City of Wilsonville Transit Master Plan
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City of Wilsonville Transit Master Plan CONVENIENCE SAFETY RELIABILITY EFFICIENCY FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY FRIENDLY SERVICE EQUITY & ACCESS ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY JUNE 2017 Acknowledgements The City of Wilsonville would like to acknowledge the following for their dedication to the development of this Transit Master Plan. Their insight and outlook toward the future of this City helped create a comprehensive plan that represents the needs of employers, residents and visitors of Wilsonville. Transit Master Plan Task Force Planning Commission Julie Fitzgerald, Chair* Jerry Greenfield, Chair Kristin Akervall Eric Postma, Vice Chair Caroline Berry Al Levit Paul Diller Phyllis Millan Lynnda Hale Peter Hurley Barb Leisy Simon Springall Peter Rapley Kamran Mesbah Pat Rehberg Jean Tsokos City Staff Stephanie Yager Dwight Brashear, Transit Director Eric Loomis, Operations Manager City Council Scott Simonton, Fleet Manager Tim Knapp, Mayor Gregg Johansen, Transit Field Supervisor Scott Star, President Patrick Edwards, Transit Field Supervisor Kristin Akervall Nicole Hendrix, Transit Management Analyst Charlotte Lehan Michelle Marston, Transit Program Coordinator Susie Stevens Brad Dillingham, Transit Planning Intern Julie Fitzgerald* Chris Neamtzu, Planning Director Charlie Tso, Assistant Planner Consultants Susan Cole, Finance Director Jarrett Walker Keith Katko, Finance Operations Manager Michelle Poyourow Tami Bergeron, Planning Administration Assistant Christian L Watchie Amanda Guile-Hinman, Assistant City Attorney Ellen Teninty Stephan Lashbrook, Transit Director* Shannon Ladner Jen Massa Smith, Program Manager** Steve Allen, Operations Manager* *Retired **Former staff Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3 Overview SMART Existing Services Wilsonville Community Profile and Characteristics Public Involvement ................................................................................................ 18 Phases of Public Involvement Process Forms of Outreach Transit Demand ...................................................................................................... 26 Planning for Future Transit Demand Factors Likely to Affect Transit Demand Funding Sources and Expenditures ................................................................. 30 Revenue Expenditures Service Increases and Potential Revenue Sources Conclusion Recommended SMART Service .......................................................................... 37 Proposed Routes Transportation Options Goals and Implementation Measures .............................................................. 62 Increasing Public Knowledge of Transit Improving Service Quality Improving Access to Transit Service Expansion Increasing Efficiency and Improving Air Quality Creating a Sense of Community Ownership Appendices ............................................................................................................... 78 A. Glossary B. Route Priorities C. Title VI Program D. Planning Framework E. Neighborhood Characteristics F. TMP Public Outreach Summary Executive Summary Public transit has always been at the forefront of shaping the personality and image of some of this country’s greatest cities. The first and most notable modes of public transit include the Staten Island Ferry, which began operating in 1817 and remains operational to this day, the cable cars of San Francisco, the New York subway system and the elevated train in Chicago, affectionately referred to as the “L”, which began operating in 1895 and is considered this country’s first rapid transit system. So what does all this mean for the City of Wilsonville and what role will the Transit Master Plan play in helping to shape the City of Wilsonville’s future? These questions are both relevant and timely, and they are questions that the Transit Master Plan seeks to address in specific detail. The City of Wilsonville, like most thriving cities and not at all surprisingly, finds itself at a bit of a crossroads. Rapid growth coupled with a desire to maintain a high quality of life for its residents, commuters and visitors has delivered the City of Wilsonville to an intersection; the very same intersection that has produced many great cities. It is important to stress that a crossroad in and of itself is not necessarily a situation to be feared. However, deciding which direction to travel, how that travel will be accomplished and when traveling will be most advantageous to make for a successful journey are all critical components of the directional decision making process. The good news is that the City of Wilsonville was and continues to be forward thinking. The magnificent architects of the City’s design knew that developing, maintaining and providing mobility options was/is crucial to the sustainable success of any vibrant city, of which the City of Wilsonville unquestionably qualifies. Convinced that “necessity is the mother invention” the leaders of the City of Wilsonville created the South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART). SMART was developed with the mission of providing safe, reliable and cost effective public transit, and after almost three decades of proudly delivering on this mission, SMART finds itself in good health, well liked, well respected, and most importantly, ready to face the future. So where does SMART go from here? The Transit Master Plan holds the key. Developed by the SMART team with valuable input and cooperation from City staff, a citizen task force, the public, the Mayor and City Council, the Planning Commission and the business community by way of the Wilsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Transit Master Plan will serve as a beacon of hope and promise, guiding our decisions while ensuring that SMART always remains true its core mission. To that end, SMART is pleased to present its new multiyear Transit Master Plan. This comprehensive plan is a view into the future and is dedicated to all those who live, work, play or do business in the City of Wilsonville. We have taken great care to ensure that everyone wishing to be heard was in fact heard. Furthermore, we believe it to be imperative that the Transit Master Plan address the needs of all, inclusive of individuals and businesses. SMART understands and appreciates that it is the local business community that makes it possible for SMART to provide mobility options to thousands annually. SMART also understands Wilsonville Transit Master Plan Page 1 and believes that our transit goals can only be achieved through a collaborative effort between all that desire the City of Wilsonville to take its rightful place as one of this country’s most livable cities. In closing, it is our sincere hope that the reader will find the Transit Master Plan to be lucid and well organized. In addition, we are mindful that the only consistent thing in life is change, so we welcome and encourage your input, feedback and questions, not only today or tomorrow but each and every day as we seek to deliver on our promise to all of you. Respectfully, South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) Wilsonville Transit Master Plan Page 2 Introduction Overview South Metro Area Regional Transit Situated on Interstate-5 between Portland and Salem, Wilsonville serves as a transportation hub and has established itself as an important employment center in the Portland metropolitan area. With employment figures almost equal to the City’s population, large numbers of employees commute to jobs in Wilsonville from Portland, Salem, Sherwood, Gresham, Vancouver, and many other locations. To aid in the movement of Wilsonville’s employees, residents and visitors South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART), a department of the City of Wilsonville, provides fixed-route service within the City and connecting service to Canby, Tualatin, Salem, and Portland. SMART also provides an extensive demand-response system (Dial-a-Ride) with priority to ADA-qualified riders, transporting elderly and disabled riders to out-of-town medical appointments. In addition to fixed-route service, SMART provides businesses, residents and visitors of Wilsonville with the resources to participate in various transportation options such as vanpooling, carpooling, bicycling, walking, and telework through the SMART Options Program. This program promotes a robust set of travel options to provide the freedom and choice for people to travel while reducing the amount of single-occupancy vehicles on the road. In order to ensure equitable access, coordinated transit services and enhance regional mobility of transit programs and projects, SMART works cooperatively with state and regional partners, including Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), TriMet, Cherriots, Canby Area Transit (CAT), Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties, and Portland Metro. The value of SMART’s services is greatly increased by being well connected with other transportation networks which include neighboring transit systems and bicycle and pedestrian networks. These connections increase the level of choice and overall mobility for people in and around Wilsonville, whether they are traveling to jobs, school, shopping, parks, or recreational events. Wilsonville Transit Master Plan Page 3 SMART History Prior to 1989, transit service in Wilsonville was provided by the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation