NEWARK -- For the first time in many years, Licking County has a comprehensive plan for improving transit services for its residents. Two big hurdles remain, however: funding and drivers.
The Licking County Transit Board approved a transit development plan and a coordinated plan at its Wednesday night meeting, but the recommended timeline for implementation of the plans could be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, available funding and drivers.
The plans, developed by WSB Consulting, of Minnesota, and Alliance Transportation Group, of Texas, were based on public meetings, on-board survey of riders, a community survey, stakeholder interviews, discussions with transit staff and operators, and an online draft public comment period.
Irene Kennedy, a transit steering committee member and former Newark City Council member, has long advocated for enhanced transit services in the area.
"I've always said mass transit is an economic development tool," Kennedy said. "I am so excited about it. It's starting to look a little more real."
The recommendations, during the next five years, include adding deviated and fixed routes to the current system, which provides only demand response service to residents who request a ride with a phone call. A deviated route veers from the established route by up to 0.75 of a mile.
Seven bus routes would be created, starting with two pilot routes introduced in 2020 or 2021, with limited hours and weekday service. Then, the following year, two additional routes would be added and the two initial routes upgraded to full-service. One additional deviated route would be added each year from 2023 to 2025 until all seven routes are operating, The routes would be converted to fixed routes after 2025.
Tom Cruikshank, a senior transportation planner with WSB, said, "Our big takeaway is that transit service really is vital to the community. It's really, really vital. We also believe people are frustrated with aspects of the service."
A survey of riders revealed 72% have a household income of less than $25,000, 86% have no drivers license, 40% have no vehicles in the household, 89% consider themselves to have a disability, 45% are riding to work, and 42% would not have made the trip without the bus service.
One route would travel along East and West Main streets, from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the medical offices on Tamarack Road, and back. A second route services downtown Newark and loops north to Career and Technology Education Centers and loops back to West Main Street.
Other routes would go from Newark to Indian Mound Mall in Heath, the Newark campus of Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College, Denison University in Granville, downtown Hebron, downtown Pataskala, and eventually to Alexandria, Johnstown and New Albany.
Jeff Hindel, a transit board member, said, "A couple things bother me. Where's the money coming from to expand this, because we're already bare bones now. And, second, where are we going to get the drivers?"
Hindel said there are about 30 drivers now, but about 50 vehicles available.
Bill Cost, a Licking County Transit board member and former Newark city councilman, said, "We don't have the money or staff to make it happen overnight. It's important we have an early win."
Cruikshank said that early win could be a medical route down Main Street. He said interviews have determined that some are already interested in being a partner for the enhanced transit plan. LMH, higher education and some employers are willing to help, he said.
The plan states there is interest in piloting transit projects to service higher education institutions, Licking Memorial Hospital or high-density employment sites at industrial parks along Ohio 79. The pilot projects could involve partnering directly with the university, hospital or employers to directly fund or subsidize the cost to provide services for their students, customers and employees, while still offering general public service to anyone who might benefit from the route.
Matt Hill, director for the Licking County Area Transportation Study, said support for the plan already exists in the community.
"Partnerships area already there," Hill said. "The consultant interviewed more than 120 people. Those interviews developed a tremendous amount of support. You have a wave of support. You may not know it's there, but it is."
Rick Black, Licking County Commissioner and chairman of the transit board, said finding drivers remains the biggest impediment to any plan, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. He said there were 40 applicants at the beginning of the year, but it resulted in two new drivers.
"The biggest issue we're facing -- it doesn't matter what kind of plan we come up with -- is finding drivers," Black said. "And, COVID-19 has a monumental impact on how we operate."
Black said the 12-passenger buses can carry about three passengers, socially distanced. A recent trip to one location required with two wheelchair riders, required two buses to socially distance the two wheelchairs.
Other recommendations in the plan include larger capacity vehicles with lower floors to allow for quicker boarding, a centralized transit hub in downtown Newark, local support helping increasing chances to land federal and state grants.
Cruikshank said, "I think you've got something exciting to promote. Take advantage of that. It's a great marketing opportunity to bring people in."
kmallett@newarkadvocate.com
740-328-8545
Twitter: @kmallett1958
Proposed routes
Route 1 (medical & government): This is an out-and-back route with service along East and West Main streets, from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the medical/offices on Tamarack Road.
Route 2 (jobs & retail): This is a loop route that services downtown Newark and loops north to Career & Technology Education Centers and loops back to Main Street.
Route 3 (jobs & retail): This is a loop route that services just west of downtown Newark, connecting Indian Mound Mall, Southgate Shopping Center, and Moundbuilders Country Club.
Route 4 (higher education): This is a loop route that services both Ohio State University-Newark and Denison University in Granville.
Route 5 (Hebron route): This is an out-and-back commuter type service, which connects downtown Newark to downtown Hebron, with the possibility to be extended to Buckeye Lake in the future.
Route 6 (Pataskala): This serves as a commuter route with a stop in downtown Pataskala and downtown Newark.
Route 7 (Johnstown): This serves as a commuter route with a stop in downtown Johnstown and downtown Newark.
Route 7 (Johnstown): This serves as a commuter route with a stop in downtown Alexandria, Johnstown, New Albany and downtown Newark.
"plan" - Google News
June 20, 2020 at 07:10PM
https://ift.tt/2CqrA6y
County transit plan approved, but lack of funds, drivers big obstacles - The Newark Advocate
"plan" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2un5VYV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "County transit plan approved, but lack of funds, drivers big obstacles - The Newark Advocate"
Post a Comment