Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Fairfax County Connector Spends $443M on Trans Evil
Posted by:
HeadsUp Not Great Bus Contractor
()
Date: April 23, 2019 07:17PM
Currently Fairfax Connector buses run by MV Transit, but this is changing to TransDev, email and news release from today below. Same company whose workers held strike in Loudoun County impacting their commuter service there https://www.loudountimes.com/news/thursday-update-loudoun-commuter-bus-drivers-hold-unsanctioned-sickout/article_31cbba7a-3dcd-5c18-8eb9-6ad763346a9c.html . Some of TransDev's drivers call it an evil corporation https://www.workers.org/2015/08/17/veoliatransdev-evil-corp/
From: "Fairfax Alerts"
Sent: 4/23/2019 8:22:19 AM
Subject: FCDOT News Alert
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has awarded a 5-year contract, plus 10 optional years, to Transdev North America for the operations of Fairfax Connector fixed-route bus service, effective July 1, 2019. The base contract cost (start-up and fiscal years one through five) is approximately $443 million. Transdev will immediately begin activities to transition operations from the current contractor, working closely with Fairfax Connector staff to ensure a seamless transition. More at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/news/c11_19.
Fairfax County Awards Transdev Operations Contract of Fairfax Connector
April 23, 2019
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has awarded a 5-year contract, plus 10 optional years, to Transdev North America for the operations of Fairfax Connector fixed-route bus service effective July 1, 2019. The base contract cost (start-up and fiscal years one through five) is approximately $443 million. Transdev will immediately begin activities to transition operations from the current contractor, working closely with Fairfax Connector staff to ensure a seamless transition.
“During the last four years, Fairfax County has invested heavily in technology enhancements while upgrading key facilities and operational sites to ensure a state of good repair,” said Dwayne Pelfrey, Chief of Transit Services Division of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. “These investments are designed to enhance the customer experience and ensure the county continues to provide reliable, high-quality service with a goal of setting the standard for excellence of public transit.”
Transdev is the largest private-sector operator of multiple modes of transit in North America, including bus, rail, streetcar, paratransit and shuttle services. Transdev employs 82,000 people worldwide operating on five continents and in 20 countries providing 11 million passenger trips daily.
“The Fairfax Connector team’s shared vision is to provide world-class transportation service that promotes greater mobility, improves the safety of our community, and enhances the quality of life for our residents,” said Tom Biesiadny, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. “We look forward to continuing to work toward this vision with Transdev over the next several years.”
Fairfax Connector began operations in 1985 and is the largest local bus system in Virginia. As the contractor for Fairfax Connector, Transdev will provide operations and maintenance services transporting approximately 30,000 passengers each day across 89 routes in Fairfax County. Fairfax Connector service covers 10 million miles per year using 308 vehicles operated out of three different facilities located within Fairfax County. For more information on Fairfax Connector, visit www.fairfaxconnector.com.
To add -
So not yet found the hourly rate for this new $443M contract, but for MV Transit $112.82 per hour to operate the buses https://ggwash.org/view/67275/thebetterbus-prince-georges-county-is-working-on-a-plan-to-improve-thebus-service . And guess how much the poor drivers get of that - $15 an hour for long time veteran drivers, newbies earn less I learned 5:30am one morning from the driver I got to know somewhat - though only a few picked up there at that lot, I was the only one there that morning. Though the P&R buses help some with I66 traffic during the peak of rush hour when more heavily used, but here's real waste in the western part of the county - Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax west of Fair Oaks Mall during off peak weekday hours and weekends, the majority of these buses have less than 10 people of them, some even less than five where it becomes the county is paying $20 or more per hour per passenger. On occasion I rode Route 640 around 8pm, weeknights worked late at office near DC, from Vienna Metro to near Chantilly HS, less than five people. When had car issues for a number of weeks not long ago and sometime need for a bus (family member had car, but not always available, so rental did not make sense and $10-$15 for Lyft/Uber per trip added up), used Connector 650, every Saturday and Sunday run less than 10 people, sometimes as little as two people or five. Only bus saw with more than 15 people on the weekend was Route 630 at Fair Oaks Mall. FCODT was actually proposing service every half hour on Saturdays and Sundays up to 10-11pm at night, which got paired down to every 45-60 minutes until 7-8pm. There were proposing weekend service on Route 621, Government Center, but the most used portions already served by Metrobus 1C and 2B, so 621 got nixed for the weekend. Other cost savings focused on commercial/shopping centers on weekends, not office parks or deep into residential areas. However, they could do more to pare this service. Likely Route 630 makes sense, but Route 640 one way large circular route between Vienna Metro and different parts of Centreville not make sense, and Route 650 weekend runs could be reduced. So take that $113 per hour x 13 hours x 2 days (Sat, Sun) x 52 weeks a year x 5 buses running (630 (2 way), 640 (1-circular), 650(2 way)) is $763,880. Other examples of wasteful bus service running with less than 200 passengers per day and future plans for expansion of service here https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/ctp with some good and some bad.
I actually one of those who fought the county to limit the Saturday and Sunday transpo in the western end of the county before it started in 2016. I agree VERY limited weekend bus transpo makes sense for those poor and/or in quite desperate need of it, but only a passenger or two say on Route 650 going all the way to Vienna Metro, rest were getting on and off stops between Fair Ridge and Chantilly (definitely not transporting families for weekend excursions into DC). Rather than paying $112+ an hour or $20+ per hour per passenger, it be cheaper to provide Lyft subsidies for these trips. Here's are common sense examples of it across the USA https://nytransit.org/resources/transit-tncs/205-transit-tncs As stated in the article, there are limitations on this type of arrangement so it is not abused.
