Chapter 1 - Introduction

The Data Tables for the 1998 National Transit Database Report Year is one of three publications comprising the 1998 Annual Report. Also referred to as the National Transit Database Program it is administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This report provides detailed summaries of financial and operating data submitted to FTA by the nation's mass transit agencies. This report was produced under a professional services support contract under the guidance of FTA's Office of Oversight in the Office of Program Management.

The National Transit Database tracks reporters in several ways. The first tracks the actual number of reporting agencies each report year. For the 1998 Report Year, the number of reporting agencies is 575. Of that, 60 transit agencies received exemptions from detailed reporting (Nine or Fewer Vehicle Exemptions) and 6 were deleted because their data was incomplete. Thus, 509 individual reporters are included in the full database. Of the transit agencies reporting, 56.2 percent contract for some or all of their transportation from private or public agencies. Agencies granted exemptions are listed in Appendix B-Transit Agencies Receiving Nine or Fewer Vehicle Exemptions; agencies deleted are listed in Appendix C-Transit Agencies Deleted from 1998 Annual Publications. Appendix D lists agencies that had a mode/type of service deleted.
Two additional publications comprise the 1998 National Transit Database Annual Report they are National Transit Summaries and Trends and Transit Profiles. The Transit Profiles are presented in two volumes: The Top Thirty Agencies and Transit Profiles.

Descriptions and definitions of terminology used in the 1998 National Transit Database Annual Report publications may be found in the 1998 National Transit Database Reporting Manual.

Pursuant to 49 USC 5335, the establishment of a uniform system of accounts and records plus a reporting system for the collection and dissemination of public mass transportation financial and operating data by uniform categories is required. All applicants and direct beneficiaries of Federal assistance under 49 USC 5307 are subject to the reporting system and the uniform system of accounts and records. The purpose of the National Transit Database Reporting System is to assist in meeting the need for information on which to base planning for public transportation services and to make public sector investment decisions at all levels of government.

This 1998 Annual Report disseminates data reported for transit agencies' fiscal year ending during Calendar Year 1998 (i.e., on or between January 1 and December 31, 1998). This is the twentieth Annual Report published.

Report Organization

The report consists of two chapters:

1. Understanding and Using this Report: Provides general information to assist the reader in using this and earlier reports.
2. The Data Tables: Financial and operating data by specific mode for individual transit agencies. Each table is described and general information is provided.

Data Tables Organization

The Data Tables in Chapter 2 are organized into four major groups:

1. Transit revenues
2. Transit expenses
3. Non-financial operating data
4. Performance indicators

The first three groups of tables (transit revenues, expenses, and non-financial operating data) contain summaries of the data required by NTD. The fourth group of tables displays performance indicators composed of selected statistics derived from data in the first three groups. Typically, these indicators are computed as ratios, relating measures of input to measures of output (e.g., operating expenses per vehicle revenue hour), or measures of output to measures of service consumption (e.g. unlinked passenger trips per vehicle revenue hour).

The numbering system for the Data Tables has been consistent from 1992 to 1994. In 1995, with the expansion of safety and inclusion of security, new tables were created to accommodate the enhanced data. In 1998, with the inclusion of operating expenses paid for by capital funds, a new table (Table 2) was created to accommodate the federal government sources for transit operating funds applied data.

The following table summarizes the 1997-1998 correspondence of tables:

Special Notes on Reporting and the Data Tables

Several general issues pertaining to the reporting system and this Annual Report are summarized below. These discussions are designed to aid in interpreting and using the data published in this report.

Alphabetical by State

The 1998 edition includes transit agencies organized by state and alphabetically by agency name within each state. This organization enables easier location of specific transit agencies for data analysis.

Transit Agency Names

Due to space limitations, transit agency names are abbreviated using 25 characters or less. The UZA served is included in cases where it is not an integral part of the transit agency name. Also, transit agency acronyms are used to conserve space.

Identification Number and Organization Type

A four-digit identification number is assigned to each transit agency. The first digit of this number corresponds with the FTA Region in which the transit agency is located (FTA Regions 1-10). (Note: identification numbers beginning with a zero indicate FTA Region 10.)

The identification number is followed by the organization type code as follows:

Transit Agency Fiscal Year

The report year was changed beginning in 1983 to a transit agency fiscal year.

Database Adjustments

Summaries of financial and operating data contained in this report are based on the most recent submissions by transit agencies as of the publication date. However, audits or other reviews made at later dates may result in changes that more accurately reflect actual statistics. While a future addendum will not be published to the 1998 Data Tables, it should be noted that some changes might be made after publication of the 1998 Data Tables.

Mode and Vehicle Type Codes

The following mnemonic codes represented by two alphabet letters are used to describe modes and vehicle types in the tables:

Multi-UZA Reports

Some transit agencies, particularly agencies reporting commuter rail, provide data for transportation services serving more than one urbanized area (UZA). For reporting purposes, a transit agency serving more than one UZA and filing a single report has been assigned to the UZA that received the majority of transportation service. For 49 USC 5307 apportionment purposes, relevent data are desegregated into the various component UZAs.

Purchased Transportation

Many transit agencies contract for transportation services. Public agencies and/or private carriers may provide these contracted services. Contracted transportation services or purchased transportation are split in two categories:

1. Expenses for contract carriers where data are included in the purchasing agency's report (object class 508.01)
2. Expenses for those contract carriers that file their own report (object class 508.02). Contract carriers using 100 or more vehicles to provide annual maximum service are required to file a separate report. For the 1998 Report Year, 27 reports were received from private providers operating in excess of 100 vehicles.

Three tables (Table 11, Table 12, and Table 13) identify purchased and directly operated expenses. Note that contract carriers using 100 or more revenue vehicles in maximum service are listed as directly operated services since a separate report is submitted for these services. Transportation brokerage systems under contract to public agencies and managing over 100 or more vehicles in maximum service are listed as purchased transportation. This reporting results in operating data being reported twice: first, for these purchased transportation services as an expense for the transit agency contracting with the provider(s)-these expenses are reported under object class 508.02; second, for the individual contract operator which provides purchased transportation services under the contractual relationship.

