Transit Agency Contracting Survey

United States Government Accountability Office

Introduction

	The U.S. Government Accountability Office, an agency of Congress, is conducting a study of various issues related to public transit contracting in response to a mandate in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). As part of our research, we are conducting a survey of public transit agencies. This survey covers transit services that your agency provides either directly or through contracting. You are receiving this survey because your transit agency is a public transit agency that received federal funds, however, we are interested in all of your agency's operations, not just those that are federally funded. Please respond to this survey for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here). GAO will take steps to ensure the privacy of your responses. We will not include any information that would allow an individual respondent to be identified. We will not release individually identifiable data outside of GAO, unless compelled by law or requested by the Congress. We understand that there are great demands on your time, but your response is very important. The results of our evaluation will help inform Congress about issues related to public transit contracting. We plan to complete our report during the summer, 2013. At that time, the report will be available on our website at www.gao.gov. To learn more about completing the survey, printing your responses, and whom to contact if you have questions, click here for help. Thank you in advance for your assistance in taking part in our survey.

	(View responses)

Section 1 - Background

1.	Please provide the following information for the primary person completing this questionnaire in the event we need to contact you to clarify a response.

	(View responses)

	Name: (View responses)
	Title: (View responses)
	Transit agency: (View responses)
	E-mail: (View responses)
	Telephone (Include area code): (View responses)

	Definitions - Please refer to the following definitions prior to answering question #2 below. 1. Fixed-Route Bus Service - A transit mode comprised of rubber-tired passenger vehicles operating on fixed routes and schedules over roadways. Vehicles are powered by diesel, gasoline, battery, or alternative fuel engines. This category also includes Bus Rapid Transit, Commuter Bus, and Trolley Bus. 2. Demand Response - ADA Paratransit - A transit mode in which vehicles operate in response to calls or requests from passengers. It utilizes buses, vans, or taxis to provide complementary paratransit service associated or attributed to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliance requirements. 3. Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride (Not ADA Paratransit) - A transit mode in which vehicles operate in response to calls or requests from passengers. It utilizes buses, vans, or taxis to provide transportation service for people, whose access may be limited, or whose disability or health condition prevents them from using the regular fixed-route bus service. This service is unrelated to ADA requirements. 4. Commuter Rail - A transit mode that operates along electric or diesel-propelled railways and provides train service for local, short distance trips between a central city and adjacent suburbs. 5. Heavy Rail - A transit mode that operates on electric railways with high-volume traffic capacity and are characterized by separated rights-of-way, sophisticated signaling, high platform loading, and high-speed, rapid-acceleration rail cars operating singly or in multi-car trains on fixed rails. 6. Light Rail - A transit mode that operates on electric railways with light-volume traffic capacity and are characterized by shared or exclusive rights-of-way, low or high platform loading, single or double car trains, and overhead electric lines that power rail vehicles.

	(View responses)

	Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

2.	Does your transit agency provide fixed-route bus service, either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

2a.	(If yes) Does your transit agency contract for any portion of the fixed-route bus service that it provides?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

2b.	(If yes) Do any of your transit agency's contracts for fixed-route bus service provide for the following, either in-whole or in-part? (Select all that apply.)

		Operation of bus routes
		Vehicles
		Administrative services (e.g., payroll, hiring, etc.)
		Maintenance (e.g., repairs, cleaning of vehicles and facilities, etc.)
		Security
		Other
	(View responses)

(If other) Please list any other portions of fixed-route bus service that your agency contracts for.
(View responses)

3.	Does your transit agency provide demand response - ADA paratransit services, either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

3a.	(If yes) Does your transit agency contract for any portion of the ADA paratransit services that it provides?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

3b.	(If yes) Do any of your transit agency's contracts for ADA paratransit services provide for the following, either in-whole or in-part? (Select all that apply.)

		Operation of ADA paratransit services
		Vehicles
		Administrative services (e.g., payroll, hiring, etc.)
		Maintenance (e.g., repairs, cleaning of vehicles and facilities, etc.)
		Security
		Other
	(View responses)

(If other) Please list any other portions of ADA paratransit service that your agency contracts for.
(View responses)

4.	Does your transit agency provide demand response - dial-a-ride services (not ADA paratransit), either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

4a.	(If yes) Does your transit agency contract for any portion of the dial-a-ride services that it provides?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

4b.	(If yes) Do any of your transit agency's contracts for dial-a-ride services provide for the following, either in-whole or in-part? (Select all that apply.)

