Request for Proposals: Off Peak Regional Rail Transit Users Station Accessibility Assessment

Summary: The Clean Air Council (Council) has received a Transit Support Program grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to conduct an Off-Peak Regional Rail Transit User Survey (survey) addressing station accessibility.  “Off-peak” will be limited to day-time SEPTA regional rail users outside traditional rush hour periods.  The goals of the survey project are to determine how perceptions of station accessibility impact the off-peak rider’s decision to use regional rail rather than drive to the City and to help identify opportunities for both system improvements and marketing improvements that might increase off-peak and overall ridership.  The Council will also distribute an individualized transit marketing piece to off-peak riders and potential off-peak riders who complete a survey, providing such participants with the information needed to use public transit on a more frequent basis.

This survey seeks to answer a number of specific questions relating to regional rail station accessibility that would promote off-peak Regional Rail usage. In addition, the survey will determine the top reasons why off-peak riders are traveling to the City.  Knowing their reasons for having to travel in the first place will help SEPTA improve its marketing towards these potential public transit riders.

Program of Work:

The following tasks will be completed as part of the study.

Task 1: Planning Materials and Development

The planning and materials development phase will first involve finalizing a location for the survey project in coordination with SEPTA, Philadelphia Planning Commission, DVRPC and other stakeholders.  The survey instrument will be developed, a plan will be put into place to secure the desired number of completed surveys, and an individualized transit marketing piece will be developed.

Task 2: Survey Collection

Surveys will be completed using two modes of collection: in-person hours and via an online survey tool, such as surveymonkey.com.  The Council will provide an outreach team to be dispatched during off-peak hours at the chosen locations to interact with participants one-on-one and encourage them to complete a survey on the spot.

Task 3: Survey Results Tabulation and Analysis

Survey results will be tabulated consolidating the results from the surveys collected in-person and from those collected online.  An analysis will be conducted of the results.

Task 4: Final Report and Recommendations

A final project report will be completed, based on the results of the survey analysis.  The report will include a set of recommendations regarding how to increase off-peak regional rail  ridership based on survey responses.

Description of Services Required

The Council is looking for a qualified specialist consultant to assist with the completion of some of the tasks listed above.  The Council will manage the project and assist in the preparation of the deliverables.

The specific tasks that require assistance from the consultant are :

1. Program of Work Task 1: Planning and Materials Development

Survey Questionnaire Development:

If helpful, review previous surveys and develop test survey methodology and questions to be incorporated into questionnaire.

2. Program of Work Task 3: Survey Results Tabulation and Analysis

Analyze the survey results for passenger behavior trends and draw conclusions

3. Program of Work Task 4: Final Report and Recommendations

Develop recommendations arising from survey results analysis and propose plans for follow up actions.  Prepare of a final report and Power Point presentation. If invited, meet with SEPTA for final presentation.

Schedule

The tasks should be completed within 6 months of notice to proceed.  Survey scheduling will be the responsibility of the Council.

Qualifications

The consultant should be qualified in transport planning and survey preparation.  They should have a experience in the following key areas:

• Experience working with SEPTA, City of Philadelphia Mayors Office of Transportation, City Planning Commission and DVRPC
• Transit Support Program or CMAQ project work
• Preparing survey questions relating to travel behavior
• Experience working in or with a non-profit organization
• Transport Planning Project Management
• Travel Demand Management
• Strategic transport policy development

Budget: The  total grant is $60,000 of which consultant services will be a portion.

Deadline for Submissions

Interested parties should submit a Scope of Services along with a CV/resume of relevant work experience, project budget, and references by 5pm on November 14, 2011.

Responses to RFP can be e–mailed to Joe_minott@cleanair.org or mailed to Joe Minott 135 S19th Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Proposals will be assessed on their relevant experience to perform the requested services and value for money.