Interim Review of the MBTA
Late-night Service Pilot Program
February 5, 2015
Overview
• Late-night service pilot launched March 28, 2014 for
one year.
• In order to allow time for an orderly decision on the
future of late-night service with ample public input,
the pilot will be extended through June 19, 2015 (the
end of the MBTA’s spring schedule.)
• At next week’s Board meeting, the MBTA will release
a complete, interim report on all of the data we
have, as well as a schedule for the public process.
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Launch of Late-Night Service Pilot
• Chicago, Los Angeles,
New York, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, and
Washington, D.C. –
operate either 24/7 or
offer a late-night service
• Extended service Friday &
Saturday nights by 90
minutes on all subway lines
& 15 key bus routes
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Anticipated Positive Impacts
Increase
economic
activity
Boost
entertainment
attendance
Attract young
technology
professionals
Offer
commuting
option for
late-shift
workers
Position
Boston as a
world-class
city
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Cost Versus Revenue
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Total Late-night Ridership
From 3/28/14–1/4/15
• Total Late-night boardings:
1,105,389
• Includes:
807,225 fare transactions
298,164 transfers, etc.
• Projected boardings through
the end of the original
pilot period:
1,401,956
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Average Bus & Subway Weekend
Ridership Trends
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Late-Night Ridership By Service Mode
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Top 5 Busiest Routes and Stations
Per Weekend
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Late-Night Entries by Time of Day
Entries decline every 15 minutes after midnight, except between 1:30 a.m.–2:00 a.m.
(consistent with the closing of Boston-area establishments serving alcohol)
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Late-Night Costs for Original Pilot Period
Budget: $12.9 million
Major expenditures
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Projected Late-Night Revenue for
Original Pilot Period
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Subsidy Per Passenger
Figures based on projected original pilot costs, revenues and boardings
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Marketing and Outreach
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Sponsorship Support
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Who’s Riding?
59%
Monthly Pass Holders
(compared to 69% overall)
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Who’s Riding?
• College/university students: Most active late-night stations and bus
routes appear to serve areas with large student populations
• Hotel, restaurant, and health-care workers: No formal research has
been conducted to date, but we welcome information on usage by
these important market segments
• Social/Entertainment goers: Limited survey data indicates a high
percentage of late-night service use is for entertainment activities.
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Other Transportation Services
We need to better understand the impact
MBTA Late-night service on:
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Options
• Eliminate late-night service at the end of the
extended pilot
• Continue but with service changes
• Charge a late-night fare or fare supplement
• Increase revenue from sponsorships
• Other options? We invite your suggestions
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Next Steps
• The extended late-night service pilot will continue to operate
through June 19, 2015
• An Interim Review Report, with all available data on ridership,
costs and revenues, will be released at the MassDOT board
meeting on February 11, 2015
• Customer and stakeholder input will be solicited during a public
comment period ending March 11, 2015. Details will be
forthcoming at the February board meeting and on mbta.com
• A final recommendation will be included in the FY16 budget
presented at April 15 MassDOT board meeting
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