To identify contract service providers, mode specific operating data are identified as being part of a purchased service arrangement by a small letter "p" added to the mode code. Table 11 and Table 27 are the only tables with the small letter "p". Unless specified by the small letter "p" or in the table headers, data are for directly operated public transportation providers and contract operations that file a separate report. For the 1998 Report Year, there were 116 transit agencies that acquired 100 percent of their service from purchased transportation providers, and 27 filed as directly operated with more that 100 vehicles.

Beginning with the 1984 Report Year, reporters were allowed to allocate their expenses from an object class such as purchased transportation expenses to a functional category. This allowed reporters to distribute purchased transportation expenses by function: vehicle operations (010), vehicle maintenance (041), non-vehicle maintenance (042), and general administration (160). Previously, reporters were required to submit all purchased transportation expenses under general administration.

From 1991 to 1995 expenses allocated to object classes 508.01 and 508.02 for purchased transportation were reported under either vehicle operations (010) or general administration (160).

FTA introduced a reporting change in 1995 requiring all agencies contracting for transportation services to fully detail their purchased transportation costs by mode, function, and object class. The reporting change also required reporting the full cost of the purchased transportation services, including all costs whose funding sources were not included in the contracts.

Most agencies experienced problems complying with the new requirements so until 1997 FTA allowed agencies to report purchased transportation expenses under object class 508.01 as in previous years. Table 11 includes purchased transportation expenses detailed by function.

508.02 expenses were not detailed by function and are presented under the column purchased transportation filing a separate report (Table 11, Table 12, and Table 13).
Another reporting change in 1997 was the inclusion of safety and security data for purchased transportation. Therefore, Table 21 through Table 26 show data for both directly operated and purchased transportation services.

A reporting change implemented in 1998 replaced "fare revenues retained by the seller" and "fare revenues returned to the buyer" with "purchased transportation fare revenues". More details will be discussed in Table 1 in Chapter 2.

Deleted, Questionable, Waived, and Failure to Report Data

Data whose reliability is deemed questionable is included in the tables followed by a "Q." The data affected are those where the transit agency failed to respond satisfactorily to questions raised during the validation process and/or did not collect the data in accordance with FTA's definitions and requirements. In addition, "W" indicates that the reporting agency was granted a waiver, deleted data is indicated with a "D", and "F" indicates failure to report.

Data may not entered in the National Transit Database, deleted, or considered questionable by FTA when one or more of the following circumstances exist:

A transit agency did not acknowledge that required declarations were on file.

Title 49 USC 5307 (formerly Section 9 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended) data declaration by the independent auditor stated that the data were not collected in accordance with FTA's definitions and requirements.

1. Issue(s) associated with the reporter's documentation and/or declaration(s) were not fully resolved.
2. Required data were omitted.
3. A transit agency did not provide the complete cost of services for directly operated.
4. A transit agency reported the same data for 1997 and 1998.
5. A transit agency did not provide sufficient information prior to the closure of the database to validate reported data.
6. The reported data were considered questionable following validation.
7. Required documentation for Non-Rail Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles was not provided.
8. A reporting waiver was granted by FTA.

Vehicles Operated in Maximum Service

Data for vehicles operated in maximum service are reported by mode and type of service on the Transit System Service Form (406). Maximum service is the revenue vehicle count taken during a transit agency's maximum season of the year, on the week and day that this maximum occurs. It is not taken on a day when a special event or an extreme set of circumstances would cause the resulting tally to represent a one-time event rather than a recurring maximum service requirement. This fleet size measure provides a more meaningful measure of a transit agency's operating characteristics because it does not include spare and stored vehicles.

Vehicles for Directly Operated and Purchased Transportation Services for a Specific Mode

For directly operated service only tables, the specific vehicle counts provided are only for those directly operated by the transit agency, as reported on the Transit System Service Form (406) for directly operated services. Therefore, a transit agency may be grouped in a larger fleet size category than the number of vehicles shown in a specific table.

For example, a transit agency that both directly operates 450 non-rail vehicles and purchases services involving 75 non-rail vehicles for a total of 525 vehicles, as reported on separate Transit System Service Form(s) (406) for directly operated and for purchased transportation services, is grouped in the 500-999 vehicles operated in maximum service category. However, this transit agency would show only 450 vehicles in the vehicles operated in maximum service column in a directly operated services only table since only 450 vehicles are directly operated. Footnotes have been added to specific tables to indicate when vehicles operated in maximum service data are derived only from directly operated services.

Multi-modal transit agencies are included in categories for the number of vehicles operated in maximum service for the combined fleet size for all modes.

Vehicles Available for Maximum Service

Annual Reports for 1985 through 1989, Table 3.16, included a column for vehicles available for maximum service. Beginning with the 1990 Annual Report, the data are found in Table 27. The data are reported on the Transit System Service Form (406). They include spares, out of service vehicles, and vehicles in or awaiting maintenance. They do not include vehicles held for sale, emergency contingency use, etc. If the total active fleet for a given mode varies during the year, the reported figure represents the same time period as that used to report vehicles operated in maximum service. Thus, the difference between vehicles available for maximum service can be used to compute a transit agency's spare ratio. The vehicles available for maximum service data in Table 27 replace the trains operated in average weekday maximum service data in previous reports (i.e., 1984 and earlier reports).

Total active fleet data from the Revenue Vehicle Inventory Form (408), Table 28 has been consistent since 1984. Unlike the vehicles available for maximum service data described above, the total active fleet data in Table 28 represent only those vehicles owned by the reporting transit agency at the end of their fiscal year and are reported by vehicle type, not mode.

Completeness and Accuracy of the Data

The data submitted to FTA are subjected to extensive analysis and validation, both manual and automated. The process entails detailed examination of each transit agency's report, identification of errors or questionable entries, and resolution of any problems utilizing an interactive process involving FTA, transit agency personnel and program staff.

FTA's role is to identify and resolve questions regarding the accuracy of the data and determine whether or not the data is included in the National Transit Database and Annual Report. FTA can reject a transit agency's report if the report is not in full compliance with reporting requirements. Alternatively, FTA may refuse to enter data whose reliability is questionable. FTA does not change any reported data.

