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On the Blog Post PSTA Ridership Continues Increasing at Record Setting Pace
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
9:31 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ReplyLack of funding also applies for the cross-bay services. The current bay crossing routes run by PSTA and HART are funded through a special state grant specifically for weekday commuter service. We have coordinated those routes as best we can with other routes on each side of the bay, but the funding for that service is so limited that we don’t have many options. We do have plans to increase that service and include the airport and Westshore, but again, we don’t have the funding to do so. With record ridership, we certainly see a demand – we just have no way to fill it. What’s more, if PSTA continues to use property taxes as its main local funding source, by 2016 – due to operating costs rising faster than property values – the agency will be forced to cut 18% of its service with additional cuts follow each subsequent year.
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
9:30 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ReplyIn the world of transit, the debate over run times has a long history. On the one hand, people always want the bus to get to the destination as quickly as possible, but each stop slows the route down, however, without stops, people won’t be able to get on and off and you won’t have decent ridership. Along with the time needed for people to board and pay fares, there are other time consuming factors such as time needed at transfer points to ensure connections, bicycle loading and unloading and passengers in mobility aids. These are issues that every transit agency in the world faces. Ones that are better funded can provide limited-stop express service in addition to the “local” service on routes like PSTA’s 19. Unfortunately our buses on many routes like the 19 are often standing room only at rush hour (as well as numerous other times of day) so we don’t have the luxury of re-routing runs to creating an express. If we did so, it would mean a shorter ride for a minority while the majority would be left to deal with fewer buses and longer waits between each bus. We would truly love to be able to offer express service supported by local circulators throughout the county, but we simply don’t have that kind of funding.
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
9:29 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ReplyLack of funding also applies for the cross-bay services. The current bay crossing routes run by PSTA and HART are funded through a special state grant specifically for weekday commuter service. We have coordinated those routes as best we can with other routes on each side of the bay, but the funding for that service is so limited that we don’t have many options. We do have plans to increase that service and include the airport and Westshore, but again, we don’t have the funding to do so. With record ridership, we certainly see a demand – we just have no way to fill it. What’s more, if PSTA continues to use property taxes as its main local funding source, by 2016 – due to operating costs rising faster than property values – the agency will be forced to cut 18% of its service with additional cuts follow each subsequent year.
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
9:29 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ReplyIn the world of transit, the debate over run times has a long history. On the one hand, people always want the bus to get to the destination as quickly as possible, but each shop slows the route down, however, without stops, people won’t be able to get on and off and you won’t have decent ridership. Along with the time needed for people to board and pay fares, there are other time consuming factors such as time needed at transfer points to ensure connections, bicycle loading and unloading and passengers in mobility aids. These are issues that every transit agency in the world faces. Ones that are better funded can provide limited-stop express service in addition to the “local” service on routes like PSTA’s 19. Unfortunately our buses on many routes like the 19 are often standing room only at rush hour (as well as numerous other times of day) so we don’t have the luxury of re-routing runs to creating an express. If we did so, it would mean a shorter ride for a minority while the majority would be left to deal with fewer buses and longer waits between each bus. We would truly love to be able to offer express service supported by local circulators throughout the county, but we simply don’t have that kind of funding.
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
9:28 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ReplyIn a word, David, the answer is simply: Funding.
Public transit doesn’t pay for itself anywhere in the county. In fact, no matter where you go in the world, public transit is funded by taxes. Here in the Tampa metro area, our annual investment in transit (per capita) has only averaged about half that of our peer cities across the nation. (The following smaller metro areas not only outspend us on transit, but some by as much as six to one: Nashville, El Paso, West Palm Beach, Indianapolis, Hartford, Austin, Tacoma, Charlotte, Tucson, Dover, DE, Cincinnati, Rockville, MD, Dayton, Jacksonville, Portland, Albany, NY, Rochester, Louisville, Milwaukee.)
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
9:27 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
ReplyA response is to follow, but patience is greatly appreciated to summarize. There is a character limit on this comment area so I will have to break it down in 3-4 sections.
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On the Blog Post Congresswoman Celebrates Cleaner, More Fuel-Efficient Bus Fleet
RidePSTA
10:09 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
ReplyThe issue of smaller buses is addressed in our new Bus Buzz episode at the 2:31 mark (http://bit.ly/14nAwPn). We also have a new North County Connector service. Your feedback is valued, and we hope the link provided will answer any questions. If not, please drop us a line at www.PSTA.net. Thank you, and have a great day!
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On the Blog Post Passenger Counting 101
RidePSTA
8:12 am on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
ReplyThanks Jack! It's always nice to hear positive feedback. We'll share your comment with our Transportation division.
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On the Blog Post PSTA's Top 12 From 2012
RidePSTA
11:44 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
ReplyDharma - we're currently reviewing our entire system to look for improvements and efficiencies. If you'd like to share your thoughts, please visit http://busplan.psta.net and fill out the study survey. Thank you!
RidePSTA
2:52 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
You're right @Babak -- and we are working on a comprehensive review of our bus system right now, and if we are able to secure more funding rail will be a component of our improved transportation system. The quote from Mr. Lasher was referring to the current overcrowding we're experiencing on many routes, and adding buses is the only way to resolve that in the short term. Thank you!