This item is being presented to the City Commission for discussion and direction.

BACKGROUND

The City is currently operating four (4) trolley routes: North Beach Loop, Middle Beach Loop, Collins Link, and Alton-West Loop. In addition, the City anticipates implementing the South Beach Trolley route in November, 2017. While transfer points are provided along all trolley routes to enable connectivity between routes, traveling between North Beach and South Beach requires multiple transfers which increase the length and travel time of the trip. Attachment A depicts a map of the existing trolley routes, the proposed South Beach Trolley route, as well as transfer points between the existing routes.

In an effort to improve the efficiency of the City's Trolley service as well as enhance passengers' transit experience, the Administration is considering pursuing a Collins Avenue Express Trolley service with the objective that no more than one transfer would be required to travel from North Beach to South Beach.  A potential Collins Express Trolley service with limited stops would reduce the number of transfers currently required to travel between North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach, and would reduce travel times, thereby resulting in a quicker and more attractive and efficient intracity trolley service. Additionally, the implementation of a Collins Express Trolley service would help promote a desired mode shift from the personal automobile to public transit/trolley service, help reduce congestion and air pollution, and improve parking availability citywide, consistent with the goals and objectives of the City's Transportation Master Plan adopted by the City Commission in April 2016.  Attachment B depicts the proposed route alignment for the Collins Express Trolley service operating as a one-way loop from the northern City limit to Washington Avenue/Lincoln Road.

Staff has developed the following two (2) service plan scenarios for the implementation of a potential Collins Express Trolley service:

Option 1. Reduce Collins Link Service Frequency and Implement Collins Express Trolley Service

Since the proposed Collins Express Trolley service would overlap with a substantial portion of the current Collins Link route, currently operating at 10-15 minute frequency of service, under this scenario, staff is proposing to reduce the frequency of service along the Collins Link to 20-minute headways. Reduction in service frequency along the Collins Link route would be offset by new service provided by the Collins Express Trolley with approximately 30 minute frequency of service. Under this scenario, the proposed Collins Express Trolley service would require a total of three (3) trolley low-floor trolley vehicles. While the total cost of the Collins Express Trolley Service under this option is estimated at $1,351,200, a large portion of this cost, approximately $851,000, would be offset by cost savings in the annual operation and maintenance cost of the Collins Link service due to the proposed reduction of service frequency. Thus, the net annual operating cost of the proposed Express Trolley service under this scenario is estimated to be $500,200.

Option 2. Replace Collins Link Service with Collins Express Trolley Service

As an alternative to Option 1, the City Commission could consider replacing the existing Collins Link service with a new Collins Express Trolley service using the existing kneeling/high floor Collins Link trolley vehicles. As it compares to Option 1, this option would not result in any additional cost as the same number of trolley vehicles currently operating along the Collins Link route (5) would be used to operate along the proposed Collins Express Trolley route and for the same number of service hours. Given the route length and number of trolley vehicles available for the proposed service, it is estimated that service frequency along the Collins Express Trolley route, under this scenario, would be approximately 20 minutes (higher frequency of service than Option 1). While this option would reduce service along the current Collins Link route, it would actually provide for shorter travel times between North and South Beach and increase service frequency in portions of North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach. Based on an analysis of ridership data since inception of the Collins Link (January to March 2017), staff determined that the stop locations with highest number of boardings and alightings along the routes are transfer stops served by adjacent trolley routes. While the Collins Express Trolley service is proposed to have fewer stops along the existing Collins Link route in order to achieve higher operating speeds and shorter travel times, careful consideration will be taken when identifying stop locations to be preserved, consolidated, or removed such that the highest possible level of service is provided along the route while not adversely affecting the objective of the Collins Express Trolley service. A variation of this option could include an extension of the proposed route along Washington Avenue south to South Pointe Drive and serve Rebecca Towers and The Shops at Fifth and Alton.  Staff is currently performing travel time runs to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of a potential extension to South Pointe Drive.        

As with all other trolley loops operating in the City, the proposed Collins Express Trolley route and service plan would require approval from Miami-Dade County via an Interlocal Agreement prior to implementation of the proposed service. 

Lastly, should the City Commission recommend that the Administration pursue the Collins Express Trolley service, an amendment to the existing agreement with the City's trolley operator, Limousines of South Florida (LSF), for Turnkey Trolley Operations and Maintenance Services, would be required. 

Under Option 1, the annual operation and maintenance cost of the proposed Collins Express Trolley service is estimated at $1,351,200, assuming the current hourly operating rate for low-floor trolleys under the City's existing agreement for turnkey trolley services.  A large portion of this cost, approximately $850,000, would be offset by cost savings in the annual operation and maintenance cost of the Collins Link as a result of a reduction in service frequency. Thus, the net annual operating cost of the proposed Collins Express Trolley service is estimated to be $500,200.  Funding for this service would require either additional transfers from prior year surplus in the Parking Fund, if available, or from the General Fund.

Option 2 is anticipated to be cost-neutral since , under this scenario, the proposed Collins Express Trolley service would essentially replace the current Collins Link service using the same trolley vehicles and operating the same hours of service.