DISTRICT TRANSIT PLAN ESTUARY TRANSIT DISTRICT. March 2005

Transcription

1 DITRICT TRANIT PLAN ETUARY TRANIT DITRICT March 2005 OVERVIEW GOAL: Provide affordable public bus transportation opportunities and alternatives to private motor vehicles for residents of and visitors to the Connecticut River Estuary Region. Emphasize the availability of service to individuals and population groups who do not otherwise have access to transportation, including elderly, young and lower income persons. Coordinate and maximize the efficient use of existing public bus service with other forms of public transit within the Region and beyond. Promote the distinction between new public bus service Establish fiscally constrained dependable flexible bus routes within the region. Limit on-demand-request services to areas outside the flexible route service area HITORICAL BACKGROUND The Estuary Transit District was created in 1981 to organize and provide bus service to the nine towns of the Connecticut River Estuary Planning Region. From 1981 to 2003, ETD currently administered a number of bus service programs, operated by the Estuary Council of eniors with staff support from CRERPA. The bus service programs operated over the years by the ETD with the ECI as operator included: 1. The horeline huttle has provided service along the Route One Corridor since Lift-equipped 14 passenger shuttle buses meet the Dattco bus out of New Haven in Madison. This is a flex-route system where riders south of Interstate 95 may be picked up at their driveway with advanced noticed to the operator. 2. The Tri-Town huttle flex-route service which predated the formation of the Transit District. erving residents of Chester, Deep River and Essex, the Tri-Town service was established in 1973 at the time of the first national energy crisis. It was supported by town aid road funds until 1981, when ETD was formed. The flex-route service was eliminated in 1

2 2002, as recommended by the operator, in favor of a Dial-A-Ride only program. 3. The Estuary Medical Outpatient Transportation ervice (EMOT) has been available to residents within the region needing to get to medical services. 4. The Dial-A-Ride program, which provided curb-to-curb transportation Monday through Friday, by reservation. (ee Diagram A) 2003 Present In July 2003, the ETD obtained offices and staffing separate from the CRERPA office. This allowed CRERPA to focus on transit planning with the day to day operation maintained by a new executive director and bookkeeper. In July 2004, ETD again made changes in operations. After a competitive bid process, ETD board selected DATTCO, Inc to operate the public bus service within the 9 town region This decision ended an approximately 20 year relationship with the Estuary Council of eniors, Inc (ECI) which had operated the public bus service in tandem with its elderly transit services. In Fall 2004, ETD continued to promote the services by renaming the service, the Nine Town Transit to distinguish the ETD public bus services from the diala-ride still operated by the Estuary Council of eniors. A updated logo was developed for the ETD buses with new brochures, bus stop signs, and a website. As the ETD transitioned from its relationship with the Estuary Council of eniors, two primary differences become evident. The first was the provision of specialized door to door service versus curb to curb service for elderly and handicapped. While ECI was the operator for ETD, both the public bus service and the elderly door to door bus service operated in tandem. econd, ECI had the ability to group their senior clients for maximum efficiency in the bus service. This also meant that the system was primarily dedicated to serving the needs of their senior clients. At present, an ETD public bus service operated by DATTCO provides a flex-route system of public transit plus a transit-on-call service for those riders who need a connection to the flex-route system. This service is a curb to curb service. ETD continues to promote expanded rider ship from all sectors of the public and expand services where fiscally feasible. At this point in time, the ETD continues to provide flexible route systems with the horeline huttle and has been able to offer limited Transit On-Call (similar to the Dial-A-Ride) service as described below. 2

