2018 final service hanges proposal - valley regional transit · 700 n. east 2nd street, suite 100...

700 N. East 2nd Street, Suite 100 • Meridian, ID 83642 • p: 208.846.8547 • f: 208.846.8564 • 1.855.345.7433

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2018 Final Service Changes Proposal Ada County


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Background

Based on Plans The changes being proposed in Ada County are intended to be consistent with the objectives of

ValleyConnect 2.0 and Boise’s Transportation Action Plan (TAP).

ValleyConnect 2.0 ValleyConnect 2.0 is Valley Regional Transit’s plan to bring service to the levels identified in Communities

in Motion as where the region should be in 2025. In addition to calling for a 4x increase in service levels,

it also establishes route and network design principles, performance-based planning, and a fixed-route

first philosophy. All of these policies have been considered in this service change process.

Transportation Action Plan (TAP) The City of Boise’s Transportation Action Plan identifies ways for the city to work with partner agencies

to improve mobility for all of the City’s residents. Among the goals of the TAP is to establish three “Best

in Class” transit routes on State Street, Vista, and Fairview. The proposed service change would enhance

service on Vista and State Street, bringing them closer to the Best in Class levels identified in the TAP.

Service Change Objectives At the outset of the service change process, Valley Regional Transit was tasked with the following

objectives:

1. Bring headways on State Street to 15 minutes in peak hours

2. Reallocate service hours from low performing routes to high performing routes

3. Total service costs should not exceed the current budget

These changes are an important first step in reaching the levels of service outlined in ValleyConnect 2.0

and the TAP.

Benefits of Service Change Valley Regional Transit has been working with the public to revise service in Ada and Canyon County. The proposed changes are designed to maximize the effectiveness of existing transit resources and connect more people to more places more often. The anticipated system benefits include;

15-minute service on State Street during the peak period and 30 minute service all day on Saturday

15-minute service during the peak period on Vista and 30 minutes in the off-peak with service until after 9PM

New connections to the Airport from the Central Bench, Broadway, and Southeast Boise

More direct, two-way service in more locations

More resources dedicated to higher ridership routes

Improved on-time performance on Intercounty and Canyon County services

Service reductions to address budget shortfall in Canyon County. These proposals were not included in the initial service concepts because the budget forecasts were not yet complete.


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Public Comment Summary and Proposed Adjustments The public comment period for the initial concepts closed on Saturday, October 6th. VRT received several hundred comments (see the attached public comment report). VRT staff has revised the final draft proposal in the ways listed below. A detailed description of the service concepts is also attached.

Extend 1 Harris Ranch service to the existing stop at Warm Springs and Eckert

Reroute the 10 Hill Road to serve 36th and Taft which covers the highest ridership stops in the neighborhoods north of State Street. Install a bicycle rack at the closest bus stop on Castle Dr. to facilitate bicycle connections to the northern Pierce Park neighborhood (Gillis/Lamplighter).

Extend route 12 from Gary and Bunch to the current stop at Gary and Gillis. This will bring transit closer to the north Pierce Park neighborhood.

Reverse the Route 40 loop through downtown Boise clockwise (Main, Broadway, Beacon, University, Capitol) in the AM and counter-clockwise (9th, University, Beacon, Broadway, Idaho) in the PM. This will keep stops and times most similar to existing service

Routes All of the proposed changes shown in this document represent tradeoffs. Service restructures can

improve productivity and on-time performance but they inherently affect the frequency, span, or the

way riders use existing services. We applied the service design guidelines adopted in ValleyConnect 2.0

in this restructure, resulting in more linear, direct routes. This makes transit more attractive for

everyone along the route, but may mean some people will have to walk further.

As such, we are presenting what we believe is the most equitable balance that meets the stated

objectives. Each page shows performance statistics of the current route(s), and the reasons why we

believe that these changes are worth doing, followed by the challenges that these changes might create.

We have also included a brief summary of the first round of public comment.


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1 – Harris Ranch via Parkcenter Current Ridership 1 Parkcenter – 16.3 Boardings/Hour

18 Harris Ranch – 2.8 Boardings/Hour

Current On Time Performance 1 Parkcenter – 60.8% On-time

18 Harris Ranch– 77.7% On-time

Benefits of Change Consolidates duplicative routes

Provides all-day service to Harris Ranch

Moves resources from low performing 18 Harris Ranch to higher performing routes

Impacts of Change Frequency would be reduced from 30-minutes in peak hours to 60 minutes all day.

Public Comment on Final Draft (45 responses) 71% of survey respondents who use the 1 said they would use the revised services about the

same as today or more often (26% said more). 29% said they would use the services less.

Riders in Harris Ranch were concerned about the loss of transit service to the stop at Warm

Springs and Eckert.

o Response: VRT is proposing to extend the Parkcenter/Harris Ranch service to the

existing stop at Warm Springs and Eckert.

Riders were concerned about the loss of frequency on the 1 Parkcenter/Harris Ranch.

o Response: 30-minute peak hour frequencies are proposed to move to the 2 Broadway

route, which currently has higher productivity than the 1 Parkcenter, provides weekend

service, and has been adjusted to cover the highest ridership portions of the 1

Parkcenter – namely Boise Avenue/Law. Current resources are insufficient to provide

30 minute service in the peak on both the 1 Parkcenter and the 2 Broadway. Staff has

provided a cost estimate for the adding 30 minute peak service to the 1 Parkcenter and

will begin discussions with funding partners to increase service in that corridor as

resources become more available.

Route 18 riders were concerned that routing through Boise State University would slow down

service to downtown Boise and miss the opportunity to serve St Luke’s expanding medical

campus directly.

o Response: Boise State University is an important ridership generator. Currently, we

estimate that more than 30% of existing riders of the 1 Parkcenter are BSU students or

faculty. Our ability to serve Harris Ranch all day depends on being able to consolidate

travel markets from South East Boise. The 2 Broadway will continue to provide

connections between South East Boise and St Luke’s directly via Broadway.

Adjustment Extended to serve existing stop at Warm Springs and Eckert and continue exploring options

with the City of Boise for higher frequency in the peak period.

700 N. East 2nd Street, Suite 100 •

Meridian, ID 83642 • p: 208.846.8547 • f: 208.846.8564 • 1.855.345.7433

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2 – Broadway Current Ridership 17.8 Boardings/hour

Current On Time Performance 78.1% On-time

Benefits of Change Improves service to high-ridership area of Southeast Boise

Creates direct, two-way service along entire route

Has strong anchors at both ends in Main Street Station and the Boise Airport

Facilitates interlining with 3 Vista

Impacts of Change Route is not as direct as it could be.

Loss of direct service on Gekeler, Apple, and Pennsylvania.

Public Comment on Final Draft (32 responses) 89% of survey respondents who use the 2 said they would use the service about the same as to

day or more often (59% said more often). 11% said they would use the service less often.

Some riders were concerned about the loss of service on Gekeler, Pennsylvania and Apple and

requested that service continue to those locations.

o Response: Unfortunately, the street grid in SE Boise makes serving all the current stops

impossible without circuitous routing. We are continuing to explore the possibility of

expanding Boise Green Bike into the area.

Adjustment None


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700 N. East 2nd Street, Suite 100 • Meridian, ID 83642 • p: 208.846.8547 • f: 208.846.8564 • 1.855.345.7433 8

3 – Vista Current Ridership 16.9 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Improves peak period span to be 15 minutes in the peak period

Increases span of service to 9:15 PM.

Moves toward Best-in-Class levels of service

Improves ease and speed of transfers by moving headways from 20-minute peak/40-minute

midday to 30 minutes all day

Improves on-time performance

Impacts of Change Riders will have to learn a new schedule.

Service may overlap Elder Street P&R Shuttle.



Survey respondents identified weekend service as the most important time to expand transit

service on the 3 Vista.

o Response: We will continue to work with our funding partners to extend weekend

service.

One respondent commented on the need to increase the visibility of transit service at the

airport.

o Response: VRT staff is working with Airport staff to increase the visibility of the bus stop

and improve wayfinding and schedule information.

Adjustment None


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4 – Roosevelt Current Ridership 10.5 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Has strong anchors at both ends in Main Street Station and the Boise Airport

Facilitates interlining with 3 Vista

Impacts of Change Residents of Targee & Columbus area no longer directly served.

Public Comment on Final Draft (17 responses) We did not specifically ask the public whether the changes to the route 4 would benefit them,

however we did ask all respondents whether the sum of changes would increase the number of

destinations you would be able to reach by transit. 88% of the respondents who said they use

the 4 Roosevelt reported that the number of destinations reachable by transit would be

increase or be about the same.

Some survey respondents were excited about the connection to the airport

Some survey respondents raised serious concerns about the loss of service on Columbus and

Targee and were very upset about losing that service

Response: The stops on Columbus and Targee are between 1/3 mile and ¼ mile from stops on

Vista, which has improved service.

