PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: A NECESSARY MANAGEMENT TOOL?

The article notes the need for the measurement and evaluation of transit performance within policy and financial constraints, and discussed the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's efforts to improve transit service and to increase operating efficiencies in return for the public tax dollars committed for transit. These efforts included: the adoption of operating guidelines that specify elements of service such as speed, reliability, etc.; financial guidelines to compare the financial data of individual properties; a standaridized reporting system for operating and financial data; a methodology for determining service changes based upon performance criteria and financial criteria; and a new formula grant allocation methodology. Some of the key data that might be developed and used as part of performance evaluation programs are listed.