Monroe County Transit: Existing Conditions Analysis

EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS

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5.1 Identification of Gaps & Performance Review Within the Service Descriptions and Market Analysis, the current state of transit services and demographic characteristics within the service area are outlined. An analysis of existing service coverage, schedules, and demographic data has been conducted to pinpoint opportunities for enhancing coverage and to assess transit propensity. 5.2 Evaluation of Fixed Route Service There is a notable absence of public transit service directly connecting the Keys to popular destinations in Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade’s Route 301 express service, originates from a peripheral park and-ride lot, miles from the key destinations and hubs of transit activity in downtown Miami and the MIA Intermodal Center. This means that most travelers from Miami Dade County must take one or more bus and rail trips to reach the SW 244 St. Park-and-Ride lot before even beginning their trip to the Keys. From there, route 301 travels from Florida City to Marathon, serving Key Largo and the upper half of the Keys island chain, but necessitating a transfer to the Lower Keys Shuttle for the final leg of the journey to Key West. In making this connection, the Lower Keys Shuttle, travels nearly 50 miles outside the KWT service area to reach Marathon.

While there is generally good coordination in the connection schedules between the two agencies to ensure comprehensive coverage, instances arise where riders may experience wait times of up to an hour for the connection. Additionally, there are occasions when connections are unavailable due to delays or constraints in service schedules. 5.3 Microtransit Service There are few areas of the Keys other than in Key Largo and Key West-Stock Island where developed areas are large and dense enough for local fixed-route bus service to be practical. By contrast, microtransit is an ideal way to solution to provide local transit service and connect riders to longer-distance transit anywhere in the Keys. One evident deficiency in the Key’s microtransit network is the lack of service zones between Key West and Florida City. Presently, microtransit services are confined to only two areas – Islamorada and Key West. Consequently, residents and visitors encounter first/last mile gaps in transportation accessibility when traveling within or between these zones, whether it’s a short trip within a few miles or a longer journey spanning the entire chain of islands. To address the existing gaps in microtransit services within Monroe County, the project team examined various factors including the current service coverage, schedules, and demographic data to gauge the community’s propensity for utilizing transit services effectively.