		Operation of dial-a-ride services
		Vehicles
		Administrative services (e.g., payroll, hiring, etc.)
		Maintenance (e.g., repairs, cleaning of vehicles and facilities, etc.)
		Security
		Other
	(View responses)

(If other) Please list any other portions of dial-a-ride service that your agency contracts for.
(View responses)

5.	Does your transit agency provide commuter rail services, either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

5a.	(If yes) Does your transit agency contract for any portion of the commuter rail services that it provides?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

5b.	(If yes) Do any of your transit agency's contracts for commuter rail services provide for the following, either in-whole or in-part? (Select all that apply.)

		Operation of commuter rail services
		Rolling stock
		Administrative services (e.g., payroll, hiring, etc.)
		Maintenance (e.g., repairs, cleaning of rolling stock and facilities, etc.)
		Security
		Other
	(View responses)

(If other) Please list any other portions of commuter rail service that your agency contracts for.
(View responses)

6.	Does your transit agency provide heavy rail services, either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

6a.	(If yes) Does your transit agency contract for any portion of the heavy rail services that it provides?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

6b.	(If yes) Do any of your transit agency's contracts for heavy rail services provide for the following, either in-whole or in-part? (Select all that apply.)

		Operation of heavy rail services
		Rolling stock
		Administrative services (e.g., payroll, hiring, etc.)
		Maintenance (e.g., repairs, cleaning of rolling stock and facilities, etc.)
		Security
		Other
	(View responses)

(If other) Please list any other portions of heavy rail service that your agency contracts for.
(View responses)

7.	Does your transit agency provide light rail services, either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

7a.	(If yes) Does your transit agency contract for any portion of the light rail services that it provides?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

7b.	(If yes) Do any of your transit agency's contracts for light rail services provide for the following, either in-whole or in-part? (Select all that apply.)

		Operation of light rail services
		Rolling stock
		Administrative services (e.g., payroll, hiring, etc.)
		Maintenance (e.g., repairs, cleaning of rolling stock and facilities, etc.)
		Security
		Other
	(View responses)

(If other) Please list any other portions of light rail service that your agency contracts for.
(View responses)

8.	Does your transit agency provide any other types of transportation services, either directly or through contracting?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

	Enter type of service:

	(View responses)

	Does your transit agency contract out any portion of this service?

			Yes
			No
	(View responses)

	Enter type of service:

	(View responses)

	Does your transit agency contract out any portion of this service?

			Yes
			No
	(View responses)

	Enter type of service:

	(View responses)

	Does your transit agency contract out any portion of this service?

			Yes
			No
	(View responses)

Section 2 - Contracting for Fixed-Route Bus Services

	Bus Service - A transit mode comprised of rubber-tired passenger vehicles operating on fixed routes and schedules over roadways. Vehicles are powered by diesel, gasoline, battery, or alternative fuel engines. This category also includes Bus Rapid Transit, Commuter Bus, and Trolley Bus. Bus Services - For the following questions on bus services, please focus only on contracts that provide for the operation of the bus services or bus routes themselves, and not on any contracts that solely involve administrative services, maintenance, security, or other peripheral services. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

9.	To what extent, if at all, does your transit agency currently contract for the operation of fixed-route bus services/bus routes? We currently contract for the operation of:

		All fixed-route bus services/routes
		Some fixed-route bus services/routes
		We provide fixed-route bus services/routes, but do not contract for them
		Not applicable - we do not provide any fixed-route bus services/routes (Click here to go to Section 3 - Contracting for Demand Response - ADA Paratransit Services)
	(View responses)

9a.	For the fixed-route bus services/routes provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for both contracted services and non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero. If you contract all fixed-route bus services/routes, leave the "non-contracted" column blank.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For contracted fixed-route bus services

	(View responses)

	For non-contracted fixed-route bus services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

9b.	How many contracts does your agency currently have for the operation of fixed-route bus services/routes? (Enter number.)
	contracts
	(View responses)

9c.	For the contracts included in question 9b (for the operation of the fixed-route bus services/routes), how many contracts does your transit agency have for each of the following payment basis types? (Enter number of contracts for each payment basis type. If none, enter zero. The total should equal the number entered in question 9b.)

