Background New York's transit network is the lifeblood of the city and its economy. Since 1990, subway ridership is up 57 percent and bus ridership is up almost 60 percent. The bus system alone now carries over 2.7 million passengers a day. But with the resurgence of our transit system has come a new set of transportation challenges. Subway crowding and unmet transit needs: subway lines such as the Lexington Avenue line in Manhattan are at capacity. Moreover, many jobs and residents are located beyond the reach of the subway network. Slowing bus speeds: New York has among the slowest buses in the nation. In congested areas, such as Downtown Brooklyn and Midtown Manhattan, buses move at four to five miles per hour, barely faster than the average pedestrian. A growing city: New York is expected to grow by nearly one million residents by 2030. To accommodate this growth without increasing New York's carbon footprint will require expanded transit options. Limited capital funding: The City of New York and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have very limited resources. Subway extensions, beyond those already planned, are not financially feasible. Bus Rapid Transit: Part of the Solution Faced with these challenges, how can the City and the MTA meet the growing mobility needs of New Yorkers? Part of the answer is to improve the city's bus system by implementing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRT is a cost effective approach to transit service that cities around the world have used to make riding the bus more like riding the subway. BRT has been defined as "a flexible, integrated, high performance transit system with a quality image and a strong identity." BRT combines the speed, reliability and amenities of rail-based rapid transit systems with the flexibility of buses. An increasing number of BRT systems are being implemented across the U.S. and the world, but because of BRT's flexibility, each BRT application is planned and designed to meet the specific needs and characteristics of the region. BRT systems typically incorporate the following package of components appropriate to the markets they serve and the physical environment. Irrespective of how these elements are put together, all BRT systems emphasize speed, reliability and identity. In New York City, our BRT system is known as Select Bus Service (SBS).
SBS incorporates all these factors in two key ways: BY IMPROVING SPEED AND RELIABILITY: Frequent service: on high readership SBS corridors buses arrive every five to ten minutes or more frequently. Station spacing: SBS stops are spaced about every half a mile, reducing travel time. Off-board fare payment: riders pay their fares at stations before boarding, reducing stop time. Traffic Signal Priority (TSP): SBS buses receive an extended green at traffic signals. (Planned) Bus lanes: SBS buses operate in their own bus lane or busway, bypassing congestion. BY IMPROVING PASSENGER COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE: Enhanced stations: SBS stops include attractive shelters with seating and lighting. SBS vehicles: SBS buses are low-floor and have up to three doors, making boarding faster and more convenient. Branding: SBS routes feature a unique brand, making them easily identifiable. MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) have worked together to create a SBS pilot program with five planned routes. In June of 2008, the City and the MTA launched the city's first version of BRT, called the Bx12 Select Bus Service (SBS), on Fordham Road in the Bronx. The results have been striking: travel times are down almost 20 percent and ridership is up by over 5,000 passengers per day. Based on this success, the City and the MTA have begun planning a comprehensive SBS network, complementing and supplementing the existing bus and subway networks. M15 Select Bus Service on First and Second Avenues in Manhattan began October 10, 2010 M34/M34A Select Bus Service on 34th Street began November 13, 2011
EAGLE Team Fare Evasion/Vandal Security Program Effectiveness The NYPD may have the Anti-Graffiti Task Force, but with many graffiti related crimes being perpetrated in the transit system, the New York City Transit Authority s Security Department created its own anti-graffiti squad called the EAGLE Team Vandal Squad. In September of 2007, the New York City Transit Department of Security implemented an Etching and Graffiti Lawlessness Eradication Team (EAGLE Team Vandal Squad) to combat the crime of Scratchiti and Graffiti throughout the NYCTA System. The primary mission of the EAGLE Team Vandal Squad has been to stop the increase in graffiti vandalism occurring in the subway yards and lay-up