3 ECI continues to provide an Estuary Medical Outpatient Transportation ervice (EMOT) and Dial-A-Ride service for its senior clients with door to door service. CURRENT ERVICE ETD now administers public bus services, under the program name, Nine Town Transit, through a contract with DATTCO. The fleet includes 8 lift-equipped vehicles. Funding for the services come from federal funds administered by the tate of Connecticut, (5311 Rural Transit grants), Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC), and local match dollars to provide 9,442 hours of service on the horeline huttle and 3,978 hours for the rural transit programs. Each funding source comes with its own set of restrictions on the use of its funds and requirements as to the type of service provided. There are different types of systems within the region. They include: FLEX ROUTE YTEM A Flex-Route system and a By-Request service, The Flex Route is designed to run two or more buses along a designated route making regular stops at selected locations. The bus will also provide curb to curb service by request for residents living within approximately one mile of the route or a designated by ETD or the tate of Connecticut. Riders requesting a pick up must call at least 24 hours in advance BY-REQUET YTEM The By-Request service offers curb to curb service for areas not served by the Flex-Route system. Passengers may schedule riders up to a week in advance and subscription service is available. There are currently two primary services within the Estuary region which include: horeline huttle (Flex-Route ystem): This service has provided service along the Route One Corridor since Lift-equipped 14 passenger shuttle buses meet the DATTCO bus out of New Haven in Madison. From Madison, passengers can ride to Old aybrook. Each trip is $1.25. Free transfers aboard the shuttle are available for monthly rail pass holders on the hore Line East Commuter Rail ervice. Request services off the fixed route are $2.50. In FY 2004, there were a total of 32,000 trips recorded on the horeline huttle, including 9,400 transfers to and from DATTCO in Madison. The huttle is a flexible route service. While it generally follows Route One and stops at other major attractions (shopping centers, malls, beach), the huttle will also provide curb-to-curb service, by request, for residents living south of I-95 for an 3

4 additional dollar per deviation. The huttle is operated by DATTCO, Inc., under contract with ETD. Transit-On-Call (By- Request): This service is a coordinated demand-response program. The service provides curb-to-curb transportation Monday through Friday, by reservation. This demand services is provided by 14 passenger buses. The demand services are operated by DATTCO, under contract with the ETD. The moniker, Dial-A-Ride has been retained by ECI for its elderly transit services. FUTURE ERVICE ( ) At the end of Fiscal Year 2001, the Estuary Transit District (ETD) was administering patchwork of bus services. The services would change frequently, and the common public perception was that the bus service was for senior citizens only. By 2005, the ETD had successfully transition to an independent agency with operations that are becoming increasingly dependable and accessible to the public-at-large. Over the next five years, the ETD will work vigorously toward the following objectives: GOAL: A. Clearly define services through bus design and logos will enhance the distinction between the public bus system and elderly transit services. Additional education of the public is required to counter this long-held misconception. This includes: brochure, cable advertising, separate logos, and clearly defined services. B. Designate additional flex-route systems routes that would link to the horeline huttle system with the buses currently available. The first recommended route is the Route 154 and Route 9 corridor. This route would provide a flexible route system, similar to the horeline huttle. (ee attached Map/ETD-1). C. Continue By-Request services for areas to provide a feeder service for areas outside the flex-route services areas. This will result in more efficient use of the vehicle fleet, consistent with funding restrictions, and allow for growth based on expanded needs or demand from underserved areas. D. Grow additional flex-route service as demand increases. Expanding the flexible route system will increase public awareness of service, dependability of scheduling, and flexibility for off-route stops within 1 mile of the designated route. 4

5 E. Increase public awareness of the public bus system and eliminate confusion among ETD and other local transit programs. Target potential user groups with specific marketing programs. F. Assure that all ETD vehicles are lift equipped and accessible to all potential riders. G. Provide more consistent service throughout the nine towns, with greater efficiency of resources. H. Maximize connections within the ETD system and with other transit services, such as the hore Line East, New Haven, EAT, other programs within the region (VITA, ECI) for better intra-region and interregion transit service 5

6 Flexible Route ystem 2005 AD RO L CA LO ON EC HWAY RIM AYP HW H WA Y EC ON H WA Y E C N O AD LRO LCA O WAY H PRIM HW ON EC AY Ke y Flexible Route ervice V & ET UARY TO W N Chester Clinton Deep R iver V & Essex Killingw orth Lyme Old Lyme Old aybrook Westbrook 6

