The Manchester Transit Authority is getting a major overhaul.
In response to growing ridership and a study of its operations, the MTA is replacing much of its fleet and changing some of its routes.
NHPR Correspondent Debra Daigle reports.
Report begins w/nat sound of Moe the bus driver
Manchester bus driver Moe Lemieux handles the Pinard/Bremer Street route from downtown to the city’s west side.
But even during afternoon rush hour – one of the busiest times of day – his 40 foot-long bus is nearly empty.
(maybe bring up more nat sound here)
That’s why a new study, commissioned for the Manchester Transit Authority, recommends that route be dropped from Manchester’s 13-route system.
MTA Exec. Dir. David Smith says that’s one of many recommendations to improve transit service.
He says, the way things are now, it just takes too long to get from one part of the city to another.
“Many of our routes operate on loop fashion. They’re a combination of two routes that used to exist, and now the bus goes in a circle. So rather than operating two buses, you can do it with one bus. The coverage is retained in doing so, but it provides very poor service for anyone living on that (route) because at least going in that one direction, the ride is very long.†:20
Smith says the system is looking for ways to shorten the trips and make them more attractive to riders.
David Preece is Exec. Director of the Southern NH Planning Commission – which paid for the MTA study.
He says streamlining the routes will make bus service faster and more reliable.
“Won’t take you an hour to go one distance. What we’re hoping to do is shorten the time it takes the transit rider…so it becomes a reliable, feasible way of getting around. :13
The MTA's Dave Smith says even without the proposed changes, ridership has increased 12 percent since 2001.
The system now serves well over 420,000 passengers a year.
And Smith says nearly half of those riders commute to full-time jobs.
(pause – maybe bring up some nat. sound of bus)
In addition to changing some routes, the MTA is in the process of buying new buses.
They're slightly smaller than the old ones, but Smith says they can handle the ridership.
And they do have other benefits.
“These buses have the latest pollution control technology, the latest power and engine technology…and also they are very accessible, very customer-friendly.†:11
And Kathy Brockett – with the Dept. of Environmental Services – says Manchester is on the right track.
“Newer buses, beginning in model year 2007, are much cleaner as a result of federal standards…emissions standards that take effect in 2007…but will basically result in about a 90% reduction in emissions.†:14
And Driver Moe Lemieux says the new buses are far superior when it comes to serving people with disabilities– because they're low to the ground.
“Doesn’t require us going to the back of the bus, and sending a ramp down, then lifting it up, securing it and so forth…it cuts the time in half.†:07
The MTA is purchasing twelve new buses over the next two years.
The buses cost around 276-thousand dollars each.
But Federal Transportation funds pay for 80% of that cost.
Southern NH Planning Commission’s Dave Preece says it’s vital to improve Manchester’s Transit system, to keep pace with the region’s growing economy.
“If you’re looking to attract new corporations and firms and businesses into a community, one of the things they look at is whether or not you have a transit service…and whether that service is running effectively and efficiently.â€
Public hearings on the MTA study recommendations are scheduled to start in September.
Changes are slated to take place in about six months.
For NHPR News, I’m DD, in Manchester.
