BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Department of Public Transportation and the Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study collaborated in April on a survey of BC Transit riders. The survey and data analysis was performed by the Binghamton University College of Community and Public Affairs in what BMTS Executive Director Steven Gayle called “a great model of cooperation between the University and local government, with benefits to both”.

Called an “on-board survey” method, a questionnaire was distributed to each adult boarding a BC Transit bus on different routes and at different times of day, in a plan designed to create a broad random sample of riders. The survey achieved a 63% response rate, which is considered high, and yields results with a high level of confidence.

Questions were grouped into three topical areas: demographics, travel characteristics, and opinions of the service. For the Department of Public Transportation, which operates BC Transit, this translates into answers to: “Who are your customers?” “How do they use BC Transit?” and “What do your customers think of the service?” and in turn means that improvements to the service can be targeted to where they will make the biggest difference. BMTS will use the data to enhance its longer range plans for regional transit service.

SURVEY FINDINGS

[Reminder – the survey was given only to those who appeared to be at least 18 years old.]

BC Transit riders are predominantly under the age of 35, and much more racially/ethnically diverse than the general population of Greater Binghamton. More than one-third are students. Most use the bus regularly, and have been doing so for a number of years, because they do not have a car available for their travel needs. When asked how they would make the specific trip being surveyed if the bus were not available, 13% said they would not be able to travel at all.

Questions about their trip making revealed the following: nearly seven in ten riders are within 5 minutes of the bus stop, and the vast majority walk to and from the bus. More than one-third are traveling to and from school, and almost as many to work. Fewer use the bus for shopping or medical appointments. About 3% reported using the wheelchair ramp to board the bus, and a similar number use the bicycle rack.

When asked about their opinions of the service, a large majority find BC Transit service reliable, the fare reasonable, and the drivers professional and courteous. Only 10% reported concerns about safety on the bus and at bus stops. While most people find the routes meet their needs, a large number of respondents believe the buses should run more frequently and on-time performance should improve. People also expressed some dissatisfaction with the cleanliness and comfort of the buses.

The survey results make it clear that most of the people using BC Transit rely on it a great deal for their travel needs, and that Broome County provides a valuable service by operating the transit system.