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UPASS Annual Report Sept 93-94
UPASS YOU AND THE U ANNUAL REPORT September 27, 1993 - September 25, 1994 The U-PASS is a flexible package of transportation benefits that allows students, faculty and staff to choose from a variety of commuting options at a greatly reduced price. Metro, Community Transit and the University of Washington have formed a partnership to bring about this innovative transportation management program, which has completed its third year of a three-year demonstration period. This report provides an analysis of the program's third year of operation. The U-PASS benefits the entire University community of over 50,000 either directly, by providing flexible transportation options, or indirectly, by reducing traffic congestion and parking demand and improving the air quality. Those who choose to participate pay a low fee for a U-PASS sticker, which is affixed to the back of their University identification card. For the first two years, the U-PASS cost $20 per quarter for students and $27 for faculty and staff. During the third year of the program, the prices rose to $24 per quarter for students and $33 for faculty and staff. (Effective October 1994, price increased to $27 per quarter for students and $37.50 for faculty and staff.) The U-PASS provides access to all elements of the program: þ Metro and Community Transit . Bicycle programs þ Free carpool parking . Merchant discounts þ Subsidized vanpools þ Reimbursed Ride Home þ Night Ride shuttle . Discount daily parking passes þ Ridematch Program Goals The U-PASS was designed to meet a number of goals: 1) provide better transportation services to University commuters; 2) decrease the number of vehicle trips and in turn the need to replace lost parking with new parking facilities; 3) achieve a 75 percent U-PASS participation rate; and 4) mitigate potential traffic and parking impacts of University growth. Funding The total U-PASS budget during the three-year demonstration period (October 199110 ,September 1994) was almost $18 million. It was originally estimated that income from pass sales would cover 40 percent of the U-PASS costs. High participation, however, has re- suited in user fees covering 50 percent of the program costs in the second and third years. In 1993-94, parking fees covered 35 percent of costs, with just 15 percent of the program being subsidized by other University sources. U-PASS Funding Sources Indicator 91/92 92/93 93/94 User Fees 40% 50% 50% Parking Fees 30% 30% 35% Other UW Sources 30% 20% 15% 1 To achieve this funding level from the parking system, monthly parking permits were increased from $24 to $40 for faculty and staff, and student daily pay parking was increased from $0.75 to $1.50. Those who purchase a parking permit also receive a complementary U-PASS. (Effective October 1994, parking permits were increased to $42 per month.) In addition, the Washington Slate Legislature provided a grant of $800,000 to the U-PASS program for one-time capital improvements during the 1991-93 biennium. This money funded the following: þ Roadway improvements for buses $230,000 þ Pass holder safety improvements $210,000 þ Parking improvements for carpools $ 65,000 þ Bicycle facilities improvements $295,000 Click HERE for graphic. U-PASS Effectiveness The effectiveness of the U-PASS program is measured by participation rates, changes in vehicle trips and changes in people 's choice of commute mode. PARTICIPATION During the 1993-94 academic year, U-PASS participation averaged almost 34,000. The campuswide participation rate remained at 76 percent in the third year, surpassing the three-year goal of 75 percent. Student participation averaged 80 percent in the second and third years. During autumn quarter, over 40,000 students, faculty and staff typically have a U-PASS. U-PASS Participation User 91/92 92/93 93/94 Students 74% 80% 80% Faculty/Staff 68% 70% 68% Total Campus 72% 76% 76% VEHICLE TRIPS The number of vehicles coming to campus during morning rush hours (7-9 A.M.) has decreased 17 percent, from 7,800 before U-PASS to 6,458 in October 1993. Trips leaving campus in the peak afternoon hours (3-6 P.M.) decreased by almost 8 percent when compared to 1990, with 24- hour vehicle counts down by almost 6 percent over the same period. Click HERE for graphic. 2 MODE CHOICE Since 1980, the University has periodically conducted mode choice surveys to track changes in faculty, staff and student commute behavior. Prior to the U-PASS program, these surveys were conducted during autumn quarter using a mail-out questionnaire. Since the start of the U-PASS program, the University and Metro have worked together to conduct a U-PASS telephone survey during winter quarter (1992 and 1994). In addition, the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law requires that the University survey its employees every/other year starting in 1994. The most dramatic shifts in commute modes occurred in the categories of single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) commuters and bus riders. The number of people driving alone to campus has decreased from 33 percent to only 24 percent since the U-PASS began, while transit ridership has increased from 21 to 34 percent. Click HERE for graphic. All sectors of the campus community have shared in the shift from SOV use to transit use. The number of students driving alone has dropped by nearly half, from 25 percent to 14 percent At the same time, the percentage of students commuting by transit has risen from 21 to 37 percent. Faculty SOV use was down 9 percent while transit use increased from 11 percent to 20 percent. Staff also experienced a significant decrease in SOV use and a corresponding increase in transit use. Click HERE for graphic. 