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North County Transit Feasibility Study

North County Transit Feasibility Study. September 29, 2010. Presentation Overview. Study Objectives Study Approach Needs Assessment and Transit Markets Transit Service Options Recommended Approach. Study Objectives.

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North County Transit Feasibility Study

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  1. North County Transit Feasibility Study September 29, 2010

  2. Presentation Overview • Study Objectives • Study Approach • Needs Assessment and Transit Markets • Transit Service Options • Recommended Approach

  3. Study Objectives • Evaluate potential for public transportation services in Town of Plymouth and surrounding communities • Understand community’s needs and priorities • Assess feasibility of different service options • Broadly plan for implementation and next steps

  4. Meeting Objectives • Share study results with members of the community • Gauge support for study concepts • Collect feedback, input and recommendations • Discuss potential next steps

  5. Study Approach • Community Profile • Demographics • Existing services • Outreach (interviews, surveys) • Needs Assessment • Peer Review • System goals • Potential service options • Recommendations • Outreach – your input and feedback

  6. Community Profile • Map and analyze study area characteristics • Population density • Population growth rates • Study area demographics • Major employment and activity centers • Inventory of available transportation services • Public transportation services • Specialized transportation services

  7. Study Area - Composite Needs Combined density per square mile of: - Older Adults - Persons with disabilities - Persons with low incomes Map shows relative concentrations of the combined populations

  8. Study Area - Employment Major employers with at least 100 employees Density of jobs per square mile – shows relative density of employment

  9. Study Area - Activity Centers Restaurants Retail/Shopping Community Faciltiies Hospitals and Medical Offices Senior Center Hotels Human Service Agencies Ski Resorts Higher Educations Places of Workshop

  10. Plymouth Area – Existing Transportation Services • Plymouth State University Campus Shuttle • Waterville Valley Transit Authority • Concord Coach Lines • Loon Mountain Shuttle • Shuttle Connection • Private Taxi Services

  11. Plymouth AreaExisting Transportation Services • Specialized Transportation Services • Grafton County Senior Citizens Council • North Country Medi-Van • Statewide resources • Easter Seals New Hampshire • Granite State Independent Living • American Cancer Society of New Hampshire • Disabled American Veterans

  12. Plymouth State University Shuttle Plymouth State University Campus Shuttle - Open to general public, but designed for students - Follows academic calendar Shuttle service: Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 12:00 am 10-minute service Weekend service 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm 20 minute service Saturday has hourly service to Walmart

  13. Grafton County Senior Citizens Council Agency operates 10 vans county-wide - 3 in Plymouth area assigned to Plymouth, Bristol and Linwood Plymouth and Linwood - Vans are available M-F 8 am to 3 pm - Service is structured as scheduled loop Bristol - Operates 3-4 days per week - On-demand service

  14. Public Outreach • Stakeholder Interviews • 11 meetings; interviewed 15 people • Asked about need, potential beneficiaries and how best to structure • Telephone survey with area employers • Telephone survey with 13 of region’s largest employers • Size, shift schedule, challenges, interest in transportation • Mail back survey with area residents • Mailed out in Penny Saver and distributed locally • 556 responses • Response rate of 3.6%

  15. Desired Destinations for Public Transportation Services Plymouth Concord Tilton Lincoln Lebanon Laconia Meredith

  16. Top Ten Origin and Destination Pairs Within Plymouh Plymouth – Concord Bristol-Plymouth Bristol-Concord Ashland - Plymouth

  17. Needs Assessment • Employment need in Plymouth, Lincoln and Bristol • Demographic need in Plymouth, Ashland and Bristol • Speare Memorial Hospital is key desitnation • Strongest demand: • In and around Plymouth • Plymouth – Concord • Plymouth – Bristol • Plymouth – Ashland • Plymouth – Campton • Bristol - Concord

  18. Transit Service Options

  19. Transit Service Options

  20. Transit Service Options

  21. Review of Peer Systems • North Country Transit • Coos and Grafton counties • Advance Transit • Upper Valley NH – VT • Carroll County Transit (planned) • Carroll County • Deerfield Valley Transit Association • southern VT • Greater Laconia/WinnepesaukeeTrasnit • Lake Winnepesaukee area

  22. Review of Peer Systems • Baseline fixed-route system plus demand response • Transit operators coordinate several different functions • Flexible in terms of routing and stopping • Services tailored to individual markets • Make use of private funding • Several operate loop services • good coverage but slow travel times • Several systems operate as free fare systems

  23. Transit System Goals • Cost effective and efficient use of public resources • Coordinated with existing transportation services and programs • Easily communicated, reliable and reflects industry innovations • Oriented towards ensuring regional economic development goals and access to employment

  24. Transit System Goals • Focused on needs of individuals who are transit dependent • Cognizant of the role of Plymouth as area geographic center, but also meet demand for regional service • Built on realistic costs, demand and population served • Financially sustainable and sufficiently flexible to meet the changing needs over time

  25. Service Options Considered • Full Build Out • Mobility Management • Fixed-route commuter services • Expanded service during winter months • Dial-A-Ride • Focus on Commuters • Mobility Management • Fixed-route commuter • Expanded service during winter months • Flex service during non-commuter hours • Focus on Transit Dependent • Mobility management • Dial-A-Ride • Regional service

  26. Recommended Approach • Mobility Management Services • Expanded Dial-A-Ride Options • Fixed or Flex Route Service for Commuters • Regional Transportation to regional medical facilities • Seasonal Service aimed at ski industry

  27. Mobility Manager • One-stop center for regional mobility needs • Physical and electronic location for information and assistance about transportation • Develop flexible transportation services that have minimal capital investment • Lead transportation coordination efforts • Work with Plymouth State, GCSCC and local taxi companies • Represent the region in statewide transportation policy discussions

  28. Coordinate/Expand Dial-A-Ride Services • Expand/coordinate with existing demand response services • Grafton County Senior Citizens Council • Oversight assigned to mobility manager • Two services: • Northern District – Campton, Thorton, Ellsworth, Rumney, Woodstock and Plymouth • Southwestern District – Hebron, Groton, Dorchester, Alexandria, Ashland, Bristol and Plymouth

  29. Create Fixed and/or Flex Services • Ashland Plymouth Commuter • Lincoln Plymouth Commuter • Both Services • Timed to meet major employer shift times • In Plymouth travel to Tenney Mt Highway • Designed as fast and direct services • Could be implemented as “flex” service • Operate during weekdays only

  30. Regional Services • Important service for area residents • Operate over six days • Alternating service to: • Lebanon/Hanover • Laconia • Concord • Designed to support medical appointments but offer flexibility to support other trips

  31. Seasonal Commuter Services • Fixed-route service between Plymouth, Campton and Loon Mountain Resort • Operate during ski season • Late November to early April • Operate seven days per week • Coordinated with other commuter services

  32. Implementation • Phased approach • Build on existing knowledge, strenghts and capabilities • Introduce new service slowly over time • Reassess area needs • Gain experience and funding • Address most critical needs first • Most transit dependent • Work towards commuter services

  33. Implementation

  34. Funding • Federal funds • Competitive grants available • Require local match – not including fares • 20% for capital • 50% for operating • Mobility management is capital expense • $100,000 annual expense • $20,000 from local sources • May include in-kind match/services • Federal transportation bill under way • Some uncertainty about future

  35. Next Steps • Your comments and input • Finalize report • Start thinking about grant writing • Identify partners and supporters • Raise local match

  36. Thank you! Questions?

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