areas. Additionally, they identify and document vulnerabilities which exist within the NYCT bus depots and parking areas. Since the inception of the EAGLE Team Vandal Squad: Graffiti Reduction Statistics: All three categories have encountered overall graffiti decreases: Layup Areas (2007: 180; 2011: 77 ) Major Train Graffiti (2007: 206; 2011: 86 ) and Train Yard Graffiti (2007: 75; 2011: 26). (Attachment A ) Graffiti Reduction Cleaning Costs: Costs have decreased each year, except for 2011 (due to increased cost of cleaning material and labor) (2007: $366,977.42; 2008: $240,791.60; 2009: $191,242.01; 2010: $133,796.77; 2011: $166,328.92) for a total overall savings of $200,648.50. This represents a 45% savings since inception of the EAGLE Team. (Attachment B ) Graffiti Restitution Collected: Overall has totaled $228,860.35 (2007: $29,363.00; 2008: $57,704.00; 2009: $50,393.24; 2010: $53,342.63; 2011: $38.057.48). (Attachment C ) In June of 2008, the EAGLE Team expanded and included a separate and distinct Fare Evasion Unit. The Unit primarily enforced payment of the fare on the newly instituted Select Bus Service s (SBS) BX12 line in the Bronx. This was followed by the SBS M15 in 2010 and the SBS M34 in 2011. Select Bus Service introduced innovative changes to the way buses operate. The SBS system was designed for the public to pay the fare off board as opposed to on board. Ticket dispensing machines are located curbside whereby the customer purchases the fare and receives a paper receipt which must be carried, for the trip duration, as a proof-of-payment of the fare. There are dedicated bus traffic lanes in effect between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. which assist in expediting traffic flow. The mission of the EAGLE Team Fare Evasion Unit is truly multifaceted. Not only does it ensure passenger compliance when paying their fare (or risk a $100.00 fine), but it also educates riders on the proper procedure of paying their fares utilizing the off-board fare ticket machines. Additionally, the EAGLE Team Fare Evasion Unit ensures the safety of all passengers and NYCTA employees involved with the operation of these buses. The strategies of the EAGLE Teams remain two prong. First is the safety of our members, the public and all NYCTA personnel. Secondly is the appearance that the Special Inspectors are always present (omnipresence) to validate customer tickets, ensure passenger fare compliance and thwart vandalism within the transit system.
Additionally, the EAGLE s have incorporated the use of Surges. Approximately twice a week, EAGLE members mass in number (5-6) and inspect a specific bus stop location. Special Inspectors conduct a check of all passengers for fare compliance. If you conduct these surges over a month, at different bus stop locations and at different times of the day, you get a general idea of the ongoing rate of fare evasion. Overall, on the SBS line, the rate of fare evasion is currently between 4% and 6%. Additionally, since EAGLE Teams have been assigned to patrol the SBS routes, there has not been a major crime committed on any of the SBS routes. The three SBS lines are the safest traveled in NYC. Currently, the EAGLE Team consists of: One Assistant General Superintendent (AGS) One Superintendent (Supt.) Nine Special Inspector Supervisors (SIS) Fifty-one Special Inspectors (SI) One Graffiti Restitution Coordinator One Analytical Coordinator The EAGLE teams are comprised of seven uniformed (Fare Evasion) and one plain clothes (Vandal Squad) details that are operational seven days a week between the hours of 0600 and 0330. Deployment of the unit is based on intelligence driven information gathered from the field. After analyzing trends associated with the way criminals are performing their vandalism and fare evasion, EAGLE Team members are deployed accordingly. Upon turnout, the Special Inspectors are instructed to the locations of the bus stops and train yards they will be conducting their operations. In addition to verifying passenger fare payment on the SBS line, the Special Inspectors also conduct target hardening, critical lighting surveys and electronic counter surveillance in the areas they patrol. As it has been stated before, If kids can get into the system and paint, so can a terrorist looking to destroy our system. There is no better way of combating the crime of vandalism then by having the eyes and ears of all transit employees, managers and the public to help ensure these crimes do not occur. The If You See Something, Say Something campaigns have had a positive affect in the reduction of graffiti and vandalism throughout the entire transit system, while at the same time ensuring the safety of all employees and passengers. EAGLE Team Security Program Benefit Level The EAGLE Team Security Program focuses primarily on the aspects of safety, fare evasion enforcement (summonses) and damage to NYCT property. Our goal was to reduce fare evasion to 6% by the end of 2011. We exceeded this goal by 1% (5% was average decrease). Fare Evasion Statistics: Since implementation of the EAGLE Team Fare Evasion Program in 2008, tangible financial benefits include a decrease of 9% in fare evasion (2008: 13%; 2011: 4%) and an average increase of over 1000% for summons-related fare evasions (2008:1,630; 2009: 4020; 2010: 6,541; 2011: 18,918). (Attachment D )
