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Emlea Chanslor, Media Relations 369-6029

Performance audit praises Capital Metro Operations Ridership, efficiency, and data are improved.

7-31-02-Capital Metro President/CEO Fred Gilliam presented the quadrennial performance audit to the Board of Directors at today's meeting. The audit, required under state law, evaluates compliance with applicable state laws and looks at efficiency and effectiveness of the operations.

"It is my pleasure to present this report to the Board of Directors. The report demonstrates Capital Metro's significant progress over the past several years," said Gilliam. "The hard work of this Board of Directors and Capital Metro staff can be seen in these results."

The report highlights several accomplishments:
• Significant ridership increases, growing 32.6% from 1996-2000
• Cost efficiency and cost effectiveness of Capital Metro operations both improved during the audit period
• Capital Metro operations are significantly more cost effective than its national peers
• Quality, availability, and consistency of data have markedly improved

Capital Metro is in full compliance with 128 requirements. The agency is in partial compliance with three requirements and corrective actions have been taken to ensure full compliance in the future.

Seventeen recommendations were made to further improve performance in the area of operations. Several recommendations have already been implemented, some are in progress and others are under review by the management team.

The report concludes that Capital Metro's positive performance trends are indicators of its success in attracting ridership and increasing service while controlling costs.

The audit applauded Capital Metro for seeking out public input and community involvement, redesigning transit routes to better meet customer needs, improving facilities and equipment and making it easier and more attractive to use transit. The new five-year service plan incorporating community involvement and input from riders is just one example.

"The community has called on Capital Metro to run an excellent bus system. This report shows that Capital Metro is listening and responding," Gilliam said. "Capital Metro's operations are more effective and efficient than they have ever been, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve. This report is a valuable tool for further improvements," Gilliam said.

Capital Metro will hold a public hearing regarding the report on August 26th at the Board of Directors meeting.