2017-15 Report on the Mass Transit Master Plan

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Communication No. 2017-15 The Council requested that community meetings also be held in Ka'u and Hamakua. Cheryl will work with the Council Reps to set up these locations and times. The contract for the Master Plan outlines the tasks as follows: • Task One: Administrative • Task Two: Vision • Task Three: Public involvement • Task Four: Existing conditions, review previous studies, passenger survey • Task Five: Trends and future needs • Task Six: Service improvement program • Task Seven: Capital program • Task Eight Financial plan • Task Nine: Master Plan document The public involvement portion is lagging and will be remedied with the planned community meetings. There will also be a series of community meetings to present the final plan. It was noted that Hele On's current vision statement is not descriptive of the service, "Create a transportation agency the rest of the world recognizes as the best" A new vision statement will be proposed, "Create a high quality multi -modal transportation system that provides safe, reliable, convenient, environmentally responsible, and cost effective mobility choices that meet the needs of our residents and visitors" Toward that end the following goals have been established: • Goal One: Make riding transit easier and more desirable • Goal Two: Create a transit system to serve all people • Goal Three: Use transit as a tool • Goal Four: Crate transportation hubs with amenities • Goal Five: Phase system implementation The passenger survey conducted in March revealed the following demographic information: • 29.1% have been riding for less than one year • 15.5% would drive is bus service were not available • 84.5% are dependent on transit, although 35.8% could possibly get a ride from someone else if they had to • 57.1% ride five or more times per week • 27.5% ride more than ten times per week • 29.7% are students (grade school, high school, college) • 50.6% are employed either full or part time • 7.6% are tourists The survey revealed passenger satisfaction responses that were not really surprising. Buses that don't break down would be appreciated, realistic bus route schedules, schedules more responsive to the needs of the population, bus shelters. People were generally grateful for the service they were receiving and very much desired improvement.