The Maryland Transit Administration. A Plan to Connect Baltimore

Transcription

1 The Maryland Transit Administration A Plan to Connect Baltimore 1

2 What We ve Heard Over 1,100 stakeholder comments submitted through the Bus Network Improvement Project (BNIP) Six workshops, three pop-up events, interactive website Stakeholder Meetings June 24, 2015 Focusing on the Needs of Businesses in the Region August 3, 2015 Focusing on the Needs of Transit Users in the Region August 10, 2015 MDOT Meeting with Elected Officials September 10, 2015 Focusing on Workforce and Customer Needs & Priorities (West Baltimore) September 28, 2015 Focusing on Workforce and Customer Needs & Priorities (East Baltimore) FOR INTERNAL DELIBERATION ONLY 2

3 What We ve Heard Meetings with elected officials, City leaders, Baltimore residents and key stakeholders What we ve heard: The existing transit system in Baltimore is broken Not a unified / interconnected system Crowded / unclean Not reliable Doesn t connect to today s job markets Listened and delivered a comprehensive plan to fix transit in Baltimore 3

4 Our Plan Creates a transit system that connects Baltimore residents to today s jobs A transformative vision that creates a customer-focused transit system that is safer and cleaner A unified system of new, high-frequency routes that provide the missing link to connect seamlessly to Light Rail, Metro, MARC, Commuter Bus, and other services all into one network Lasting capital investments that make a difference A multi-modal approach to improving transit A vision that creates a transit system that Baltimore residents deserve... BaltimoreLink 4

5 Access to Jobs Our plan will provide more people access to more jobs through an interconnected transit system 131,000 more jobs now accessible via high-frequency transit compared to existing network 36.7 % increase 205,000 more people will now have access to high-frequency transit compared to existing network 34% increase 30,000 more people will now have access to transit by increasing service area approximately 18 square miles New high-frequency bus system will enable only one transfer to reach all Metro, Light Rail and new CityLink buses Transit system provides access to a total 745,000 jobs 5

6 Plan Highlights 1) A completely redesigned transit system: 12 new CityLink routes that connect seamlessly to other modes, with improved signage and maps that make the system more user friendly 2) Transitways: Funding for construction of east-west and north-south dedicated bus lanes 3) Transit Signal Priority (TSP): Installed citywide to increase speed and reliability 4) Transit Hubs: Significant site improvements at multi-modal transit hubs, that will accommodate bus bays, new shelters, and improved pedestrian/bike access 5) Safe. Secure. Clean: Additional police officers, Light Rail safety enhancements, and new clean initiatives 6

7 Introducing CityLink Overview A redesigned transit network built on a grid of 12 high-frequency transit lines A More Efficient Bus Network: 3 Levels of Service CityLink: high-quality, highfrequency service LocalLink: fill in the gaps to provide full system access and connectivity to all modes Express BusLink: serves longerdistance, commuter-oriented trips 7

8 CityLink Downtown CityLink - 12 New High-Frequency Routes New CityLink service enables one-transfer to reach all stops on the CityLink, Metro, and Light Rail systems New CityLink service relies on a solid, high-frequency trunk network that will provide service along major arterials Interconnected grid downtown provides more options for more residents to more opportunities New, color-coded routing and bus wraps to move towards a more unified, multi-modal system that is easy to understand 8

9 Transitways Capital funding in partnership with Baltimore City to support construction of north-south and east-west dedicated bus lanes Provide efficient, high-speed through-town movement Complement existing bus only lanes 9

10 Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Installation of TSP components at key intersections and on CityLink buses Variety of benefits: Reduced travel times Improved schedule adherence Increased reliability and speed of the bus system What is TSP? Transit Signal Priority uses technology to reduce dwell time at traffic signals for transit vehicles by holding green lights longer or shortening red lights. TSP can be implemented at individual intersections or across corridors or entire street systems. In a demonstration project on Los Angeles County Metro bus lines, TSP improved travel time savings by 25 percent. 10