The quality of the database improves each year as FTA simplifies and clarifies reporting procedures, enhances the reporting software, and designs more sophisticated validation checks. Despite extensive efforts, data validation encompasses primarily a review of the consistency and reasonableness of the reported data. Because of the limitations of these procedures, as well as the volume of data submitted, it is likely that some erroneous data have found their way into this report. Generally, errors of significant magnitude have been identified and corrected, but some minor errors remain. These errors generally derive from difficulties experienced by transit agencies in obtaining accurate information and from misinterpretation of certain data definitions.

Caution: Because of these limitations and the fact that all relevant information is not reported (weather conditions, topography, contractual work rules, etc.), users of this report should not draw unwarranted conclusions from the examination of the data. Although comparative evaluations are appealing, analyses of the data cannot account for apparent differences in performance. Such evaluations should encompass a more detailed examination of underlying factors (unique aspects of the transit agency's operating environment, specific management practices, or unusual events during the period covered).

Further Information on the Reporting System

The following FTA documents provide a detailed description of the reporting system:

• National Transit Database, Uniform System of Accounts (USOA), January 1995.
• 1998 Reporting Manual - reporting instructions and sample forms.
• FTA Circular 2710.1A, Sampling Procedures for Obtaining Fixed Route Bus Operating Data Required Under the Section 15 Reporting System, July 18, 1988, and FTA Circular 2710.2A, Sampling Procedures for Obtaining Demand Responsive Bus Operating Data required Under the Section 15 Reporting System, July 22, 1988. These two circulars suggest optional sampling procedures for collecting unlinked passenger trip and passenger mile data required for reports. Complete instructions and worksheets are provided for transit agencies wishing to use these procedures.
• Data User's Guide to the FTA Section 15 Reporting System, Transportation Systems Center, June 1, 1989. The User's Guide is available through McTrans Center [telephone (904) 392-0378].

Other documents are available upon request to:

Federal Transit Administration
National Transit Database
P.O. Box 1406
Springfield, VA 22151-0406
(703) 205-2475

Industry - Government Cooperation

The Reporting Program evolved from the transit industry-initiated Project FARE (Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Elements). Over the years, a cooperative working environment has developed between the transit industry and the Federal government regarding issues relevant to data collection and the reporting system. Private and public sectors have recognized the importance of and need for timely and accurate data from which to assess the continued progress of the nation's mass transportation agencies.

In January 1983, FTA established the Reporting System Advisory Committee to make recommendations on improving the quality and usefulness of the data collected under the program. Many of the improvements to the Annual Report are the result of the Advisory Committee's recommendations. The Advisory Committee's charter expired on September 30, 1986.

To help promote this cooperative effort, FTA urges all interested parties, including transit operators, state and local governments, planning organizations, trade unions, research organizations, and others to review and critique this edition of the Data Tables for the 1998 National Transit Database Report Year. Comments and suggestions should be forwarded to FTA at the address above.

Availability of Machine-Readable Data

The data contained in the Data Tables (i.e., Chapter 3 for report years 1983 through 1989 and Chapter 2 for report years 1990 through 1998) in the Annual Report are available on diskettes. These diskettes (double sided) are organized by report table and are compatible for use on PCs using Lotus 1-2-3 software. They contain the actual data reported by transit agencies in cases of questionable data, not the "Q" found in the 1984 through 1987 Annual Reports. In the 1988 and 1989 diskettes, the value of the data is included followed by a "Q" for questionable data. In addition, diskette sets organized by fleet size are available for report year 1981 only. These sets are available in either an Apple II DIF format or a single-sided IBM-PC DIF format. For further information on diskette availability and costs, please contact:

The 1996 - 1998 Data Tables can be downloaded from FTA's Web site at www.fta.dot.gov and the FTD NTD Project Site at www.ntdprogram.com. The files are in Lotus format.

Complete data (including required-level data not published in this report), all voluntary-level data, and data for prior report years are also available on magnetic tapes. For further information, please contact the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center:

NTD Project
U.S. Department of Transportation
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
DTS-49, Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 494-2259
Fax: (617) 494-3260
E-mail: Lyons@volpel.dot.gov

Chapter 2

The data in this chapter have a broad range of applications. They are, however, subject to the limitations discussed in Chapter 1 relating to the need to perform a more detailed examination of underlying factors and data consistency. The statistics in Chapter 2 allow transit agencies to compare their performance more selectively, e.g., by selecting those agencies defined as being within the same peer group by virtue of climate, topography, demographic characteristics of the population served, or factors other than industry averages.

Caution: Some analysts tend to overstate the significance of comparisons based strictly on data contained in this report. Performance measures obtained using these data should be viewed strictly as tentative indicators of potential areas of improvement. If a specific indicator appears to imply below-average performance relative to industry peers, more detailed analysis is imperative in order to reveal the factors underlying the below average value.

Chapter 2 presents a detailed description at one point in time of the performance of 510 transit agencies. Since most of these agencies have reported in prior report years, the data can also be used for time-series analyses. Such analyses can contribute to conclusions on the current and evolving conditions and problems of specific transit agencies, and the transit industry as a whole. Time-series analyses, however, must consider two important changes.

1. Beginning with the 1983 report, annual reports were published based on transit agencies' fiscal years ending during the calendar year rather than a July 1 to June 30 period (see Special Notes on Reporting and this Annual Report in Chapter 1 for additional details).
2. Beginning with the 1990 Annual Report, individual transit agency statistics are reported.

Special Notes on the Desegregate Data Tables

Several issues pertaining to the reporting system and the 1998 Annual Report are summarized in Special Notes on Reporting and this Annual Report (Chapter 1). Users of Chapter 2 tables should refer to this section for a better understanding of the data, particularly the discussions of purchased transportation, public and private transit agency identification, vehicles operated in annual maximum service and questionable data items. To avoid confusion, especially when performing comparative analyses using previously published reports, users should refer to these sections as well as the discussions of individual tables in this chapter.

Reporting Changes

Through the National Transit Database, FTA has implemented several reporting changes since 1992. The primary objective of the reporting changes have been to improve the quality of the data without increasing the reporting burden on agencies. The following chart summarizes these changes and should be referred to when undertaking analysis involving two or more report years.

Reporting Changes Summary 1993 to 1998

Transit Revenues-Tables 1 through 10

Tables 1 through 10 contain information on the types of operating capital funds applied for individual transit agencies. Operating funds applied are reported by transit agency totals, not by individual modes. Table totals are provided for national totals, fleet size, and size of urbanized area; however, these totals vary depending on the number of transit agencies reported.

