Pasadena’s Transportation Advisory Commission to Hear Short-Range Transit Plan Update Thursday

Pasadena’s Department of Transportation will provide the latest updates to the city’s Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) when the Transportation Advisory Commission meets on Thursday, March 28, starting at 4 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the Grand Conference Room in the City Hall Basement. It is  open to the public.

A preliminary report by the Transportation Department said the SRTP update process, initiated in June 2023, has been progressing steadily.

In collaboration with consultants, the department has been conducting comprehensive analysis on existing Pasadena Transit and Dial-A-Ride services and programs, the report said. The analysis includes onboard surveys and ridership counts conducted in October and November 2023 on Pasadena Transit, with ongoing surveys for Dial-A-Ride services.

Updating the SRTP is a requirement so that the city would continue to receive certain local, State and Federal transit funding.

As part of the public engagement phase of the update process, the first round of public meetings is scheduled for April to May, featuring at least five open-house style meetings. Riders, community members, and advocates will be given the opportunity to interact directly with the project team, participate in surveys, and share feedback.

The meetings will also cover various focus groups, including older adults, persons with disabilities, Spanish-speaking attendees and youth, ensuring diverse input into the SRTP update.

In the report, Transportation Director Joaquin Siques said the SRTP is important in guiding five years of transit service development and investments aligned with the city’s policy goals.

The SRTP update process incorporates rigorous analysis of ridership data, operational services, and community feedback to develop recommendations aimed at maximizing ridership and meeting the community’s transit needs.

The SRTP update will also include recommendations for service development, an analysis of financial constraints and opportunities, detailed cost breakdowns, and a study on bus stop amenities focused on enhancing the customer experience.

The last SRTP was finalized in 2019, the Department of Transportation said. The current update is on track for completion in 2024, ensuring a strategic roadmap for the next five years of transit service enhancements and investments in Pasadena.