Agenda 7-a-1 Attachment: OPT SRTP final report

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OPT Short Range Transit Plan Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. | 3-6 Age Group Analysis The selected improvements were also analyzed for respondents in four age groups: 18-24, 25-34, 35-54, and 55 or older (Figure 3-6). These age groups represent the college age (18-24), young professional (25-34), professional (35-54), and approaching retirement or retired (55 or older). In order to avoid a small sample size, this assessment does not separate GoTriangle and OPT users; instead, this should be viewed as a trend for the overall region. Ridership frequency is relatively similar across the four age groups, with 79% of the college age group, 84% of young professionals, 78% of professionals, and 73% of the retired/approaching group regularly use transit (at least three days per week). Overall, all four age groups prioritized more frequent Monday-Saturday service and later evening service. In addition to this preference, the college age population also prioritized more frequent night service. The young professional population prioritized more direct service and reduced travel times at a higher rate than the other groups. The retired/approaching retirement group prioritized routes closer to their home and improved transfer connections at higher rates than the other populations. These stated preferences suggest different commute behaviors for the age groups, with the younger college age population likely living near campus with shorter, less predictable commutes, the young professional population living closer to the downtown area commuting with local service. The retired/approaching retirement group may have limited mobility and may be less reliant on private automobiles in general and thus prioritize expanding service spans, frequency, and route proximity to their homes. Figure 3-6 What improvements would cause you to use transit more often? – Age Group Analysis 19% 8% 15% 8% 23% 19% 15% 23% 42% 23% 8% 23% 38% 38% 9% 21% 10% 12% 15% 16% 31% 34% 31% 39% 16% 30% 35% 51% 10% 9% 5% 10% 9% 18% 28% 19% 25% 23% 18% 24% 32% 51% 6% 8% 8% 10% 20% 27% 30% 32% 32% 33% 34% 44% 52% 75% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Earlier morning service Better service information Route closer to my job/school Other (please specify) Route closer to my job More comfortable bus stops More park-and-ride availability More direct service More frequent service at night and/or Sundays Reduced travel times Improved transfer connections Route closer to my home Later evening service More frequent service during the day Monday-Saturday 55 or older 35-55 25-34 18-24 N = 111 N = 160 N = 119 N = 26