Gregory Downing

This document, a component of the South Central Transportation Authority's (SCTA) Transit Development Plan, presents a topline summary of rider satisfaction surveys conducted for BARTA (Berks County) and RRTA (Lancaster County) systems. It details the survey methodology, weighting factors, and key driver analyses for rider satisfaction. The report identifies strengths, weaknesses, obstacles, and opportunities for service improvement, outlines rider preferences for service changes, and characterizes trip patterns and rider demographics for both transit systems.

This Transit Development Plan Update for the South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) aims to reassess the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities facing its constituent transit systems, BARTA and RRTA. The plan's strategic approach involves simplifying service through bi-directional routes, concentrating fixed-route services in high-density areas, and introducing on-demand microtransit for lower-density regions. Recommendations are structured into short-range, mid-range, and long-range phases, serving as a guide for future service improvements and addressing new dynamics such as labor market changes and evolving commuting patterns.

This Transit Development Plan provides a detailed service assessment for BARTA and RRTA routes. It analyzes service characteristics, ridership patterns, productivity, and on-time performance using quantitative and qualitative measures. Key findings include the correlation between transit ridership and density, stronger performance in central cities (Reading and Lancaster), and limitations due to service design. The plan aims to inform potential service improvement options based on these analyses, industry best practices, and the strategic vision, goals, and objectives of the SCTA.

The meeting covered opportunity zone identification based on transit potential, transit need, fixed-route bus performance, and travel patterns. Thirteen opportunity zones were identified for potential microtransit service. The public participation plan was discussed, emphasizing public input through surveys and pop-up events. Different microtransit service and operating models, including on-demand, point deviation, and flexible route options, were introduced and evaluated. The project team is preparing for Phase 1 of public outreach and engagement, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for July.

This Transit Development Plan outlines SCTA's strategic vision to provide safe, effective, efficient, and customer-focused public transportation services. The plan is structured around six key goals: ensuring safety and comfort for all users, offering an effective network that connects people to destinations, making transit reliable and efficient, maintaining and improving customer amenities, operating fiscally sustainably by maximizing funds, and exploring innovative tools and operating models. The overarching aim is to better serve existing customers, meet future demand, and increase public transit use within its service areas.