	(View responses)

	Fixed-price (e.g., based on a route) (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service mile (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service hour (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service miles) (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service hours) (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle miles (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle hours (View responses)	contracts
	Passenger trips (View responses)	contracts
	Other - Specify below (View responses)	contracts

(If "Other") Please specify
the payment base(s).
(View responses)

9d.	To the best of your knowledge, which of the following factors did your transit agency consider when deciding to contract out any of the operation of your fixed-route bus services/routes? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Considered	Did not consider	Not sure
a.	We were starting new services (View responses)
b.	We were expanding existing services (View responses)
c.	Lack of availability of funding, equipment, or facilities to expand or start service (View responses)
d.	To allow for more flexible services (View responses)
e.	To provide higher quality services (View responses)
f.	To reduce costs (View responses)
g.	To improve efficiency (View responses)
h.	We were directed to contract by our Board of Directors (View responses)
i.	To meet state mandate or law (View responses)
j.	Federal funds were available for contracting (View responses)
k.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors your transit agency considered.
(View responses)

9e.	Considering your transit agency's overall contracting experience, how would you compare the fixed-route bus services/routes that you contract out with the fixed-route bus services that your transit agency runs directly for each of the following areas? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Contracted services are:
		much higher	somewhat higher	at about the same level	somewhat lower	much lower	No basis for comparison	Not sure
a.	Employee wages (View responses)
b.	Employee benefits (View responses)
c.	Total operating costs (View responses)
d.	Availability of service (View responses)
e.	Quality of service (View responses)
f.	Overall safety (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction (View responses)
h.	Reliability (View responses)
i.	Workforce retention (View responses)
j.	Ridership (View responses)
k.	Employee morale (View responses)
l.	Other areas (View responses)

Please specify other areas.
(View responses)

9f.	If your transit agency has asked for bids for the operation of its fixed-route bus services/routes how has the number of bidders changed from one solicitation to another?

		The number of bidders has increased
		The number of bidders has stayed about the same
		The number of bidders has decreased
		Not applicable, we have not conducted multiple contract solicitations
	(View responses)

9g.	Does your agency contract out all routes of the fixed-route bus services that it provides?

		Yes (Click here to go to Section 3 - Contracting for Demand Response - ADA Paratransit Services)
		No - Continue with question 9h
	(View responses)

9h.	If your transit agency does not contract for all routes of the fixed-route bus services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

	Question 9a (If fixed-route bus services provided but no contracting used) For the fixed-route bus services/routes provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for the non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For non-contracted fixed-route bus services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Question 9b (If fixed-route bus services provided but no contracting used) If your transit agency does not contract for any of the fixed-route bus services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

Section 3 - Contracting for Demand Response - ADA Paratransit Services

	Demand Response - ADA Paratransit - A transit mode in which vehicles operate in response to calls or requests from passengers. It utilizes buses, vans, or taxis to provide complementary paratransit service associated or attributed to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliance requirements. Demand Response - ADA Paratransit Services - For the following questions on demand response ADA paratransit services, please focus only on contracts that provide for the operation of the demand response - ADA paratransit services themselves, and not on any contracts that may involve administrative services, maintenance, security, or other peripheral services. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

10.	To what extent, if at all, does your transit agency currently contract for the operation of demand response - ADA paratransit services? We currently contract for the operation of:

		All demand response - ADA paratransit services
		Some demand response - ADA paratransit services
		We provide demand response - ADA paratransit services, but do not contract for them
		Not applicable - we do not provide any demand response - ADA paratransit services (Click here to go to Section 4 - Contracting for Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride Services)
	(View responses)

10a.	For the demand response - ADA paratransit services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for both contracted services and non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero. If you contract all ADA paratransit services, leave the "non-contracted" column blank.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For contracted demand response - ADA paratransit services

	(View responses)

	For non-contracted demand response - ADA paratransit services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

10b.	How many contracts does your agency currently have for the operation of demand response - ADA paratransit services? (Enter number.)
	contracts
	(View responses)

10c.	For the contracts included in question 10b (for the operation of demand response - ADA paratransit services), how many contracts does your transit agency have for each of the following payment basis types? (Enter number of contracts for each payment basis type. If none, enter zero. The total should equal the number entered in question 10b.)

	(View responses)

	Fixed-price (e.g., based on a route) (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service mile (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service hour (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service miles) (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service hours) (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle miles (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle hours (View responses)	contracts
	Passenger trips (View responses)	contracts
	Other - Specify below (View responses)	contracts

(If "Other") Please specify
the payment base(s).
(View responses)

10d.	To the best of your knowledge, which of the following factors did your transit agency consider when deciding to contract out any of the operation of your demand response - ADA paratransit services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Considered	Did not consider	Not sure
a.	We were starting new services (View responses)
b.	We were expanding existing services (View responses)
c.	Lack of availability of funding, equipment, or facilities to expand or start service (View responses)
d.	To allow for more flexible services (View responses)
e.	To provide higher quality services (View responses)
f.	To reduce costs (View responses)
g.	To improve efficiency (View responses)
h.	We were directed to contract by our Board of Directors (View responses)
i.	To meet state mandate or law (View responses)
j.	Federal funds were available for contracting (View responses)
k.	ADA Paratransit services were no longer provided by other agencies (View responses)
l.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors your transit agency considered.
(View responses)

