Tips for Planning and Operating Successful Shuttles and Circulators Netconference

On May 28, 2008 the National Center for Transit Research’s National TDM and Telework Clearinghouse at the University of South Florida and the Association for Commuter Transportation held a net conference entitled Tips for Planning and Operating Successful Shuttles and Circulators.

Summary: Community and corporate interest in deploying shuttles and circulators to meet the mobility needs of employees and residents continues to grow. ACT and NCTR brought together two speakers who offered tips for planning and operating successful shuttles and circulators.

Joel Volinski, Director, National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida, spoke about downtown shuttles and to shuttles that have been in place in more suburban settings run by local cities, versus the regional transit agency. He has co-authored several reports on the topic that identifies key characteristics for developing an effective circulator system as well as critical operating strategies. His research includes case studies identifying key elements of successful practices and provides general guidelines from which individual communities can develop systems unique to their needs.

Wendy Silvani, Director, Emeryville (CA) TMA, discussed the operational, marketing, service planning and financial considerations for Emery Go Round. Emery Go Round shuttle is a private transportation service, funded solely by commercial property owners in the citywide transportation business improvement district. This free shuttle serves Emeryville California from MacArthur BART and Emeryville Amtrak train stations. Emery Go Round is a service of the Emeryville Transportation Management Association, a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to increase access and mobility to, from and within Emeryville while alleviating congestion through operation of the shuttle program. The TMA Board of Directors, which also serves as the official representative of property owners for the Business Improvement District, determines tax assessment rates as well as the level of shuttle service on an annual basis.

This 74 minute netconference was moderated by Donna Smallwood, MassRides/URS

Click here to view the streaming media replay 
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• Copy of all the PowerPoint slides (pdf) (2.0 Mb)