Our Mission
• Provide an on-line resource for decision makers
• Raise awareness about mass transit issues and Transit Now Nashville
• Make the financial case for providing mass transit in Nashville
Our Goals
Transit Now is a grassroots organization with a mission to promote mass transit options and raise awareness of its benefits for the people living in the Greater Nashville Area.
www.transitnownashville.org
Mar. 18th
CityTHINK
• Encouraging Ridership
• Downtown Circulator
• Review of the past transit study
• Research in Peer Cities
•Wrap up session – Q&A
Presentation Outline
Precedence ResearchNashville Civic Design Center: The Plan of Nashville
Cumberland Region Tomorrow
Urban Land Institute - Infrastructure 2008
Nashville Area MPO studies
TDOT PlanGo and Nashville’s Downtown Transportation Plan
Nashville MTA – Strategic Master Plan
Nashville’s Transit History
Source: www.historicnashville.com
Downtown Circulator
Downtown Circulator
Downtown Circulator
Downtown Circulator
Fosters More Livable Communities
• Transit impacts land use
• Transit can stimulate development location & type
• We need effective with policies and actions that promote TODs
Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/ Source: prairiecrossing.com
Boosts Real Estate Values
• Real estate – residential and commercial – served by public transportation can command higher rents and maintain higher value than similar properties not as well served by transit.
Many examples include:– Dallas– Denver– San Diego
Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/
Stimulates Economic Development
• $10 million in capital investment yields $30 million in increased sales, while each $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million
• Every $1 taxpayers invest in public transportation generates up to $6 in economic returns
• And transit creates and sustains jobs – 47,500 for each billion dollars invested—and yields a six-fold return on public investments
Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/
By the year 2025, 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 and over and many will be unable to drive.
One fifth of person 65 and older do not drive.
Provides Mobility for Seniors
Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/
Americans Want More Transit
Public Transit Ridership Set a 52-Year High in 2008
In Nov 2008, voters in 16 states approved 74% of public transit-related ballot measures despite the economic conditions
Image source: www.rideuta.com
Supporting MTA
• A Voice in the Community• Awareness of MTA Needs and Goals• Research and Best Practices
What We Know
45% Increase in Ridership Since 2002
More Transit, More Options!
Priorities
Improving the Image of Transit
MarketingHow-to-Use-Transit TrainingEnhanced Amenities
Encouraging Ridership
• How-to Films• Video Contests• “Man on the Street”• User-generated Content
Transit Week
What’s In It For Me?
• Environmental Impact• Economic Benefits• Ease and Convenience
Challenges
• Intimidated/First-time Users• Socioeconomic• Convenience
Downtown Circulator
• Making Connections– Land Use
• Civic– Municipal Buildings– Parks and Greenways– Transportation Nodes
• Commercial– Retail– Office– Hotels / Convention Centers– Entertainment
• Residential– Condos– Apartment Buildings– Town homes
MTA Circulator Concept
titleDowntown Circulator
• Two Types of Circulators– Inner City
• Downtown Connections• Civic Nodes• Business Districts• Entertainment• Medical Districts
– Inner Neighborhood • Civic Nodes• Business Districts• Entertainment• Inner Ring Neighborhoods
Insert Image
titleDowntown Circulator
• Strategies – Branding (Highly Visible)– High Frequency– Dependable– Connect to existing Transit
Downtown Circulator
THE GREEN LINE
titleDowntown Circulator
• Phasing– Phase I – Bus Shuttles– Phase II – Light Rail Connector– Phase III – Light Rail System
Downtown Circulator
Downtown Circulator
April Urban Design Forum
“The Downtown Circulator - Part II”Thursday, April 16th 5:30 – 7:00 PM
The Plan
Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents
Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Metro Square
Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Metro Square
Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Public Square
Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: MTA Transfer Hub
Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Clement Landport
Policy 9: Implementation Phase IComponents: Trolleys
Peer Cities
• Criteria for comparison may include:– Population– Density– Industries and Employment– Attractions– Geography– Government
Downtown Circulators
• The gap between regional and on foot transit options:– Can be bus, street car or light rail in form– Functions as the connection between regional
and commuter transit hub to destination areas
Jacksonville
• Circulator served by trolleys and skyway
Jacksonville
• Trolley System– Three free routes– One route connects downtown to a nearby
neighborhood with midday service for 50 cents a ride.
– Free summertime trolley to nearby beaches
Jacksonville
• Skyway System– An automated monorail system with trains
stopping at stations every 3 minutes during peak periods and every 6 minutes at other times
– Interconnected with free trolley service– Will connect to BRT lines – Offer low cost Park-N-Ride facilities for
commuters and visitors
Louisville
• Bus and Trolley service similar to Nashville
Louisville
• How their Circulator works– Historic replica rubber tire trolleys on two main
routes: – Trolley runs every 12-15 minutes weekdays– Runs every 12-20 minutes on Saturday– Route hours vary; some evening service
Louisville
• Details– Fare is 50 cents – Trolley stops are clearly marked– Free trolley service for their First Friday art
crawl and their Last Friday tour of Frankfort Avenue restaurants, art galleries and shops
– Connection service to traditional bus circulators.
Raleigh-Durham Triangle
• Recent report [May 2008] recommends:– Enhanced Local & Regional Bus Network– Circulators
• Airport to business and convention center districts• Downtown Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill & Cary
Raleigh-Durham Triangle
• Recent report [May 2008] recommends:– Heavy Rail [Diesel Multiple Unit]
• Between cities using existing railroad ROW– Light Rail
• Between Chapel Hill to Durham
Raleigh-Durham Triangle
• How it works– Historic replica rubber tire trolleys on two main
routes: – Trolley runs every 12-15 minutes weekdays– Runs every 12-20 minutes on Saturday– Route hours vary; some evening service
Other Cities to Consider
• Portland– Multimodal
• Denver– Free downtown shuttle– Linked to light rail & commuter rail
• Tampa– Trolley and light rail– Funded by TIF (discounted fare for residents in TIF
zone)
Best Practices
• Links to other modes• Free service in core• Easy to use• Parking opportunities• Attractive
Best Practices
• High frequency• Connections to nearby neighborhoods• Evening & weekend service• Special event service• Serve residents, tourists, & employees
Wrap up Session - Q&A
Weekly Meetings NCDC 11:30-1pm
Transit Week 13-19th