10e.	Considering your transit agency's overall contracting experience, how would you compare the demand response - ADA paratransit services that you contract out with the demand response - ADA paratransit services that your transit agency runs directly for each of the following areas? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Contracted services are:
		much higher	somewhat higher	at about the same level	somewhat lower	much lower	No basis for comparison	Not sure
a.	Employee wages (View responses)
b.	Employee benefits (View responses)
c.	Total operating costs (View responses)
d.	Availability of service (View responses)
e.	Quality of service (View responses)
f.	Overall safety (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction (View responses)
h.	Reliability (View responses)
i.	Workforce retention (View responses)
j.	Ridership (View responses)
k.	Employee morale (View responses)
l.	Other areas (View responses)

Please specify other areas.
(View responses)

10f.	If your transit agency has asked for bids for the operation of its demand response - ADA paratransit services how has the number of bidders changed from one solicitation to another?

		The number of bidders has increased
		The number of bidders has stayed about the same
		The number of bidders has decreased
		Not applicable, we have not conducted multiple contract solicitations
	(View responses)

10g.	Does your agency contract out all routes of the demand response - ADA paratransit services that it provides?

		Yes (Click here to go to Section 4 - Contracting for Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride Services)
		No - Continue with question 10h
	(View responses)

10h.	If your transit agency does not contract for all routes of the demand response - ADA paratransit services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

	Question 10a (If demand response - ADA paratransit services provided but no contracting used) For the demand response - ADA paratransit services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for the non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For non-contracted demand response - ADA paratransit services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Question 10b (If demand response - ADA paratransit services provided but no contracting used) If your transit agency does not contract for any of the demand response - ADA paratransit services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

Section 4 - Contracting for Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride Services

	Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride - A transit mode in which vehicles operate in response to calls or requests from passengers. It utilizes buses, vans, or taxis to provide transportation service for people, whose access is limited, or whose disability or health condition prevents them from using the regular fixed-route bus service. This service is unrelated to ADA requirements. Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride Services - For the following questions on demand response - dial-a-ride services, please focus only on contracts that provide for the operation of the demand response - dial-a-ride services, and not on any contracts that may involve administrative services, maintenance, security, or other peripheral services. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

11.	To what extent, if at all, does your transit agency currently contract for the operation of demand response - dial-a-ride services? We currently contract for the operation of:

		All demand response - dial-a-ride services
		Some demand response - dial-a-ride services
		We provide demand response - dial-a-ride services, but do not contract for them
		Not applicable - we do not provide any demand response - dial-a-ride services (Click here to go to Section 5 - Contracting for Commuter Rail Services)
	(View responses)

11a.	For the demand response - dial-a-ride services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for both contracted services and non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero. If you contract all dial-a-ride services, leave the "non-contracted" column blank.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For contracted demand response - dial-a-ride services

	(View responses)

	For non-contracted demand response - dial-a-ride services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

11b.	How many contracts does your agency currently have for the operation of demand response - dial-a-ride services? (Enter number.)
	contracts
	(View responses)

11c.	For the contracts included in question 11b (for the operation of demand response - dial-a-ride services), how many contracts does your transit agency have for each of the following payment basis types? (Enter number of contracts for each payment basis type. If none, enter zero. The total should equal the number entered in question 11b.)

	(View responses)

	Fixed-price (e.g., based on a route) (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service mile (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service hour (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service miles) (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service hours) (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle miles (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle hours (View responses)	contracts
	Passenger trips (View responses)	contracts
	Other - Specify below (View responses)	contracts

(If "Other") Please specify
the payment base(s).
(View responses)

11d.	To the best of your knowledge, which of the following factors did your transit agency consider when deciding to contract out any of the operation of your demand response - dial-a-ride services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Considered	Did not consider	Not sure
a.	We were starting new services (View responses)
b.	We were expanding existing services (View responses)
c.	Lack of availability of funding, equipment, or facilities to expand or start service (View responses)
d.	To allow for more flexible services (View responses)
e.	To provide higher quality services (View responses)
f.	To reduce costs (View responses)
g.	To improve efficiency (View responses)
h.	We were directed to contract by our Board of Directors (View responses)
i.	To meet state mandate or law (View responses)
j.	Federal funds were available for contracting (View responses)
k.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors your transit agency considered.
(View responses)

11e.	Considering your transit agency's overall contracting experience, how would you compare the demand response - dial-a-ride services that you contract out with the demand response - dial-a-ride services that your transit agency runs directly for each of the following areas? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Contracted services are:
		much higher	somewhat higher	at about the same level	somewhat lower	much lower	No basis for comparison	Not sure
a.	Employee wages (View responses)
b.	Employee benefits (View responses)
c.	Total operating costs (View responses)
d.	Availability of service (View responses)
e.	Quality of service (View responses)
f.	Overall safety (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction (View responses)
h.	Reliability (View responses)
i.	Workforce retention (View responses)
j.	Ridership (View responses)
k.	Employee morale (View responses)
l.	Other areas (View responses)

Please specify other areas.
(View responses)

11f.	If your transit agency has asked for bids for the operation of its demand response - dial-a-ride services how has the number of bidders changed from one solicitation to another?

