Gastonia Transit Expansion Study City Council/Planning Commission Joint Transportation Workshop September 13, 2007

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

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

Summary of Input Received Where would you like to go?

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

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

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

Implementation Plan PriorityProject Annual Operating Costs Capital Costs 1Implement Baseline Alternative 1$1,513,000$0 2Extend weekday service to 9PM$295,000$0 3Initiate East Gaston Flexroute$95,000$60,000 4 Expand fixed route service to Baseline Alternative 2 $284,000$0 5Initiate Bessemer City Flexroute$95,000$60,000 6Extend Saturday service to 9PM$66,000$0 7Add South Union Road route$325,000$60,000 8Add Downtown Trolley route$203,000 $75,000 - $300,000 TOTAL$2,876,000 $255,000 - $480,000

Implementation Plan 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 Implement Baseline Alternative 1 Annual Operating Cost: $1,513,000 Capital Cost:$0

Implementation Plan Implement Baseline Alternative 1

Implementation Plan 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 Extend Weekday Service to 9 PM Annual Operating Cost: $295,000 Capital Cost:$0

Implementation Plan 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 Initiate East Gaston Flexroute Annual Operating Cost: $95,000 Capital Cost:$60,000

Implementation Plan Initiate East Gaston Flexroute

Implementation Plan 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 Expand Fixed Route Service to Baseline Alt. 2 Annual Operating Cost: $284,000 Capital Cost:$0

Implementation Plan Expand Fixed Route Service to Baseline Alt. 2

Implementation Plan 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 Initiate Bessemer City Flexroute Annual Operating Cost: $95,000 Capital Cost:$60,000

Implementation Plan Initiate Bessemer City Flexroute

Implementation Plan 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 Extend Saturday Service to 9 PM Annual Operating Cost: $66,000 Capital Cost:$0

Implementation Plan 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 Add South Union Road Route Annual Operating Cost: $325,000 Capital Cost:$60,000

Implementation Plan Add South Union Road Route

Implementation Plan 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 Add Downtown Trolley Route Annual Operating Cost: $203,000 Capital Cost:$75,000 - $300,000

Implementation Plan Add Downtown Trolley Route

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