7 Program PHAE I horeline huttle Expansion Background ETD operates the horeline huttle Monday through Friday into Madison for a connection with DATTCO services. On the Weekends this connection is not available and the horeline huttle does not enter Madison. everal riders from Guilford transfer onto our services from DATTCO for jobs they have along the shoreline. ETD was approached by Vista Vocational to discuss the possibility of providing service into Guilford when the DATTCO route is not available on aturdays. The Bulk of the riders on aturday are Vista clients. Goal- Maintain regular bus shuttle service along the Route One Corridor between Madison and Old aybrook, with scheduled transfer points in Madison, and Old aybrook to connect with DATTCO service and 9 Town Transit services connecting with EAT. And expand service on the weekend to offer service through Madison into Guilford to provide a link for individuals to get to job opportunities when DATTCO service is not available Plan- horeline chedule times will be tweaked to maintain connections with Dattco service and allow for transfer points to be established in Old aybrook at the train station. Under utilized stops, while still available through route deviation will be eliminated. And service routes on aturday will be extended to include stops in Madison at the cranton Gazebo and Guilford at the Town Green. The amount of service hours on aturday will be extended 1 hour and service will be available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Route- aturday ervice From Old aybrook train station, west on Boston Post Rd / U-1, north on Essex Rd /CT-153 to Westbrook Outlet Center, return to Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue west, north CT-81 to Clinton Crossings mall, return to Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue west, left on amson Rock Dr to cranton Gazebo, Left on Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue west, left on Boston treet / CT-146, right on Park t, left on Broad t, left on Whitfield t, left on Boston treet, right Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue east, right on amson Rock Dr to cranton Gazebo, right on Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue east, north CT-81 to Clinton Crossings mall, return to Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue east, north on Essex Rd /CT-153 to Westbrook Outlet Center, return to Boston Post Rd / U-1, continue east, end at Old aybrook train station. Fares service fares will be $1.10 per trip with off route stops for $

8 Resources- ervice hours will be extended 1 hour PHAE II As ridership develops services could be offered into Guilford Monday through Friday as part of the last run of the horeline huttle Program PHAE I Route 9 Corridor ervice Background several years ago ETD was operating a service called the Tri-Town huttle that was operated in the towns of Chester, Deep River and Essex. This service was offered 2 days a week and given its limited schedule it was fairly successful until it was discontinued. The commercial centers of these towns have continued to grow and area residents are once again looking for transit alternatives. ETD has been contacted by seniors in Essex Court and Kirkland Commons as well as Vista Vocational riders all interested in regular scheduled bus service in the area. Goal- provide regular bus service from the Old aybrook train station to the towns of Essex, Deep River, and Chester and provide a vital link from these communities to public transit services available along the horeline. Plan- establish a new scheduled route traveling north from Old aybrook using Route 154 into Chester, travel through the center of Chester to Route 148 and return to Old aybrook via Route 9. 2 buses will operate in opposite directions and schedule times will be coordinated with horeline huttle schedules to provide transfers at the train station. ervice will be provided using the same deviated flex route scheduling as other ETD services. Route- Bus 1 From the Old aybrook train tation- North Middlesex Trpk. / CT- 154, left Main treet in Chester, West on CT-148, outh CT-9, Exit 2, outh Middlesex Trpk. / CT-154, end at Old aybrook train tation. Bus 2 From CT-9 Exit 6, East on CT-148, east on Main treet, outh Middlesex Trpk. / CT-154, till Old aybrook train tation, return North on Middlesex Trpk. / CT-154, North CT-9, end at Exit 6 8

9 Fares service fares will be $1.10 per trip with off route stops for $2.20. Resources- 2 vehicles will be needed not currently in fleet, and Transit management software needed for service coordination, ridership monitoring and development of a client database, a requirement of AA funding PHAE II Once route is established and ridership develops the District will explore the possibility of connecting services with Middletown Transit ervices. Program Old Lyme ervice PHAE 1 Background for many years transportation plans for the Estuary region have called for a transit link across the Connecticut River from Old aybrook to Old Lyme with a connection to outheast Area Transit services (EAT) in the East Lyme area. While this will be useful for residents from these areas it will also provide a missing link to a of public transit network along the state shoreline. Currently ETD offers regular bus service on a limited schedule into Old Lyme that is operated as part of the Paratransit service. Goal- to provide regular bus service from the Old aybrook train station, through Old Lyme to the EAT services in East Lyme. Work closely with staff from EAT to establish a transfer point where services can be linked. And coordinate schedules to provide connections from DATTCO service in Madison with EAT services. Plan- EAT offers regular bus service to the top and hop in East Lyme every 2 hours between 8 am and 4 pm. 1 bus could be scheduled to coordinate a transfer between EAT services and the horeline huttle schedule. In order to meet each bus in East Lyme this schedule will operate 10 hours a day Monday through Friday from 7AM to 5Pm. As with the horeline huttle service this route will operate as a deviated flex route and off-route service will be coordinated with the dial-a-ride program. ETD would return the current vehicle used for this route to the paratransit service and would need to add a bus to its fleet. 9