		The number of bidders has increased
		The number of bidders has stayed about the same
		The number of bidders has decreased
		Not applicable, we have not conducted multiple contract solicitations
	(View responses)

11g.	Does your agency contract out all routes of the demand response - dial-a-ride services that it provides?

		Yes (Click here to go to Section 5 - Contracting for Commuter Rail Services)
		No - Continue with question 11h
	(View responses)

11h.	If your transit agency does not contract for all routes of the demand response - dial-a-ride services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

	Question 11a (If demand response - dial-a-ride services provided but no contracting used) For the demand response - dial-a-ride services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for the non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For non-contracted demand response - dial-a-ride services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Question 11b (If demand response - dial-a-ride services provided but no contracting used) If your transit agency does not contract for any of the demand response - dial-a-ride services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

Section 5 - Contracting for Commuter Rail Services

	Commuter Rail - A transit mode that operates along electric or diesel-propelled railways and provides train service for local, short distance trips between a central city and adjacent suburbs. Commuter Rail Services - For the following questions on commuter rail services, please focus only on contracts that provide for the operation of the commuter rail services or commuter rail lines themselves, and not on any contracts that may involve administrative services, maintenance, security, or other peripheral services. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

12.	To what extent, if at all, does your transit agency currently contract for the operation of commuter rail services? We currently contract for the operation of:

		All commuter rail services
		Some commuter rail services
		We provide commuter rail services, but do not contract for them
		Not applicable - we do not provide any commuter rail services (Click here to go to Section 6 - Contracting for Heavy Rail Services)
	(View responses)

12a.	For the commuter rail services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for both contracted services and non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero. If you contract all commuter rail services, leave the "non-contracted" column blank.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For contracted commuter rail services

	(View responses)

	For non-contracted commuter rail services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

12b.	How many contracts does your agency currently have for the operation of commuter rail services? (Enter number.)
	contracts
	(View responses)

12c.	For the contracts included in question 12b (for the operation of commuter rail services), how many contracts does your transit agency have for each of the following payment basis types? (Enter number of contracts for each payment basis type. If none, enter zero. The total should equal the number entered in question 12b.)

	(View responses)

	Fixed-price (e.g., based on a route) (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service mile (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service hour (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service miles) (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service hours) (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle miles (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle hours (View responses)	contracts
	Passenger trips (View responses)	contracts
	Other - Specify below (View responses)	contracts

(If "Other") Please specify
the payment base(s).
(View responses)

12d.	To the best of your knowledge, which of the following factors did your transit agency consider when deciding to contract out any of the operation of your commuter rail services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Considered	Did not consider	Not sure
a.	We were starting new services (View responses)
b.	We were expanding existing services (View responses)
c.	Lack of availability of funding, equipment, or facilities to expand or start service (View responses)
d.	To allow for more flexible services (View responses)
e.	To provide higher quality services (View responses)
f.	To reduce costs (View responses)
g.	To improve efficiency (View responses)
h.	We were directed to contract by our Board of Directors (View responses)
i.	To meet state mandate or law (View responses)
j.	Federal funds were available for contracting (View responses)
k.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors your transit agency considered.
(View responses)

12e.	Considering your transit agency's overall contracting experience, how would you compare the commuter rail services that you contract out with the commuter rail services that your transit agency runs directly for each of the following areas? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Contracted services are:
		much higher	somewhat higher	at about the same level	somewhat lower	much lower	No basis for comparison	Not sure
a.	Employee wages (View responses)
b.	Employee benefits (View responses)
c.	Total operating costs (View responses)
d.	Availability of service (View responses)
e.	Quality of service (View responses)
f.	Overall safety (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction (View responses)
h.	Reliability (View responses)
i.	Workforce retention (View responses)
j.	Ridership (View responses)
k.	Employee morale (View responses)
l.	Other areas (View responses)

Please specify other areas.
(View responses)

12f.	If your transit agency has asked for bids for the operation of its commuter rail services how has the number of bidders changed from one solicitation to another?