From: "Fairfax Alerts"
Sent: 4/23/2019 8:22:19 AM
Subject: FCDOT News Alert
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has awarded a 5-year contract, plus 10 optional years, to Transdev North America for the operations of Fairfax Connector fixed-route bus service, effective July 1, 2019. The base contract cost (start-up and fiscal years one through five) is approximately $443 million. Transdev will immediately begin activities to transition operations from the current contractor, working closely with Fairfax Connector staff to ensure a seamless transition. More at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/news/c11_19.
Fairfax County Awards Transdev Operations Contract of Fairfax Connector
April 23, 2019
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has awarded a 5-year contract, plus 10 optional years, to Transdev North America for the operations of Fairfax Connector fixed-route bus service effective July 1, 2019. The base contract cost (start-up and fiscal years one through five) is approximately $443 million. Transdev will immediately begin activities to transition operations from the current contractor, working closely with Fairfax Connector staff to ensure a seamless transition.
“During the last four years, Fairfax County has invested heavily in technology enhancements while upgrading key facilities and operational sites to ensure a state of good repair,” said Dwayne Pelfrey, Chief of Transit Services Division of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. “These investments are designed to enhance the customer experience and ensure the county continues to provide reliable, high-quality service with a goal of setting the standard for excellence of public transit.”
Transdev is the largest private-sector operator of multiple modes of transit in North America, including bus, rail, streetcar, paratransit and shuttle services. Transdev employs 82,000 people worldwide operating on five continents and in 20 countries providing 11 million passenger trips daily.
“The Fairfax Connector team’s shared vision is to provide world-class transportation service that promotes greater mobility, improves the safety of our community, and enhances the quality of life for our residents,” said Tom Biesiadny, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. “We look forward to continuing to work toward this vision with Transdev over the next several years.”
Fairfax Connector began operations in 1985 and is the largest local bus system in Virginia. As the contractor for Fairfax Connector, Transdev will provide operations and maintenance services transporting approximately 30,000 passengers each day across 89 routes in Fairfax County. Fairfax Connector service covers 10 million miles per year using 308 vehicles operated out of three different facilities located within Fairfax County. For more information on Fairfax Connector, visit www.fairfaxconnector.com.
To add -
So not yet found the hourly rate for this new $443M contract, but for MV Transit $112.82 per hour to operate the buses https://ggwash.org/view/67275/thebetterbus-prince-georges-county-is-working-on-a-plan-to-improve-thebus-service . And guess how much the poor drivers get of that - $15 an hour for long time veteran drivers, newbies earn less I learned 5:30am one morning from the driver I got to know somewhat - though only a few picked up there at that lot, I was the only one there that morning. Though the P&R buses help some with I66 traffic during the peak of rush hour when more heavily used, but here's real waste in the western part of the county - Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax west of Fair Oaks Mall during off peak weekday hours and weekends, the majority of these buses have less than 10 people of them, some even less than five where it becomes the county is paying $20 or more per hour per passenger. On occasion I rode Route 640 around 8pm, weeknights worked late at office near DC, from Vienna Metro to near Chantilly HS, less than five people. When had car issues for a number of weeks not long ago and sometime need for a bus (family member had car, but not always available, so rental did not make sense and $10-$15 for Lyft/Uber per trip added up), used Connector 650, every Saturday and Sunday run less than 10 people, sometimes as little as two people or five. Only bus saw with more than 15 people on the weekend was Route 630 at Fair Oaks Mall. FCODT was actually proposing service every half hour on Saturdays and Sundays up to 10-11pm at night, which got paired down to every 45-60 minutes until 7-8pm. There were proposing weekend service on Route 621, Government Center, but the most used portions already served by Metrobus 1C and 2B, so 621 got nixed for the weekend. Other cost savings focused on commercial/shopping centers on weekends, not office parks or deep into residential areas. However, they could do more to pare this service. Likely Route 630 makes sense, but Route 640 one way large circular route between Vienna Metro and different parts of Centreville not make sense, and Route 650 weekend runs could be reduced. So take that $113 per hour x 13 hours x 2 days (Sat, Sun) x 52 weeks a year x 5 buses running (630 (2 way), 640 (1-circular), 650(2 way)) is $763,880. Other examples of wasteful bus service running with less than 200 passengers per day and future plans for expansion of service here https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/ctp with some good and some bad.
I actually one of those who fought the county to limit the Saturday and Sunday transpo in the western end of the county before it started in 2016. I agree VERY limited weekend bus transpo makes sense for those poor and/or in quite desperate need of it, but only a passenger or two say on Route 650 going all the way to Vienna Metro, rest were getting on and off stops between Fair Ridge and Chantilly (definitely not transporting families for weekend excursions into DC). Rather than paying $112+ an hour or $20+ per hour per passenger, it be cheaper to provide Lyft subsidies for these trips. Here's are common sense examples of it across the USA https://nytransit.org/resources/transit-tncs/205-transit-tncs As stated in the article, there are limitations on this type of arrangement so it is not abused.
Re: Fairfax County Connector Spends $443M on Trans Evil
Posted by:
3rfedwq
()
Date: December 07, 2019 04:06PM
someone has to bus illegal aliens to the social security HQ to get free cash, someone has to bus democrats to NRA protests, right?