huntsville transit study
TRANSCRIPT
Presented by: James Gamez
Huntsville Transit
Study
February 14, 2019
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1 | Study Overview
2 | Existing Conditions
3 | Community Input
4 | Recommendations
5 | Q&A
AGENDA
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STUDY OVERVIEW
• Joint planning effort by City of Huntsville Public Transit Division and MPO
• Detailed evaluation of Shuttle and Handi-Ride
• Extensive community outreach and input
• Five-Year Service and Capital Plan with supporting recommendations
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
• Areas of high transit need
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
• Areas of high transit need
• Destinations
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
• Areas of high transit need
• Destinations
• Ridership
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
• Areas of high transit need
• Destinations
• Ridership
• Bus stop access and amenities
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
• Areas of high transit need
• Destinations
• Ridership
• Bus stop access and amenities
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EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Route design
• Service levels
• Population density
• Areas of high transit need
• Destinations
• Ridership
• Bus stop access and amenities
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KEY FINDINGS
• Ridership has increased while service has not
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0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Ridership
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Service Hours
KEY FINDINGS
• Ridership has increased while service has not
• Route design varies across the system
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KEY FINDINGS
• Ridership has increased while service has not
• Route design varies across the system
• Ridership is high along University Drive
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KEY FINDINGS
• Ridership has increased while service has not
• Route design varies across the system
• Ridership is high along University Dr
• Ridership is low in South Huntsville
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COMMUNITY INPUT
• Rider survey
• Online survey
• Transfer Station outreach
• Public meetingso Dr. Richard Showers Center
o Huntsville Senior Center
o Huntsville Library
• Community stakeholder discussions
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PREFERRED TRANSIT INVESTMENTS
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Improved bike amenities
Real-time arrival information
Buses coming more often
Improved pedestrian access
Improved bus stop amenities
Service to new places
Later evening service
Saturday service
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Percent of Attendees (Attendees were able to vote twice)
RECOMMENDATIONS
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FIVE-YEAR SERVICE PLAN
• Phase 1 – August 2019
o Restructure route network
o Add Saturday service (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
o Extend weekday service to from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Phases 2-5
o Upgrade Route 4 (University Dr) to 15-minute service
o Upgrade four other routes to 30-minute service
o Extend weekday service to 10:00 p.m. on all routes
o Extend Saturday service to 8:00 p.m. on all routes
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SYSTEM RESTRUCTURE
• Provides more direct service to major destinations
• Increases service to employment centers
• Creates new transit hub at Showers Center
• Reallocates service to areas with greater ridership potential
• Increases frequency on several corridors
• Service increases are included in FY19
budget
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SERVICE PLAN ADDRESSES COMMUNITY NEEDS
• Saturday service is existing riders’ most desired service improvement
• Later weekday service is the second-most desired improvement
• Improves access to employment, shopping, and recreation
• More direct service reduces rider travel time
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PARATRANSIT SERVICE
• Rebrand as Huntsville Access
• Extend service to City limits
• Apply for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Grant to fund expansion
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FUTURE SERVICE CONSIDERATIONS
• General purpose dial-a-ride service
• South Huntsville reverse commute service
• Shuttle service to new major employers
• Sunday service
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FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
• Vehicle acquisition
o Cycle out smaller buses as ridership increases beyond seated capacity
o Install new on-board technology
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FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
• Vehicle acquisition
o Cycle out smaller buses as ridership increases beyond seated capacity
o Install new on-board technology
• Showers Center Transit Hub
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FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
• Vehicle acquisition
o Cycle out smaller buses as ridership increases beyond seated capacity
o Install new on-board technology
• Showers Center Transit Hub
• Bus stop improvements
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FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
• Vehicle acquisition
o Cycle out smaller buses
o Install new on-board technology
• Showers Center Transit Hub
• Bus stop improvements
• Pedestrian infrastructure improvements
o Crosswalks
o Sidewalk extensions
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SUPPORTING RECOMMENDATIONS
• Performance metrics
• Scheduled service changes
• Fare products and pricing
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SUPPORTING RECOMMENDATIONS
• Rider information and website
• Expanded regional ridesharing
• Monitor subsidized taxi/ride-hailing services in other cities
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