NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY September 29, 2010.

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

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

Meeting Objectives

Share study results with members of the community

Gauge support for study concepts Collect feedback, input and

recommendations Discuss potential next steps

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

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

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

Study Area - Employment

Major employers with at least 100 employees

Density of jobs per square mile – shows relative density of employment

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

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

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

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 am10-minute service

Weekend service1:00 pm – 6:00 pm20 minute serviceSaturday has hourly service to Walmart

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

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%

Employer Location PrimaryShift Times

Employment (by shift)*

Waterville Valley Ski Resort

Waterville Valley 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Winter – up to 700

Loon Mountain Lincoln 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Winter – up to 800

Tenny Mountain Plymouth 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Winter – 70

FCI Burndy Lincoln 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM3:30 PM – 12:00 AM

10060

Common Man Restaurants

AshlandLincolnPlymouth

4:00 pm – Midnight (all locations)

45-5045-50100 (all sites in Plymouth)

Walmart Plymouth Varies 100-300**

Hannaford Supermarket

Plymouth 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM12:00 pm – 9:00 PM

7788

Fruedenburg Bristol 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM 200

Plymouth State University

Plymouth Varies – some shift work

189 full-time faculty300 full-time staff

Speare Memorial Hospital

Plymouth Varies – some shift work

356

Desired Destinations for Public Transportation Services

Plymouth

Concord

Tilton

Lincoln

Lebanon

Laconia

Meredith

Top Ten Origin and Destination Pairs

Within Plymouh

Plymouth – Concord

Bristol-Plymouth

Bristol-Concord

Ashland - Plymouth

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

Service

Characteristics

Transit Dependent Populations

Commuters Regional Travelers

Market Size 10,000 – 13,000(approximately 42% of the population)

15,000 – 20,000Plus additional seasonal workers

2,900(approximately 9% of the population)

General Travel Demand

2-5 days per week 3-5 days a week Varies1 – 5 days per week

Days of Week Weekdays Weekdays Weekends (seasonal)

Weekdays for commuters and medical appointmentsSaturday for shopping and special events

Times of Day Some flexibilityMost travel during mid-day

Timed to work schedule Morning appointments for medical; Shopping trips late morning return in afternoon

Key Service Characteristics

Easy to understandHigh level of service (door-to-door for some)FlexibleAffordable

Speed and reliabilityEasy to understand FlexibilityDrop off close to destination

Speed and reliabilityEasy to understand Offer cost savingsAccess to final destinationFlexibility – especially for medical

Transit Service Options

Service Type Best Suited For Advantages Disadvantages

Volunteer Driver Programs

Medical tripsAd hoc travel

Low-costHigh flexibilityHigh service level

Meets specific need onlyChallenge to retain volunteers

Ridesharing Commuters Systems in place to administer programLow costHigh flexibility

Does not help transit dependent

Taxi Voucher Program Medical tripsAd hoc/emergency travel

Lower costFlexibleLow start-up costs

Requires oversightDifficult to control service quality

Transit Service Options

Service Type Best Suited For Advantages Disadvantages

Dial-A-Ride (DAR) Older AdultsPersons with DisabilitiesNon-Drivers

Higher level of service Less attractive to commutersRequires advance schedulingHigh per-trip costs

Fixed-Route Bus CommutersAmbulatory older adults and persons with disabilitiesNon-Drivers

Easy to understand/use Builds on existing systemLow faresLow per passenger cost

Lower level of serviceSet route and scheduleLimited flexibility May not serve all markets

Deviated Fixed Route Commuters Flexible More attractive serviceSatisfies ADA requirements

May be difficult to understandRequires advance scheduling

Transit Service Options

Service Type Best Suited For Advantages Disadvantages

Flex-Services Older AdultsPersons with DisabilitiesNon-Drivers

Combines key advantages of fixed-route and DAR serviceIncreases service areaCan be designed to flex in key areas only

Without proper design, may not be attractive to commutersRequires education Requires advance scheduling

Regional Services Commuters Potential for medical trips

Easy to understandPotential to build on existing service

Assumes distribution system on destination endLikely higher cost service in terms of cost per passenger

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/Winnepesaukee Trasnit Lake Winnepesaukee area

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Implementation

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

Next Steps

Your comments and input Finalize report Start thinking about grant writing Identify partners and supporters Raise local match

Thank you!

Questions?