Adjustment None


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5 – Emerald Current Ridership 19.9 Boardings/Hour


Cost of Change Negligible

Benefits of Change Direct, simple, consistent, easy to understand route

Facilitates future improvements to Fairview service by establishing consistent, direct all day

service from Boise Towne Square Mall to Main Street Station

Impacts of Change Area near Barrister & Allumbaugh served by 28 Cole/Victory.

Loss of direct service near Liberty & Denton.



One survey respondent did express a serious concern about getting people to the Ada County

Sheriff's Office and the District Courts for court ordered community service before 7:30 am.

o Response: We did deviate the 28 Cole/Victory to cover these destinations because we

knew of their importance; however the first 28 is not scheduled to arrive at the Barrister

stop until 7:37 am. We will continue to look for opportunities to get accommodate this

need, however the 29 Overland route serves a stop at Cole and Barrister (approximately

¼ mile from the District Court) provides a viable alternative for riders going to the Ada

County Sheriff’s Office and District Court by 7:30am.

Some survey respondents commented on the need for later night and weekend service

Adjustment None


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9 – State Street Current Ridership 21.1 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change 15-minute headways in peak hours

Improved on-time performance and faster service by thinning stops

Impacts of Change Some riders may have to walk further to their stop.

Public Comment on Final Draft (43 responses) 97% of survey respondents who use the 9 said they would use the service about the same as

they do today or more often (64% said more often). 3% said they would use the service less

often. Those that responded they would use it less primarily use the 9X from Eagle.

Respondents express support for the increased service levels

Some respondents expressed concern about the Lyft partnership, saying it is not comparable to

true public transportation. Some also expressed concern about there being potentially fewer

stops along State Street

o Response: We are proposing to continue to refine the Lyft Partnership to make it as easy

as possible for riders to connect to fixed route service. We will also carefully review the

ridership information and work with City of Boise staff before closing any stops along

State.

Several respondents requested weekend service and later night service.

Adjustment None


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9x – State Street Express Current Ridership 8.6 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Resources currently used on 9x can be reallocated to providing later service on the 3 Vista and

all day 30-minute service on the 5 Emerald

Impacts of Change No service at Carlton Bay & Horseshoe Bend stop.

Public Comment on Final Draft (21 responses) The majority (54%) of the survey respondents said their use of the revised services, including

Lyft, would depend on the cost. 42% said they would use the services more or about the same,

20% said less.

Based on customer comments, the 9X is important supplemental service to route 44 and

communities west of Glenwood.

o Response: VRT staff is continuing conversations with jurisdictions along Highway 44 to

develop plans about extending Hwy 44 service to Eagle and beyond.

Some respondents expressed concern about the use of Lyft or taxi like services as a supplement

to public transportation.

Understandably there was a request for more detail about the operation of the Lyft pilot.

o Response: We are proposing to provide more detail about the pilot and continue to

look for opportunities to make the transition between Lyft and transit easier

Adjustment We will provide more detail about the Lyft program, rates, how to use it etc. in the lead up to

the pilot launch and continue to look for opportunities to make the transition between Lyft and

transit easier.


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10 – Hill Road Current Ridership 10 Hill Road - 11.6 Boardings/Hour

14 Hyde Park – 4.5 Boardings/Hour

Current On Time Performance 10 Hill Road - 81.9% On-time (reported on time performance is combined with 12 Maple Grove)

14 Hyde Park – 87.9%

Benefits of Change Route is much more direct, simple, consistent, and easy to understand

Reduces duplication on State Street

Combines resources of two underperforming routes

Separating 10 Hill Road from 12 Maple Grove should improve the on-time performance of both

Impacts of Change Smaller service area in Northwest Boise.

Some riders will have to walk further to stop.

Smaller service area in North End.

Hyde Park riders would now be served by the 16 VA/Hyde Park Loop.

No weekend service in the North End

Public Comment on Final Draft (62 responses) The majority (65%) of survey respondents who use the current 10 said they would use these

revised services less than today with only 21% saying they would use it more. There were two

major areas of concern. The first is the lack of coverage in the 36th and Taft neighborhoods. The

other concern was in the northern Pierce Park neighborhood. Respondents expressed the need

to continue to have service in these neighborhoods, especially in light of the continued growth.

In the case of 36th and Taft there were several respondents that highlighted the unique needs of

the elderly in that neighborhood.

o Response: We are proposing to reroute the 10 Hill Road to serve 36th and Taft which

covers the highest ridership stops in the neighborhoods north of State Street. Install a

bicycle rack at the closest bus stop on Castle Dr. to facilitate bicycle connections to the

northern Pierce Park neighborhood (Gillis/Lamplighter). We are also proposing to

extend route 12 from Gary and Bunch to the current stop at Gary and Gillis. This will

bring transit closer to the north Pierce Park neighborhood.

Adjustment Reroute the 10 Hill Road to serve 36th and Taft which covers the highest ridership stops in the

neighborhoods north of State Street. Install a bicycle rack at the closest bus stop on Castle Dr.

to facilitate bicycle connections to the northern Pierce Park neighborhood (Gillis/Lamplighter).

We are also proposing to extend route 12 from Gary and Bunch to the current stop at Gary and

Gillis. This will bring transit closer to the north Pierce Park neighborhood.


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11 – Garden City Current Ridership 11.9 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Service hours are during higher ridership times

Improved rider safety as they will be less likely to need to cross Chinden Boulevard

Has strong anchors at both ends in Main Street Station and the Fairgrounds and Fred Meyer

Impacts of Change Creates some duplication of service with 8x.

Loss of midday service to Garden City


today or more often (67% said more often). 8% said they would use the service less often.

Several respondents expressed their gratitude for the improvements being proposed and asked

for Sunday service.

Adjustment None


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12– Maple Grove Current Ridership 15.2 Boardings/Hour

Current On Time Performance 63.2% On-Time

Benefits of Change Improved on-time performance by disconnecting the 12 from the 10

Continued service to Gary and Gillis area

Leverages improvements to 9 State Street by allowing more riders to access it

Impacts of Change Riders wanting to travel between Northwest Boise and Towne Square Mall will need to transfer

Public Comment on Final Draft While we did not specifically ask about the 12, several riders of the 10 expressed concerns:

o Service would be lost in the area north of State Street and west of Pierce Park

Response: We are proposing to extend route 12 from Gary and Bunch to the

current stop at Gary and Gillis. This will bring transit closer to the north Pierce

Park neighborhood.

o Several riders indicated that they ride the 10/12 interline from North Boise to Maple

Grove and Towne Square Mall

Response: This movement will still be possible, however, riders will need to

transfer between the 9, 10, and 12 to do so. Timepoints between these three

routes will be set to best facilitate transfers. Travel between the 10 an the

Towne Square Mall would likely be faster by traveling through Main Street

Station and transferring either to the 7a or 5.


16 – VA/Hyde Park Current Ridership 7.0 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change More direct connections between downtown and VA

Short route facilitates easy interlining

More direct, two-way service for North End and Hyde Park.

Impacts of Change Smaller service area in East Boise. Some riders would need to walk out to Warm Springs.


today or more often (62% said more often). 14% said they would use the service less often.

There were several comments about the need to generally increase transit service, more lines,

more times and weekend service.

Adjustment None


17 – Warm Springs Current Ridership 17.0 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Direct, simple, consistent, easy to understand route

Short route facilitates easy interlining

Impacts of Change Smaller service area in East Boise. Some riders would need to walk to Warm Springs from

Walnut.

Public Comment on Final Draft (10 responses) 89% of survey respondents said they would use the service about the same as today or more

often (59% said more often). 11% said they would use the service less often.

There was one comment about the importance of transit access to the Walnut/Park section of

the 17 Warm Springs in light of the St Luke’s expansion and other destinations on Walnut.

o Response: The proposed Warm Springs route would have a bust stop only 0.35 miles

from the existing stop on Walnut. Walnut has connecting sidewalks and crosswalks

between the new stop on Warm Springs and the existing stop on Walnut.

There was a comment about the need to generally increase transit service, more lines, more

times and weekend service.

Adjustment None


28 – Cole/Victory Current Ridership 15.7 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Continued service to Ada County Sherriff’s Office and the Intermountain Hospital

Decreases time spent in layover at Towne Square Mall

Impacts of Change Less linear route.

Public Comment on Final Draft (10 responses) We did not specifically ask the public whether the changes to the route 28 would benefit them,

however we did ask all respondents whether the sum of changes would increase the number of

destinations you would be able to reach by transit. 100% of the respondents who said they use

the 28 Cole/Victory reported that the number of destinations reachable by transit would be

increase.

One survey respondent did express a serious concern about getting people to the Ada County

Sheriff's Office and the District Courts for court ordered community service before 7:30 am.

o Response: We did deviate the 28 Cole/Victory to cover these destinations because we

knew of their importance; however, the first 28 is not scheduled to arrive at the

Barrister stop until 7:37 am. We will continue to look for opportunities to get

accommodate this need, however the 29 Overland route serves a stop at Cole and

Barrister (approximately ¼ mile from the District Court) provides a viable alternative for

riders going to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office and District Court by 7:30am.

