Inventory of Existing Transportation Systems
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INVENTORY OF EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 1) TRANSIT SYSTEMS Residents in the urbanized areas of the eastern portions of Winnebago County are served by two major Transit systems with a combined total of 26 routes, as shown on Maps 1 and 2. The Neenah-Menasha area is served by Valley Transit, while the Oshkosh area is served by the Oshkosh Transit System. Valley Transit Service Valley Transit is owned and operated by the City of Appleton, and funded by the State and Federal Government as well as local communities that obtain service. Some buses run from 5:45 am, with most routes starting at 6:15 am. Most bus routes operate until about 10:30 p.m. The bus fare is typically $1.50, but can be cheaper if ten-ride tickets ($13.00) are purchased. Senior Citizens and the Disabled can get a ten-ride ticket for $7.50. Special groups rates for children are also available. Day passes, which allow unlimited rides on the day issued, are available for $4.00. Lift-equipped buses are available on the regular Valley Transit fixed routes. The lift service gives passengers who have difficulty using the steps a safe and easy way to get on board. In addition, some individuals with severe disabilities may require an attendant for assistance when riding the bus. These necessary care attendants may ride free. Valley Transit operates 16 bus routes, serving most of the Fox Valley communities. More specifically, four routes serve the City of Neenah, City of Menasha, and Town of Menasha (Map 1). Number 30 is a one-hour route that goes from Downtown Neenah to Downtown Appleton, and then returns to Neenah. This route follows Appleton Road through the City of Menasha, meandering east and west along major streets, and Commercial Street in the City of Neenah. This route operates evening service as well. Another bus stays in Neenah all day, with alternating routes (31E and 31W) on the east and west sides of the City being served by the same bus. These two routes come and go from a Downtown Neenah transfer point every half-hour, although no evening service is provided. Route 40 comes and goes from Downtown Neenah to the Fox River Mall. This one-hour route follows Winneconne Avenue to Green Bay Road, then meanders through the Town of Menasha into the Town of Grand Chute, where it follows Nicolet Drive to the Fox River Mall. This route does not operate in the evening. The fourth route (Number 11) circles through the northeast corner of the Town of Menasha and City of Appleton, going as far south as Midway Drive and as far west as Appleton Road. It operates every half-hour, including evening service. 13 Oshkosh Transit System The Oshkosh Transit System is owned and operated by the City of Oshkosh. The system has nine (9) routes, with buses running from 6:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Routes run as far north as County Road Y, providing access to the Winnebago County Fairgrounds and County Park, and as far south as W. 20th Street. Route 9 extends west into the Town of Algoma, as far as Oakwood Road (Map 1). The route fee is typically $.50, which is one of the lowest in the State. A monthly pass for unlimited rides is available for $15.00. Punch passes and tokens can also be purchased for convenience. A tripper service is also offered by Oshkosh Transit during the school year. Three additional buses are put into service on regular bus routes in the afternoon to expedite getting students home from school. Like Valley Transit, the Oshkosh Transit System also provides lift service on all regular routes. Senior Citizens and Disabled passengers are also eligible for the half-fare program. Passengers need to show an ADA card or Dial-A-Ride card to take advantage of this reduced rate. Oshkosh-Neenah Route On December 4, 2000, the Oshkosh Transit System began a bus route that connects Oshkosh to Neenah, which also connects routes operated by the Oshkosh Transit System and Valley Transit system (Map 1). This route was funded with “Access to Jobs” funds. The route follows Jackson Street, then follows U.S. Highway 41, exiting on Winneconne Avenue. On its way back, the route follows Commercial Street to Bell Street, west on Bell Street, and then onto U.S. Highway 41, exiting onto Jackson Street, and returning to Oshkosh. Service for this route is 5:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. The cash fare is $1.50 per person for this route, and transfers onto the other Transit system is possible. This route was designed to open the door for expanded employment opportunities, cultural and shopping opportunities for residents, and visitors to both urban areas. 