Public transportation is a critical service for residents and visitors alike, no matter where they are located. In suburban areas like Peoria, small neighborhood circulators like Peoria on the Go (POGO) can serve an even more important role by providing access to vital services or connecting to larger transit systems. Robust public transit is also important in the fight toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative to using personal vehicles for daily commutes. Peoria’s POGO transit circulator aims to provide service to residents and visitors by connecting neighborhoods to much-needed amenities and activity centers. In recognition of the need for ongoing self-assessment and development, Peoria partnered with ASU students in Fall 2019 to determine how POGO could better serve youth riders, and again in Spring 2020 for a continuation focused on developing relevant community circulator best practices tailored to POGO’s specific circumstances.
Two graduate students in the Transportation and Land Use Planning class were tasked with the challenge of helping Peoria continue its POGO enhancement efforts. Students identified and studied almost 50 circulators across the U.S. and distilled this list down to 4 case studies to analyze in-depth. Cases were chosen for their similarity to POGO’s geographic conditions or intended service features. Students also developed a circulator taxonomy to categorize the studied circulators as access to transit, employment, entertainment, or service. The four case studies were examined to determine what factors make them such successful systems in their respective communities. Two major themes were identified: understanding rider needs and intent, and providing services that empower riders with differing needs to use the circulators.
Students also designed individual surveys for POGO drivers, POGO riders, and other circulator riders throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Due to the interruptions in POGO service caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person surveys intended for POGO drivers and riders were not deployed. However, the online survey targeted at other riders across the Valley was still launched. Results from this survey were interesting, and students suggest continuing survey research to further understand POGO ridership needs and behaviors.