Redesigning Downtown Transit & Redesigning Downtown Transit - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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. Support Local Development Goals 3. Support Local Development Goals 4. Develop a Fundable Project

Recommendations

Redesigning Downtown Transit

1. New Transit Centers B S i Ch

g g

• 2. Bus Service Changes
• 3. Transit Emphasis Corridors

4 Superstops

• 4. Superstops

New Transit Centers

Providence Station Intermodal Transit Center

• Direct bus/ rail connection
• Station is 3rd busiest in MBTA

system 14th busiest for Amtrak system, 14th 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 th St St ti (D )

• South St. Station (Dynamo)
• Growing institutions
• Potential joint development
• pportunity as part of future
• pportunity 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 d d KP, but are extended to terminate at new downtown transit center

• Direct service to more

locations

F l # f t i

• For example, # of routes serving

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 k id in key corridors:

– 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

• f 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

M t Cit l f i d i

• Meet City goals for mixed uses in

Kennedy Plaza

RIPTA Rider Benefits

• Daily downtown bus ridership would increase by 3,0 0 0 (7%)

th t d ( %) b Thi i lt

• ver the near-term and 4,50 0 (10 %) by 20 30 . This is a result
• f:
• 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 percent in 20 30 ; p 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 id P k ld b li i t d Burnside Park could be eliminated, 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

• f 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 d t k i t  LINK area road network improvements  Providence Station Improvements  Thayer St. Superstop

 i  New Downtown Transit Centers  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

ti connections

• Increases the effectiveness and attractiveness of RIPTA services, increasing support for

related improvements through the state