TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Rider Impact Survey
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a briefing on the results of the COVID-19 Rider Impact Survey.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Service Quality
Receiving direct input from AC Transit riders enables the District to better respond to rider feedback and concerns related to the District's COVID-19 efforts. The District's transparent communication of its response to survey input will ensure a stronger relationship between the District and stakeholders.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a briefing item and has no direct fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The COVID-19 pandemic immediately impacted service for AC Transit and its riders, as the shelter-in-place (SIP) order was implemented in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Service levels were curtailed, and bus capacity limits were enacted to ensure physical distancing was maintained. The District's service is currently 75% of pre-pandemic levels, and ridership is at only 42% of pre-pandemic levels, although that number continues to inch upward. As the District wanted to have a better picture of how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting its own riders, the External Affairs, Marketing & Communications Department implemented a survey to capture rider sentiment.
Survey Background
The online-only survey was created to provide a snapshot of key rider information. The survey questions were developed with assistance from the Civil Rights, Communications, Legislative Affairs, Marketing, and Planning teams, aligning questions when appropriate with questions from the District's Rider Profile survey. Questions in the intentionally brief survey were focused on:
* rider travel patterns prior to and during SIP,
* anticipated modes and patterns after SIP is rescinded,
* rider perceptions of the District's cleaning practices,...
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