Reliability over Ridership: Stop Measuring Your System Against 2019
What does success look like for transit agencies in a post-pandemic world? According to Christie Wegener, it may be time to stop measuring against 2019 altogether.
In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort speaks with Christie Wegener, Executive Director of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), about the changing realities of suburban transit, evolving commuter behavior, and why reliability may matter more than ridership.
Christie explains how LAVTA serves as a critical feeder to BART while navigating the unique challenges of Bay Area travel patterns, remote work, and car-oriented suburban development. She also shares why she believes transit agencies need to rethink traditional KPIs like farebox recovery and pre-COVID ridership comparisons.
The conversation also explores:
Why transit agencies may need a new baseline for measuring success
The operational challenges of coordinating with BART service
How cloud-based transit signal priority could reduce travel times
Lessons learned from LAVTA’s Uber/Lyft partnership and microtransit programs
The realities of serving low-density suburban communities
LAVTA’s new $64 million headquarters project
Transit funding challenges facing the Bay Area
Christie’s journey from social work and public policy into transit leadership
Credits
Host and Producer: Paul Comfort
Executive Producer: Julie Gates
Producer: Chris O’Keeffe
Editor: Patrick Emile
Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
Brand Design: Tina Olagundoye
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.
For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com
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