The Tale of The COMET:UPDATE – January 2015

Robert A. Schneider, PhDExecutive Director of The COMET

Transit in Spring 2012

County Transportation in September 2014

What you don’t notice (if you aren’t a rider):

• Smarter routes

• More frequent trips

• Later hours, weekends & holidays

• Services from 2010 restored

Adding Technology:

• Google Maps trip planning

• Bus tracking by smartphone

• Smartphone pass purchase

• Real-time tracking at transit center

Results: Ridership is growing

• 50% increase in riders over 2012

• More than doubled transit service

• 11 new smaller propane buses

• Millennial marketing

Results: Friendlier Passes & Discounts

• 50% Discounts for Seniors & Veterans

• New lower-priced 5-Day & 7-Day options

• Smartphone ready

Results: Expanded County Service

• The COMET funds #47: Lower Richland (Eastover/Hopkins & Gadsden)

• Flex route in Lower Richland & NE Richland

• Rural transportation study launches February 2015 w/ Council of Governments

Forthcoming in 2015:

• 1000 new transit signs (already started)

• Shelter & bench installation

• Additional service expansion

• New vans for DART customers and expansion of service

bob.schneider@catchTheCOMET.org