Lubbock, TX
Citibus Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Project Overview
The City of Lubbock/Citibus is currently underway on an important project called the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), which is focused on how to improve Citibus’ local fixed-route bus services within Lubbock (non-TTU routes), complementary paratransit services, and demand response services. This analysis will lead to recommendations for program and service design improvements for overall system efficiency and operational effectiveness.
The focus of COA recommendations will be:
Optimization of existing transit service: improved service deployment and operating metrics through efficient allocation of service hours and miles, reallocate resources to highest transit uses areas
Improved mobility: enhanced transit service levels and connectivity, redesigned/direct service, improved schedule adherence
Improved cost effectiveness: lower cost per rider, improved farebox recovery ratio
Easier to use, more passenger friendly Citibus system: more direct routes with more frequent service
This project is necessitated by flat and declining Citibus ridership in recent years; significant changes in land use development, especially as land has been annexed into the City and retail and medical services have been developed in the northwest and western side of Lubbock; increased business presence in areas outside of Loop 289 and west of I-27; and societal changes impacting how, where, and why people move around the Lubbock community.
The COA will be accomplished through a series of steps including:
Comprehensive public participation plan with community input throughout
Analysis of existing routes and services
Development of route alternatives and innovative service delivery options
Technical analysis of the alternatives
Recommended alternative and final plan
Project Progress
Since the project kickoff in summer of 2019, there have been several reports and presentations, which are available for review:
July 2019-September 2019
The first major report of the project, Working Paper #1, presented community conditions, route performance, asset inventory, and financial analysis. This report helps inform future aspects of the project moving forward toward initial route concepts and final alternatives.
September 2019-November 2019
The next piece of work was a presentation of:
The onboard rider survey and online community survey results
Current trends in public transportation and mobility
Transit planning concepts and trade-offs
Preliminary system concepts for discussion
o High-level ideas of how a new system could operate – these ideas will be refined into preferred alternatives in the next step of the project
UPDATE: Spring/Summer 2020
Working Paper #2 details the preliminary preferred system alternative, including route and service changes. Citibus had originally planned to host a series of open houses March 24th through March 26th, 2020, but due to the Coronavirus and TTU moving to virtual classes, the open houses have been postponed to a later date. An interactive online discussion board and online feedback form are now available to provide feedback on Working Paper #2 and the preliminary preferred system alternative. Please stay tuned for future opportunities to provide feedback!