11 Transit Hubs New Transit Hub investments, including improving transfer pathways, wayfinding, and passenger amenities at: Penn North Johns Hopkins Metro Station Broadway/North Avenue Several downtown locations West Baltimore MARC Improvements Connect West Baltimore residents to regional employers Integrate MARC, CityLink, and Local Bus service in one location Focus transit service to support transitoriented development investments 11

12 Safe. Secure. Clean. Enhanced Safety and Security Addition of 10 new MTA Police officers to help riders feel more secure Rider and Pedestrian Safety Light Rail Audible Visual signal project will install safety alerts at 16 intersections in the Central Business District and will alert patrons when Light Rail is approaching Clean Initiative New initiative to reduce trash, eating, and drinking on MTA vehicles Enhanced MTA oversight to ensure vehicles are kept clean 12

13 Additional Components 1) Enhanced service for West Baltimore: Enhanced east-west service to improve access for West Baltimore residents to downtown Began October 25, ) Fort Meade Connections: Service improvements to get people to jobs at Fort Meade with a new connection between the Odenton and Savage MARC stations 2) Charm City Circulator and Last Mile Investments: Operating funds for the Circulator and improved bike facilities at all MTA rail stations 5) Car-Sharing and Innovative Pop-Up Transit Services: Seeking private-sector solutions to supplement existing service and reduce overcrowding 3) New Commuter Bus Routes and Light Rail Sunday Service: Routes that get Baltimore City residents to regional job centers in Columbia, Aberdeen, and Annapolis, and enhanced Light Rail hours on Sundays 13

14 New Commuter Bus Routes and Light Rail Sunday Service 3 new routes that connect Baltimore City residents to regional employers New service between Baltimore and Aberdeen Proving Ground New service between Baltimore and Annapolis/Kent Island New service between Baltimore and Columbia/Howard County Expanded Sunday hours on MTA Light Rail Enhances access to jobs, sporting events, BWI Airport, and other attractions Current Sunday Hours: 11 AM 7 PM New Sunday Hours: 6 AM 12 AM 14

15 Plan Summary Creates a unified BaltimoreLink System Better connections to jobs More reliable and timely transit experience Intermodal transit connections Safer, cleaner, and more comfortable Customer-friendly Plan does not increase fares 15

16 BaltimoreLink Addresses BMC Report BaltimoreLink System addresses issues raised in BMC s Baltimore Regional Transit Needs Assessment: BMC: MTA network fails to act as an integrated system BaltimoreLink creates a unified transit system to connect to all modes BMC: Region s suburban job centers has strained our transit network BaltimoreLink system provides access to a total 745,000 jobs BMC: Public perception of our transit system is low BaltimoreLink will deliver high-frequency, reliable services BMC: Need safe and secure transit BaltimoreLink adds more MTA Police, enhances safety and cleanliness MTA looks forward to working with BMC to implement BaltimoreLink 16

17 Public Outreach Governor press event announcing plan Pop-up events at various transit stations Street Teams distributing plan and workshop information MTA promotional efforts (vehicles, stations, TV show) Workshops: 10 scheduled Nov. Dec. Paid local radio Earned media Community meetings Elected / City officials meetings Website, Twitter, Facebook, hotline, online community engagement 17

18 Implementation Schedule Oct 2015 Feb-Mar 2016 June 2016 Aug-Nov 2016 Jan 2017 June 2017 Enhanced QB40 Service Roll-Out and New MARC Bike Car Release Transit Plan Proposal Begin public engagement online and in meetings Hold hearings for June EXPRESS network Implement Express BusLink changes Publish final CityLink plan Publicize and hold hearings for CityLink & Commuter Bus Finalize recommendations and 2017 outreach schedule Implement Commuter Bus & Ft. Meade Connections. Cont. public education, outreach, and preparation for CityLink implementation Implement CityLink and LocalLink Bus overhaul 18

19 Investing in Improved Transit $135 million comes from: $57 million from federal surface transportation funds $48 million from MPA dredged material placement project no longer progressing $30 million from MTA Practical Design savings $70m Operating BaltimoreLink and Light RailLink operations Operating support Funds for other related services, including Charm City Circulator, Fort Meade Connector and Car Sharing $65m Capital Vehicles, shelters, signs and wraps Transitway Design Transit Signal Priority Transit Hubs Various support items 19