14 15 2) TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Services Offered by Transit Systems Along with the fixed bus routes, both Valley Transit and Oshkosh Transit systems, as well as other agencies in the Oshkosh area, provide 11 different paratransit services, available for passengers for whom using the fixed-route service is impossible. Americans with Disabilities Act require the bulk of this service. The service offered by Valley Transit is called Valley Transit II, which is under contract to Kobussen Buses Ltd. Services offered through the Oshkosh Transit System, or related agencies in the Oshkosh area that offer Paratransit Services, are as follows: Cabulance If riders in the Oshkosh system cannot be accommodated on the bus system, Oshkosh Cabulance is available. Cabulance offers lift equipped van service through the Cab Company. Van-assisted door through door service can be available for qualified disabled individuals within the City of Oshkosh, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those who desire this service are required to contact the Oshkosh Red Cross office for certification. Dial A Ride This program is a subsidized taxi service for qualified elderly and disabled individuals available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Seniors must get an identification card, at no charge, from the Oshkosh Seniors Center. This enables Senior Citizens to call the cab company directly for the reduced fee ride. Disabled individuals should contact the American Red Cross office in Oshkosh for certification. Rural Transportation Over 60 This subsidized taxi and van service is provided to rural Winnebago County residents 60 or older. Residents can call 24 hours per day, seven days a week for service, and are eligible for ten (10) one-way trips each month. The driver could request proof of age. Cost is $4.00 per one-way trip for residents who live in townships that contribute to the program or $8.00 for residents who live in townships that do not contribute. Rural Transportation Under 60 This subsidized taxi and van service is provided to disabled rural Winnebago County residents. Residents can call 24 hours per day, seven days a week for service, and are eligible for ten (10) one-way trips each month. Application for individuals under 60 years old and not within the cities are required to apply for certification at the Oshkosh 16 Red Cross Office. Cost is $4.00 per one-way trip for residents who live in townships that contribute to the program or $8.00 for residents who live in townships that do not contribute. Inter-City Transportation For Medical Appointments Volunteers using Red Cross vans provide inter-city transportation for medical appointments. This program is available to Oshkosh residents who have medical appointments in another city within Wisconsin and do not qualify for any other program. The cost is a donation based on the location of the appointment. Advocap This subsidized taxi and van service is provided to elderly and disabled residents of Oshkosh. It will allow residents to travel to Elderly Nutrition Sites during the site's hours of operation for a cost of $1.00 per one-way ride. Lakeside Packaging Plus, Inc. This provides transportation within Oshkosh to worksites for disabled adults. Service is provided Monday through Friday. Zion Eldercare This program provides transportation service to the elderly and handicapped from their homes to day care for adult sites in Oshkosh. W2 Demand Response With funds provided by an “Access to Jobs” Grant, certified individuals are provided a cab or van ride for the purposes associated with work and childcare for a cost of $1.00 per one-way ride. Other Paratransit Service Found Throughout the County Northern Winnebago Dial-A-Ride (includes Cities of Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, and Town of Menasha in Winnebago County). This reduced fare service is for taxi service for individuals 60 years old and over. Interested parties can call the Heritage homes for information and certification, or Lamers Cab for service. 17 3) RECREATION TRAILS & BIKE ROUTES Introduction The issue of trails and paths throughout the County is becoming more important as an alternate transportation mode and as a recreational amenity. This is due to the realization that exercise is important to health, and that walking, roller blading, bicycling, cross- country skiing, snowmobiling and other methods of exercise can all be done on trails. To accommodate this growing interest, private groups that want to promote trail development are becoming very popular. All forms of Government (Towns, Villages, Cities, County and State) are becoming interested in the promotion of trails. The State of Wisconsin recently came out with a draft of a “State Trails Network Plan,” published in August, 2000, and available over the internet. Groups and governmental agencies are finding that the acquisition, dedication, or official mapping of trails is a very difficult process in existing neighborhoods, and therefore there is a critical need for advance planning of trail locations in future growth areas.