Everett Transit Action Plan Open House and Community Meeting

Transcription

1 Everett Transit Action Plan Open House and Community Meeting Meeting Summary LOCATION OF MEETING: Edward G. Connolly Center, 90 Chelsea Street, Everett, MA DATE/TIME OF MEETING: February 11, 2016, Open House: 5:30 PM 6:30 PM, Presentation and Discussion: 6:30 PM 8:00 PM MassDOT: Scott Hamwey, Office of Transportation Planning Jennifer Slesinger, Project Manager, Office of Transportation Planning MBTA: Tom Quattromani, MBTA Service Planning CONSULTANTS: Dan Berez, Nelson\Nygaard Ralph DeNisco, Nelson\Nygaard Cynthia Lin, Nelson\Nygaard Regan Checchio, Regina Villa Associates Emily Christin, Regina Villa Associates CITY OF EVERETT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS: State Representative Joseph McGonagle Jay Monty, City of Everett Tom Philbin, City of Everett Catherine Rollins, City of Everett PUBLIC ATTENDEES: see Attendance on page 9 PURPOSE: This was the second open house and community meeting for the Everett Transit Action Plan. The project team presented a summary of the alternatives being considered to improve Everett s public transportation. Attendees were asked for feedback on these alternatives, which will help the project team evaluate which alternatives will best meet the project goals. MEETING MATERIALS: PowerPoint presentation (posted on project website) Display boards (posted on project website) Evaluation Criteria Worksheets (see page 8) February 11,

2 FORMAT: The meeting was arranged in an open house format with informational display boards set up around the room. Meeting attendees were encouraged to review the materials, talk to project staff, write comments on post-it notes, and fill out an Evaluation Criteria Worksheet. (See ACTIVITIES AND COMMENTS SUMMARY for more details on activities and feedback received, below.) MassDOT delivered a brief presentation at 6:30 PM followed by a discussion session. The open house format resumed after the presentation/discussion. SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION: Jay Monty, Transportation Planner for the City of Everett, welcomed attendees and introduced the Everett Transit Action Plan. Jennifer Slesinger, MassDOT Project Manager, thanked everyone for attending and reviewed the agenda. Ms. Slesinger explained the project background and objectives. She showed the project timeline and noted that MassDOT will present screened alternatives at the next public meeting based on feedback from this meeting. Ms. Slesinger described that the purpose of the open house was to garner feedback on initial project ideas and get closer to solidifying the full universe of projects that will be under consideration in this plan. She provided an overview of the work done thus far on assessing the existing conditions from data analysis and outreach. Ms. Slesinger asked attendees to share any observations they feel are missing from the data being presented. Ms. Slesinger reviewed the transportation issues and challenges that are facing residents and workers in Everett, such as the lack of direct service to popular destinations. She said that the project staff is not just looking at issues and challenges pertaining specifically to items that the MBTA can address, but also the challenges associated with accessing or using the MBTA that they may not have control over, such as accessing transit or congestion issues. Ms. Slesinger listed the goals of the Everett Transit Action Plan that were voted as most important by attendees at the first public meeting: expand mobility, support economic development, enhance comfort and safety, advance equity, improve health and the environment, and invest strategically. She provided examples of the evaluation criteria that will be used to measure whether the project will meet these goals, and the effectiveness of various alternatives. She noted that the complete chart of goals and draft evaluation criteria is located on one of the meeting display boards (and is posted on the website). Ms. Slesinger discussed the four categories of improvements for the alternatives development: improvements to existing service, new and expanded services, major capital investments, and transit related improvements. She provided examples of each category. Ms. Slesinger noted that these are not February 11,

