Okaloosa County BOCC — August 16, 2016 — Access EC Rider TDP - August Draft Report — reading text

Evaluation  Service Improvements  Capital/Infrastructure  Policy/Other Service Improvements Service improvements include enhancements to existing routes related to frequency, extended service hours, and/or providing more days of service. This also includes service expansion, including new routes for operating in areas not currently served by EC Rider. Improvements to Existing Routes Expanding hours and increasing frequencies on existing bus routes are significant needs identified through the public involvement efforts performed as part of the development of the Access EC Rider TDP. Identified improvements to existing fixed routes include the following:  Increase frequency on selected routes – Enhance service on the routes with high demand and low frequency—Routes 1, 4, 5, and 14. Current headways for Routes 1 and 4, which are approximately 70 minutes each, would be reduced to 35 minutes. Service for Routes 5 and 14, which operate on 4-hour headways, would be improved to 1-hour and 2-hour headways, respectively.  Add one additional evening trip to all routes – Extended service by one evening trip on all routes. This would extend the nightly service span by one hour for most routes.  Add Saturday service to all existing routes – From the on-board surveys, bus operator surveys, and public workshops, EC Rider users identified the need for Saturday service on several EC Rider routes as another high priority. Saturday service would be added on all improved routes.  Realign Route 2 – Revise Route 2 to service the Fort Walton Beach City Hall located on SW 1st Street and return to Hollywood Blvd/SR 189 via SE Windham Ave. This would allow transfers to the proposed Hurlburt Beach Bullet and the Navarre Uptown Express (discussed later in this section).  Enhance Route 3 – To reduce the redundancy and overlap of Routes 3 and 5, a revised Route 3 can service the same alignment of Route 3 and Route 5, north of the Walmart Transfer center. The enhancement includes increasing the span of service to 12 hours with 60-minute headways.  Realign Route 4 – To allow a more direct route to the Uptown Station, eliminate the southern extension to SW 1st Street and, instead, continue the route along NE Hollywood Boulevard. The realignment of Route 3 will service the eliminated area.  Enhance Route 5 – To reduce the redundancy and overlap of Routes 3 and 5, a revised Route 3 can service the same alignment of Route 3 and Route 5, south of the Walmart Transfer center. The enhancement includes increasing the span of service to 12 hours with 60-minute headways.  Change Route 30 and 32 to Destin Fixed Route Circulator – with the introduction of the proposed Eglin Beach Bullet, service for Routes 30 and 32 can be modified to become the Destin Circulator. ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 132  Section 8: Alternatives Evaluation This route combines eliminates Routes 30 and 32 and eliminates service to Okaloosa Island to improve travel times and reduce transfers for riders traveling within Destin. New Service Expansions  Crestview Circulator Flex Service – Flex‐route service is a hybrid service that combines the predictability of fixed‐route bus service with the flexibility of demand response service. This service generally operates in suburban areas where the street and pedestrian networks are not conducive to fixed‐route bus service. As shown in Figure 8-1, flex‐route service originates from a fixed point such as a major stop or transit center where it connects with local or express fixed‐route bus service. The service areas of flex‐route services are usually about seven square miles, in which one vehicle can offer service once per hour. Smaller, wheelchair‐accessible buses are typically used for flex services. Passengers transferring from a fixed‐route bus to flex‐route service simply board the vehicle and tell the driver their destination within the designated flex service area. Passengers traveling from the designated flex service area to connect to a fixed‐route bus must call and make a reservation for the trip they desire based on its arrival time at the fixed transfer point. The need for a flex service is evidenced by the high employment density thresholds (through the DTAs) and TOI thresholds. The potential reintroduction of passenger rail to the Gulf Coast region will also increase the need for this type of transit service. The previous Crestview circulator serviced the area but was terminated due to lack of funding. This circulator would make up to four deviations to comply with FTA requirements for ADA service. The route travels primarily on SR 85, a key commercial corridor, with key stops along US 90, the Crestview Community Center, the courthouse, the Okaloosa County Jail, Walmart, and Publix. Figure 8-1: Flex Route Transit Service ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 133  Section 8: Alternatives Evaluation  Navarre-Uptown Station Express Service – An express route connecting Navarre to the Uptown transfer station with park-and-ride stops in Navarre (proposed at US 98 and SR 87), the Fort Walton Beach City Hall, and the Uptown Station.  