Project Introduction
The Chinatown Ridership Assessment is a partnership between the University of California at Berkeley (UCB) and the Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) through its Chinatown Transportation Research and Improvement Program (TRIP). The project analyzes the results of a community assessment and produces an advocacy tool to highlight the importance of public transportation for the Chinatown community.
This neighborhood-level transportation study examines travel patterns, satisfaction with transit service, and mobility challenges faced by transit-dependent residents. It combines community surveys, bus stop intercept surveys, and analysis of existing data to build a comprehensive picture of both transit needs and barriers.
The assessment was initiated by CCDC in anticipation of budget cuts by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which threatens to reduce service in Chinatown. TRIP will use the findings to evaluate the potential impact of these cuts and advocate for transit planning that reflects the needs of the community.
Community Tenant Association Survey Presentation
This project collected 2,306 total survey responses between March and April 2024 to better understand how Chinatown community members use SFMTA Muni service for their daily travel. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to capture community perspectives and transit experiences. The surveys included:
Community Tenant Association (CTA) surveys – 227 responses. These surveys incorporated 5 questions from the Ping Yuen Resident Improvement Association (PYRIA) survey. Most respondents were aged 65 and older.
Ping Yuen Resident Improvement Association (PYRIA) surveys – 38 responses. This 10-question survey targeted residents of the Chinatown Ping Yuen apartment complex.
Intercept bus stop surveys – 2,041 responses. Transit riders were surveyed at select Chinatown bus stops about their travel experiences and needs.
Visual bus stop analysis with volunteers stationed at key bus stops to record passenger boarding and alighting, as well as whether buses were full, standing-room only, or empty. This provided qualitative insights into capacity needs.
The Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) Planning and Policy Team and Research Team designed the survey to capture travel patterns, rider demographics, and transit conditions on buses serving Chinatown. These factors are central to understanding transit rider satisfaction. The assessment prioritized gathering data directly from riders by conducting surveys at major Chinatown bus stops. To encourage participation, the survey was streamlined to include only a limited number of questions that could be answered quickly in person.
Journey Map highlighting the different addresses coming from around the city to the Chinatown Rose Pak Station
The highlighted sections below are used to show similarity of questions between surveys.
| Community Survey Questions | ||
|---|---|---|
| CTA | PYRIA | Intercept Bus Stop |
| What is your age? | ||
| Public transit or walking is my only option for traveling to and around Chinatown. | ||
| What do you come to Chinatown for? | What is the purpose of your trip today? | |
| What mode of travel do you typically use to get to Chinatown? | What is one thing you want to see improved on your transportation route? | |
| If you do not take public transit, why not? | Are you a San Francisco Resident? | |
| What transportation improvements would you like to see, if any? | ||
| If you are not a resident of Chinatown, what neighborhood do you come from? | ||
| How often do you come to Chinatown? | ||
| If you take the bus or train, what lines do you use? | ||
| Questions/Comments/ Concerns | ||