Also, for these tables the number of vehicles operated in annual maximum service includes those vehicles used for both directly operated and purchased transportation services included under the same transit agency's identification number as reported on the Transit System Service Form (406). The only exception is Table 8 (Transit Capital Funds Applied) which details data by type of service (directly operated or purchased transportation).

The National Transit Database uses accrual accounting to record financial data, i.e. revenues reported are those that resulted in liabilities for benefits received during the fiscal year, regardless of whether or not payment of the expenditure was made during the reporting period.

Table Descriptions

Transit revenue applied data are presented in the following tables:

Table 1: Transit Operating Funds Applied

Compiled from the Operating Funding Form (203) and are reported system wide. The Operating Funding Form (203) incorporates the revenue data by describing the funding sources for operating expenditures using revenue object classes 401 through 440 (directly generated funds) and the contribution of Federal, state, and local governments funds to the operating subsidy of transit agencies. The funds reported on this form are not necessarily revenue earned during the reporting period; the funds may include revenue earned in prior reporting periods. Only funds expended (applied) are reported.

This table was changed in 1999 with the replacement of object classes "fare revenue retained by seller" and "fare revenues returned to the buyer" by "purchased transportation fare revenues". This new object class includes all fare revenues generated by purchased transportionation contracts regardless whether they were retained by the seller or returned to the buyer. The column "other revenues" under "directly generated funds" includes contract expenditures incurred by agencies net of purchased transportation fare revenues.

Beginning in 1991 object class 402 (special transit fares) was included with object class 401 (passenger fares).

In the column labeled "directly generated funds", "other revenues" include various revenue object classes, including 403 (school bus service funds), 404 (freight tariffs), 405 (charter service funds), and 406 (auxiliary transportation funds), and revenues accrued through a purchased transportation agreement. The data in the column labeled "dedicated and other under directly generated funds" include funds dedicated to transit at their source (income, sales, property, gasoline and other levied taxes as well as bridge, tunnel, and highway tolls). These are fees the transit agency has the legal authority to impose.

The "other-federal public funds" column details operating funding from sources including the Planning Program, 49 USC 5303; the Research, Development, Demonstration and Training, 49 USC 5312; and the Non-urbanized Area Formula Program, 49 USC 5311.

Other changes instituted, beginning with the 1993 Data Tables, affected the public funds subcategories for "state and local funds". First, for "state funds", "general revenue" was inserted in place of "grants and reimbursements". However, object class 411 was used for both. Second, the "dedicated and other" column under "state funds" was changed from "fare assistance" in 1992. Despite the change, both contained object class 412, "state special fare assistance". Third, changes in column headers were made to reflect the reporting change. "General revenue" under "local funds" replaced "grants and reimbursements" and continued to report object class 409 (local cash grants and reimbursements). Fourth, the "local funds-dedicated other" changed from "fare assistance"; it, too, continued to report object class 410 (local special fare assistance).

The aggregation of operating funds applied does not include private providers under contract to public agencies if the funds are reported by both entities. This avoids double counting of operating funds applied.

 View Table 1 .pdf

Table 2: Federal Government Sources for Transit Operating Funds Applied

This table, new this year, provides a breakdown of Federal operating assistance funds by those attributable to urbanized area operating assistance funds and urbanized area capital assistance funds used in operations. In prior years, capitalized operating funds were reported under Capital Funding Applied (Table 5 until 1997 and currently Table 6).

 View Table 2 .pdf

Tables 3 and 4: State Taxes Dedicated at their Source for Transit Operating Funds Applied and Local Taxes Dedicated at their Source for Transit Operating Funds Applied

Table 3 and Table 4, having identical formats, were compiled from the Operating Funding Form (203) and state and local taxes, respectively, that have been applied to transit operations. Operating funding from dedicated taxes are desegregated by type of tax (income, sales, property, gasoline, or other). The "other taxes" column includes any other special state or local taxes dedicated at their source to transit operating funding such as payroll and utility taxes.

 View Table 3 .pdf
 View Table 4 .pdf

Table 5: Directly Generated Taxes Dedicated at their Source for Transit Operating Funds Applied

Since 1992, data for Table 5 (formerly Table 4) has been compiled from the Operating Funding Form (203). This table provides a breakdown of directly generated dedicated taxes by income, sales, property, gasoline, and other applied to transit operations.

 View Table 5 .pdf

Table 6: Transit Capital Funds Applied

Data were compiled from the Capital Funding Form (103). In 1996 this table was changed to include capital data by type of service (TOS), which can be directly operated (DO) or purchased transportation (PT). See Special Notes in Chapter 1 for more details on purchased transportation and directly operated types of services.

Federal sources of assistance are classified either as funds provided under 49 USC 5309, or 49 USC 5307, or from other sources. state and local sources are divided into General Revenue and Dedicated. Dedicated sources restrict funds to transportation-related expenditures, while transit must compete with other public programs for general revenues. Dedicated sources of funds are desegregated into "taxes" (income, sales, etc.) and "other" (bridges, tunnels, state and local bonds, investment income, etc.).
A reporting change introduced in 1998 required agencies to report capitalized operating funds on the Operating Funding Form and this data is now included in Table 1 and Table 2.

In 1991, a column was included for transit agency funds dedicated at their source. Transit agency funds do not include fare revenues. Transit agency funds was changed to directly generated funds beginning in 1992.

 View Table 6 .pdf

Tables 7 and 8: State Taxes Dedicated at their Source for Transit Capital Funds Applied and Local Taxes Dedicated at their Source for Transit Capital Funds Applied

Table 7 and Table 8 were also compiled from the Capital Funding Form (103). Both tables were changed in 1996 to include capital data by type of service. These two tables further desegregate the state and local tax revenue applied for public transit capital that was shown in Table 6 (formerly Table 5).

 View Table 7 .pdf
View Table 8 .pdf

Table 9: Directly Generated Taxes Dedicated at their Source for Transit Capital Funds Applied

Table 9 (formerly Table 8) was added in 1992. Data were compiled from the Capital Funding Form (103). The collection of this data was also a new reporting requirement. In 1996, Table 9 (formerly Table 8) was changed to include capital data by type of service. This table provides a breakdown of directly generated dedicated taxes by income, sales, property, gasoline, and other applied for transit capital.

