Job Access and Reverse Commute (jarc) Program fy 2009 Service Profiles Region X alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington October 2010 fta-08-0162 Job Access and Reverse Commute (jarc) fy 2009 Service Profiles: Region X

LARGE URBAN PROJECTS

Alaska

Central Area Rural Transit System, Inc. (5903)

CARTS (31)

Central Area Rural Transit System, Inc. (CARTS) (10)

Location: Kenai Peninsula Borough (AK)
Type: Trip-Based Services/Demand response
Goal: Improved system capacity
Service description: Central Area Rural Transit System, Inc. provides a coordinated brokerage and dispatch, demand response system to provide rides to residents and visitors to the Central Kenai Peninsula. Prior to this project, there were numerous independent providers of transit services for their clients. CARTS takes calls during regular weekday hours and guarantees rides between the hours of 7 AM and 11 PM, five days a week, except for work trips. Work trips are provided twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Saturday and Sunday trips are provided by request.
CARTS operates on pre-purchased punch cards, and passengers must schedule their rides the day before. CARTS gives the most cost-effective, appropriate ride for that passenger, including those who have disabilities, and all rides are door-to-door. The brokerage concept was found to be the most flexible approach to most effectively utilize existing seat capacity, provide for expansion, adjust for economic conditions, and to reach the most riders and employers.
Evaluation: CARTS uses nine key elements to measure system performance. Elements include total expenses, variable expenses (i.e., fuel costs, maintenance, insurance and employee salaries), vehicle hours, passengers, miles, number of vehicles, and cost of provider services. CARTS worked through 2009 to replace and expand fleet to help bring down the cost per trip. Fuel prices remain high in Alaska and the average trip length in recent years has increased.
Accomplishments: Replacing the entire fleet and developing a fleet replacement plan for long term stability.
Lessons learned: Designing a system that will please everyone is tough. Keep at it!