Redesigning Downtown Transit & Redesigning Downtown Transit & the Providence Station Transit Center: Improved Mobility, Improved Economy
Background & Need Why is Project Needed? Dow ntow n Providence is expanding. Key activity centers no longer all located around Kennedy Plaza. RIPTA ridership up 11% over last three years, and on track to be up 5% in 2014 Passenger crow ding at Kennedy Plaza Grow ing rail ridership Project Goals: 1. Improve Service/ Attract New Riders 2. Address KP Operational Constraints/ Increase Capacity 3. 3. Support Local Development Goals Support Local Development Goals 4. Develop a Fundable Project
Recommendations Redesigning Downtown Transit g g 1. New Transit Centers 2. Bus Service Changes B S i Ch 3. Transit Emphasis Corridors 4 4. Superstops Superstops
New Transit Centers Providence Station Intermodal Transit Center • Direct bus/ rail connection • Station is 3 rd busiest in MBTA system 14 th busiest for Amtrak system, 14 th busiest for Amtrak • Ridership expected to triple or quadruple by 2040 with enhanced high speed rail enhanced high speed rail • Opportunity for joint development / private partner with increased parking (current with increased parking (current parking fills by 6:30 AM) • Potential intrastate rail shuttle coordination with buses coordination with buses
New Transit Centers Courthouse Transit Center • Relatively little RIPTA service in the area today (only 2 routes) • Serves existing activity centers g y Brown Med/ BioMed campus Johnson & Wales Garrahy Courthouse Garrahy Courthouse • Area targeted for growth LINK/ I-195 parcels S South St. Station (Dynamo) th St St ti (D ) Growing institutions • Potential joint development opportunity as part of future opportunity as part of future parking garage
Kennedy Plaza Today 40,000+ daily boardings 40,000+ daily boardings and alightings Operational challenges Fall 2014 Fall 2014 Improved Plaza area New berths around Burnside Park Future Focus on central plaza
Improve Bus Service • All routes continue to serve KP b KP, but are extended to d d terminate at new downtown transit center • Direct service to more locations • F For example, # of routes serving l # f t i Providence Station (within walking distance of State offices) would increase from 5 to 25 • Fewer transfers • Faster travel times • More convenient connections
Transit Emphasis Corridors Downtown bus service focused i in key corridors: k id – Washington Street – Exchange Street – College Hill Tunnel – Dorrance/ Richm ond Streets Very frequent service, every 1 to 5 minutes Frequent service between Frequent service between Providence Station and the LINK/ Jewelry District Signal priority and other measures to improve the flow measures to improve the flow of buses Easier to “find transit” Ability to make connections y and transfers at more locations
Superstops Superstops created along Transit Emphasis Corridors Passenger amenities similar to planned R-Line: – Larger waiting area, with attractive shelter and seating – Good lighting and signage designating the stop Good lighting and signage designating the stop – Real time information displays and system map – Removal of parking, street poles and other obstructions Other downtown stops consolidated to speed service Other downtown stops consolidated to speed service
What are the Benefits? • Improved Transit Service • For Existing RIPTA Riders • New Riders • Easier Intermodal connections • Improvements at Kennedy Plaza • Operational environment • Passenger environment • Local Economic Development • Serve targeted development areas • Meet City goals for mixed uses in M t Cit l f i d i Kennedy Plaza
RIPTA Rider Benefits • Daily downtown bus ridership would increase by 3,0 0 0 (7%) over the near-term and 4,50 0 (10 %) by 20 30 . This is a result th t d ( %) b Thi i lt of: • Faster, more direct service • • Easier/ direct intermodal connections Easier/ direct intermodal connections • Better passenger amenities • Transit Emphasis Corridors/ Superstops supplement transit access • Walk times to major downtown activity centers cut in half Walk times to major downtown activity centers cut in half • The num ber of residents directly served by RIPTA would increase up to 71 percent based on 20 10 population and 55 p percent in 20 30 ; 3 ; • The num ber of jobs directly served by RIPTA would increase up to 30 percent based on 20 10 em ploym ent and 38 percent in 20 30 ; • New transit centers would provide capacity to add more RIPTA service as needed (and funded)
Benefits at Kennedy Plaza • Improved bus service shifts much passenger activity to new locations (and passenger activity to new locations (and eliminates many transfers) • KP passenger volumes reduced by 27% • Helps resolve operational and Helps resolve operational and crowding challenges • KP bus berth requirements significantly reduced • Bus layovers shifted to new centers • Cumulative “bus berthing” time reduced by 31% • Following full implementation of new transit centers and associated service changes, bus berths around B Burnside Park could be eliminated, id P k ld b li i t d focusing future service on attractive bus hub around central plaza
Local Development Benefits • Enhanced transit supports continued development in Capital Center and improves connection to new growth areas in the Link (I-195 District) • Potential for private investment leveraged by public funds • Employment concentrations & • Employment concentrations & residences connected to commerce • Supports continued growth of rail market and potential future extension of streetcar to train station • Supportive of City goal to transform pp y g KP into a vibrant mixed-use space
Part of a bigger picture RIPTA COA Service Improvements RIPTA R Line Rapid Bus RIPTA R-Line Rapid Bus Kennedy Plaza Redesign Providence Bike Share program LINK LINK area road network improvements d t k i t Providence Station Improvements Thayer St. Superstop New Downtown Transit Centers i Transit Em phasis Corridors Superstops p p Commuter Rail market expansion Providence Streetcar Amtrak Hi-Speed Rail improvements Amtrak Hi Speed Rail improvements Garrahy Parking Garage
Costs & Funding Operational costs: plus $3.8 M/ year – Reflects added bus miles staff at new centers Reflects added bus miles, staff at new centers – Does not include other RIPTA needs Capital costs: $27.2 M – Bus elements at Providence Station: $15 M – Courthouse Station: $6 0M Courthouse Station: $6.0M – Additional RIPTA Buses: $5.0M – Related Downtown Improvements: $1.2 M Potential funding partnerships – Providence Station could be partnership between RIPTA, RIDOT, and Amtrak, with opportunities with adjacent private development – Courthouse Station could be part of development of a new parking garage. As stated in Special Legislative Commission report: “ Conceptually, the Garrahy site could support RIPTA transit services in several w ays, w hether w ithin the structure itself and/ or at adjacent curbside stops ” – Strong levels of support from City and other stakeholders
Summary Good for Transit • Benefits RIPTA, Commuter Rail and Amtrak riders / Attracts new riders Benefits RIPTA, Commuter Rail and Amtrak riders / Attracts new riders • Addresses growing challenges at Kennedy Plaza • Provides for future bus and rail growth • Co-location of bus and rail facilities Good for Downtown Providence Good for Downtown Providence • Enhances transit access for downtown residents, workers, and visitors • Supports continued downtown residential growth, and makes “car-free” living possible • Targets public transit investments near targeted development parcels • Supports desired mixed-use activities in Kennedy Plaza Good for Rhode Island • Makes transit a more viable, attractive alternative for getting to/ around Providence • Reduces reliance on automobile and traffic congestion; improves air quality Reduces reliance on automobile and traffic congestion; improves air quality • Connects rail station to LINK/ Jewelry District and provides “last mile” connection for rail commuters, business travelers and visitors • Supports convention business and tourism activities with easy airport/ rail/ city connections ti • Increases the effectiveness and attractiveness of RIPTA services, increasing support for related improvements through the state
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