Okaloosa County BOCC — August 16, 2016 — Access EC Rider TDP - August Draft Report — reading text

Figure 4-35: What is the ZIP code of the place are you going to now? 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 32531 32536 32540 32541 32547 32548 32549 32569 32578 32580 37536 Passengers were asked what mode of transportation they would use to reach their final destination after taking the bus (Figure 4-36). The majority (73%) indicated they would walk or use a wheelchair; 13% would use a bicycle, and 11% would use a car, either by being picked up by someone or riding with someone who parked. This question also asked passengers to describe how long it took them to reach the stop. Of those passengers who walked, used a wheelchair or biked, and approximately 97% traveled three blocks or less. Passengers were asked which type of fare they paid for this one-way trip (Figure 4-37). Most (62%) paid the regular cash-fare and 12% paid used a 31-day regular-fare pass. The reduced cash fare was paid by 12%, and 5% paid using a 31-day reduced-fare pass. Figure 4-36: How did you get to the first bus stop for this one-way trip? Ride w/someone Other, 4.5% who parked, 2.7% Will be picked up, 6.3% Bicycle, 13.4% Walk/wheelchair, 73.2% ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 84  Section 4 – Public Involvement Figure 4-37: What type of fare did you pay for this one-way trip? Other, 9% 31-day pass (reduced fare), 5% 31-day pass (regular fare), 12% Regular fare, 61% Reduced full fare, 12% Passengers were asked how many one-way trips they made per week using EC Rider buses (Figure 4-38). Responses indicated that passengers used the bus on a regular basis, with 50% indicating that they used the bus four or more days per week. Only 5% of passengers indicated that this was their first time using EC Rider. This is corroborated by Figure 4-39, which indicates that 42% of passengers had been using EC Rider for at least two years, with half of those passengers indicating they had been using it for longer than five years. Another 32% of passengers indicated they had been using it for a short period of time (less than six months), and the remaining 26% of passengers had been using it between six months and two years. Figure 4-38: How many days a week do you usually take buses? First time riding, 5% Less than once a week, 13% Five or more days, 30% One day, 5% Two days, 17% Four days, 20% Three days, 10% ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 85  Section 4 – Public Involvement Figure 4-39: How long have you been using EC Rider? More than 5 Less than 6 years, 21% months, 32% 2 to 5 years, 21% 6 months to 2 years, 26% Passengers were asked to indicate their most important is reason for riding the bus (Figure 4-40). The majority of responses were vehicle-related. The primary reason given was no access to a car (38%), followed by do not drive/do not have a driver’s license (46% combined). In total, 11% of passengers indicated that the bus was a more convenient way to travel, and only 2% of passengers responded that traffic congestion or the EC Rider being more economical was the most important reason. Figure 4-40: What is the most important reason you ride the bus? Bus is more convenient, Other, 4% Traffic is too 11% I don't have bad, 1% driver's license, ECR is more 21% economical, 1% I don't drive, 25% I don't have access to a car, 38% Passengers were asked how they would make their one-way trip if the bus were not available (Figure 4-41). There was a fairly even rate among the responses of ride with someone (26%), bike (23%), or walk (23%). Another 15% of passengers indicated they would not make the trip if the bus was not available, and only 4% of respondents indicated they would drive as an alternative, which is consistent with passengers responding to the previous question that vehicle/license availability was a primary reason for using the bus. ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 86  Section 4 – Public Involvement Figure 4-41: How would you make this trip if bus service was not available? Other, 2% Drive, 4% Wouldn't make this trip, 15% Ride with someone, 26% Taxi, 8% Walk, 23% Bicycle, 23% Passengers were asked to identify the three service improvements that would improve their experience using EC Rider. As shown in Figure 4-42, the most frequent responses related to service improvements; new weekend service was the most popular response at 27%, followed by more frequent service and later service on existing routes, both noted by approximately 15% of respondents. Improved security at stops and on buses as well as better sidewalk connections to bus stops received the lowest percentage of responses (1.7% each). Figure 4-42: Which three service improvements would make EC Rider better for you to use? Wi-Fi on board buses, Other, Improved security at 8.8% More frequent 2.5% stops and on… service, 15.4% Better sidewalk connections to bus stops, 1.7% Later service on More bike racks at existing routes, 15.0% bus stops, 3.3% More More routes/service, benches/Shelters, 9.2% 11.7% Better connections to New weekend other cities/counties, service, 27.1% 3.8% ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 87  Section 4 – Public Involvement Passenger Socio-Demographic Information This section identifies socio-demographic characteristics of passengers that use EC Rider services, including ethnicity, household income, ZIP code of primary residence, and possession of a driver’s license. As more transit agencies are considering technology enhancements to better the customer experience (i.e., phone applications, Wi-Fi, etc.), it is important to understand what percentage of the customer base owns smart phones or tablets necessary to use these technological improvements. According to this on-board survey, just under two-thirds (63%) of EC Rider passengers own a smart phone or tablet (Figure 4-43). The majority of passengers (97%) spoke English (Figure 4-44) and identified as White (Caucasian) (58%), Black (African-American) (26%) (Figure 4-45), or not of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (92%) (Figure 4-46). The passenger responses illustrated in Figure 4-47 further confirm a primary use of EC Rider by passengers that do not have access to a vehicle or who are unable to drive, as 64% of respondents indicated that they did not have a driver’s license. As illustrated in Figure 4-48, approximately half of respondents to the survey were ages 20–49, 25% were 50–59, 17% were 60 and older, and only 11% were under 20. Figure 4-43: Do you own a smart phone or tablet? No, 37% Yes, 63% Figure 4-44: What is your primary language? Spanish, 2% Other, 1% English, 97% ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 88  Section 4 – Public Involvement Figure 4-45: How would you describe yourself? Native Hawaiian or