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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0450.005 2004-2006 Pagc 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: Bob Ward [rgward007@hawaii.rccom] Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 7 07 AM To: counciltestimony@co hawaii.hi.us Cc: Isbell, Virginia; Mitchell, Megan; Brown, Tom Subject: Transit -Bill 154 1 have attached some suggestions for consideration for improving mass transit. 1 believe it is crucial that we take the time to evaluate a fareless system experiment, before making it permanent. Robert Ward Comm. No._~.SO . S Ref. To; prwrrb~ QWttr Raf, bate ~ 1 R 7 10/18/2005 TESTIMONY -First Reading: Bill 154 Prepared by: Robert Ward 77-6526 Ho'olaupa'i St Kailua Kona, HI 96740 Thank you for the opportunity to share my concerns. I am a supporter of a strong Mass Transit system in the County of Hawaii. The proposed legislation may not go far enough in some areas, and perhaps too far in others. The simple truth is that "time will tell." That is the course of action that I suggest. A fareless system is an experiment, and that is how it should be treated. We need time to collect data, evaluate the results and determine if it is the best way to build a strong mass transit system in Hawaii. We should take the time to get the right answer. Larger systems have tried this on a limited basis. The TriMet provides fareless operation in the heart of downtown Portland. The UTA does not collect fares within a 4 square block area of central Salt Lake City. In both cases this policy was implemented due to critical parking shortages and extreme congestion. Both agencies confined the policy to very small percentage of the area they serve. While they continue this method today they depend on the revenues from the farebox to build a stronger transit system. Austin, Texas experimented with a free ridership system in 1989. They found that ridership climbed 87percent. They also found that truancy in the school system jumped and complaints of crime, vandalism and abuse onboard busses had tri led! They discontinued the experiment. They do offer free rides on days when the ozone level exceeds standards, but still rely on collected fares to expand their system. Simply reducing fares with a Weekly, Monthly and Annual pass system can radically reduce transportation costs for residents while reducing administrative costs of collecting daily fares. Not only will residents be afforded the opportunity to "buy into" the service, but tourists and visitors can contribute to the operation of the system, as well. Hundreds of residents can save a thousand dollars or more per year through reduced fares or eliminating a vehicle. The nearly two dozen cruise ships that will visit the ports of Hilo and Kailua in October could provide hundreds users. Other visitors and anticipated Hawaii Super Ferry customers could translate into thousands of users in the years to come. Mass transit requires capital to grow stronger. That may be more important than offering free rides. There are many reasons why people don't ride busses, but "because it's not free" is usually not in the top ten. We need a stronger system to provide sustainable mass transit. 1) Discounted Passes a) Attract new riders b) Lowers collection costs c) Reduced shrinkage d) Collect vital ridership data for managing system growth e) Support origin -destination analysis f) Maintain onboard safety g) Retain revenue for expansion h) Attracts riders from all income brackets i) Donations not required j) Employee reimbursement 2) Add convenient scheduling a) attract riders b) shorter headway c) more express routes d) evening service e) weekends and holidays 3) Add routes a) Local circulation b) Better schedule coordination c) Replace DOE routes d) Moku regatta e) Special events 4) School routes a) Reliable service b) Class credit c) Mentors/chaperones d) Homeroom e) Special events 5) Freight a) Small package b) Delivery c) County mail d) Medical service e) USPS 6) Origin Destination analysis a) Volume data b) Time of day info c) Fluctuation 7) Reaching system a) Taxi b) Carpool c) Short shuttle d) Circulation routes e) Subdivision kiss and ride f) Regional park and ride g) Supplement with commercial services h) Subdivision ordinance: route compatibility, bus stops and parking access. 8) GPS I AVL cumtd.com, nextbus.com, orbital.com, siemensVDO.com a) Location maps b) Next Departure c) Internet alert: PC, Cell, PDA, text, palm, etc. d) Instant tracking e) Management reports f) Breakdown location g) Emergency response location h) Accident investigation i) Speed compliance j) Traffic signal preemption (if late, or express) k) Cue stop announcements and features I) Link to taxi service m) Manage on time performance n) Supplies hard data to DPW on travel times o) Real time passenger counts p) Equipment monitoring info to dispatch q) Ridership increase (13.5% in Delaware) 9) Features a) Pupus b) Bike racks c) Board racks d) Beverages e) Reversible seats 10)Commercial links a) Advertising onboard b) Event tie-ins c) Integrate commercial shuttles d) relocate employee lots from resorts e) vending f) shelter sponsors 11) Targeted groups a) Social groups b) Religious groups c) special events d) regatta season e) Survey data "What will it take?" f) major destinations g) major employers h) automotive service 12)BRT -Bus Rapid Transit a) Signal priority b) Faster than cars c) Express scheduling d) Separate local from "intercity" 13)Marketing a) Pau Hana b) Cultural adventure c) Health issues low stress d) Foreign oil e) Notjust affordable "-50 foot limo" f) Your "loaner car" g) Target car rentals h) Map distribution 14)Standardize shelters a) Maintains lowest cost b) Community involvement c) Correction System -Community service d) Provides comfort while waiting e) Shelter from sun and rain f) Use recycled materials g) System information Thank you for your time and your consideration. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.