Comprehensive Operations Analysis
What is a COA?
A Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) is an in-depth evaluation of transit services for the purpose of increasing value and efficiency in the short-term. By examining the performance of bus services, a COA identifies opportunities for repurposing transit resources to more productive areas and/or to new areas. A COA includes the following:
Why is a COA important to the community?
All transit agencies want to maximize the use of scarce resources while still providing a high level of service to their customers. A COA allows the agency the opportunity to reevaluate the nuts and bolts of the operation to determine what is working and what is not. The focus lies largely on short-term needs and what can be done to improve services now. Consequently, the GoPasco COA will prioritize enhancements that can be achieved in the near-term and within existing resources including staffing levels, equipment, and funding.
What is the Difference between the COA and Transit Development Plan (TDP)
The COA is different from the TDP in two ways:
1. A COA is focused largely on operational improvements. Operational improvements equate to specific route-by-route service improvements. The TDP is much broader in scope and the planning horizon is longer, 10 years. That broad scope and longer planning horizon for the TDP allows for evaluation of long term goals including organizational changes, major technology investments, major capital and infrastructure needs, and, importantly, development of a financial plan for funding those needs.
2. A COA is focused on operational efficiencies that are cost neutral or that require minimal new investment. A key element of the COA is the reallocation of resources from underperforming service to existing, productive service or delivery of service to new areas. In this manner, the COA serves as the tool to determine what service changes can occur today, within the means of the transit agency.
When will the COA be completed?
The COA study team will conduct data analysis and prepare findings during the spring/summer of 2024 and will present findings and a phased implementation plan to the public in Fall 2024.
Why should the COA matter to me? Why do my thoughts matter to the COA?
One goal of the COA is to recommend actions that will increase ridership by making transit more accessible, convenient, and appealing to residents. By obtaining input from both riders and non-riders in Pasco County, GoPasco will be better equipped to identify and serve community transit needs.
A Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) is an in-depth evaluation of transit services for the purpose of increasing value and efficiency in the short-term. By examining the performance of bus services, a COA identifies opportunities for repurposing transit resources to more productive areas and/or to new areas. A COA includes the following:
- A detailed review of performance data including ridership and on-time performance data
- Field observation of bus operations
- An origin-destination survey of bus riders
- Interviews with bus drivers and transit agency operations staff
- Public input and workshops
- An assessment of specific service change policies and fare policies
Why is a COA important to the community?
All transit agencies want to maximize the use of scarce resources while still providing a high level of service to their customers. A COA allows the agency the opportunity to reevaluate the nuts and bolts of the operation to determine what is working and what is not. The focus lies largely on short-term needs and what can be done to improve services now. Consequently, the GoPasco COA will prioritize enhancements that can be achieved in the near-term and within existing resources including staffing levels, equipment, and funding.
What is the Difference between the COA and Transit Development Plan (TDP)
The COA is different from the TDP in two ways:
1. A COA is focused largely on operational improvements. Operational improvements equate to specific route-by-route service improvements. The TDP is much broader in scope and the planning horizon is longer, 10 years. That broad scope and longer planning horizon for the TDP allows for evaluation of long term goals including organizational changes, major technology investments, major capital and infrastructure needs, and, importantly, development of a financial plan for funding those needs.
2. A COA is focused on operational efficiencies that are cost neutral or that require minimal new investment. A key element of the COA is the reallocation of resources from underperforming service to existing, productive service or delivery of service to new areas. In this manner, the COA serves as the tool to determine what service changes can occur today, within the means of the transit agency.
When will the COA be completed?
The COA study team will conduct data analysis and prepare findings during the spring/summer of 2024 and will present findings and a phased implementation plan to the public in Fall 2024.
Why should the COA matter to me? Why do my thoughts matter to the COA?
One goal of the COA is to recommend actions that will increase ridership by making transit more accessible, convenient, and appealing to residents. By obtaining input from both riders and non-riders in Pasco County, GoPasco will be better equipped to identify and serve community transit needs.
