​by Commissioner Hal Valeche

Palm Beach County is working with transit experts to review the entire route system for Palm Tran, the county's fixed route bus service.  This review is underway to help us maximize route performance and provide a more effective and cost-efficient service. 

Palm Tran's mission is to provide access to opportunity for everyone, safely, efficiently and courteously.  The role of effective transit is to reduce vehicle trips, which in turn lowers traffic congestion and emissions; attract businesses seeking urban amenities; provide workers with access to jobs; and, provide transportation to meet the public's need to travel to medical treatment and other necessities. 

Costs increase annually, and with a county that is the second largest in the state, encompassing more land area than the states of Delaware or Rhode Island it is no easy task to offer this service countywide.  Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires jurisdictions with fixed- route bus service to provide paratransit door-to-service for eligible transportation-disadvantaged and disabled persons who live within 3/4 of a mile from a bus route.  Those costs to the county are quite high averaging in excess of $30 per person, per trip, while the one-way fare charged for the paratransit service is $3.50.

Given minimal to no budget growth, tradeoffs are required in planning the future of transit.  That means the County Commission will consider whether to approach the service with the goal of coverage to provide service to more of the county; or, with a goal of ridership, concentrating on areas where ridership is highest.  These two concepts are under consideration for improving the route system with no new funding sources and they present different benefits:

Coverage Goal

• Services more areas of the county
• Performs like a public service
• Supports low density development
• Provides a lifeline of access for all

Ridership Goal

• Most frequent, productive routes resulting in lower costs to the rider
• Performs like a business
• Better service for most riders
• Focus where ridership is highest
• Supports the dense, walkable urban development
• Reduces effects on traffic congestion and the environment

If the county decides to follow the Coverage goal, it would require the streamlining of bus routes to cover a greater area, resulting in a reduction in frequency of buses.  Under the Ridership goal, Palm Tran would work toward a 15-minute frequency network with some reduction on weekends on the most used routes.  While weekend and evening service is critical to access jobs, some cuts in level of service would be necessary in order to stay within budget.

The transit industry has found that high frequency lines help maximize freedom for the rider, provide more trips, reduce waiting times, make easier connections, reduce impact of disruptions, and are more reliable.  They encourage a connected network and are effective in transit-friendly places that are dense, linear and walkable. 

The review of the current route system will include developing recommendations for short-term and long-term goals.  The process will engage the community in public discussions and the plan is to return to the County Commission later this year with recommendations.

Palm Tran will continue to make minor service enhancements while the Route Performance Maximization Plan is completed.

If you are a current Palm Tran user, or are contemplating using the service as a transportation option, I hope you will offer your input.

You can review route maps and fare schedules on the county's website at http://discover.pbcgov.org/palmtran, or contact them by phone at 561-841-4200.  Palm Tran's Customer Service Department can answer your Fixed Route and Palm Tran Connection questions Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

As always, if there is any way that my office can assist you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or through email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.