3 Results by Program Element The results of individual U-PASS program elements are discussed below. SOV PERMITS/PARKING UTILIZATION Since the start of the program, the number of outstanding SOV permits has declined steadily. Purchase of faculty/staff SOV permits has decreased almost 26 percent; student permits have decreased over 40 percent. Click HERE for graphic. The reduction in SOV permits sales has also resulted in the reduction of the number of parking spaces used on campus. Prior to the U-PASS, peak-period parking utilization was almost 88 percent, with 10,742 of the total 12,276 campus spaces being used. By October 1993, the campus parking inventory had been reduced to 11,766 spaces, a loss of 510 parking stalls. At the same time, the number of vehicles parking on campus during the peak period declined to 9,507, a reduction of 12 percent or 1,235 vehicles. The east campus student lots, which used to fill daily, showed the biggest reduction in usage, going from capacity to only 76 percent use. The successful parking mitigation has allowed the U-PASS program to meet its goal of decreasing the need to build new parking facilities (see Program Goals). Without the program, the loss of over 500 centrally located parking spaces would have resulted in unacceptable parking conditions on the central campus. TRANSIT RIDERSHIP One of the most important features of the U-PASS program has been the significant increase in transit service to the campus and University District. By February 1993, Metro had added 57,000 annual hours of new service (a 20 percent increase), and Community Transit had added almost 3,000 annual hours. Besides adding new trips on existing routes, Metro created three brand new routes for the U-PASS program. The cost of new service was shared between the University and the two transit agencies. Between 1991 and 1993, total campus ridership on Metro grew from 4.6 million to 7.4 million annual trips, a 60 percent increase. The University's 1993 annual U-PASS ridership represented 10 percent of the total trips taken on Metro. During the same period, Community Transit reported a 22 percent increase in ridership on weekday routes coming to the University District. Metro Transit Ridership Percent of Year University Total Total 1991 4,644,639 74,281,538 6% 1992 7,226,156 75,210,383 10% 1993 7,420,420 74,337,031 10% % Change 1991-1993 60% 0.1% 4 CARPOOLS U-PASS holders have two carpool options, both of them free. Students, faculty and staff can show their U-PASS cards upon arriving on campus; they are then assigned a parking space. Faculty and staff who carpool regularly at least three days per week can obtain a free carpool permit, which allows them to drive directly to their assigned lot without checking in every day with a campus gate attendant. Since the start of the U-PASS, the number of carpool permits are up 33 percent, while the number of informal daily carpools has increased by 21 percent On any given day, there are 1,800 carp0ols parked on campus, an increase of 27 percent since 1990. Click HERE for graphic. VANPOOLS Prior to the U-PASS, only eight University vanpools were in operation, with a total of 79 participants. The program peaked at 27 vanpools in 1992. A monthly fare was introduced for riders in 1993; drivers pay no fare and also receive a free U-PASS. Currently, 24 van-pools are on the road with over 200 riders participating. Click HERE for graphic. RIDEMATCH Commuters looking for others with whom to share the ride have expanded the ridematch database from 850 names prior to the U-PASS to almost 1,100 names today (a 30 percent increase). Students receive ridematch applications quarterly with their registration confirmation; faculty and staff receive applications several times a year, although anyone can sign up at any time. 5 NIGHT RIDE The Night Ride is an evening van service that picks up students, faculty and staff on campus and delivers them to their destination in nearby neighborhoods. The service is provided nine months of the year (autumn through spring quarters) and is operated by a private vendor on contract to the University. During the first year of operation, the Night Ride carried 23,629 passengers, or an average of 145 riders per night. Ridership peaked the second year, with almost 37,300 riders. During the third year the average ridership each night was 222, which works out to $7.46 per passenger trip. Night Ride Usage Indicator 91/92 92/93 93/94 Total Riders 23,629 37,297 35,578 Average Riders/Day 145 233 222 Average Riders/Hour 24 39 36 Average Cost/Rider $10.88 $7.15 $7.46 BICYCLING Bicycling is an important pan of the U-PASS program. To encourage the use of bicycles as a commute mode and to better serve the needs of bicyclists, a new Bicycle Advisory Group comprised of faculty, staff and students was appointed in 1994. Since the start of the U-PASS, almost $400,000 has