Helena Inclusive Transit Planning Grant Round 2 Service Improvement Planning -Recommended Local Transit Service Improvement October 21, 2014 Presented by Scott Chapman

Agenda ■Strategy Improvement Process ■Recap of Service Design Guidelines ■Service Improvement Objectives ■Recommended Local Transit Service Improvement ■Next Steps Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Strategy Refinement ■Review four improvement strategies with HATAC Coordination Subcommittee (complete) ■Introduce Coordination Subcommittee recommended alternative to larger TAC (today) ■Discuss recommendation at Joint City/County worksession (11/6) ■Finalize recommendation with details and implementation activities (end of Nov) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Service Design Guidelines ■Simple service ■Direct routing ■Fewer route deviations ■Operate on arterials ■Symmetrical routes ■Serve well-defined markets ■Consistent service ■Appropriate stop spacing and location ■More flexibility for coverage-oriented routes 10:3010:45 11:0011:15 11:3011:45 10:2110:36 10:5411:09 11:2811:43 Direct, easy to understandCircuitous, complicated Two-way service One-way service Consistent schedule Consistent stop spacing Irregular schedule Inconsistent stop spacing 1/8 mi. BetterDiscouraged

Spectrum of Services Type of Service Nature of Service Typical EfficienciesLand Uses Fixed-route direct/frequentProductivity>20 riders/hr. Medium to high density (approx. 8+ persons/acre); downtown employment & commerce centers, shopping districts etc) Fixed-route indirect/infrequent Coverage10-20 riders/hr. Lower densities (approx. 2+ persons/acre); significant trip generators (hospitals, senior centers, workforce development centers etc.) Deviated fixed-route (on- demand deviations off of published route) Coverage<10 riders/hr. Lower densities (approx persons/acre); significant trip generators (hospitals, senior centers, workforce development centers etc.) General public dial-a-ride (on-demand curb-to-curb service within published service area) Coverage~3 riders/hr. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Objectives ■Maintain coverage to currently service locations ■Improve service to attract choice riders & increase ridership ■Planning Charrette Themes –Capitol Complex service –Downtown service –St. Pete’s service –Carroll College service –Walmart service –East-West connections –Service to local commercial districts –Service to programs for seniors and those with a disability –Service to medical providers –Add frequency of service –Reduce transit travel times –Facilitate work & school commute trips Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Existing Checkpoint Ridership Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Existing Curb-to-Curb Ridership Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Budget for Service ■Assumes 2 Fixed Routes in Service –Each Route costs on the order of $221,000 per year Weekdays only In service 12 hours a day –Roughly 42% of HATS Budget for 2 routes ■Requires some additional funding based on resources dedicated to ADA service Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

East Valley Bus Service ■Not address in the local service improvement ■Requires service upgrade to function as a dedicated fixed route –Expansion to full 12 hour day –Filling in the 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. gap in service on EVBS –Streamlining EVBS to only serve fixed bus stops ■Will be addressed as part of mid-term regional improvements

Recommended Local Transit Service Improvement ■Two local fixed routes –W. Euclid to St. Pete’s via Downtown & Capitol Complex –Target to Walmart via HATs Transit Center ■One-way travel on each less than 30 minutes ■Transfers between routes along Last Chance Gulch ■Operating parameters –Frequency of Service (Headway)60 minutes –Span of Service (1 st Stop Departures)7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. –Days of OperationWeekdays

Next Steps ■City/County review ■Validation of routings by HATS to verify turning movements and running times ■Development of conceptual schedules and operating plan ■Location of bus stops (including a transfer location) along the routes based on key destinations and HATS bus stop spacing guidance ■Coordinate with City on sidewalk and crossing improvement along routes ■Development of regional concepts coordinating with preferred local service improvement –Start with limited service commuter bus to nearby community P&Rs –Demand response service in nearby communities with service to P&Rs Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Background Information ■Definition of Commuter Bus Service ■Previously Reviewed Service Alternatives Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Commuter Bus Service ■No attempt to comprehensively cover service area ■Limited route structure, e.g., linear routes with few turns ■Limited number of stops ■Routes of extended length, usually between central business and outlying areas ■Service predominately in one direction during peak times ■Limited purpose of travel, e.g. designed for work access ■Coordinated relationship to other modes, e.g. rail, intercity bus, other service provider ■Use of multi-ride tickets, e.g. service available daily and at a reasonable cost Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Alternative 1 - North-South & East-West Fixed Routes with Transfers at HATS Facility Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. Proposed Routes Round Trip Mileage Round Trip Running Time Shopko to St. Pete’s via Downtown Euclid Ave. to Walmart

Alternative 1 - North-South & East-West Fixed Routes with Transfers at HATS Facility ■Strengths –Large Service area –Transfers at HATS TC ■Weaknesses –Estimated time constraints on North-South route limit northern extent of service and entry into HATS TC (stopping on N. Montana adjacent to the TC may be troublesome). –Large mandated ADA service area minimizing opportunities for cost savings via non-ADA dial-a-ride –Direct service along N. Montana requires rail crossing which may delay buses Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Alternative 2 - North-South & East-West Fixed Routes with Transfers along Last Chance Gulch Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. Proposed Routes Round Trip Mileage Round Trip Running Time Target to Walmart via Last Chance Gulch Euclid to St. Pete’s via Downtown

Alternative 2 - North-South & East-West Fixed Routes with Transfers along Last Chance Gulch ■Strengths –Large Service area –Estimated slack in schedule –Extended service to Target ■Weaknesses –Estimated time constraints on North-South route limit northern extent of service and entry into HATS TC (stopping on N. Montana adjacent to the TC may be troublesome). –Large mandated ADA service area minimizing opportunities for cost savings via non-ADA dial-a-ride –Direct service along N. Montana requires rail crossing which may delay buses Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Alternative 3 - North-West & Downtown-South Fixed Routes with East Valley Service to Serve Walmart Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. Proposed Routes Round Trip Mileage Round Trip Running Time St. Pete’s to Downtown Target to Euclid 942 East Valley

Alternative 3 - North-West & Downtown-South Fixed Routes with East Valley Service to Serve Walmart ■Strengths –Increased frequency of service –More direct service to downtown and Capitol Complex –Transfer at HATS TC ■Weaknesses –Gap in service east of downtown (larger terminating loop can serve east of downtown, but revert service to hourly headways). –Requires coordination between City and County to share costs for increased demand at Walmart and to possibly fill in midday gap in East Valley service –Direct service along N. Montana requires rail crossing which may delay buses but this alternative’s use of a North-West connection allows for rerouting to Cedar/Last Chance Gulch to cross the railroad line eliminating some service on N. Montana south of Cedar and reducing service along E. Lyndale Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc.

Alternative 4 - Streamlined Checkpoint and Walmart to St. Pete’s Deviated Fixed Route Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. Proposed Routes Round Trip Mileage Round Trip Running Time Streamlined Checkpoint 35 Deviated FR4.320

Alternative 4 - Streamlined Checkpoint and Walmart to St. Pete’s Deviated Fixed Route Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc. ■Strengths –Increased frequency of service –Minimal mandated ADA service area, increasing opportunities for cost savings via non-ADA dial-a-ride ■Weaknesses –No westside service –One-way loop and deviated fixed route less attractive to new riders –Direct service along N. Montana requires rail crossing which may delay buses