Transit Optimization Plan is being developed to meet market demands
San Diego – The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is asking the public to participate in a survey to help ensure continued efficiency of the bus and Trolley network of services. The agency is developing a Transit Optimization Plan (TOP) to determine if current service should be realigned to better meet market demands and rider needs.
A key ingredient to TOP is feedback from San Diego County residents and transit commuters. The public can participate in the survey online at the TOP webpage at www.sdmts.com/TOP. The deadline to participate in the survey is Sept. 23. Those who cannot complete the survey online can do so in person through Sept. 15 at one of the following outreach events:
Why Now?
More than a decade ago (2004-2006), MTS conducted a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) that resulted in major changes to the system’s bus and Trolley services. The market-driven realignment resulted in a net savings of more than $10 million annually and an immediate increase in ridership.
Since the COA, MTS ridership has increased by nearly 20 million passenger trips annually, new Rapid bus routes came online, Trolley service has been realigned, and the system has contracted and expanded during the recession and recovery. In the next five years, MTS has the South Bay Rapid and Mid Coast Trolley extension to prepare for.
The purpose of TOP is to address these market dynamics, determine and implement necessary changes to realign current transit services, and meet the needs of the region. The plan is expected to be completed in Spring 2017, and the first phase of implementation to begin in June 2017.
MTS operates 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines on 53 miles of double-tracked railway. Every weekday more than 300,000 passenger trips are taken on MTS bus and Trolley services in 10 cities and the county. In FY 2016, MTS served 92.6 million riders. For more information on how you can use public transportation and save money, go to www.sdmts.com.
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