METRO Rail Intercept Survey Findings, Data Uses

AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group

October 1, 2009

METRO Light Rail – Starter line

Great ridership!1

1 September ridership numbers are through September 20, 2009.

Who are all these riders??

We need data!

Intercept survey conducted April 18 – 24, 2009 Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday

5 Teams of 2 surveyors each 2 round trips each Intercept every third person Statistics

3,144 valid weekday and Saturday surveys 95% confidence 1.96% margin of error

Survey Findings 39k average weekday boardings For what type of trips do people use METRO?

HBO – 39% HBW – 27% NHB – 22% HBU – 12%

How do people access METRO? Walk, bike, skateboard (believe it!) – 45% Drive (PNR, KNR, Carpool) – 29% Bus – 26%

General trends 35% of respondents had not used transit in Phoenix prior to LRT

opening 62% of respondents had a car available for the trip on which they

were surveyed 49% of those survey use METRO after 4 PM

What now?

1st up: Central Mesa Extension

3.1 mile LRT extension Market characteristics

Similar to boardings at existing EOL – Sycamore

Primary destination – Tempe / ASU

Pursue Small Starts funding

Simple project, “simple” forecast

LRT serving different mix of markets than bus Regional model calibrated to 2007 all bus onboard survey

Working with FTA, developing LRT forecasts that more accurately reflect mix of riders Based on LRT intercept survey Aggregate data and forecasts into 8 markets; compare by

trip purpose and mode of access Factor forecasts post mode choice

By trip purpose By mode of access In some cases, by location (CBD)

Capture general trends, not every trip Where we are now

Lessons learned…and still learning

Special events Special events model is currently being updated

Late night trips Not a part of 2007 onboard survey (no late night bus service

at the time) Park and ride activity

PNR lot utilization overall has gone up 20% in last month ASU back in session but… Heavy turn over Unstable

ASU – semester UPASS sales exceeding expectations Parking costs high, sites remote

METRO LRT in the news…

“…Rail is a hot new venue for artists” (August 8, 2009)AZ Central

“METRO ridership exceeds projections” (September 15, 2009)Phoenix Business Journal

“Environment prize goes to light rail” (September 13, 2009)AZ Central

“Pub crawls along the light rail have become a weekend staple…” (September 20, 2009)

New York Times

Contact Information

Stephanie Shipp602-495-8243

Stephanie.shipp@hdrinc.com