(2)

Beginning early in 1976 two-way radios will be installed on all operating equipment. With this installation, service to the public will be vastly improved. Through two-way communication, ability--in the areas of schedule adherence, service dependability and public safety--can be maintained. WMATA also proposes to install a vehicle locating facility which will provide continuous monitoring capability for the entire bus fleet without the need of voice transmission. Installation of this system will require funding through the UMTA Capital Grant Program. As of this date, UMTA is not providing funds for the system.

WMATA has developed a large scale transit map showing bus routes and fare zones for use of Information Personnel, Bus Drivers Orientation and route planning purposes.

3. Revised Bus Condition Report

4.

In an effort to more completely and effectively report mechanical defects observed by operating personnel, a revised bus condition report and a new reporting procedure was implemented on September 28, 1975.

Issuance of Operators Guide

In September 1975, a revised operation Guide was distributed to all operating personnel. The guide includes an outline of the peak/offpeak fares, fare zone maps, hours of peak/off peak fares, off peak senior citizen and handicapped fares, rules and regulation concerning ticket sales, scrips, fare transportation, issuance and acceptance of transfers and others. In addition, the guide includes a listing of all Metrobus routes and the fare zone boundaries on each route.

(3)

5. Standard Block Number Systems

A standard block number system is being developed consisting
of a leading letter and three numerals. Such block numbers
are to be displayed on permanently affixed roll type signs
on the bus. This program will be an improvement over the
present system in that it will assure the presence of a
block number on the bus at all times, thus facilitating
positive identification. This will improve the efficiency

of the traffic checking function and supervisory control.
It will also serve as the base for identification of buses
in radio communication upon installation of two-way radios.
Metrobus Courtesy Program

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has initiated a systemwide campaign to bring meaningful recognition to all Metrobus operators they find to be especially courteous in their duties. This program is geared to improve and stress courtesy, attitude and morale which in turn will improve the efficiency of transit services.

Goals of the program are to improve the operating safety record, operating fuel consumption, relations with other users of the street and to facilitate and standardize the training of bus operators. The method for achieving the stated goals are to issue the procedures in a convenient package to each operator and supervisor for ready reference and to use the procedures as a base for the training of new operators. "Standard Operating Procedures" create a common base of communications between operators and supervisors that can eliminate misunderstandings when supervisors* observe improper operations requiring corrective instructions.

(4)

8. System Safety Program

WMATA is developing a System Safety Program wnicn will include

4. Assessment of training needs, development of safety training resources and programs and the conduct and evaluation of safety training programs.

5. Development and review of written safety procedures

6. Development and review of safety standards

7. Conduct safety inspections of system installations and work

practices.

9.

8.

Conduct hazard analysis and evaluation

܂ܘ

Documentation of safety engineering data, hazard data catalog,

reports,

safety analysis reports and data, risk assessment

accident/incident

safety performance comparative data

Revised Maintenance Program

B.

On January 15, 1976, WMATA instituted revised maintenance procedures which will assure faster turnaround maintenance and bus repairs, thereby improving the efficiency of the

system.

Actions to Improve Transit Service Through:

1. Simplified Fare Collection Systems and Policies

On September 1, 1975, the Authority implemented a new

unified fare/zone structure throughout the Metropolitan area.

2.

3.

(5)

Prior to the time, the Authority had been operating under

the fare/zone structures with minor exceptions implemented by the private bus companies.

The fare zone structure approved by the WMATA Board, eliminated many of the inequities which existed under the old fare/zone structures. In addition, the Authority established a peak/off-peak fare which provides for a low off-peak fare to encourage off-peak patronage when ridership is low and to divert peak period riders to the off-peak hours. A reduced senior citizen and handicapped off-peak fare was also established which provides for a flat 20 cent fare when traveling within any one jurisdiction (D.C., Md., and Va.) plus an additional 10 cents when crossing a state boundary.

Bus Shelter Program

WMATA has underway a program to install 200 bus shelters

a year. As of October 1975, 454 site plans had been prepared with 209 approved and 171 shelters installed or under contract. It should also be noted that 109 of the proposed sites have been rejected for a variety of reasons.

Bus Priorities

To achieve a reduction in vehicular emissions within the next few years to meet air quality standards as required by EPA, the Authority staff has identified specific areas and streets where bus priority treatment appears justified to expedite the movement of traffic and to speed the flow of buses through congested areas.

4.

(6)

Seventeen specific corridors were identified for bus

priority treatment. These corridors are located in the
downtown Central Business District where approximately

75% of all Metrobus trips are oriented. The bus
priorities include a variety of new treatments designed
to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and public
Major emphasis is directed toward the

transit vehicles.

inauguration of a one-way street system with contra-flow
bus lanes. Other priorities include center lane designation
for express bus operation, unbalanced traffic lanes with

contra-flow buses operating on the opposite side of the

median, additional standard curb lanes and strict enforcement of all bus priority measures.

Bus Stop Signs

To make it easier for prospective riders to use bus
transportation, standardized bus stop signs have been
designed and are presently being installed throughout
the metropolitan area, replacing the bus signs of the
private companies. The signs are readily noticeable,
painted red, white and blue, and show a listing of
all bus routes which serve each particular stop. In
total, approximately 12,000 bus stop signs will be
installed of which approximately 1,200 have been

installed through December 30, 1975.