		The number of bidders has increased
		The number of bidders has stayed about the same
		The number of bidders has decreased
		Not applicable, we have not conducted multiple contract solicitations
	(View responses)

12g.	Does your agency contract out all lines of the commuter rail services that it provides?

		Yes (Click here to go to Section 6 - Contracting for Heavy Rail Services)
		No - Continue with question 12h
	(View responses)

12h.	If your transit agency does not contract for all lines of the commuter rail services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

	Question 12a (If commuter rail services provided but no contracting used) For the commuter rail services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for the non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For non-contracted commuter rail services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Question 12b (If commuter rail services provided but no contracting used) If your transit agency does not contract for any of the commuter rail services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

Section 6 - Contracting for Heavy Rail Services

	Heavy Rail - A transit mode that operates on electric railways with high-volume traffic capacity and are characterized by separated rights-of-way, sophisticated signaling, high platform loading, and high-speed, rapid-acceleration rail cars operating singly or in multi-car trains on fixed rails. Heavy Rail Services - For the following questions on heavy rail services, please focus only on contracts that provide for the operation of the heavy rail services or heavy rail lines themselves, and not on any contracts that may involve administrative services, maintenance, security, or other peripheral services. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

13.	To what extent, if at all, does your transit agency currently contract for the operation of heavy rail services? We currently contract for the operation of:

		All heavy rail services
		Some heavy rail services
		We provide heavy rail services, but do not contract for them
		Not applicable - we do not provide any heavy rail services (Click here to go to Section 7 - Contracting for Light Rail Services)
	(View responses)

13a.	For the heavy rail services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for both contracted services and non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero. If you contract all heavy rail services, leave the "non-contracted" column blank.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For contracted heavy rail services

	(View responses)

	For non-contracted heavy rail services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

13b.	How many contracts does your agency currently have for the operation of heavy rail services? (Enter number.)
	contracts
	(View responses)

13c.	For the contracts included in question 13b (for the operation of heavy rail services), how many contracts does your transit agency have for each of the following payment basis types? (Enter number of contracts for each payment basis type. If none, enter zero. The total should equal the number entered in question 13b.)

	(View responses)

	Fixed-price (e.g., based on a route) (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service mile (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service hour (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service miles) (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service hours) (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle miles (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle hours (View responses)	contracts
	Passenger trips (View responses)	contracts
	Other - Specify below (View responses)	contracts

(If "Other") Please specify
the payment base(s).
(View responses)

13d.	To the best of your knowledge, which of the following factors did your transit agency consider when deciding to contract out any of the operation of your heavy rail services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Considered	Did not consider	Not sure
a.	We were starting new services (View responses)
b.	We were expanding existing services (View responses)
c.	Lack of availability of funding, equipment, or facilities to expand or start service (View responses)
d.	To allow for more flexible services (View responses)
e.	To provide higher quality services (View responses)
f.	To reduce costs (View responses)
g.	To improve efficiency (View responses)
h.	We were directed to contract by our Board of Directors (View responses)
i.	To meet state mandate or law (View responses)
j.	Federal funds were available for contracting (View responses)
k.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors your transit agency considered.
(View responses)

13e.	Considering your transit agency's overall contracting experience, how would you compare the heavy rail services that you contract out with the heavy rail services that your transit agency runs directly for each of the following areas? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Contracted services are:
		much higher	somewhat higher	at about the same level	somewhat lower	much lower	No basis for comparison	Not sure
a.	Employee wages (View responses)
b.	Employee benefits (View responses)
c.	Total operating costs (View responses)
d.	Availability of service (View responses)
e.	Quality of service (View responses)
f.	Overall safety (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction (View responses)
h.	Reliability (View responses)
i.	Workforce retention (View responses)
j.	Ridership (View responses)
k.	Employee morale (View responses)
l.	Other areas (View responses)

Please specify other areas.
(View responses)

13f.	If your transit agency has asked for bids for the operation of its heavy rail services how has the number of bidders changed from one solicitation to another?

		The number of bidders has increased
		The number of bidders has stayed about the same
		The number of bidders has decreased
		Not applicable, we have not conducted multiple contract solicitations
	(View responses)

13g.	Does your agency contract out all lines of the heavy rail services that it provides?

