Bigger Bang for the BuckPanel Discussion: Improving the ROI

on Transit Investments with TDM

What can TDM do?

• Attract New Rides

• Manage Peak Demand

• Respond Quickly to Changing Demands

• Provide Temporary Travel Measures

• Ensure Business Continuity

What can TDM do?

Source: Cansult – TSI, May 2005

Impact of Transit Improvements on GHG Emissions (March 2005)

Attract New Riders

• Motivate individuals to choose transit– Financial incentives and loyalty

• Toronto – 12 months of free passes at new condos• Mississauga – matching discount with employers• Vancouver – universal transit pass at UBC, SFU

– 18 months: weekday trips up 54% and 84%– 18 months: SOV trips down by 22% and 10%

• Canada – tax credit for transit riders• Volume incentive programs

Attract New Riders

• Increase capacity at little cost– Modal integration

• GTHA: BikeLinx for bicycle racks on buses• Active transportation links

– Carpool parking at rapid transit

Attract New Riders

• Individualized marketing– Identify those most likely to take transit– Targeted marketing at trip ends– Portland, Oregon

• Transit marketing to households near new LRT line• Transit trips increased by 44% with IM; 24% without

– GTHA Big Move• IM to every household near rapid transit

approximately every three years

Manage Peak Demand

• Alternative work arrangements– Ottawa (1974)

• “…Serious overtaxing of the bus transit system, particularly during brief periods in the morning and evening.” (Safavian and McLean, 1975)

• 33,000 federal employees on flexible time• 50% of city’s workforce

Manage Peak Demand

Car Transit

Before After Change Before After Change

AM 50% 47% -3% 50% 53% +3%

PM 57% 55% -2% 43% 45% +2%

Manage Peak Demand

• Compressed Work Weeks– 4/10 or 9/80

• Telework

• Peak Period Pricing– Ottawa (discontinued)

• Fare premium during peak times

• Incentives– Seat guarantee and improved reliability

Respond Quickly

• Address capacity shortages until new infrastructure is in service

• Provide options in new areas before transit is introduced or extended

• Telework and carpooling can provide workforce continuity in a matter of days

Provide Temporary Measures

• Ease Disruptions (Construction, Events)– Incentives to prevent switch to SOV

• Temporary HOV Lanes• Focused measures e.g. corridor• Reprioritize modes for safety and efficiency

– Route change• Maximize use of alternates with capacity

– Trip elimination programs

Provide Temporary Measures

• Denver– T-REX = 19 miles of new LRT and 17 miles of

new highway• TransOptions

– Subsidies to employers and commuters– Marketing of options– Eligibility restricted to T-REX corridor– 25% of commuters altered their travel time (50,000)– 21% of commuters altered their routes– Flexible work schedules were #1 desire for work

commuters during construction

Ensure Business Continuity

• Engage Private Involvement– Economic continuity– Private investment in transportation

• Continuity in transit operations– Service continuity– Emergency planning and operations

• E.g. office and support staff

Benefits

• Reduced Expenditures– TDM a fraction of the cost of new supply– Improved efficiency on sunken investments– Options where transit is not yet cost-effective

• Better Returns– More riders on Day 1 of new service– Reduced impact of disruptions– Ability to target the issue or population

Benefits

• Equity– Level the playing field across modes

• Environment– Strengthens transit’s position as ‘green’

• Partnership– Can forge long-lasting partnerships

• Transit and TDM• Supporters and stakeholders