Planning

1) Palm Tran used to have route 40 meet with a 7:55 a.m. route, then it left. Can the 7:55 a.m. route come back? Palm Tran had lots of riders at that time. Some riders will try to use Go Glades to get to route 40, but there’s no connection at 7:55 a.m. An additional trip has been added since the service changes starting January 15, 2023.

2) Planning needs to work with Dispatch at least once a month, especially at critical times (pullout, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.). The routes have straight runs that are 8 hour and 6 hour drive times which makes it tough to pull runs together for pickup work. Palm Tran should adhere to the 12 hour drive times.

Palm Tran’s service planning section visited both south county and north county dispatch areas to discuss how runs are made and the constraints caused due to the labor shortage. In addition, this issue was discussed at the service change feedback forum. All garages have also been equipped with feedback boxes for physical paper suggestions and QR code for digital suggestions. All supervisors were provided an opportunity to sign up for the feedback forums if their schedule allowed. In case of a schedule conflict, a digital link has been provided to voice their concerns and suggestions. The issue cannot be fully addressed until the workforce shortages are addressed.

3) Can Palm Tran add Sunday service to Route 81? There are often people standing at Route 81’s bus stops on Sundays or holidays who are unaware that the 81 does not have service.

Palm Tran’s long term vision includes Sunday service on all routes. As funding sources and the need for additional labor is addressed, the change can be implemented.

4) When will bus operators be able to pull out fixed-route buses out of large shopping complexes, such as Lakes of Delray?

Palm Tran is contractually bound to provide service in Lakes of Delray. RPM 2.0 will address the concerns related to circular movement of larger fixed route buses. Phase 1 of this project is targeted for the end of 2023.

5) A bus operator states construction on Banyan St. is terrible.

Palm Tran’s safety team has reviewed the stops on Banyan St. The construction has since been completed and the stops restored.

6) A bus operator states that the bus stop on Yamato Rd. is away from the shelter and cannot be used yet.

Palm Tran’s Planning Section is working with the City of Boca municipal services department to move all inactive shelters to active bus stops. According to the City of Boca, these shelters are still being utilized by the City’s community shuttle service. Removing them would not be feasible. Palm Tran is placing signage at these specific stops indicating that they are not Palm Tran bus stops.

7) A bus operator states that a bus stop on Route 61 on Cresthaven Blvd. is a safety hazard. The stop is too steep for seniors and not ADA compliant.

The ADA transition plan will address this issue. Phase 1 is expected to begin in summer 2023. The project will take several years as municipal cooperation, permitting and construction is required. If an operator sees a safety hazard at a stop, please report it and submit a form for improvement.