Three (Updated: Four) things the Atlanta Streetcar needs to get right

The Atlanta Streetcar just celebrated its first year in operation with the introduction of a $1 paid fare requirement ("A buck is fare"). Here are a few things I think officials need to get right for the Atlanta Streetcar to bring a competitive value proposition:

• Service frequency
  Currently, the streetcar runs every 15 mins, with two trains in service out of a fleet of four.
• For a downtown line this short, daytime headways should be 10 mins or less to match MARTA's peak rail service.
  
• Fare integration and transfer policy
  Having to pay separate fares when transferring between MARTA and the streetcar makes the streetcar unattractive money-wise for those who would use the streetcar as a last-mile connection. Here is a suggestion and an opportunity to integrate all regional fares:
• $1 fare
• A one-way single-ride ticket on the streetcar, no transfers.
• $2.50 cash fare (Regional One-Way):
• A single-ride ticket on the streetcar, and
• A transfer to MARTA rail/buses or CCT/GCT local routes.
• $5.00 cash fare (Express One-Way)
• A single-ride ticket on the streetcar, and
• A transfer to MARTA rail/buses and any GRTA, CCT, GCT bus (express/local).
• MARTA fare products accepted. Customers holding MARTA passes (and maybe later regional passes) would receive, upon validation:
• A single-ride ticket on the streetcar, and
• A transfer to MARTA rail/buses.
  In addition, customers transferring from MARTA would receive a single-ride ticket at no additional cost. 
• Of course, this suggestion requires loading transfers on the customer's Breeze Card at the time of validation, and using the financial clearinghouse to distribute fare revenue.
• Traffic signal priority
  The streetcar will often get stuck at traffic lights with long red cycles, drastically slowing travel and service frequency on the already short downtown loop. Sadly, travel speeds are currently so low that walking is only marginally slower than taking the streetcar. Removing wait times at traffic lights would go a long way in improving service speeds and frequency.
• Officials should implement traffic signal priority at all streetcar intersections, with appropriate timing of green and red lights upon train approach (extension or shortening depending on location, accommodating for stops).
• Schedules and real-time information
  Only "hours of operation" for the line are shown. To remove ambiguity in determining if service has ended, especially towards to close of service, here is what needs to happen:
• The times of the first and last trains for each stop/destination should be posted.
• Real-time and other arrival information should be displayed, and data published for OneBusAway to use. Displays may need new electronic signs or using vending machine screens already available at each stop.

In most of my trips to the MLK district, the $1 fare without transfers is not attractive enough to justify paying for it. I would get there faster taking MARTA to King Memorial station and walk a few blocks, rather than waiting at Peachtree Center. On the way back at night, it is already faster for me to time bus 99 rather than waiting for a streetcar and then for another MARTA train.
 
In conclusion, the threefour major gaps in the Atlanta Streetcar operation are around the frequency, transfer policy, travel times, and schedules/real-time signage. Addressing any of these gaps would make the streetcar way more appealing than it is now.

State of MARTA Breakfast Recap

On Thursday I went to the third annual State of MARTA breakfast. Sold out, full house, with invited members of the press and local organizations. I'm summarizing a few highlights in this post, and below I'm including the #MARTAredefined Twitter feed for the event.

#MARTAredefined Tweets
For the highlights:

• The new imperatives for MARTA are S.E.A.T.: Service, Economy, Arts, Technology.  
• MARTA board chairman Robbie Ashe quoted to say "we can't efficiency ourselves to expansion." Moves to push referendum in City of Atlanta, Fulton, DeKalb to build the rail line extensions to Alpharetta, Stonecrest, and the Emory/Clifton line.
• MARTA employees were recognized, as well as retired couple who helped a student fix his tie on MARTA.
• Guest speaker and Stanford professor Tony Seba explains the disruptive nature of energy technology on transportation (price point, efficiency, electric vehicles) and that car ownership in cities will decrease over time. New technologies will enable on-demand transportation.
• MARTA CEO Keith Parker announces a MARTA Arts task force, systemwide WiFi for 2018, and hints at a fleet of MARTA autonomous cars that could take you from a transit stop to your final destination.  He speaks of moving from "Happy MARTA" to "Transformed MARTA" to "Super MARTA."
• MARTA Army announces new program for crowdfunding of transit amenities, where communities around select bus stops will be able to pool money towards purchase and maintenance of benches and shelters.

Topics that could have been more developed:

• CEO Parker mentioned about the comprehensive operations analysis and a resulting service overhaul, but still no word yet on what the outcomes are going to be.
• Parker mentioned about the gap between rail and bus customers. I would have liked to hear more about streamlining connections between the two modes.

In conclusion, it was a well attended event with recaps of the initiatives taken to date and directions for future improvements that we can't wait to happen. Good job MARTA!