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Eastern Shore Public Transit Study

Eastern Shore Public Transit Study. Gresham Smith & Partners McDonald Transit Associates February 2008. Purpose of the Study. Identify transportation needs for residents, employers, and visitors in the cities of Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort

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Eastern Shore Public Transit Study

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  1. Eastern ShorePublic Transit Study Gresham Smith & Partners McDonald Transit Associates February 2008

  2. Purpose of the Study • Identify transportation needs for residents, employers, and visitors in the cities of Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort • Develop financially feasible recommendations to meet those needs

  3. Background • County population projected to increase by 29% • In the three cities: • 35% increase in population over 10 years • 35% increase in traffic congestion over 10 years • Traffic and population growing at 3% each year

  4. Projected County Population

  5. Population Growth

  6. Pending Improvements • New bridge crossing at I-10 • Widening SR 181/CR 27 • Widening CR 13

  7. EmploymentConcentrations

  8. AutoOwnership % of Households with <1 available automobile

  9. Commute Patterns

  10. Eastern Shore Public Transportation Plan

  11. Public Meetings • 65 attendees at 3 meetings • Generally supportive of public transit • Need good marketing efforts • Need to change people’s mindsets to get them to ride • Service would need to be all day, not just 8 to 5 • Must engage employers

  12. Public Meetings • Need connectivity; emphasis on sidewalks and bicycle access • Roads need to be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists • Discussion about various funding ideas • Need service for commuters to Mobile, Pensacola • Need ferry service across bay • Must be reasonably priced

  13. Stakeholder Interviews • Few of the transportation needs are being met today • Service not available all day or in evenings • There is a need for transit service because of: • Aging population • Cost of fuel • Congestion • Tourism

  14. Stakeholder Interviews • Service should be provided to all major employers, shopping areas, medical centers, Mobile, Pensacola • Many barriers, including; • How to get funding • Community perception of transit • Large area with little density • Lack of interest in public transportation

  15. Stakeholder Interviews • Most do not see enough support for a local tax to fund transit service • Need for public transit services will increase • Do not see a parking problem, with exception of Downtown Daphne • BRATS had mixed reviews; generally seen as not adequate to meet needs

  16. Baylinc Rider Survey • Conducted by BRATS January 2008 • 20 respondents • 45% use Baylinc 5 days/week • 45% use it 3-4 days/week • 100% use service to/from work • 15% (3) needed to transfer • Some comments on comfort of vehicles (more leg room, temperature) • Requested additional trips

  17. BRATS • Demand-response based system • Provides fixed route service from specific sites with timed transfers to other parts of county • Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m. • Special contract service on weekends • Efficient mode for large employer transportation (drop off at one location)

  18. Service Options • Based on analysis and input develop list of possible services • Take an evolving approach • Be specific enough now to engage public in next round of meetings • Present in unbiased way

  19. OPTION A • Enhance BRATS • Increase number of vehicles serving area • Add more trips to Baylinc • Maintain demand response and subscription basis of service

  20. OPTION B • Enhance BRATS • Add carpool and vanpool program • Work through SARPC • Carpool matching first • Vanpools as demand warrants • Work closely with employers

  21. OPTION C • Enhance BRATS • Add carpool and vanpool program • Add bus routes • Six days a week to start • At least 12 hours per day • Full size bus on Route 1 • Small buses on all other routes

  22. BUS ROUTES • Enhanced Baylinc • 3 trips in rush hours • 1 trip every 2 hours during the day • Connection to all other Eastern Shore routes and BRATS

  23. ROUTE 1 • Highway 98 Spanish Fort to Fairhope • 30 minute frequency • 6:00 am to 8:00 pm • Monday through Saturday • Timed transfers at Thomas Hospital

  24. ROUTE 2 • Daphne Local • 6:00 am to 8:00 pm • Monday through Saturday • Sixty minute frequency • Positive connection with Route 1 at Park and Highway 98

  25. ROUTE 3 • Fairhope East West Resort • Marriot Grand - downtown Fairhope – Thomas Hospital • Sixty minute frequency • 6:00 am to 8:00 pm • Monday through Saturday • Positive connection at hospital – Route 1 and 4

  26. ROUTE 4 • Fairhope – North South Local • Sixty minute frequency • 6:00 am to 8:00 pm • Monday through Saturday • Positive connection at hospital – Route 1 and 4

  27. Next Steps • Finish BRATS customer survey • Complete stakeholder interviews • Develop order of magnitude funding scenarios • Develop conceptual patronage estimates

  28. Next Steps • Take final options to public meetings • Fine tune recommendations • Develop implementation plan • Final report to the Chamber

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