		Yes (Click here to go to Section 7 - Contracting for Light Rail Services)
		No - Continue with question 13h
	(View responses)

13h.	If your transit agency does not contract for all lines of the heavy rail services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

	Question 13a (If heavy rail services provided but no contracting used) For the heavy rail services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for the non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For non-contracted heavy rail services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Question 13b (If heavy rail services provided but no contracting used) If your transit agency does not contract for any of the heavy rail services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

Section 7 - Contracting for Light Rail Services

	Light Rail - A transit mode that operates on electric railways with light-volume traffic capacity and are characterized by shared or exclusive rights-of-way, low or high platform loading, single or double car trains, and overhead electric lines that power rail vehicles. Light Rail Services - For the following questions on light rail services, please focus only on contracts that provide for the operation of the light rail services or light rail lines themselves, and not on any contracts that may involve administrative services, maintenance, security, or other peripheral services. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

14.	To what extent, if at all, does your transit agency currently contract for the operation of light rail services? We currently contract for the operation of:

		All light rail services
		Some light rail services
		We provide light rail services, but do not contract for them
		Not applicable - we do not provide any light rail services (Click here to go to Section 8 - General Questions on Contracting)
	(View responses)

14a.	For the light rail services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for both contracted services and non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero. If you contract all light rail services, leave the "non-contracted" column blank.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For contracted light rail services

	(View responses)

	For non-contracted light rail services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

14b.	How many contracts does your agency currently have for the operation of light rail services? (Enter number.)
	contracts
	(View responses)

14c.	For the contracts included in question 14b (for the operation of light rail services), how many contracts does your transit agency have for each of the following payment basis types? (Enter number of contracts for each payment basis type. If none, enter zero. The total should equal the number entered in question 14b.)

	(View responses)

	Fixed-price (e.g., based on a route) (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service mile (View responses)	contracts
	Price per revenue service hour (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service miles) (View responses)	contracts
	Fixed-price, plus variable (based on revenue service hours) (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle miles (View responses)	contracts
	Total vehicle hours (View responses)	contracts
	Passenger trips (View responses)	contracts
	Other - Specify below (View responses)	contracts

(If "Other") Please specify
the payment base(s).
(View responses)

14d.	To the best of your knowledge, which of the following factors did your transit agency consider when deciding to contract out any of the operation of your light rail services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Considered	Did not consider	Not sure
a.	We were starting new services (View responses)
b.	We were expanding existing services (View responses)
c.	Lack of availability of funding, equipment, or facilities to expand or start service (View responses)
d.	To allow for more flexible services (View responses)
e.	To provide higher quality services (View responses)
f.	To reduce costs (View responses)
g.	To improve efficiency (View responses)
h.	We were directed to contract by our Board of Directors (View responses)
i.	To meet state mandate or law (View responses)
j.	Federal funds were available for contracting (View responses)
k.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors your transit agency considered.
(View responses)

14e.	Considering your transit agency's overall contracting experience, how would you compare the light rail services that you contract out with the light rail services that your transit agency runs directly for each of the following areas? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Contracted services are:
		much higher	somewhat higher	at about the same level	somewhat lower	much lower	No basis for comparison	Not sure
a.	Employee wages (View responses)
b.	Employee benefits (View responses)
c.	Total operating costs (View responses)
d.	Availability of service (View responses)
e.	Quality of service (View responses)
f.	Overall safety (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction (View responses)
h.	Reliability (View responses)
i.	Workforce retention (View responses)
j.	Ridership (View responses)
k.	Employee morale (View responses)
l.	Other areas (View responses)

Please specify other areas.
(View responses)

14f.	If your transit agency has asked for bids for the operation of its light rail services how has the number of bidders changed from one solicitation to another?

		The number of bidders has increased
		The number of bidders has stayed about the same
		The number of bidders has decreased
		Not applicable, we have not conducted multiple contract solicitations
	(View responses)

14g.	Does your agency contract out all lines of the light rail services that it provides?

		Yes (Click here to go to Section 8 - General Questions on Contracting)
		No - Continue with question 14h
	(View responses)

14h.	If your transit agency does not contract for all lines of the light rail services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

	Question 14a (If light rail services provided but no contracting used) For the light rail services provided by your transit agency in fiscal year 2011, please provide the following information for the non-contracted services. (Enter numbers. If none, enter zero.)

