Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Study Overview and Initial Existing Conditions September 2011 In association with: LSA Design and Public Solutions

2 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Welcome and Introductions Review of Project Scope and Schedule Overview of Existing Conditions Guided Small Group Discussion of Study Goals, Key Issues and Priorities Large Group Discussion and Wrap-Up Meeting Schedule

3 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Project Scope and Schedule

4 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Significant increase in the number of seniors and immigrants residing in the greater Mankato area and an increase in the number of multi-family housing units, both for university students as well as senior citizens. Significant street redesign within Mankato and roadway limitations. Desire to develop an accessible mass transit system Desire to expand frequency and hours of transit service. Desire to improve connectivity, coverage and directness of service. Desire to explore the feasibility of a regional and inter-regional multimodal transportation system. Study Context

5 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study 1.Assess and redesign the existing transit system Mankato and North Mankato 2.Further develop a phased implementation plan for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) As developed conceptually in MATAPS 3.Evaluate the potential for a four-county regional transit system Connections between the region and the greater Mankato area Primary Study Objectives

6 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Mankato/North Mankato City of Mankato City of North Mankato MSU, Mankato Four County Area Blue Earth County Nicollet County Le Sueur County Waseca County Study Area

7 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Work Scope and Study Schedule Project Initiation Existing Conditions Preservation and Contraction Service Scenarios Regional Service Plan Draft and Final Transit Redesign Study Mankato and North Mankato We are here Data Collection Community Profile Review of Previous Planning Efforts Evaluation of Existing Services Community Survey Inventory of Existing Facilities Marketing and Branding Evaluation Website Four County Area PMT, Advisory and Steering Committees & Public Input Expansion & BRT Service Scenarios

8 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Review of Existing Conditions

9 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Overview of previous planning efforts Envision 2020 Annual Report Mankato Area Transportation and Planning Study (MATAPS) BRT Concept Plan South Central Minnesota Rural Transit Needs Assessment (2009) City Center Renaissance Plan Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan 2010 MnDOT Transit Report MSU-Mankato Master Plan Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choices 2010 Transit Survey Current and future land use plans Study Background Regional route with feeder network recommended in South Central Minnesota Rural Transit Needs Assessment MSU Mankato Master Plan

10 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Summary of Key Issues and Findings from Previous Studies There is a significant increase in the number of seniors and immigrants residing within Mankato/North Mankato and an increase in the number of multi-family housing units, both for university students as well as senior citizens. Significant street redesign within Mankato. Roadway limitations. Three areas of examination: Redesign of existing bus route, phased implementation of a BRT system, and possibility of a four county system that is interconnected with the Greater Mankato System. Develop an accessible mass transit system; regional and inter-regional multimodal transportation system. Expand frequency and hours of transit service. Improve connectivity, coverage and directness of service. Study Background

11 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Streamlined service connecting multiple hubs Limited stops Enhanced vehicles and passenger amenities Focus on speed and reliability Study Background

12 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Where Workers Live (North Mankato and Mankato) Demographics and Travel Patterns

13 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Where Workers Work (North Mankato and Mankato) Demographics and Travel Patterns

14 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Where Workers Live (4 county area) Demographics and Travel Patterns

15 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Where Workers Work (4 County Area) Demographics and Travel Patterns

16 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Population Density (North Mankato and Mankato) Demographics and Travel Patterns

17 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Income (North Mankato and Mankato) Demographics and Travel Patterns

18 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Language Spoken at Home (North Mankato and Mankato) Demographics and Travel Patterns

19 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Auto Ownership (North Mankato and Mankato) Demographics and Travel Patterns

20 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Existing Transit Services

21 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Existing Transit Services – City Routes

22 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Existing Transit Services – City Routes

23 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Existing Transit Services – MSU, Mankato Routes

24 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Existing Transit Services – MSU, Mankato Routes

25 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Mobility Bus Complementary paratransit to fixed route service Fare is $3.00 Requires a medical certification Dial-A-Ride For travel to or from West Mankato to connect with a fixed route bus on Cherry Street Fare is $1.50 Reservation only Existing Transit Services – Demand Response

26 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Le Sueur Heartland Express Route Deviation/Dial-A-ride, Route Guarantee and Subscription Transportation Service. For residents of Le Sueur Weekdays: 7 AM to 4:30 PM Weekends: No Service Base Fare: $2.00 Existing Transit Services - Regional Services

27 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study St. Peter Transit Dial-A-Ride Service Serving the Cities of St. Peter and Kasota Weekdays: 7 AM to 8 PM (Kasota: 10 AM to 4:30 PM) Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM (Kasota: 12 PM to 2:30 PM) Base Fare: $1.75 (St. Peter) $2.25 (Kasota) Existing Transit Services – Regional Services

28 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Land to Air Express Local Airport Shuttle; Mankato, St. Peter, Le Sueur, Belle Plaine, Jordan, MSP International Airport, U of M, and Amtrak. Round trip $65 Beginning October 25, 2011; daily service between New Ulm, Mankato and Rochester. Jefferson Lines College Connection regional service to the Twin Cities, with stop in St. Peter. Weekday and Weekend service Round trip from $25.50 – $27.25 VINE Volunteer based initiative serving Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties. For people over 60 or in those in need. People to Job Program Existing Transit Services – Other Providers

29 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study 2010 Transit Survey

30 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study 2010 Transit Survey

31 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study 2010 Transit Survey

32 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Study Goals, Key Issues and Priorities BRT/Route Redesign Advisory Committee

33 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study How do you feel about the transit services currently being provided in Mankato and North Mankato? Do you feel services are adequately meeting the needs? If not, why not? Be specific about the needs that are not being met? What are the major challenges Mankato and North Mankato are facing with regard to transportation? Ability for transit to offer competitive travel times? Traffic congestion? Integration with other modes – bike, ped, etc. Land use patterns What services are being provided well that can be built upon? What needs are not being met or need improvement? Your Feedback

34 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study What should be the purpose of transit service in Mankato and North Mankato? Service for people who do not have any other transportation options? To get cars off the road? Discuss the coverage and productivity tradeoffs Should transit service be expanded inside of the greater Mankato area? Service elsewhere in Mankato and North Mankato? Specific places it should be going? Longer service hours? Greater frequency? Route design, # of transfers? What are your thoughts about streamlining service (i.e., Bus Rapid Transit)? Should transit service be expanded outside of the greater Mankato area? Regional service beyond the Mankato area? Where? How often? What type of service? Regional commute service? Local transit services? Your Feedback

35 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study Study Goals, Key Issues and Priorities Regional Advisory Committee

36 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study How do you feel about the transit services currently being provided in the four county area (Nicollet/Blue Earth/Le Sueur/Waseca Counties)? Do you feel existing services in Le Sueur and St. Peter are adequately meeting the needs? If not, why not? Be specific about the needs that are not being met? What are the major challenges the four county area is facing with regard to transportation? Access to work? Access to basic services (shopping, medical, etc.)? Local service for people who have no other transportation option? Service to colleges/schools? What services are being provided well that can be built upon? What needs are not being met or need improvement? Your Feedback

37 Greater Mankato Transit Redesign Study What should be the purpose of transit service be in the four county area? Service for people who do not have any other transportation options? Commuters? Students? Regional service? Local service? How does this differ by county? Is there a need to travel to the greater Mankato area or to the Twin Cities? For what purposes? How does this differ by county? Are private transportation providers adequately meeting needs? Jefferson Lines? Your Feedback