 View Table 9 .pdf

Table 10: Capital Funds Applied by Type of Expenditure

Data are compiled from the Capital Funding Form (103). Added in 1991, Table 10 (formerly Table 9) provides a breakdown of the capital funds applied and how they were used. Data are provided by mode and type of service for three primary categories: rolling stock, facilities, and other. Aggregate totals for each mode and type of service reported by a transit agency are also provided. Table 10 changed to include capital data by type of service in 1996.

 View Table 10 .pdf

Potential Data Applications

Tables 1 through 10 summarize the magnitude and source of transit funds applied for individual transit agencies. The data in these tables permit analyses of the extent to which specific agencies recover operating expenses from fares and the extent to which they rely on various sources of directly generated, local, state, and/or Federal assistance to apply to their operation.

Transit agencies can use these data to compare the types of funds applied and the percentage distributions of their sources to those of other agencies. In general, the data permits cross-sectional and time-series analyses, but more specifically allows analysts to examine individual agencies and to custom define peer groups. For example, peer groups could be formed based on mode, fleet size, annual operating expenses, or other factors not contained in this report, such as climate and collective bargaining agreements. Comparisons can then be made to the individual transit agencies in the group averages.

Transit Expenses-Tables 11 through 14

Operating Expenses are reported using accrual accounting. Operating expenses are reported in the year they were incurred. This is the year in which they result in liabilities for benefits received, regardless of whether or not payment of the expenditure is made during the reporting period.

Tables 11 through 14 contain information on the types and amounts of expenses incurred by individual transit agencies. Transit expenses are reported (1) by function and (2) by object class.

The number of vehicles operated in annual maximum service include those vehicles used for both directly operated and purchased transportation services included under the same transit agency's identification number as reported on the Transit System Service Form (406).

Expenses by Function

Functional classes divide operating expenses into four major categories:

1. VO Vehicle Operations
2. VM Vehicle Maintenance
3. NM Non-Vehicle Maintenance
4. GA General Administration

Analysis of expenses by function must be qualified by the degree to which transit agencies uniformly allocate expenses among the various functional categories. This analysis should include careful consideration of reporting limitations as well as detailed accounting practices at the specific transit agencies examined.

Expenses by function are reported by both directly operated and purchased transportation services. This reporting change was introduced in 1997 and has been maintained since then.

Functional breakdowns were provided by transit agencies reporting at voluntary levels A, B, or C through 1991. One basic level of reporting was adopted for the 1992 Report Year with optional reporting of more detailed data on selected forms. Even though the Data Tables did not show detailed expenses provided with voluntary-level reporting, the public-use tape did provide them. The public-use tape contains the basic report submissions and any optional data reported.

A further modification was made for the 1992 Report Year. Allocation of joint expenses was discontinued providing a more accurate allocation of costs by mode. However, prior year comparisons by mode may fluctuate depending on the amount of joint expense reporting in periods prior to 1992.

Expenses by Object Class

Object classes divide operating expenses into categories such as labor, fringe benefits, services, and materials and supplies among others.

While revenue data were summarized for all modes operated by a transit agency, the expense data are desegregated by mode. For each of the various functional categories, multi-modal transit agencies must fully allocate expenses to the appropriate modes beginning with the 1992 Report Year.

Reconciling Expenses

The operating expenses summarized in these tables exclude Reconciling Items (e.g., interest expenses, leases and rentals, and depreciation). Reconciling items are reported only as agency totals and are not desegregated by mode or functional class. Reconciling items are required to provide an overall total that is consistent with the total operating funding applied (Table 1 through Table 5) and with published reports. These expenses are reported separately because local accounting practices for handling such items (particularly depreciation and amortization) differ widely. Generally, analysts using these data exclude reconciling items from operating expenses. Although this actually understates true operating costs, it resolves the problems inherent with inconsistent treatment of reconciling items.

Table Descriptions

Transit expense data for individual transit agencies are summarized in the following tables:

Table 11: Transit Operating Expenses by Mode and Function

Compiled from the Operating Expenses Form (301), for each reported mode.

Since purchased transportation expenses for agencies contracting more than 100 vehicles in maximum service distort the financial data associated with service directly operated by a transit agency, object class 508.02 (purchased transportation files separate report) has been subtracted and presented in a separate column.

Note: Object class 508.01 (purchased transportation in report) was reported by function starting in 1997 and Table 11 now includes these expenses detailed by vehicle operations, vehicle maintenance, non-vehicle maintenance and general administration. Before 1997, these expenses were collapsed under column purchased transportation in Report.

Object classes 508.01 and 508.02 reflect the full cost of purchased transportation services except in the cases where part of the funding for the purchased service is provided by the seller(s). Object classes 508.01 and 508.02 include:

• contract expenditures by the buyer (net of purchased transportation fare revenues)
• purchased transportation fare revenues
• other costs incurred by the buyer such as contract administration, marketing, etc.

For purchased transportation agencies, with more than 100 vehicles in annual maximum service, expense data are reported from the directly operated perspective if the seller is not a brokerage system. In brokerage systems, operating expenses are reported under object class 508.01 by the broker and under object class 508.02 in the buyer's report.

As a result, in the cases of purchased transportation involving 100 or more vehicles operated in maximum service, expense data are reported twice. Expense data are reported by both the contracting agency (buyer) as a purchased transportation expense (508.02) and by the contract provider (seller) by function and object class if the seller is not a brokerage system. Brokers report separately if the purchased transportation agreements involve more than 100 vehicles operated in maximum service, but their expenses are lumped under object class 508.01 and are detailed by function.

In general, expenses reported under object class 508.02 are greater than expenses reported by the seller(s) because of contract costs incurred by the buyer and profit.
The summarization of operating expenses by UZA size, mode, and vehicle group totals is calculated by summing all columns except purchased transportation filing a separate report (object class 508.02). This is to avoid double counting of data when operating expenses are aggregated.

 View Table 11 .pdf

Table 12: Transit Operating Expenses by Mode and Object Class

Compiled from the same forms as Table 11. Object class categories correspond to those reported on the Operating Expenses Form (301).

