Gastonia Transit Expansion Study

1. Gastonia Transit Expansion Study City Council/Planning CommissionJoint Transportation Workshop September 13, 2007

2. Overview of Project • Analysis of Existing Services • Needs Assessment • Public and Stakeholder Input • Development of Service Expansion Alternatives • Opportunities for Coordination / Consolidation • Implementation Plan

3. Summary of Input Received What is the most important transit improvement?

4. Summary of Input Received Where would you like to go?

5. Current System Issues • Ridership down 30% since last service change • Service changed in 2004 due to tight schedules • Frequency decreased; travel times increased • Fare increase from $0.75 to $1.00 • Creation of two “Baseline Alternatives” for restructuring current service • Baseline Alternative 1 can be accomplished within existing budget • Baseline Alternative 2 adds a vehicle for expanded service

6. Expansion Options Considered • New routes and services • Fixed routes • “Flexroutes” • Vanpools • Increased hours of service • Extended evening service • Full Saturday schedule • Initiation of Sunday service • Increased frequency of service • Role of coordination with Gaston County ACCESS

7. Implementation Plan • Address existing system issues first • Develop responsive strategies to transit needs • Prioritize improvements based on public input • Develop a realistic program that can be implemented in a phased approach based on funding availability • Minimize capital expenditures, but recognize the importance of operating costs • Link strategies to most appropriate funding sources

8. Implementation Plan

9. Implementation Plan Implement Baseline Alternative 1 • Restructuring of current service • Same number of vehicles in operation • More direct connections; less reliance on “loops” • More user-friendly schedules • Service maintained to all major destinations • Same hours of operation as current service • Reduced travel time for most trips • Accomplished within existing operations budget Annual Operating Cost: $1,513,000 Capital Cost: $0

10. Implementation Plan Implement Baseline Alternative 1

11. Implementation Plan Extend Weekday Service to 9 PM • Most requested improvement by public • Fixed route service extended until 9 PM • No additional changes to route structure • No additional changes to frequency of service Annual Operating Cost: $295,000 Capital Cost: $0

12. Implementation Plan Initiate East Gaston Flexroute • Service provided between Franklin Square and Little Rock Road in Charlotte via US 74 • Connects with GT fixed routes at Franklin Square • Connects with CATS Route 5 at Little Rock Road for mid-day service to Charlotte • Serves US 74 corridor with fixed stops • Also deviates from route to serve portions of Belmont, Mount Holly, McAdenville, Cramerton, and Lowell on a demand-response basis • Suggested operator is Gaston County ACCESS Annual Operating Cost: $95,000 Capital Cost: $60,000

13. Implementation Plan Initiate East Gaston Flexroute

14. Implementation Plan Expand Fixed Route Service to Baseline Alt. 2 • Weekday service with seven buses instead of six • Saturday service with four buses instead of three • Extended service on Route 2 (S. New Hope Road to Ashbrook High School area) • More frequent service on Route 5 (Shannon Bradley) • Majority of routes remain the same as Baseline Alternative 1 Annual Operating Cost: $284,000 Capital Cost: $0

15. Implementation Plan Expand Fixed Route Service to Baseline Alt. 2

16. Implementation Plan Initiate Bessemer City Flexroute • Flexroute “zone” concept does not have a fixed route, but can go anywhere within the designated zone • Service provided between Dixie Village and Bessemer City • Connects with GT fixed routes at Dixie Village at scheduled times • Passengers can travel within the zone, or transfer to GT fixed routes • Suggested operator is Gaston County ACCESS Annual Operating Cost: $95,000 Capital Cost: $60,000

17. Implementation Plan Initiate Bessemer City Flexroute

18. Implementation Plan Extend Saturday Service to 9 PM • Fixed route service extended until 9 PM • No additional changes to Saturday route structure (four buses in operation) • No additional changes to frequency of service Annual Operating Cost: $66,000 Capital Cost: $0

19. Implementation Plan Add South Union Road Route • Extends service south on Union Road (weekdays and Saturdays) • Connects to other routes at Bradley Station • Restores service to Martha Rivers Park • Service to operate until 9PM on weekdays and Saturdays Annual Operating Cost: $325,000 Capital Cost: $60,000

20. Implementation Plan Add South Union Road Route

21. Implementation Plan Add Downtown Trolley Route • Provides a connection between downtown businesses, offices, government buildings, and the Loray Mill redevelopment • Uses a replica trolley vehicle • Service would operate 7 AM – 6 PM on weekdays • Could be funded through private business contributions Annual Operating Cost: $203,000 Capital Cost: $75,000 - $300,000

22. Implementation Plan Add Downtown Trolley Route

23. Funding Sources • GT fixed route expansions • Federal / State operating assistance • Passenger fares • Local funding from City of Gastonia • Business community contributions (trolley) • Flexroutes • NCDOT Rural General Public funds • Passenger fares • Local funding from towns served and/or Gaston County