BUS MAIN --- 1. INTRO --- 2. GOALS BY MUNIC. --- 3. FIXED ROUTE --- 4. FIXED ROUTE GOALS
5. SWEETHART --- 6. SWEETHART GOALS --- 7. MULTIMODAL GOALS
8. ADMIN. GOALS --- 9. CAPITAL PLAN --- 10. INTERCITY BUS --- 11. LINKS

This section presents a summary of the major transit studies completed by HART since 1993. The intent is to provide a perspective of some of the issues and resulting study recommendations that have guided local transit improvements and plans.

The executive summary of a statewide Connecticut bus study completed in 2000 is featured here that includes information on HART and other bus transit services statewide.

1993 AND 1998 BUS
TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PLANS
These studies were prepared by HART and made a number of recommendations with respect to capital, administrative, and service improvements. Many of the recommendations of these studies have been successfully implemented by HART over the years. Some of the more notable recommendations implemented include the following:

- Provision of 30 minute peak fixed route service
- Develop permanent funding source for Danbury-Brewster service
- Provision of evening and Sunday service
- Downtown Danbury trolley service
- Rehabilitation of operations facility at 62 Federal Road
- Rehabilitation of the Kennedy Avenue Pulse Point
- Restoration of Ridgefield fixed route service
- Installation of bicycle racks on buses

NEWTOWN/NEW FAIRFIELD FIXED
ROUTE BUS SERVICE FEASIBILITY PLAN
Prepared in 1993 by HART, this study evaluated the feasibility of fixed route service expansion to New Fairfield and Newtown. Alternate routes and schedules for service to each town were presented with ridership and cost forecasts. The proposed Newtown service is the more viable short term option.


FIXED ROUTE COMPREHENSIVE
OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS STUDIES
Completed in 1995 and 1997 by HART, these studies provided in-depth performance reviews of the fixed route system. For each year's study, databases were developed from ridership surveys completed at least once per year for each daily fixed route trip. These data were used to evaluate system and route efficiency and performance.

WATERBURY EXPRESS
BUS FEASIBILITY STUDY
Completed in 1994, this study evaluated the feasibility of express bus services between Danbury and Waterbury, provided alternate routing and scheduling options, and forecasted ridership and expenses.

The study recommended a plan of action for service start-up and explored opportunities for private-sector participation. Based on the relatively low number of potential passenger trips, their wide distribution and varying shift times, the service has not been implemented at this time.

1994 AND 2000 SWEETHART
OPERATIONAL ANALYSES
These studies, completed in 1994 and 2000, provide an analysis of SweetHART paratransit services performance and policies. The studies identified service trends and problem areas and recommendations for improvement.

1995 COMPLEMENTARY
PARATRANSIT SERVICE PLAN UPDATE
Prepared in 1995, this plan identified the final changes in the areas of policy, procedures and service provision for full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The plan update included implementation of Sunday and holiday reservation hours for ADA-eligible paratransit trips, dispatcher sensitivity training, and computerized paratransit scheduling and dispatching.

We are pleased to state that all milestones were reached by June of 1996, eliminating the need for future plan updates.

MARKET RESEARCH STUDY
This 1995 study employed surveys of fixed route passengers, paratransit passengers, and the general public to evaluate knowledge of HART services, reasons for using or not using them, and opinions regarding HART performance.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TRANSIT STUDY
In 1996, HART, in cooperation with HVCEO, conducted a study on the economic benefits of HART services to the Housatonic Valley Region. Completed in 1997, the study included surveys of passengers, employees, and vendors to determine how the existence of HART services affects the regional economy.

Using sophisticated modeling techniques, it was determined that for each dollar of subsidy invested by regional municipalities, the service generated $9.10 in regional benefits. The study showed HART’s economic benefit to the region exceeded the total of all annual operating and capital subsidies by over $1,000,000.

The results of this study were presented at the national Transportation Research Board meeting in 1998 and published in its journal Transportation Research Record.

ALTERNATIVE TRANSIT FINANCING STUDY
Cost cutting at all levels of government has led to reductions in transit funding. Further, funding for new or expanded services is now very difficult to obtain. In 1997, HART conducted a study to identify opportunities to obtain funding from non-traditional sources.

The study included a survey of other transit systems in Connecticut, a review of past published materials to identify the methods transit systems currently use to generate additional funds and the extent to which these funds impact their budgets.

REPORTS ON GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
In 1997 HART completed the development of a geographic information system (GIS). HVCEO funded the development and procurement of HART's GIS system. Phase I of the procurement began in 1996 with the contracting of the Viggen Corporation (now Iteris, Inc) to perform a needs assessment, recommend and procure hardware and software, and edit HVCEO's base map to eliminate unnecessary or duplicated data that consumed additional memory.

Phase II of the procurement included the creation of additional transit applications and the entry of bus route and bus stop data.

HOUSATONIC REGION TRIP
GENERATION DATA TABLES
Produced by HART in 1999, this research plotted on maps major traffic generators and transit destinations throughout the Housatonic Region. The product was in the format of georeferenced GIS data layers.

Included were major businesses, corporate offices, shopping centers, institutions, condominium complexes, schools, senior housing and recreational and open space lands. A major contribution by HART to the region's data base, this material has wide applicability beyond transit and is now disseminated via the HVCEO web site.

INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY STUDY
In 2000, HART prepared a study to examine the connectivity of transportation resources in the Housatonic Region. The study includes an inventory of providers, discussion of transit facilities, on-time performance analyses, an analysis of transportation connectivity with major employment locations and transfer possibilities between services.

