April 1, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org/PaloAltoLink
Palo Alto Link
One-Year Service
Evaluation & Report
2 STAFF PRESENTING
Nathan Baird
Transportation Planning Manager, Office of
Transportation
[email protected]
650-329-2340
Philip Kamhi
Chief Transportation Official, Office of
Transportation
[email protected]
650-329-2520
3 TODAY’S PRESENTATION
1. Background and Review Palo Alto Link
Performance
2. Highlight Palo Alto Link Rider
Demographics & Insights
3. Funding Review
4 Background
● Palo Alto Free Shuttle saw ridership decline over four consecutive years.
● In 2017, the City Council examined transit strategies and directed development of a flexible service model.
● The Crosstown Shuttle was terminated in April 2020
with a monthly average of 3,938 riders in its final fiscal year.
● Palo Alto was granted $2 million by VTA’s Measure B
funds for the new Palo Alto Link service.
5 On-Demand Transit
Fare
• $3.50 – Regular adult
• $1.00 – Senior (65+)/disabled/low-
income/youth (5-17)
Hours
• Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm
Fleet
• 9-vehicles: 6 Tesla Y model Evs & 3
Hybrid Toyota Siennas (wheelchair
accessible vans)
• All vehicles equipped with Bicycle
Racks
6 • Convenient shared-ride alternative to private
vehicles, with the ability to book on-demand trips
through an intuitive mobile app
• Seamless connections to key points of interest,
including major employers, transit hubs, schools,
and local shops
• Sustainable and accessible service, with a
custom-branded fleet of hybrid and wheelchair
accessible vehicles (book by phone or app)
PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT
Palo Alto Link has unlocked an
accessible, efficient, and sustainable
way to get around Palo Alto.
50,220+
completed
rides
840+
unique riders
per month
13.8 min
average wait
time
4.8/5
average ride
rating
*Data from March 7, 2023 - February 29, 2024
7 RIDERSHIP
Palo Alto Link ridership has grown steadily since launch in March 2023. +54% Growth
Since March
2023
8 RIDERSHIP
Palo Alto Link continues to attract new riders while maintaining an engaged base of repeat riders.
Active Riders Split By New vs. Returning
73%+ of trips
were taken by
returning riders.
9 RIDERSHIP
Riders use Palo Alto Link to reach key community resources, including schools, employers, transit hubs, and local shops.
Top Pickup/Dropoff
Locations
% of Total Trips
(Sep-Jan Avg.)
Stanford Research Park 32%
Palo Alto High School 7%
Stanford Mall 4%
Gunn High School 3%
Palo Alto Caltrain Station 3%
Stanford Hospital 2%
8 WAIT TIMES
While Palo Alto Link riders typically accept wait times up to 30 minutes, over 80% of requests receive a wait time below 20 minutes.
Trip Acceptance Rate & Demand Distribution
Broken Down By Proposed Wait Time
78% of requests
receive an est.
wait time under
20 minutes
9 RIDER DEMOGRAPHICS & INSIGHTS
Riders have come to love and rely on Palo Alto Link for essential mobility.
Survey Question:
"How disappointed
would you be if you
could no longer use
Palo Alto Link?”
10 RIDER DEMOGRAPHICS & INSIGHTS
The rider base is diverse in terms of employment status and age.
Survey Question:
“What is your employment status?”
*Based on 265
survey responses
collected Sep-Oct
2023
Survey Question:
“What is your age?”
11 RIDER DEMOGRAPHICS & INSIGHTS
“I am getting older and need a way to get to the doctor, store, repair shops etc.” “Link gives me greater independence since I no longer drive or own a car.” “I love the social aspect of riding with driver and others.” “The service is very approachable for seniors.”
“I anticipate that it will be increasingly important to me as aging inevitably restricts my other means of getting around.”
Palo Alto Link provides independence for seniors and those with mobility limitations. 12 RIDER DEMOGRAPHICS & INSIGHTS
Palo Alto Link is encouraging residents to choose shared transit over high-emission private vehicle travel.
Survey Question:
“How would you have made your
most recent Link trip if it wasn’t an
option?”
52% would have used
Uber/Lyft/taxi or a personal car
Survey Question:
On your last Link trip, did you use the
service to connect to other forms of
transit?
16% report using Link to connect
to other forms of transit
13 FUNDING & FARE RECOVERY
As a pilot program, Palo Alto Link is currently funded with a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Innovative Transit grant, Stanford Research Park (SRP) partnership fees, and fares. Initial pilot funding from VTA (totaling $2 million) provides ~18 months of service.
Example monthly breakdown of funding & fare recovery
Feb 2024 Trips VTA Contribution SRP Contribution Fare Revenue Total Cost 4,647 $ 105,000.00 $ 31,000.00 $ 4,647.00 $ 140,647.00
per trip costs: $ 22.60 $ 6.67 $ 1.00 $ 30.27
14 POTENTIAL FUNDING SCENARIOS FOR FY25
Potential Funding Scenarios for FY25
Scenario Description 12-Month Cost (Jul '24 - Jun
'25)
Net Funding Gap*
(additional $ above
remaining budget
estimated)
A. Current Service Level
Increase supply by 5% to
meet organic demand
growth
$1,800,000 $1,000,000
B. Service Hour Extension +
Supply Growth
Scenario A plus extend the
weekday schedule by 3
hours
$2,300,000 $1,500,000
*Net Funding Gap represents the additional funding required above the estimated remaining budget.
Nathan Baird
Transportation Planning Manager, Office of Transportation [email protected]
(650) 329-2340
www.cityofpaloalto.org/PaloAltoLink