3 being promoted as the final alternatives for the project, but are samples of the types of improvements the project team is considering. Ms. Slesinger reviewed the next steps for the project, which include screening the alternatives to determine which projects meet minimum requirements based on the evaluation criteria for further consideration. The project team is considering short-, medium-, and long-term strategies in their development. She said the presentation will be posted on the project website, and encouraged attendees to share any further questions and feedback to her or call Ms. Slesinger opened the meeting for questions and comment. DISCUSSION: An attendee asked how the Everett Transit Action Plan s timeline is coordinating with the timeline of the Wynn Casino development, and if the effects of the casino are being considered. Ms. Slesinger and Mr. Monty from the City of Everett said that MassDOT is working very closely with the City of Everett and the Sullivan Square Task Force throughout the process. The project team is definitely considering longterm effects of the casino development in the analysis. Mr. Monty said that Wynn has its own traffic mitigation plan for the City of Everett. An attendee asked what type of mitigation Wynn Casino is planning, and if there is opportunity for Wynn to fund transportation improvements recommended from the Everett Transit Action Plan. Ms. Slesinger and Mr. Monty said that Wynn may fund increased off-peak hours on the Orange Line, shuttle buses for employees to Sullivan Square, and a ferry from South Boston to the casino. Mr. Monty said that Wynn is committed by the State of Massachusetts to these mitigations, and the City of Everett is having its own discussions with Wynn. A participant asked if the City of Everett can request Wynn Casino to fund additional work, such as increased bus service. Mr. Monty said the City is certainly not ruling anything out, and will need to negotiate with the State. Ralph DeNisco, Project Manager for Nelson\Nygaard, commented that the project team is looking to get more specific feedback from stakeholders on the broader potential improvements. An attendee asked if the project team has gone out and asked potential alternatives in addition to existing conditions information. Mr. DeNisco said yes, and the project team is continuing to do so. He said that the project team relies on the public s feedback to know whether they are focusing on the right transit issues. An attendee commented that it can be challenging to obtain objective feedback from the public, because each transit user is going to base their answer on the current services they use, and may not consider other options. February 11,

4 A participant commented that the 97 and 105 bus routes have had increased ridership over the past 30 years, yet service has never been changed. He asked if greater service on those routes can be implemented. Tom Quattromani, MBTA, said that a Service Plan has not been developed for several years, but the MBTA hopes to have another soon. He encouraged people to attend a Service Plan Meeting when they occur and voice their opinion on what services need to be improved, because there are many routes competing for the same funds. He said that the more people who advocate for a certain service, the likelier it will be implemented. He added that signatures on online petitions are considered as well and feedback from processes like this are a significant advantage. Representative McGonagle expressed the importance of funding the MBTA and improving public transit service in Everett. A participant asked what is being done to alleviate the debt on the transportation department from the Big Dig. Rep. McGonagle said he is committed to fight for better transportation funding, and will speak with the participant further after the meeting. An attendee commented that he is against the MBTA cutting late night service and increasing fares. Ms. Slesinger thanked everyone for their comments, and encouraged attendees to participate in the open house activities and share further feedback with project staff. ACTIVITIES SUMMARY: Draft Project Idea Feedback Project idea boards were posted around the room along with accompanying boards with questions. Attendees were encouraged to answer questions specific to each of the project idea boards and submit any additional comments or idea suggestions. Attendees submitted comments on post-it notes and placed them on the question boards adjacent to each idea board. Submitted comments at each project board are included in the tables below: Board 1: Service Improvement: Bus Stops and Street Improvements Which ideas do Are there any ideas Are there any ideas for Are there any ideas related to you like? you don't like bus stop street improvements that we improvements that we are missing? are missing? More buses but Buses and bikes have Queue jumps and dedicated with their own their own lanes bus lanes lane, so they are not all stuck in traffic February 11,

5 More shelters Fewer stops to speed Queue jumps up service Fare machines at Fewer stops is a Off board payment stations bus stops terrible idea should vend/reload/consolidate Faster Boarding Fare machines and (x2) shelters at busy stops Bike Lanes and Bus More focus on three Lanes (on sided bus shelters. 2 Broadway/Main) (x2) sided shelters do not provide enough protection 99 Route MBTA Garage area needs lights to make conditions safer for pedestrians Board 2: Service Improvement: Connect to Silver Line Gateway Which ideas do you Are there any ideas you How would you like to Are there any ideas for like? don't like? access the Silver Line? using the Silver Line Busway that we are missing? Direct service from Extend Silver Line Everett Sq to South Busway to Everett Boston via Silver Line (x2) Run regular and local Extend to Casino routes into the busway and to the silver line Board 3: Service Improvement: Expanded Bus Service Which ideas do Where would you Are there any Are there any Where would you you like? like to see ideas you don t ideas related to most want to see enhanced transit like? expanded bus direct services service in Everett? service that we from Everett? February 11,

