South Central Transit Authority

This Transit Asset Management Plan for South Central Transit Authority outlines a strategic and systematic approach to managing capital assets to achieve and maintain a State of Good Repair (SOGR). The plan encompasses asset inventory, condition assessment, analytical processes for investment needs, and project-based prioritization for rolling stock, equipment, and facilities. Key objectives include optimizing asset performance at the lowest cost, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and utilizing a data-driven approach to maintenance and investment decisions to provide safe, cost-effective, and reliable public transportation services.

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.