to get it right Negotiable "ﬂeet rates" may lower repair costs Negotiable repair time guarantees may prioritize service to transit ﬂeet Reduced labor costs for transit agency (mechanic not employed by the agency) Transit agency pays only for maintenance work performed Private company may be willing to act as a certiﬁed repair service facility for vehicle warranty work Costs may be higher than with county shop Qualiﬁed mechanics for the speciﬁc vehicles may be unavailable locally Requires someone to set up and monitor the contract Table 7.5. Read the entire page →
From page 88... ... 88 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook Source: Adapted from Texas DOT. Texas Maintenance Management and Safety Guide, 2003, page 32, Appendices F and G, pp. Read the entire page →
From page 89... ... transit Service planning 89 Source: Adapted from Texas DOT. Texas Maintenance Management and Safety Guide, 2003, Appendices F and G, pp. Read the entire page →
From page 90... ... 90 Developing, enhancing, and Sustaining tribal transit Services: a Guidebook Source: Texas DOT. Texas Maintenance Management and Safety Guide, 2003, p 37. Read the entire page →
From page 91... ... transit Service planning 91 Insurance and Licensing Tribal transit programs should carry insurance, including liability insurance, for vehicles and employees. Specific insurance requirements may be defined by the tribe, by states if the transit program operates off the reservation, and by grant programs. Read the entire page →

From page 59...

... 59 Introduction This chapter describes the approach to planning transit service. Many topics covered in this chapter apply to developing new service or enhancing existing service.