Minutes 08/13/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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268 August 13, 1979 79-288 - Public Hearing on changes to the Transit Service Program: The following presentation was made by the City Manager: "Changes to the City's current Transit Service Plan (TSP 79-1)~ and to transit routes 41(Cradock/Gilmerton), 43(Deep Cre~/WeSthaven~ and 42(West Norfolk/Churchland) in.particular have been recommended. Service changes on routes 411 and 43 were precipitated by rec~nt actio of the City of Chesapeake who shares these one-bus routes with Portsmouth. Since Chesapeake elected to discontinue fixed route bus service on their portions of these two routes, Ports- mouth Was left ~ith the decision of maintaining existing service at a slightly higher cost or increasing service on both routes using Chesapeake's existing service time in Portsmouth. This office has elected to recommend a modified version of the latter alternative, and the key points to our reCommendations are described below: Cradock/Gilmerton~ - fxtend the Cradock route along Victory Boulevard to Deep Creek Boulevard and then east to Greenwood Drive to Gosport Homes and then back to George Washington Highway and east to downtown. Increase service from every 90 minutes to 60 minutes. On the Deep Creek/Gr~em~ood Drive portion of the route, service will be increased from every 135 minutes to every 60 minutes. These changes represent a substantial increase in service for both areas. Deep Creek/Westhaven - ~his route will be discontinued. The Deep Creek' portion will be adequately serviced by the expanded Cradock route, and the Westhaven portion will be interlocked with the new Cradock route. Also, this will increase service in the West~aven area from every 135 minutes to every 60 minutes, representing a significant increase in service to the Westhaven area also. West Norfolk/Churchland - This route which has been operating on an experimental basis will be continued as regular service. There will be no service or schedule changes made at this time. This satisfies the City's obligation to provide pedestrian access across the new Western Free- way Bridge and also, provides service to the northern area of Churchland which has not been served by public transit'for several years. These three service increases represent a significant reversal of past actions which have reduced transit service because of spiraling increased cost of operations and declining rider- ship. This policy reversal at this time is recommended for se¥~l reasons. First, inflation and a growing energy problem has reversed the ridership declin~ which is now maintaining an increase curve comparable to that of cost increases. This ridership in- crease is occurring despite less than minimal service being provided in many areas. Secondly, the neighborhoods involved are near enough to the City's major employment areas and the tunnel bus routes that distance and time faCtors do not compare that unfavorably with the automobile, and of course, the public transit cost is significantly lower than that of th~ automobile. Finally, TTDC's bus renewal program is finally becoming evident as more and more new, attractive and climate controlled buses appear on city streets. It'is felt that this program will now be reasonably attractive to those people more concerned about the comforts of public transit. For all of the above reasons it ~as felt that a return to acceptable levels of urban public transit was desirable. Hopefully, all of these factors will collectively increase ridership substantially, thus adding further incentive to make additional energy saving public transportation improvements. These recommendations have been worked out cooperatively with the staff of Tidewater Transportation District Commission who's assistance has proven most valuable during all of our considerations. We are grateful for the Commission's assistance. The Commission along with the City Planning Commission has reviewed the proposed changes and concurs in their imple- mentation. Tentative plans are to effect the recommended changes during the first week in September. Therefore, Council's action on the proposed changes during the August .~13, 1979 Public hearing would be most helpful." The following letter was received from the Planning Commission: "At its regular monthly meeting on August 7, 1979, the City Planning Commission reviewed proposed alterations in our Transit Service Program. The Planning Commission was briefed on ~ alterations in the Cradock and Deep Creek routes prompted by the City of Chesapeake curtail- ment decisions. Combining the Cradock and W~sthaven route w~a~acceptable to the Planning Commission, The Commfssion w~also in favor of continuation of the new experimental route servicing West Norfolk and Merrifields." Gail Kettlewell, 5 Alton Parkway, spoke as an individual regarding buses not running at night, and since some of the residents in that area~depend on the buses, would like to have n~g~t schedule to be considered. Motion of Mr. Early a~d seconded by Mr. ~ray, that the proposal on the Transit Service Program, as presented by the City Manager, to be accepted, and ~as adopted by unanimous vote.