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f <br /> y <br /> Agenda Item #4 <br /> Rush Line Commuter Coach Ridership <br /> December 1, 2010—December 31,2010(22 Operating Days) <br /> Average Inbound Trips Average Outbound Trips <br /> 46 49 <br /> Total Inbound Trips Total Outbound Trips <br /> 1008 1084 <br /> As seen in the charts above, ridership on the commuter coach service leveled off <br /> between November and December. This leveling off is likely due to a number of factors <br /> including reduced commute related travel due to holidays and vacations. However, <br /> staff analyzed the numbers further and found the following: <br /> • Ridership increased between October and November, but not November and <br /> December <br /> • Peak Ridership is approximately 60%of forecast ridership <br /> • Most White Bear Township users are previous Route 275 riders <br /> • Travel times are long, which is likely limiting ridership <br /> Staff has also heard the following from riders: <br /> • Great Service, but would it would be better if there were earlier and later bus <br /> times <br /> • The Travel time is too long; can the White Bear Township stop be eliminated? <br /> • Can the buses travel through the Lafayette Business Park area prior to going into <br /> downtown? <br /> • Can buses serve the County Road 17 park and ride? <br /> • Thank you for providing the service <br /> With ridership leveling off at a level below forecasts, and only 9 months remaining on <br /> the initial demonstration service contract,staff feels it is important to identify potential <br /> changes to the route to increase ridership. These changes are detailed below: <br /> • Routing <br /> o Staff recommends that the White Bear Theater park and ride be skipped <br /> on the second and third trips of the morning and afternoon. Making this <br /> change will improve the efficiency of transit in the Rush Line Corridor by: <br /> ■ Saving approximately 15 minutes of travel time for Route 285 <br /> riders who access the service at Columbus and Forest Lake <br /> ■ Matching the level of service to the level of demand at the White <br /> Bear Theater park and ride. The park and ride will continue to be <br /> served by two route 285 buses and three route 275 buses for a <br /> total of five morning and afternoon trips. <br /> o Staff recommends that the routing of the service be changed so that <br /> buses start at the Forest Lake Transit Center,travel along Hwy 97 to <br /> 4-2 <br />