501.01 operators' salaries and wages
501.02 other salaries and wages
502 fringe benefits
503 services
504.01 fuel and lubricants
504.02 tires and tubes
504.99 other materials and supplies
505 utilities
506 casualty and liability
508.01 purchased transportation (included in report)
508.02 purchased transportation (files separate report)

In addition, 507-taxes and 509-miscellaneous expense, are included as other. A separate column showing expense transfers (510) is included in this table. Until 1995 expense transfers were included as other expenses. Double counting of operating expenses exists in this table for a limited number of transit agencies. See discussion about object classes 508.01 and 508.02 above for Table 11. The summarization of operating expenses by UZA size, by mode, and vehicle group totals is calculated by summing all columns except purchased transportation filing a separate report (object class 508.02). This is to avoid double counting of data when operating expenses are aggregated.

 View Table 12 .pdf

Table 13: Transit Operating Expenses by Function and Object Class-Bus Only Agencies

This table is included because 14.9 percent of the reporting transit agencies operate only bus services. For the 1998 Report Year, 86 transit agencies operated only bus service. Of these, 24 received a reporting exemption. Data are cross classified by major functional and object classes.

The summarization of operating expenses by UZA size, by mode, and vehicle group totals is calculated by summing all columns except purchased transportation filing a separate report (object class 508.02). This is to avoid double counting of data when operating expenses are aggregated.

Object classes are the same as those in Table 12.

The total number of buses operated in annual maximum service includes those buses used for both directly operated services and for purchased transportation services. The totals are included under the same transit agency's identification number as reported on the Transit System Service Form (406) by type of service for the bus mode.

 View Table 13 .pdf

Table 14: Employer Paid Fringe Benefits

Data were derived from Fringe Benefits Form (331). The information presented represents agency totals, because categories of fringe benefits payments are not reported by mode. This form is not required for transit agencies with 100 or fewer vehicles operated in annual maximum service.

 View Table 14 .pdf

Potential Data Applications

The expense tables summarize the costs of operating individual transit agencies. Data are desegregated by mode, function, and object classes. These data can be used to compare costs among various transit agencies and to determine potential areas for improvement. As discussed in Chapter 1, such analysis should incorporate careful examination of all causal factors underlying these differences. This examination can require information beyond that which is obtainable from this reporting system.

Non-Financial Operating Data-Tables 15 through 28

Tables 15 through 28 contain non-financial operating data for individual transit agencies. Except for Tables 21 through 27, all the tables include only data for directly operated services.

Transit Maintenance, Safety, and Security

Table 15 summarizes the number of revenue system failures and other maintenance-related statistics such as facilities. Use of data from this table for analyses generally requires additional data, such as vehicle miles.

Starting in 1998, the reporting of revenue service interruptions by mechanical and other reasons was changed to "revenue system failures for major and minor systems". Each of these categories (major and minor) was broken down by subcategories "passengers transfer to another vehicle" and "passengers remain in vehicle". The definition of major system failure is similar to the previous definition of interruptions for mechanical reasons (1997 and prior years). In both cases, they require assistance from someone other than the revenue vehicle operator to restore the vehicle to an operating condition. In addition, they usually prevent the vehicle from continuing in revenue service and include items such as air conditioning breakdown, brakes, doors, engine cooling systems, steering and front axle, rear axle and suspension, torque converters, etc. Minor system failures are similar to interruptions due to other reasons (1997 and prior years) and include items such as fareboxes, wheelchair lifts, air conditioning systems, etc. Minor system failures in general do not usually prevent the vehicle from continuing in revenue service.

The subcategories "passengers transfer to another vehicle" and "passengers remain in vehicle" are not a count of the number of passengers that were transferred or removed in the vehicle due to a major or minor system failure. They simply indicate if a failure (major or minor) would require transferring passengers to another vehicle due to the termination of the revenue trip. For example, if an agency reported 50 major system failures under "passengers transfer to another vehicle" and no major system failures under "passengers remain in vehicle", this indicates that all major failures resulted in termination of the revenue trip and therefore required the transfer of passengers (if any) to another vehicle for completion of the trip.

Despite this reporting change, the interpretation of what constitutes a system failure is not uniform; therefore, these data may be inconsistent among transit agencies. System failure figures should be viewed as gross indicators. Analysis of system failures as measures of maintenance performance should be undertaken with caution and requires detailed examination of how system failures were defined and the individual agencies' policies for taking vehicles out of service. Application of data over time is also relevant in determining trends and conducting further analysis.

Transit facilities are reported based on the number of vehicles assigned to the facility. In addition, two classifications of facilities are defined for general-purpose use and heavy maintenance work. A general-purpose facility is the most commonly reported facility since it provides running repairs, servicing, and vehicle storage as well as component repair and overhaul. A heavy maintenance facility is generally reported by large agencies that have a facility wholly dedicated to component repair and overhaul.
The number of vehicles assigned to a facility will vary depending on the number of modes operated by the agency and by the size (capacity) of the facility. Also, unique geographical features and/or constraints that may make it more economical to operate more than one facility to support a small fleet of vehicles may result in the number of facilities reported for the transit fleet appearing to be more than would normally be required.

Another related factor in the determination of facilities is the requirement to allocate the facility among modes if it is being used by more than one mode. Many transit agencies are operating both bus and demand response systems and are required to allocate the facility between the two. For example, if transit agency reports 100 total vehicles of which 70 are buses and 30 are demand response, it would allocate the facility as .7 for bus and .3 for demand response. When relatively small transit agencies report multiple facilities, one needs to consider some of the factors mentioned above and whether or not a proper allocation was performed.

Transit Safety and Security data are compiled from the Transit Safety and Security Form (405). Reporting requirements for safety data were expanded in 1995 with the addition of fatalities and injuries for patrons, employees and others for each safety item, such as collisions and non-collisions (derailments, personal casualties and fires). Additionally, new items for personal casualties were added.

Reporting requirements were expanded again in 1997 with the inclusion of safety and security data for purchased transportation.