	(View responses)



	(View responses)

	For non-contracted light rail services

	(View responses)

	a. Total number of annual passenger trips

	(View responses)


	passenger trips
	(View responses)

	b. Total annual revenue vehicle service miles

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service miles
	(View responses)

	c. Total annual revenue vehicle service hours

	(View responses)


	revenue vehicle service hours
	(View responses)

	d. Number of unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	e. Number of non-unionized employees (FTEs)

	(View responses)


	FTEs
	(View responses)



			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Question 14b (If light rail services provided but no contracting used) If your transit agency does not contract for any of the light rail services that it provides, which of the following factors is a reason why? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes, this is a reason	No, this is not a reason	Does not apply	Not sure
a.	Contracting was not found to be cost effective (View responses)
b.	Contracting is not allowed in union contract (View responses)
c.	Challenges presented by Section 13(c) (For information on Section 13(c) click here.) (View responses)
d.	Want to maintain control over operations (View responses)
e.	Lack of political support for contracting (View responses)
f.	State labor laws limit contracting (View responses)
g.	Lack of qualified firms to do the work (View responses)
h.	Tried to contract, but proposed bids too high (View responses)
i.	Tried to contract, but too few bidders (View responses)
j.	Complexity of the contracting process (View responses)
k.	Needed multi-jurisdictional consensus to contract (View responses)
l.	No reason to change to contracting (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors for not contracting.
(View responses)

Section 8 - General Questions on Contracting

	The questions in this section ask for some general information about any contracted services that your transit agency may be using. Please respond to these questions for (name of transit agency appeared here) for NTD # (NTD number appeared here).

	(View responses)

15.	In any section of the survey thus far, did you indicate that your transit agency contracted out any aspect of its operations or other services (such as administration, security, maintenance, etc.)?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

15a.	Does your transit agency use the following methods to select a contractor? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes	No	Not sure
a.	Competition (View responses)
b.	Sole source or preferred vendors (View responses)
c.	Selection from a list of preferred vendors (View responses)
d.	Orders under pre-existing contracts (View responses)
e.	Other (e.g., exercise of contract option) (View responses)

Please specify other methods
used to select a contractor.
(View responses)

15b.	Does your agency have a specific unit(s) or department(s) to monitor the performance of contracted services?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

15c.	Does your transit agency use the following methods to oversee contract services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Yes	No	Not sure
a.	Periodic reports or meetings (View responses)
b.	On-site inspection (View responses)
c.	Third-party inspectors (View responses)
d.	Real-time monitoring (View responses)
e.	Performance metrics (View responses)
f.	Other methods (View responses)

Please specify other methods used to oversee contract services.
(View responses)

15d.	When selecting a contractor, does your transit agency consider federal law, regulations, or guidance prohibiting conflicts of interest for contractor employees and businesses?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

15e.	Does your transit agency have an ethics policy or standards of conduct that prohibit conflicts-of-interest?

		Yes
		No
	(View responses)

15f.	Are your contract documents publicly available?

		All are available
		Some are available
		None are available
	(View responses)

15g.	What level of importance does your transit agency place on each of the following factors when measuring or assessing the quality of contracted services? (Select one answer in each row.)

	(View responses)

		Very important	Somewhat important	Not important	No basis to judge
a.	Timeliness of service (i.e., on schedule) (View responses)
b.	Responsiveness to the transit agency's needs (View responses)
c.	Responsiveness to rider needs (View responses)
d.	Amount of service provided (View responses)
e.	Reliability of service (View responses)
f.	Customer satisfaction, as measured by survey results (View responses)
g.	Customer satisfaction, as measured by other means (e.g., ridership changes, customer comments, etc.) (View responses)
h.	Benchmarking against industry standards (View responses)
i.	Comparison with peers (View responses)
j.	Safety (View responses)
k.	Cost-effectiveness (View responses)
l.	Quality of fleet and facilities (e.g., reliability, cleanliness, etc.) (View responses)
m.	Other factors (View responses)

Please specify other factors important when measuring or assessing the quality of contracted services.
(View responses)

15h.	In your opinion, how have the results of transit service contracting met your expectations?

	(View responses)

16.	If you have any additional comments about any of the issues covered in this survey, please enter them in the space below.

	(View responses)

17.	Are you ready to submit your final completed survey to GAO? (This is equivalent to mailing a completed paper survey to us. It tells us that your answers are official and final.)

		Yes, my survey is complete - To submit your final responses, please click on "Exit" below.
		No, my survey is not yet complete - To save your responses for later, please click on "Exit" below.
	(View responses)

	You may view and print your completed survey by clicking on the Summary link in the menu to the left. Thank you very much for your assistance.

	(View responses)

Questionnaire Programming Language - Version 6.2
U.S. Government Accountability Office

Transit Agency Contracting Survey

United States Government Accountability Office

Introduction

Section 1 - Background

Section 2 - Contracting for Fixed-Route Bus Services

Section 3 - Contracting for Demand Response - ADA Paratransit Services

Section 4 - Contracting for Demand Response - Dial-a-Ride Services

Section 5 - Contracting for Commuter Rail Services

Section 6 - Contracting for Heavy Rail Services

Section 7 - Contracting for Light Rail Services

Section 8 - General Questions on Contracting

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