6 are missing? Increased access Improved transit Broadway corridor Direct bus line to to/from Sullivan access to High should be a key Harvard Sq./86 Sq. School needed bus route with corridor (x2) expanded headways, late night service and improved service Cross-town routes There are places in Market Basket (x2) linking Everett with no Everett/Chelsea transit service at and others all. Fill in gaps (x2) Route 111 service Somerville/86 in Woodlawn has route been reduced over the years, please explain why Improve reliability on the 104/109 Board 4: Service Improvement: Major Capital Investments and Other Transit Related Improvements Which ideas do you like? Are there any ideas you don t Are there any ideas that we are like? missing? More bike access Streetcar DMUs (From North Station/Saugus Branch) (x2) Better off peak service Ped Connection to Assembly T (weekend/late night) on buses and orange line (x4) Add infill orange line station 2-pronged effort: bring both bus between Wellington and Malden and rail Extension of Silver Line to Rush hour express bus from Everett Everett to downtown Boston Commuter Rail infill station (in Better pedestrian access across Everett/at Sullivan Square) (x2) Route 16 near Main St and Broadway Later service on 97 and 105 (x4) Casino funded transit improvements (x2) Extend Community Strand trail to meet up with Malden River/Medford and Casino February 11,

7 TMA funded shuttle services Most motorists in Everett at rush hour are Everett residents. Consider local travel patterns Evaluation Criteria Worksheet A project goals and evaluation criteria board was presented, which provided an overview of draft project goals and evaluation metrics which will be used to analyze project ideas. The public was encouraged to take part in an evaluation exercise, which consisted of categorizing proposed project ideas in a goals category. This exercise helped to inform the project team whether or not the initial list of project ideas fits the goals identified within the Everett Transit Action Plan. The results of the worksheet are on the next page. February 11,

8 Evaluation Criteria Worksheet Results: PROJECT Improve Health/ Environment Advance Equity Support Economic Development Expand Mobility Enhance Comfort and Safety Invest Strategically Service Improvements: Bus Stops Improved station amenities xxxxxx (6) xxxx (4) xxxxxx (6) xxxxx (5) xxxxxx (6) xxx (3) Off-board payment xx (2) x (1) xxx (3) xxx (3) xxx (3) xxx (3) Better signs & schedules x (1) xx (2) xx (2) xxxx (4) xxx (3) x (1) Real-time information xxxx (4) xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) xxxxxx (6) xxxxx (5) xxxx (4) Service Improvements: Streets Combined bus & bike lanes xxx (3) xx (2) xxx (3) xx (2) xxx (3) xx (2) Dedicated bus lanes on bridges x (1) x (1) x (1) xx (2) x (1) Transit priority signals x (1) x (1) xx (2) xxx (3) x (1) xx (2) Peak direction bus lanes x (1) xx (2) x (1) Expanded Bus Service New direct services from Everett to major destinations xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) xxxxxxx xxxxxx (6) xxxxx (5) xxxxxx (6) Connect Silver Line Gateway Reroute local bus service x (1) xx (2) xx (2) xx (2) x (1) xx (2) Better connection to airport xxx (3) xxx (3) xxxx (4) xxxx (4) xxx (3) xxxx (4) Other: shuttles, x (1) public/private partnerships Additional Improvements Pedestrian and bicycle connections xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) xxxxx (5) Streetscape improvements xxxxx (5) xxxx (4) xxxxx (5) xxx (3) xxxx (4) xxxx (4) Expanded bus service times xxxxx (5) xxxxxx (6) xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx (6) xxxx (4) More frequent bus service xx (2) xxxxx (5) xxxxxx (6) xxxxxx (6) xxxx (4) xxxx (4) Route 99 tolling xxx (3) xxx (3) xxx (3) xx (2) xx (2) xxx (3) Major Capital Investments Extend Silver Line to Everett xxx (3) xxx (3) xxxx (4) xxxx (4) x (1) xx (2) Orange Line Station xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Commuter Rail Station xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx (6) xxxxxxx xxxxxx (6) xxxxxxx February 11,

9 Everett Transit Action Plan Community Open House Attendance from sign in sheet Paul Dalrymple James Dolan Jarod Evenson William Horka Brian W. Isaacs Eunice Kim Jeremy Mendelson Jackie Miller M. Neltiny Kathleen O Brien Katie Rosa David A. Senatillaka Jim Tozza Julia Prange Wallerce February 11,