Metropolitan Transportation Commission

1. Metropolitan Transportation Commission TDA Performance Audits ofSix Transit Operators December 8, 2004

2. Audits of Transit Operators Audit Period FYs 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03 Six Operators in FY04 Group: S.F. Muni VTA LAVTA Union City Transit (UCT) Benicia Transit Fairfield-Suisun Transit (FST)

3. Audits of Transit OperatorsAudit Approach Two Phases: Compliance Audit Review of data collection and reporting methods. Five (TDA) performance indicators and 6-year trends. Compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Audit Survey Review of actions taken to implement prior audit recommendations. Review of goals and objectives, and related performance measures and standards. Assessment of functional area performance indicator trends and performance compared to standards. Assessment of efficiency and effectiveness of operator’s services.

4. Audits of Transit OperatorsPerformance Indicator Trend - Cost per Hour

5. Audits of Transit OperatorsPerformance Indicator Trend – Passengers per Hour

6. Audits of Transit OperatorsPerformance Indicator Trend - Hours per Employees* *2,000 hr/year Full-Time Equivalent Employees

7. S.F. MUNI TDA Performance Indicator Trends Improving cost efficiency and cost effectiveness in most modes. Passenger productivity impacted by weakened local economy. Paratransit cost efficiency and costs effectiveness improved due to taxi usage for more trips. Goals and Objectives, and Related Perf. Standards Continues to be influenced by Proposition E. Service standards and quarterly reporting now a significant factor in Muni’s organization and management.

8. S.F. MUNI(con’t) Functional Area Performance Indicator Trends Improvement in all operational areas examined. Noticeable disparity in trolley coach mechanical failure rates between Presidio and Potrero Divisions. Service planning and fare policy indicator trends worsened. Operations performance below standard for schedule adherence and percent of scheduled service delivered. • Recommendations • Develop strategies to achieve the service delivery standards mandated by Proposition E. • Review maintenance practices at the Potrero Trolley Coach Division and develop a plan to address any deficiencies.

9. VTA TDA Performance Indicator Trends Generally deteriorating performance in cost efficiency and cost effectiveness. Passenger productivity impacted by weakened local economy. Paratransit service expanded significantly, with increases in operating costs and passenger gains. Some accompanying decline in paratransit cost efficiency, cost effectiveness and passenger productivity. Goals and Objectives, and Related Perf. Standards Goal and performance measure structure modified to accommodate changing circumstances related to the county’s economic downturn. Six strategies developed to focus on sustaining financial stability. On-time performance targets and specific paratransit measures continue to be omitted from the performance monitoring program.

10. VTA (con’t) Functional Area Performance Indicator Trends Bus operations and maintenance performance was positive. Light Rail performance positive for operations but moderate downturns for maintenance, especially as the new car fleet was introduced. Ridership and farebox recovery impacted by economic downturn. Comparison of performance with standards varied by mode, with light rail meeting standards more consistently than the bus service. • Recommendations • Continue to refine and implement the strategies to sustain financial stability. • Incorporate the projected impacts of VTA’s cost efficiency and cost effectiveness strategies in the next SRTP update. • Expand VTA’s performance monitoring program to include standards for schedule adherence and for contracted services.

11. Benicia Transit TDA Performance Indicator Trends Mixed results: spike in FY2002 fixed-route operating costs, and service levels. Cost efficiency and effectiveness improved overall; passenger productivity down. Goals and Objectives, and Related Perf. Standards Framework for routine performance monitoring recently established. Implementation has begun but is not complete. Performance generally positive compared to standards. Preventable accident rate showed deterioration for both service modes. • Recommendations • Continue to implement procedures for routine performance monitoring and assessing performance against standards. • Review the increasing incidence of preventable accidents.

12. Fairfield-Suisun Transit TDA Performance Indicator Trends Fixed-route cost efficiency and cost effectiveness declining. Falling passenger productivity in last year due to weak local economy. Paratransit performance positive, improved cost efficiency and effectiveness. Goals and Objectives, and Related Perf. Standards Performance monitoring mechanism tied to SRTP updates. Paratransit performance positive, but a small number of ADA service denials. • Recommendations • Expand the Data Collection and Monitoring Handbook to include procedures for routine performance monitoring and assessing performance against standards. • Ensure zero paratransit service denials to comply with the ADA.

13. LAVTA TDA Performance Indicator Trends Passenger productivity declined with weakening regional economy. Paratransit cost efficiency and cost effectiveness was negative, impacted by operating cost increases in FY2002 (change in operating contract). Goals and Objectives, and Related Perf. Standards Effective performance monitoring program in place based on goals and objectives. Fixed-route performance met or exceeded many standards, but preventive maintenance inspections and roadcall performance declined. Paratransit results were mixed, with good safety record but failure to achieve schedule adherence standards. • Recommendation • Review the vehicle maintenance activities to improve service reliability.

14. Union City Transit TDA Performance Indicator Trends Fixed-route ridership declined with weakening local economy. Paratransit performance mostly positive as the service grew. Goals and Objectives, and Related Perf. Standards Performance monitoring mechanism tied to biennial SRTP update. Fixed-route performance mixed with steadily declining equipment reliability. Paratransit had small number of missed trips and service denials. • Recommendations • Take steps to transform UCT’s overall performance monitoring mechanism into a more effective management tool. • Review the fixed-route maintenance activities to improve service reliability. • Ensure zero ADA service denials.