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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MIAMI-DADE TRANSIT RAIL AND BUS SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON OR ABOUT JULY 22, 2012

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference, and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held at the Regional Transportation Committee; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) will initiate the Metrorail Orange Line that will increase service for passengers and will enhance connections for Miami International Airport passengers resulting in a better connected transit system; and
WHEREAS, MDT has analyzed and indentified unproductive bus service that does not meet service standards to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system; and
WHEREAS, implementation of these recommended bus services adjustments and the addition of two new bus routes will improve the productivity of the bus system; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board approves the implementation of rail and bus service adjustments to be implemented on or about July 22, 2012.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Joe A. Martinez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
County Mayor

Subject: Resolution Authorizing Metrorail and Metrobus Service Adjustments to be Implemented on or about July 22, 2012

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approve transit service improvements and service adjustments to be implemented on or about July 22, 2012. These modifications include the Metrorail Orange Line, two new bus routes, and four routes that would be reduced or discontinued. Board approval for these route modifications, after a public hearing, is required per the Code of Miami-Dade County, Chapter 2, Article XIX, Section 2-150.

SCOPE
The transit service improvements and adjustments will have a countywide impact.

FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated annual operations and maintenance cost for Rail Services is $83,800,000. The additional operations and maintenance for the Metrorail Orange Line is approximately $5,800,000 annually, and is included in the Miami-Dade Transit’s (MDT) operating budget. However, MDT has confirmed with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that $1.931 million in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) flexible funds, which were transferred from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to the FTA 5307 Grant program, are available and may be used for operating assistance for the new AirportLink Service for the first year. These CMAQ funds are available for operating assistance at the 80 percent Federal share.  Miami-Dade County (County) will provide the local match for this grant from MDT’s operating funds. 

The estimated annual operations and maintenance cost for Bus Services is $310,000,000. However, the fiscal impact of implementing the bus service changes planned for this summer is a savings to MDT of approximately $750,000 annually; partly due to the receipt of the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Federal matching grant, which can be used for three years as long as MDT continues to receive the grant. Final fiscal impact will not be available until the scheduling process for the operators is completed.

TRACK RECORD/MONITOR
The MDT employee responsible for management and oversight of these proposed service modifications is Mr. Robert P. Pearsall, Section Chief, Service Planning and Scheduling.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Miami-Dade County will reach a major transportation milestone this summer when the AirportLink project is substantially completed and ready for revenue service with the opening of the Miami International Airport Metrorail Station. The Orange Line will operate on the elevated tracks being constructed between the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) and the Earlington Heights Metrorail Station and will share the existing elevated tracks currently used to provide service from the Earlington Heights to the Dadeland South Metrorail Stations. Furthermore, the Orange Line will provide new service from Dadeland South to the newly constructed Miami International Airport Metrorail Station located at the MIC and all stations in between. The Orange Line, from the Dadeland South Station to the Earlington Heights Metrorail Station, will see headways decrease during peak periods from ten minutes to five minutes; resulting in a 100% increase in service during this period for most of our Metrorail passengers.

Success in attracting new riders to the Orange Line requires an efficient Metrobus system that integrates with Metrorail. The MIC will serve as the gateway of the Airport providing a world-class transfer facility for Metrobus, Metrorail, and the Miami International Airport (MIA) Mover. Eight bus routes will be extended to serve the MIC where riders can transfer to Metrorail, MIA Mover, and, in the future, Tri-Rail and Intercity rail and bus. The extensions of these eight routes will be partially funded through a JARC grant (approved by County Resolution R-181-11). This grant will also help fund the new Route 297 (27th Avenue Enhanced Bus Service Project) which will be extended to the MIC. The service changes being presented will provide a more connected and efficient transit system that takes full advantage of our major capital improvements at the Airport.

Twice a year, MDT conducts an analysis of Metrobus service to identify unproductive bus routes in order to make improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire bus route system. The efficiency of the bus system can be improved by reducing service on low ridership routes and re-allocating resources to new service and to those routes in need of additional capacity or operational improvements. MDT proposes to discontinue the Brickell Key Shuttle Route 248 and Saturday service of the North Pointe Circulator Route 286 because they do not meet service standards or are duplicative of other service. In addition, two other routes, Route 57 and the Card Sound Express Route 302, would also have reduced service. Two new routes are recommended: The Ludlam Limited Route 267 which has been operating as a demonstration route and Route 297 which replaces the current Route 97 and is the first phase the NW 27th Avenue Enhanced Bus Project. Please refer to the attached chart for more information on these proposed service adjustments.

Several other improvements and adjustments to 37 Metrobus routes will be made under administrative authority provided in Section 2-150 of the Code for service changes not meeting the threshold for a public hearing. These changes include adjustments to schedules to improve on-time performance, improvements to reduce passenger overcrowding, and adjustments to headways and trips with low ridership. The net result of these adjustments is part of MDT’s continued progress in service efficiency and customer service.

Transit staff developed the efficiencies being recommended using the following process:

• Bus routes were measured against MDT’s service standards for route performance, adopted November 4, 2009 (R-1283-09). Service standards are utilized throughout the industry as a means to improve operational efficiencies and provide more effective service. Bus routes that do not meet these standards are considered deficient and subject to corrective action.

• In an effort to minimize the negative impact to our passengers, alternative transit service, including municipal circulators, was carefully considered for each bus service reduction.

• Bus route ridership was examined along each segment and each trip of a route. Some MDT routes meet performance standards but may have a low ridership route segment or low ridership trips.

• The demographics and needs of the transit passengers, such as transit dependents, senior citizens, and students, were considered in determining these proposed adjustments.

• The operational feasibility and operating cost impacts were also examined for each potential service change, to maximize the cost savings with the least amount of inconvenience to our riders.

In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, officials of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) have been provided with information on the proposed changes for their review and comment. MDT staff has met with TWU officials to receive and discuss their comments. A number of changes in the proposals have been made to address the TWU concerns. MDT staff will continue to work closely with TWU officials to ensure full implementation of the line-up.

In addition, I want to assure the Board that MDT was very cautious to minimize negative impacts to transit dependent customers. For each adjustment proposed, MDT carefully considered availability of alternative service. While there will certainly be impacts to some customers, these adjustments were made cautiously and thoughtfully, balancing service needs with the realities of constrained current and future budgets.

A marketing campaign began May 17, 2012 and includes the following advertising activities designed to inform the public of these service enhancements/adjustments:

* advertisements throughout the Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover
fleet (interior posters, exterior wraps, platforms),
* bus shelter advertising panels,
* MIA column banners,
* new system maps/brochures/posters,
* newspaper, radio and television ads,
* updated system route guides,
* e-blasts to tourist destinations and MIA employees, and
* MDT and County websites.

The attached document contains a more detailed description of the routes and the affected Commission districts.


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Deputy Mayor/County Manager
Alina T. Hudak