Security data are compiled from the Transit Safety and Security Form (405). Only agencies serving urbanized areas (UZAs) over 200,000 population report transit security data. The reporting of security data commenced with the 1995 Report Year. Data is reported by mode and is summarized from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The definitions used in this form are from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook, 1984. Data for transit security are divided into two parts: offenses (reports) and offenses (arrests). The first category offenses (reports) include serious crimes against persons, such as homicide, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. These offenses are reported based on records of calls for assistance, complaints and/or investigations. This category also includes crimes against property, such as larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, burglary and arson. The second category offenses (arrests) consists of less serious crimes and is counted based on arrests made. For each arrest, data are presented by mode and type of service.

Transit Way Mileage

Directional route miles are reported on the Transit Way Mileage Form (403) and presented in Table 17 through Table 19. The term directional route mile is defined as the mileage in each direction over routes that public transportation vehicles travel while in revenue service. Directional route miles are a measure of the facility or roadway, not the amount or frequency of service carried on the facility, i.e., and number of routes or vehicle revenue miles. They are determined by direction of service, but not by the number of traffic lanes or rail tracks existing in a given right-of-way. If vehicles travel in only one direction within a right-of-way, each mile is counted once. If vehicles travel in both directions, each mile is counted twice. A mile of single track over which commuter rail service operates in both directions represents two directional route miles. A mile of exclusive busway on which a transit agency operates six different routes in only a single direction represents one directional mile, regardless of the number of routes.

Table 17 through Table 20 contain data for directly operated service only, as their titles indicate. Other annual publications (Transit Profiles, National Transit Summaries and Trends) report directional route miles for both directly operated and purchased transportation modes.

Service Supplied and Service Consumed Data

Service supplied data include vehicle miles, vehicle revenue miles, vehicle hours, and vehicle revenue hours. Beginning in 1984, transit agencies were asked to indicate both their scheduled and actual vehicle revenue miles of service. The purpose of adding scheduled vehicle revenue miles of service is to allow a transit agency to indicate whether it may have more or less service than was originally scheduled or planned. The difference between vehicle miles and vehicle revenue miles represents deadheading. Definitions of the above data terms can be found in the Federal Transit Administration Uniform System of Accounts (USOA) and in the Glossary of Transit Terminology as Defined for NTD Reporting in the 1998 Reporting Manual.

Service Consumed data refer to ridership information (measures of use of the service supplied) and include unlinked passenger trips and passenger miles.

Passenger mile data are normally collected through sampling because it is normally not part of a transit agency's routine operations and is among the most difficult to collect. While FTA has developed several such techniques, transit agencies were allowed to use self-certifying sampling techniques beginning with the 1990 Report Year. Regardless of the sampling technique used, it must satisfy precision and confidence level requirements of 10 percent and 95 percent, respectively.

Service supplied and service consumed data are reported on the Transit System Service Form (406); data are reported in terms of average weekday, average Saturday, and average Sunday.

Table Descriptions

The non-financial operating data are provided in the following tables. For multi-modal agencies, data are desegregated by individual modes.

Table 15: Revenue Vehicle Maintenance Performance

Data were compiled from the Revenue Vehicle Maintenance Performance and Energy Consumption Form (402). The number of vehicles operated in annual maximum service are for those vehicles used for directly operated services only as reported on the Transit System Service Form (406).

This table has been changed for 1998. The columns "mechanical reasons" and "other reasons" under "number of road calls" have been replaced by the columns "major failures" and "minor failures" under "revenue service interruptions". The columns "major failures" and "minor failures" are subdivided into "passengers transfer to another vehicle" and "passengers remain in vehicle". Refer to page 2-1 for a discussion of these changes.

 View Table 15 .pdf

Table 16: Energy Consumption

Data for this table were compiled from the Revenue Vehicle Maintenance Performance and Energy Consumption Form (402). The number of vehicles operated in annual maximum service are for those vehicles used for directly operated services only as reported on the Transit System Service Form (406).

The table was expanded in 1995 with the inclusion of kerosene and grain additive fuel. However, only 2 agencies reported these fuel types in 1998; therefore, they were collapsed under "other" fuels. Fuel types reported are used for revenue vehicles only.

 View Table 16 .pdf

Tables 17 through 19: Transit Way Mileage for Non-Rail, Ferryboat and Rail Modes

Data were compiled from the Transit Way Mileage Form (403), directly operated service only. For an explanation of directional route miles, see the above section on transit way mileage.

Table 17 through Table 19 display transit way mileage in three separate groups: non-rail, ferryboats, and rail. This separation provides for easier comparison of like modes and reduces the number of unnecessary blank entries.

Unique to the reporting of directional route miles for ferryboat and trolleybus modes is a determination by law. For these two modes only, all directional route mileage is classified as exclusive for reporting purposes.

 View Table 17 .pdf
 View Table 18 .pdf
 View Table 19 .pdf

Table 20: Transit Agency Employee Work Hours and Person Count

Data were compiled from the Transit System Employee Form (404). Data are collected on this form for both employee work hours and a person count at fiscal year end. Fractional entries for actual person counts result from the fact that in cases where employees work for more than one function or mode or type of service, the actual person count is prorated among labor classifications and modes by type of service. When working on capital projects, an employee's labor is considered a capital expense; otherwise, it is an operating expense.

Some care is required for analyses of the data presented in this table. Employee work hours include the hours worked by both full time and part time employees, but only the full time employee count is included in the table. Employee work hours are not reported separately for part time employees; consequently, the ratio hours per employee count may be skewed even if the number of part-timers was included in the table. Therefore, when applying average full-time employee counts to employee work hours, one may calculate a high level of annual employee work hours per full-time employee. This will be especially true if part-time employees are heavily utilized or service adjustments were made during the year and a smaller number of full-time employees were included in the person count at fiscal year end.

Work hours cover the entire report year whereas person counts are based on those employed on the last day of the report year.

While many transit modes are labor intensive, others are not. Due to the unique characteristics of their operations, some modes such as vanpool do not always provide complete employee-related data. Another reporting anomaly sometimes occurs: some transit agencies providing directly operated service utilized contractual services for a portion of the service provision. In these situations, labor is either not reported for an activity (e.g., vehicle maintenance) or only reported for the labor that is engaged in activities associated with the contract services. As a result, labor is understated and when reported within a directly operated report can create misleading information. Examples of how this occurs include: transit agencies acquiring operating labor through a purchased transportation arrangement; maintenance services performed by another municipal entity like a public works department; specific management services performed by a management services company, etc. When zero and/or low values are reported within a directly operated report, caution should be exercised in the use of employee-related data.