been spent for improved bicycle facilities and programs, including the purchase of over 200 new bicycle racks (capacity of 3,000 bikes), 150 bicycle lockers and other campus bicycle improvements. The University now rents 238 bike locker spaces, more than any other university in the country. Most bike locker locations on campus have a waiting list. MERCHANT DISCOUNT During the 1993-94 school year, 42 merchants offered discounts to U- PASS holders. In return, they received free publicity in fliers, brochures and advertisements as well as the opportunity to participate in the annual transportation fair. This element of the program was designed to encourage U-PASS participation particularly among students flying on or near campus who do not commute regularly. Faculty/Staff Features Faculty and staff are eligible for two U-PASS services not available to students: the Reimbursed Ride Home program and discount daily parking passes. These features provide both flexibility and convenience for the commuter. REIMBURSED RIDE HOME Faculty and staff who experience an emergency and whose usual transportation is unavailable when they must leave campus can call a taxi cab and be reimbursed for 90 percent of the fare up to 50 miles per quarter. (An emergency could be personal illness, family emergency, or an unanticipated need to work late.) In 1994 an average of13 faculty and staff used the program each month (this is down from a peak of 17 in 1993). The average trip length was 8.4 miles and the average fare $16.59. The number of passengers represent just 0.1 percent of the faculty/staff U-PASS holders. Although the service is infrequently used, over 30 percent of the faculty and staff U-PASS holders consider it an important program feature. Reimbursed Ride Home Usage Indicator 91/92 92/93 93/94 Average Trips/Month 15 17 13 Average Trip Length 8.0 8.5 8.4 Average Fare Paid $14.40 $15.36 $16.59 % F/S U-PASS Holder 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 6 DISCOUNT DAILY PARKING PASSES Discount daily parking passes are available to U-PASS participants for $1.25 each (effective October 1994 the price was increased to $1.50). These passes allow those who usually leave their cars at home to drive up to twice a week without paying full parking rates ($5.00 per day effective October 1994). Non-U-PASS participants can also purchase the passes but pay double the rate. This feature of the program has been an important incentive for faculty and staff to turn in their SOV permits and give the U-PASS a try. Surveys show that use of the parking passes has increased slightly, from 4.0 times per month in 1992 to 4.3 times per month in 1994. Discount Daily Parking Passes (Non-Parking Permit/U-PASS Holders) Category 1992 1994 Percent Who Purchase 31% 44% Average Use/Month 4.0 4.3 INFORMATION AND MARKETING The Transportation Office hosts several transportation fairs each year. New students and employees receive program brochures and newsletters; seasonal fliers are mailed and/or stocked at nine commuter centers around campus. Advertisements and articles in campus papers keep the program in the public eye. MONITORING AND EVALUATION To track the effectiveness of the new U-PASS program, a monitoring and evaluation system was put into place. This system includes annual traffic surveys, a biennial transportation telephone survey conducted jointly with Metro and the monthly monitoring of each U-PASS element. Based on the 1992 and 1994 U-PASS telephone surveys, the U-PASS satisfaction rate has increased both for those who do have a U-PASS and for those who do not. In 1994, 75 percent of U-PASS holders were very satisfied' with the program, up from 67 percent in 1992. The percentage of non-U-PASS holders who were very satisfied with the program also rose, from 31 percent in 1992 to 39 percent in 1994. U-PASS Program Satisfaction Total Population U-PASS Non U-PASS Category 1992 1994 1992 1994 1992 1994 Very Satisfied 59% 66% 67% 75% 31% 39% Somewhat Satisfied 27% 21% 25% 18% 34% 30% Somewhat Dissatisfied 30% 3% 2% 2% 6% 5% Very Dissatisfied 20% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% Don't Know/No Opinion 10% 9% 5% 4% 27% 26% Click HERE for graphic. The 1994 telephone survey also indicates that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of U-PASS holders take advantage of two or more U-PASS options. This is a switch from 1992, when nearly half those surveyed said they used their U-PASS for the bus alone. Commuters are learning how to make maximum use of their U-PASS options. 7 Awards The innovative U-PASS program has won awards both locally and nationally. - Bullitt Foundation's Oil Smart Award (1991): Best Overall Transportation Program - Bullitt Foundation's Oil Smart Award (1992): Best Overall Transportation Program - Association of Commuter Transportation (ACT) (1991): Leadership Award (highest award) - American Public Transportation Association (1992): Named Metro best large public transportation system in North America, in part for its work on the U-PASS program. - EDC Commuter Challenge (1994): Diamond Award (highest level) Comments The Transportation Office welcomes comments on the U-PASS program. Letters should be addressed to the Transportation Office, FJ-08, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. Or call (206) 543-0450. Click HERE for graphic.