Niceville-Destin Commons Limited Express Service – This limited express route could provide an affordable transportation alternative for workers living north who cannot afford to pay for the toll on the Mid Bay Bridge. This limited express route also would provide another path on the eastern side of the urbanized area, as there currently is no transit that services Niceville or the SR 20 and SR 293 corridors. The route would connect major residential areas, which are currently underserved, to major employment areas in Destin. The route would start at proposed park-and-ride located at the Niceville City Hall.  Hurlburt Connector – This route will connect the workers in the Hurlburt Base to Fort Walton Beach along US 98 ending at SW Perry Avenue. This route connects to Route 20 and the Eglin Beach Bullet.  Eglin Beach Bullet Express Service – This route will connect the Eglin Air Force Base to major destinations like the Uptown Station, museums, the beaches, the Destin circulator, and Walton County.  Wright Flex Service – The Wright area is characterized by a higher proportion of households who do not own a vehicle and who live under the poverty line. The limited road connectivity in the Wright area constrains the ability to plan an effective route. A flexible route that operates on demand could assist residents in accessing existing transit routes, such as the transfer stop at Walmart in Fort Walton Beach.  Hurlburt Internal Circulator – The lack of a walkable environment and process for security clearance in the Hurlburt Field highlight the need for an internal circulator, which would serve the Hurlburt Field. The conceptual route remains to be defined.  Eglin Internal Circulator – This route could circulate internally within the Eglin Air Force Base. The route could begin at the east gate inside of the Eglin Air Force Base to provide a connection to the proposed Eglin Beach Bullet Express. The conceptual route remains to be defined.  Emerald Coast (EC) Ferry – Input from the public involvement workshops and a review of the Okaloosa-Walton TPO 2040 LRTP indicated a need for a water ferry system. The EC Ferry could help mitigate congestion while providing an attraction for visitors. The EC Ferry can connect Fort Walton Beach to Destin, Niceville, Pensacola and Miramar Beach in the Choctawhatchee Bay. Map 8-1 illustrates the needs plan for service improvements and new service expansions identified for the 10-year period. ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 134  Section 8: Alternatives Evaluation Map 8-1: 10-Year Needs Plan ACCESS EC RIDER | Okaloosa County’s 10-Year Transit Development Plan 135  Section 8: Alternatives Evaluation Capital Improvements Potential capital improvements include the following:  New transfer facility – A need for a new transfer facility with restrooms was identified. The location for this transfer facility is to be determined.  Expand and improve bus stop infrastructure – Okaloosa County and EC Rider should continue to improve infrastructure at bus stops, including benches, shelters, bicycle storage facilities, and other infrastructure. This will not only improve the existing rider’s experience at bus stops, but also be attractive to potential riders.  Improve bus stop safety and ADA accessibility – Improvements can be implemented to improve safety, ADA accessibility, connectivity to the pedestrian network, and use of the EC Rider bus system.  Establish park-and-ride lots – Park-and-ride facilities provide collection points for travelers to transfer from auto to transit or between autos (from a single-occupant vehicle to a carpool or vanpool). When conveniently located and carefully planned and implemented, park-and-ride facilities are integrated into the overall transportation network and can encourage a shift from single-occupant vehicles to transit or other alternative modes. Based on public input and a review of the recently developed 2040 LRTP, potential locations were identified for developing park-and- ride facilities and are shown on Map 8-1.  Shared parking agreements – EC Rider has established informal shared parking agreements at the Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach, the Boardwalk in Okaloosa Island, and the Destin Commons in Destin. EC Rider can explore new shared parking agreements in areas of the county where new transit service might be established, such as Niceville, in conjunction with the proposed regional express services.  Facilities and connections to water ferry – Contingent on the proposed water ferry, new marinas could be constructed or existing facilities could be expanded.  Technology improvements – Efficient and effective transit service delivery depends on accurate information collected about transit ridership and overall transit system operations. To meet this objective, EC Rider should consider the deployment of necessary technological devices to better understand ridership patterns. Such capital improvements can assist collecting data on boardings and alightings by bus stop and result in improved service performance. In addition, they also can