Although the tangible financial benefits of the program are apparent, there are numerous intangible benefits. SBS bus stops include attractive shelters with seating and lighting. SBS buses are low-floor and have up to three doors, making boarding faster and more convenient. SBS bus routes feature a unique brand, making them easily identifiable. Based on this success, there are plans for a comprehensive SBS network, complementing and supplementing the existing bus and subway networks. EAGLE Team Security Program Innovation EAGLE Team Security Program enhancements follow both traditional and nontraditional approaches. While primarily present for SBS enforcement duties, the EAGLE Team attempts to modify the behavior and habits of bus customers through educational assistance. SBS Inspectors often assist with providing instruction to customers not familiar with the off-board fare process. EAGLE s utilize directed and systematic patrol of all bus stops and train yards. The concept of omnipresence is attained by utilizing random patrol and quick hits at bus stops and train yards to ensure enforcement goals. Surges have been adapted from the NYPD s Surge Operations within New York City. Five to six inspectors are stationed at a bus stop/train yard for periods up to one hour to maximize enforcement capabilities. Surges are also used specifically for bus operations to detect fare evasion trends and possible hot spot locations. Surge operations are also used to deter vandalism by flooding a specific area with inspectors. This tactical use of surges gives the appearance of a much larger force then is actually being used. Surveillance is conducted during fare evasion and vandalism operations. As it pertains to fare evasion, surveillance is used to ascertain daily passenger trends and transactions to see where deployment of personnel would be optimal. As it pertains to vandalism, surveillance includes the use of wireless cameras equipped with video analytics that can be utilized as a force multiplier against vandals and nefarious occurrences. Security Program Transferability NYCTA s Security Program enhancements, involving graffiti and fare evasion, are reproducible and surely would be attractive to many, if not all, other transit agencies. Depending on the needs, goals and resources available, all or parts of the NYCTA s EAGLE Team Security Program may be replicated and instituted by other transit agencies. Most important is the EAGLE candidate hiring process. Thorough screening of all candidates is mandated to ensure a future candidate possesses the correct disposition when interacting with the public. NYCTA has looked to retired police/military for job candidacy. Officers who have served 20 years, or more, are excellent candidates for the EAGLE position. Over their entire careers, retired police/military have generally dealt with many people in confrontational type situations. Retired police/military understand the need for behavior modification and in giving the ridership instruction in the utilization of the new SBS system. Generally, retired police/military have multiple years experience and are usually more adaptable with the interpersonal communications that take place with the riding public. Success of the unit is based on the adaptability of the inspectors in combining customer service with enforcement duties.
ATTACHMENT A Graffiti Reduction Statistics Graffiti 2007 2011 % Difference Layup 180 77-57.2% Major 206 86-58.3% Yard 75 26-65.3% ATTACHMENT B Graffiti Reduction Cleaning Costs 2007 (Inception) 2011 TOTAL SAVINGS $366,977.42 $166,328.92 $200,648.50
ATTACHMENT C Graffiti Restitution Collected 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 $29,363.00 $57,704.00 $50,393.24 $53,342.63 $38,057.48 ATTACHMENT D Fare Evasion Statistics YEAR WARNINGS SUMMONSES REFUSED ID ASSISTS 2008 (Inception) 1,436 1,630 297 7,795 2009 1,347 4,020 628 12,720 2010 5,509 6,507 1,977 31,786 2011 18,373 18,918 4,384 90,460 TOT ALS 26,665 31,075 7,286 142,761
NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT 2010 UNIT CITATION AWARD