10 Route- from Old aybrook train station, north on Boston Post Rd/ U-1, I-95 North, Exit 70, north on Boston Post Rd/ U-1, left on Woods Rd to enior Center, return to Boston Post Rd/ U-1 continue north, Right on Four Mile River Rd, merge onto I-95 North, Exit 75, left onto Boston Post Rd/ U-1, left onto Flanders Rd/ CT-161, end at top and hop plaza. From top and hop East Lyme, Right onto Boston Post Rd/ U-1, merge onto I-95 outh, Exit 67, Left on Elm t, Right on Main treet/ CT- 154, continue to enior Center, return North on Main treet/ CT- 154, end at Old aybrook train station. Fares service fares will be $1.10 per trip with off route stops for $2.20. Free transfers from EAT services and discounted senior passes could be made available using enior Resources Grants. Resources- additional state funding for operational and administrative costs passenger vehicle will be needed, and Transit management software needed for service coordination, ridership monitoring and development of a client database, a requirement of AA funding PHAE II as service develops either more buses or larger vehicles may be needed Program by Request ervices / Public Dial-A-Ride PHAE I Background historically ETD has provided Dial-A-Ride services within the Estuary region. These programs were operated most recently as the Bus and used 3 vehicles operating between the hours of 8 and 4. A total of 76.5 hours a week were funded through the Bus program and an additional 24 hours of service were funded using Estuary enior Council funds. 2 buses were scheduled 3 days a week and 1 bus was operated 5 days. The service was available to certain towns on certain days with an emphasis placed on Clinton, and Old aybrook. While the general public was invited to use the Bus the bulk of the ridership came from the Estuary enior Center itself as a result the program developed around their needs at the time. 10

11 Goal- to provide a public dial-a-ride service that can meet the needs of a larger segment of the population. To provide commuters with better access to public transit services i.e. horeline huttle and commuter train services. And develop a service flexible enough to meet changing needs of the region. Plan- using the same 3 buses, the hours of service will be extended, and made available from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Friday. This will allow us to once again meet the service needs of the riders between 8 am and 4 pm and in addition allow us to provide services for commuters using horeline East and those needing rides to jobs. ervice will be coordinated with horeline huttle, horeline East and AMTRAK schedules to allow better access to these services. In the morning and afternoon these buses could provide shuttle services connecting park and ride lots in Killingworth, Essex and along I-95 with train stations in Clinton, Westbrook and Old aybrook. During the interim two of these buses could operate a Dial-A-Ride service while 1 vehicle will provide seasonal scheduled shuttle services in Essex to alleviate traffic issues in the town s center. ervice will be by the general public for shopping, medical appointments etc. Fares service fares will be $2.20 per trip to provide better coordination with Dial-A-Ride and off route horeline huttle services. Parking lot shuttle will operate as a free service and discounted senior passes will be made available using enior Resources Grants. Resources- 3 vehicles are currently available; no additional vehicles will be needed. Additional office staff will be required to assist with customer support and Transit management software needed for service coordination, ridership monitoring and development of a client database, a requirement of AA funding PHAE II once ridership is established on commuter and the Essex shuttle routes these services will be separated unto themselves. Program Route 153 Westbrook to Essex huttle PHAE I Background ETD was approached by the Essex Economic Development Committee to discuss traffic congestion and parking issues in the town center. 11

12 Working together a route was developed to connect key areas in Essex with the horeline huttle in Westbrook. Goal- Provide regular bus service from Westbrook north on CT-153 through Essex center and provide a vital link from these communities to public transit services available along the horeline. Plan- establishes a new scheduled route traveling north from the Westbrook Outlet center using Route 153 into Essex. Transfer points will be established with horeline huttle Route service in Westbrook and with the Route 9 Corridor service at the Essex Train station. 1 bus will operate to provide service between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM and service will be provided using the same deviated flex route scheduling as other ETD services. It is possible for service to operate on a seasonal schedule and become part of an extended Dial-A-Ride program. Route- From the Westbrook Outlet Center, North Essex Rd. / CT-153, left Westbrook Rd, Right aybrook Rd / CT-154, left West Ave, left on Main, Ct River Museum, Right on Ferry t, Left on Pratt t, West Ave, Plains Rd /CT-153, end at Westbrook Outlet Center Fares service fares will be $1.10 per trip with off route stops for $2.20. Resources- program will be operated as part of the by Request service. PHAE II As ridership develops 1 vehicle will be added to the fleet and program will operate separate of the By Request Program 12

13 13

14 14

15 15