A proposed pilot program would text six new types of transit ridership incentives in the city of Austin.
Katie Pyzyk reports on an ongoing effort in Austin, Texas to develop new forms of incentives for transit riders in the hopes of attracting more riders to the Capital Metro system.
"The pilot comes at the request of the city council, which in December passed a resolution declaring the city had to find creative ways to increase transit ridership to combat increases in traffic congestion and the cost of car ownership," according to Pyzyk.
The Austin Transportation Department (ATD) worked together with Capital Metro, and the city's Innovation and Equity offices to generate a list of 15 proposed incentives programs, recently narrowing the list down to six proposals in a report published in June [pdf].
The proposals, called "recommended strategy options" in the report, are listed as follows:
- Transit Passes for Registered Movability Members and Focused Marketing Program
- Expand Movability to Create Sub- Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)
- Transit Use Rewards Program
- Personalized “Nudge” Pilot
- Gamification and Frequent Rider Program
- Unbundle Citywide Parking
"The city council is expected to identify the final strategy and include it in the FY 2020 budget in September," according to Pyzyk.
Some evidence of innovation successfully yielding new transit ridership emerged in Austin earlier this month, when Capital Metro released data showing increased ridership following a system redesign launched in June 2018.
FULL STORY: Austin, TX considers transit incentives to reduce congestion
Bus System Redesign Boosts Ridership in Austin
Over a year after Capital Metro in Austin overhauled its bus system design, the system is bucking national trends and achieving growth in its ridership numbers.
Transit Rides Now Free for Kids in Austin
Capital Metro is growing a new generation of public transit riders.
Austin's Capital Metro Makes Like Uber and Lets Users Hail Their Ride
Public transit is evolving to keep up with the conveniences offered by transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. The question is whether it will work for the long haul.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie