Student Free Fare Program

Transcription

1 Student Free Fare Program TPB Regional Public Transportation Subcommittee February 23, 2016 Transit Services Division

2 Student Free Fare Program Provides free trips on Fairfax Connector buses to Fairfax County high school and middle school students Developed in response to direction of Board of Supervisors 2

3 Purpose Provide Fairfax County students with transportation options Freedom to access before and after school activities, tutoring, sports, clubs, community service, and employment Workforce commuter preparedness Preparing the next generation of transit riders for a more urban transportation and multi-modal environment 3

4 Goals Short Term Fill gaps for school transportation services impacted by new, later school hours for FCPS High School students Provide flexibility for students to travel on existing service Increase Fairfax Connector ridership 4

5 Goals Longer Term As the County continues to grow more urban & densely populated; positions Fairfax Connector to be a vital and sustainable transportation option Establishes transit as an important component of the County s transportation system -- especially with Millennials Reduces congestion on existing & future transportation network, by reducing the number of trips that parents must make to transport students Workforce commuter preparedness 5

6 Pilot Program Requirements Pass required Pass distribution and permission forms maintained and distributed by FCPS Passes valid on Fairfax Connector only Monday - Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parent/guardian permission required Adherence to Fairfax Connector rules of conduct Provisions for home and private school students who reside in Fairfax County 6

7 Fairfax Connector Responsibilities Outreach School outreach Public outreach Pass production Printing cost shared with FCPS Operational readiness Enhanced bus operator training Farebox programming (ridership data) 7

8 FCPS Responsibilities Pass distribution and tracking 6,200 passes distributed to schools Passes have a unique serial number; allows schools to track passes assigned to students Regular coordination with FCDOT on school outreach strategies and pass distribution 8

9 In-School Outreach Targeted 5 schools based on Fairfax Connector bus service access Geographic distribution Schools Chantilly High School (Chantilly) Edison High School (Alexandria) Madison High School (Vienna) Mount Vernon High School (Alexandria) South Lakes High School (Reston) 9

10 Outreach Elizabeth s Journey: How to Ride Featured on Channels 16 & 21; in school media Travel training Bike & Ride training Rules of riding Give respect to get respect

11 Outreach Web & social media campaign Pre-school Year Events/Open Houses On-site pass sign-up/ distribution On-site Fairfax Connector bus, operator & staff Customized map with bus stop and route information 11

12 Student Participation Targeted 5 Schools Location # of Passes Distributed High School Population % of Students with Passes Chantilly HS 191 2,680 7% Edison HS 814 1,936 42% James Madison HS 81 2,109 4% Mt. Vernon HS 314 1,963 16% South Lakes HS 943 2,430 39% TOTALS 2,343 11,118 students 22% (average) *See handout for pass distribution at all eligible schools 12

13 Fairfax Connector Weekly Student Ridership 02/01-02/07/16 01/25-01/31/16 01/18-01/24/16 01/11-01/17/16 01/04-01/10/16 12/28-01/03/16 12/21-12/27/15 12/14-12/20/15 12/07-12/13/15 11/30-12/06/15 11/23-11/29/15 11/16-11/22/15 11/09-11/15/15 11/02-11/08/15 10/26-11/01/15 10/19-10/25/15 10/12-10/18/15 10/05/10/11/15 09/28-10/04/15 09/21-09/27/15 09/14-09/20/15 09/07-09/13/15 08/31-09/06/ ,220 1,199 1,300 1,515 1,845 2,218 2,346 2,499 2,520 2,663 3,386 3,140 3,484 3,284 3,278 3,277 3,207 3,474 4,004 3,873 Major holiday Severe weather ,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 13

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15 Student Ridership by Time of Day * 11,047 *Total ridership since inception 8,579 8,154 5,528 3,082 2,550 2,658 3,089 1,857 1,604 1,713 1,802 1, AM 6 AM 7 AM 8 AM 9 AM 10 AM 11 AM 12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM 5 PM 6 PM 7 PM 8 PM 9 PM 10 PM 11 PM 15

16 Weekday Student Ridership before 6 AM & after 8 PM Herndon Huntington West Ox Week Weekend Student Ridership Herndon Huntington West Ox Week 16

17 Next Steps: Assess Opinions Program impact Surveys Gather quantitative and qualitative data from students, parents, school officials, and bus operators Focus Groups Allow students to share their ideas for shaping the program Increasing ridership among peers 17

18 Next Steps: Recommend Program Data Ridership & Survey Data Outreach Experience Program Recommendations BOS & School Board Lessons Learned 18

19 Next Steps: Improve & Educate Presentation to FCPS School Board Strengthen interagency partnerships Educate & Increase support among High School and Middle School Principals/ Administrators Develop targeted outreach strategies Review program hours and days Discuss bus pass integration with Student ID s 19

20 Next Steps: Refine & Engage Board member feedback and approval Develop recommendations for SY Pass usage times Later than 8pm? Weekends? Need to remain cognizant of SLEEP study findings and FCPS objectives New FCPS student ID s, with photo? New schools to focus outreach Ways to assist FCPS students served by Metrobus instead of Fairfax Connector 20

21 Next Steps: Refine & Engage Refine outreach program Update Elizabeth s Journey PSA video Update outreach materials Robust social media campaign Vary the schools for targeted outreach Increase in-school and event outreach opportunities Parity: include bus pass information/forms with school parking pass information 21

22 Questions? 22