Adjustment None


29 – Overland Current Ridership 15.9 Boardings/Hour


Public Comment on Initial Concept The majority of the feedback on the combination of the 16 and 29 routes was positive. The

negative feedback was primarily concerned with the frequency of service on the Warm Springs

section. Unfortunately, as VRT did further analysis on the proposed 29, it was determined to be

too costly to pursue at this time.

o Response: Although we received a good amount of positive feedback, we are not able to

dedicate as many resources as we need to make this route run on time. The feedback

has been noted and we will pursue this concept as additional funding becomes

available. No changes to the current route are being proposed at this time.


2018 Service Changes Canyon County


40 – Nampa/Meridian Express Current Ridership 9.5 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change Improved on time performance

Faster service through downtown Boise

Impacts of Change Riders at Boise State will have to ride all the way around the loop in both directions.

Public Comment on Final Draft (49 responses) Although 77% of the respondents who use route 40 said the changes would result in them using

the service about the same or more often than today, when we asked if the sum of the network

changes increases the number of destinations accessible by transit 55% said not at all.

Many respondents expressed frustration with changing loop pattern in downtown Boise in the

afternoon. They were concerned that the proposed changes would result in either longer walks

or longer time on the bus. Several also expressed concern about any change in timing.

o Response: We are proposing to run the loop through downtown Boise clockwise (Main,

Broadway, Beacon, University, Capitol) in the AM and counter-clockwise (9th, University,

Beacon, Broadway, Idaho) in the PM. This will keep stops and times most similar to

existing service.

Poor On-time performance is a top complaint among intercounty service riders. There was

general support for improving on-time performance of the intercounty services.

Some of the information available on the website was misleading and suggested that we were

reducing the number of trip to downtown Boise and a significant number of respondents were

very concerned about the seemingly reduced service levels. There was also concern that we

might be changing the times of trips leaving Boise.

o Response: The total number of trips to and from Boise on the 40 Nampa Express will

remain the same and we will schedule the trips leaving Boise in the afternoon to be as

similar to today as possible.

Several respondents commented on the need for more service between Boise and Nampa,

including weekend service with some respondents citing standing loads on existing service.

Adjustment Run the loop through downtown Boise clockwise (Main, Broadway, Beacon, University, Capitol)

in the AM and counter-clockwise (9th, University, Beacon, Broadway, Idaho) in the PM. This will

keep stops and times most similar to existing service


42 – Happy Day Transit Center to Towne Square Mall Current Ridership 3.2 Boardings/Hour


Benefits of Change By streamlining the routing, the route can serve new developing areas in approximately the

same amount of time, and generally be more consistent throughout the day.

Providing service down Overland Road will make the 40 bus more useful for Meridian riders

because riders can make it to the Black Marlin and 10 Mile stops in the middle of the day if

needed.

This route will now serve the Nampa Saint Luke’s and the 10 Mile Crossing, among other

locations in west Ada County and east Canyon County

Impacts of Change Areas north of I-84 in Meridian would lose all transit service.

Public Comment on Final Draft (16 responses) 87% of survey respondents who use the 42 said they would use the revised services about the

same as today or more often (73% said more). 13% said they would use the services less.

Some commented on the need for increased service between Nampa, Caldwell and Boise and

particularly mentioned service to Garrity during business hours to service the doctor’s offices

there.

One respondent mentioned the need for weekend service.

There was a comment regretting the loss of service on the 51 East Nampa.

Adjustment None


51 – East Nampa Current Ridership 3.3 Boardings/Hour


Reason for Change There is a local budget shortfall that will require a reduction in local transit service levels in

Nampa

The 51 East Nampa is the lower performing route between the 51 and 52.

The midday reduction is intended to impact the fewest riders possible.

Impacts of Change Riders will no longer be able to travel out Garrity and connections to CWI from South Nampa

will be much longer.

Public Comment on Final Draft (16 responses) Not surprisingly a high percentage (50%) of the respondents said that they would use this

service less than today. 50% also said they would use the service about the same or more often.

o Response: Reducing service rarely results in higher ridership, but focusing these cuts on

the midday are intended to minimize the impact as much as possible.

Several respondents commented on the importance of connecting with the Intercounty services

at CWI.

Adjustment None

2018 final service hanges proposal - valley regional transit · 700 n. east 2nd street, suite 100...

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