 View Table 20 .pdf

Transit Safety

Data were compiled from the Transit Safety and Security Form (405). Reporting requirements for safety data were expanded in 1995 with the addition of fatalities and injuries for patrons, employees and others for each safety item, such as collisions and non-collisions (derailments, personal casualties and fires); new items for personal casualties were also added.

Reporting safety and security data for purchased transportation became mandatory in 1997.

New data requirements frequently result in some data anomalies due to reporting misunderstandings and incorrect applications by transit agencies. The data can also be impacted by agencies requesting data waivers.

Safety data are presented in Table 21 through Table 26. In each table, the number of vehicles operated in annual maximum service represents those vehicles used for both directly operated and purchased transportation services as reported on the Transit Agency Service Form (406).

Table 21: Transit Safety: Number of Incidents - Collisions, Non-Collisions and Total Property Damage

Includes data related to incidents and total transit property damage. An incident is defined as an unforeseen occurrence which results in collision, derailment, personal casualty, non-arson fire, or property damage exceeding $1,000 associated with transit agency revenue vehicles, maintenance areas and rights-of-way. Incidents are divided into two main categories: collisions and non-collisions. For collisions, the total number of incidents involving collisions with other vehicles, objects and people is presented in addition to the total number of collisions at grade crossings and attempted/successful suicides.

For non-collisions, incidents related to derailments, personal casualties and non-arson fires are included.

 View Table 21 .pdf

Table 22: Transit Safety: Number of Fatalities - Collisions and Non-Collisions

Presents fatalities related to collisions and non-collisions. A fatality is defined as a death confirmed within 30 days after an incident that occurs under the collision, derailment, personal casualty, or non-arson fire categories. In this table, for each category of collisions and non-collisions, the number of fatalities involving patrons and non-patrons (employees and others) is presented.

 View Table 22 .pdf

Table 23: Transit Safety: Number of Injuries - Collisions and Non-Collisions

Presents injuries related to collisions and non-collisions as in the previous table. Injury is defined as any physical damage or harm to a person requiring medical treatment or any physical damage or harm to a person reported at the time and place of occurrence. For each category of collisions and non-collisions, the number of injuries involving patrons and non-patrons (employees and others) is presented.

 View Table 23 .pdf

Transit Security

Data were compiled from the Transit Safety and Security Form (405). Only agencies serving urbanized areas (UZAs) in excess of 200,000 population report transit security data. The reporting of security data commenced for the 1995 Report Year.

Data is reported by mode and type of service and is summarized from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The definitions below are taken from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook, 1984. Data for transit security are divided into two categories: Part I-Offenses (Reports) and Part II-Offenses (Arrests). The first category includes serious crimes against persons, such as homicide, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. These offenses are reported based on records of calls for assistance, complaints and/or investigations. Part I also includes crimes against property, such as larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, burglary and arson.

The second category involves less serious crimes and is reported based on arrests made. For each crime, data are presented by mode and type of service.

Security data are presented in Table 24 through Table 26. In each table, the number of vehicles operated in annual maximum service represents those vehicles used for both directly operated and purchased transportation services as reported on the Transit Agency Service Form (406).

Table 24: Transit Security: Part I-Offenses (Reports) Violent Crime

Presents data for violent crime (crimes against persons). For each reported crime, the total (in vehicle plus in station plus other transit property) for patrons, employees and others is included. The data are presented by mode and type of service for transit agencies serving UZAs in excess of 200,000 population.

 View Table 24 .pdf

Table 25: Transit Security: Part I-Offenses (Reports) Property Crime

Presents data for property crime. As in Table 24, for each reported crime, the total number of reports for patrons, employees and others is included. The data are presented by mode and type of service for transit agencies serving UZAs in excess of 200,000 population.

 View Table 25 .pdf

Table 26: Transit Security: Part II-Offenses (Arrests) and Transit Property Damage

Presents data for less serious crimes and is reported based on arrests made. The data are presented by mode and type of service. Additionally, the total transit property damage (repair or replacement of transit agencies' vehicles or facilities to a state equivalent to that which existed prior to the incident) is included.

 View Table 26 .pdf

Table 27: Transit Operating Statistics: Service Supplied and Service Consumed

Summarizes transit service supplied and consumed data. Data were compiled from the Transit System Service Form (406) for directly operated and purchased transportation service.

The vehicles available for annual maximum service represent the total active service fleet and include spares, out of service vehicles, and vehicles in or awaiting maintenance. They do not include vehicles being held for sale, emergency contingency use, etc. If the total active fleet for a given mode varies during the year, the reported figure represents the same time period as that used to report vehicles operated in annual maximum service. Thus, the difference between vehicles available for annual maximum service and vehicles operated in annual maximum service can be used to compute a transit agency's spare ratio. See Chapter 1 for further details on vehicle data.

Data for the columns "annual scheduled vehicle revenue miles", "demand response (DR)", "jitney (JT)", "publico (PB)", and "vanpool (VP)" have been zeroed. These modes by definition do not have any scheduled service.

 View Table 27 .pdf

Table 28: Age Distribution of Active Revenue Vehicle Inventory

Compiled from the Revenue Vehicle Inventory Form (408) for directly operated services only. Vehicle type and age of vehicles show data in the total active fleets. The vehicle type codes are listed in page 1-5 in Chapter 1. The age of a vehicle refers to the number of years since its date of manufacture.

The National Transit Database reporting system is based on a transit agency's fiscal year. Over 60 percent of all transit agencies reporting complete their respective fiscal year before the end of a calendar year. As a result, a revenue vehicle manufactured, delivered, tested, and accepted by a transit agency after the end of the fiscal year but within the calendar or manufacturer year will not be reported until the next report year.

 View Table 28 .pdf

Potential Data Applications

The data presented in Table 15 through Table 28 can be used to help answer questions regarding service provided by individual transit agencies relative to the investment required. For example, how many employees, how much fuel, and how many vehicles were required to provide that service; how safe was that service; and, how much use was made of the service by transit patrons.