DANBURY BRANCH LINE
SHUTTLE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Prepared by HART in collaboration with MetroPool in 2001, the study examined the potential for shuttles to rail stations, station car programs and employer vanpools from stations to worksites. It provides an analysis of existing transit routes and their relationship to rail schedules, an examination of rail user preferences, case studies of successful connectivity enhancements for rail users and a schedule of recommended enhancements by station.

HVCEO/HART GIS BASE MAP
STREETS LAYER DEVELOPMENT
During the 2001 and 2002 project years, HART completed a review of the entire streets network as mapped on the HVCEO/HART GIS base map. The project identified unmarked and mislabeled streets within the base map. These streets were cross checked with other source data or field verified and provided with the appropriate name information.

HVCEO FREIGHT AND PASSENGER
RAIL WEB-BASED DOCUMENTS
During the 2002 project year, HART prepared documents for the HVCEO web site regarding rail passenger and freight activity in the Housatonic Valley Region. The documents included a summary of the rail passenger improvement plan, an overview of Danbury Branch Line rail stations, rail freight services, discussions of the Danbury Branch and Harlem Lines and a brief history of the rail lines in the Region.

USEFUL TRANSIT LINKS:

COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
CTAA is a national, professional membership association of organizations and individuals committed to removing barriers to isolation and to improving mobility for all people. CTAA conducts research, provides technical assistance, offers educational programs and serves as an advocate in order to make coordinated community transportation available, affordable and accessible.

CT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S
BUREAU OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Bureau is responsible for overall coordination of bus and rail transit as well as ridesharing in the state. The mission of the DOT is to provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation system that meets the mobility needs of its users.

DOT directly funds the majority of the bus and rail passenger services through private operators and transit districts and provides the local match for most capital equipment. The Office of Rail is responsible for the management of the New Haven Line and Shoreline East.

CONNECTICUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
The commission advises and assists the DOT commissioner, the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly on the planning, development and maintenance of adequate rail, bus and motor carrier facilities and rail, bus and other public transportation services, including services for seniors and disabled users. The commission holds public hearings annually throughout the State to evaluate the adequacy of rail, bus, motor carrier and other public transportation facilities.

CONNECTICUT RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL
The Connecticut Rail Commuter Council acts as a liaison between riders and ConnDOT, Metro-North, and Shore Line East railroads and advises the legislature regarding commuter issues. Members are appointed by the state legislature and must be rail users.

CTRIDES.COM
The Connecticut bus and rail transportation system consists of two commuter rail lines, three branch lines, eight CTTRANSIT bus divisions, and fourteen active transit districts. Complementary paratransit services, mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) are provided in all areas with fixed route services. Follow the links to explore options for getting to work, school, shopping, and entertainment destinations.

CT TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY BOARD
In 2001, Public Act 01-5 of the June Special Session “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Transportation Strategy Board” was passed by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Rowland. The Act created a fifteen member permanent Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board (TSB). The TSB makes recommendations on the provision of all modes of transportation to the Governor and General Assembly.

CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION'S
TRANSPORTATION FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES NETWORK
CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported public interest group. The organization works to improve transportation for people living and working in city neighborhoods, suburbs, and rural areas. Its web site features useful links to publications and a transportation advocacy Listserv.

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA)
FTA is responsible for regulation and oversight of public transportation nationally. The agency provides grants and cooperative agreements for operation of transit services and for the purchase of capital equipment. The New England regional office of FTA is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

METROPOOL
MetroPool is a private, non-profit corporation whose primary function is to improve commuter mobility in southwestern Connecticut and the lower Hudson Valley region of New York. MetroPool works with employers, commuters, transit agencies and municipalities, as well as the states of Connecticut and New York, to promote carpooling, vanpooling, train, bus, bicycling, walking, telecommuting, and alternative work hour programs. MetroPool is based in Stamford, with a satellite office for the Housatonic Region located in the HART operations facility.

NATIONAL STATION CAR ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1993, the National Station Car Association is a national technical non-profit corporation with the purpose of guiding the development, testing, and commercialization of the electric station car concept. It provides a forum for information and data sharing, and analyzes data from demonstration projects.

PERMANENT CITIZENS ADVISORY
COUNCIL TO THE MTA (PCAC)
The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee is the coordinating body and funding mechanism for the three riders councils created by the New York State Legislature in 1981: the Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council (LIRRCC); the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC); and the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC). The councils were created to give users of MTA subway, bus, and commuter rail services a say in the formulation and implementation of MTA policy and to hold the MTA Board and management accountable to riders.

TELECOMMUTE CONNECTICUT!
Telecommute Connecticut! is a state-wide initiative providing free assistance to employers in the development and implementation of telecommuting as a work site alternative.

TRANSPORTATION CHOICES
COALITION OF CONNECTICUT
A group of organizations whose mission is to advocate for statewide transportation policies and transit projects that are environmentally sustainable, equitable, reduce auto and truck dependency, strengthen cities and town centers, discourage sprawl and preserve open space. The TCCC supports transportation initiatives that foster environmentally responsible development and contribute to Connecticut’s quality of life.

TRI-STATE TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN
The Tri-State Transportation Campaign is an alliance of public interest, transit advocacy, planning and environmental organizations working to reverse deepening automobile dependence and sprawl development in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan region.

BUS MAIN --- 1. INTRO --- 2. GOALS BY MUNIC. --- 3. FIXED ROUTE --- 4. FIXED ROUTE GOALS
5. SWEETHART --- 6. SWEETHART GOALS --- 7. MULTIMODAL GOALS
8. ADMIN. GOALS --- 9. CAPITAL PLAN --- 10. INTERCITY BUS --- 11. LINKS