Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan

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Coordinated Public Transit

Human Services Transportation

Plan

for the

Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission Region

AUBURN, BEDFORD, CANDIA, CHESTER, DEERFIELD, DERRY, GOFFSTOWN, HOOKSETT, LONDONDERRY, MANCHESTER,

NEW BOSTON, RAYMOND, WEARE

Approved by the Metropolitan Planning Organization on

November 22, 2011

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PUBLIC NOTICE FOR OCTOBER 9, 2011

CONTACT:

Office Administrator

Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (603) 669-4664/Ph.

lmoore@snhpc.org

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) is currently updating the

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (Plan) for the SNHPC Region. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that, as a condition for funding under three programs of the Federal Transit Administration, proposed projects must be derived from a locally developed public transit-human services transportation plan.

The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region includes 1) an assessment of transportation needs of the SNHPC region; 2) an inventory of transportation services currently available in the SNHPC region; 3) the identification of strategies to address gaps in services and 4) prioritization of strategies and statement of action items.

The draft Plan is currently available on the SNHPC website (www.snhpc.org) and at the SNHPC offices located at 438 Dubuque Street, Manchester, NH 03102. Interested parties are invited to review and offer comments on the draft Plan until the close of business on November 8, 2011. A public hearing to consider the changes and any comments is scheduled for November 22, 2011, beginning at 11:30 AM at the SNHPC offices in Manchester. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Tim White (twhite@snhpc.org) at 669-4664.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This document presents the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) Region. The

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that, as a condition for funding under three programs of the Federal Transit Administration, proposed projects must be derived from a locally developed public transit-human services transportation plan. Increasing dispersion of land development is resulting in increased trip-making and travel across municipal boundaries within the SNHPC region. Innovation and a willingness to explore new solutions to the issues of mobility and accessibility created by these increases are required to sustain our region’s economic competitiveness and maintain the quality of life for those who live and work in the area.

The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region includes:

 An assessment of transportation needs of the SNHPC region, including the identification of those individuals with disabilities, older adults and those with limited incomes

 An inventory of transportation services currently available in the SNHPC region, focusing on the identification of areas where services overlap and where gaps in service currently exist

 The identification of strategies to address gaps in services as well as actions to eliminate or reduce duplication and utilize resources in a more efficient fashion

 Prioritization of strategies and statement of action items

A principal component of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region involves the work currently being conducted in association with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS), the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), SNHPC and other regional stakeholders on the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project. To date, SNHPC has participated as a stakeholder in the development of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) related to this project for Region 8 (Greater Manchester) and Region 9 which includes the towns of Chester, Derry and Londonderry in the SNHPC region.

Assessing the need for transportation services and improved coordination of services in the SNHPC region involves the identification of those individuals or groups with special transportation needs. Those individuals having less than adequate access to private vehicles or those unable to operate private vehicles are likely be included, along with

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more readily identified groups such as the elderly, those with low-incomes, those with special needs related to a physical disability, and children.

Transportation services currently available within the region represent alternatives to the automobile for those individuals unable to own or operate a private vehicle or those with special needs. The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region identifies specific strategies designed to address the gaps in the provision of these services.

The final portion of the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region includes a listing of the following prioritized implementation strategies to address the existing gaps in regional transportation services:

 Continue Support/Funding for Replacement Vehicles and/or Other Improvements to Demand-Responsive and Other Regional Transit and Transportation Services

 Continue Collaboration with MTA/CART/NHRTA on Proposals for Coordinated Community Transportation

 Continue Participation in the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project

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INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE

This document presents the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) Region (Plan). Federal transportation legislation requires that, as a condition for funding under three programs of the Federal Transit Administration, proposed projects must be derived from a locally developed public transit-human services transportation plan. The Plan must be developed through a process including representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation and human service providers as well as the public.

The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region is a requirement for locally funded projects under the following Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs:

 Special Needs of Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) – This program provides formula funding for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate to meeting these needs. Funds are apportioned based on each State’s share of population for these groups of people. Most funds are used to purchase vehicles, but acquisition of transportation services under contract, lease or other arrangements and state program administration are also eligible expenses. Funding is provided based on an 80 percent Federal share and a 20 percent local match.

 Job Access and Reverse Commute (Section 5316) – Grants under this program are intended to provide new transit services to assist welfare recipients and other low-income individuals with access to jobs, training, and child care. Reverse Commute Grants are designed to develop transit services to transport workers to suburban job sites. Eligible activities include capital and operating costs of equipment, facilities and associated capital maintenance items related to providing access to jobs. Operating costs (50 percent local match), capital costs (20 percent local match) and other costs associated with reverse commute by bus, train, carpool, vans or other transit services are also eligible for funding.

 New Freedom (Section 5317) – The purpose of this program is to encourage services and facility improvements to address the transportation needs of persons with disabilities that go beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act. Funding is provided for capital (20 percent local match) and operating costs (50 percent local match) associated with these services, and ten percent of funding may be used for planning, administration and technical assistance. Funding is allocated through a formula based on population of persons with disabilities.

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As the SNHPC region grows, it is evident that the pattern of increasing dispersion of land development and socio-economic and demographic changes is resulting in increased regional trip-making and travel across municipal boundaries. The development of this pattern also illustrates a need to ensure mobility and accessibility on a regional scale. This need is becoming increasingly essential to sustain our region’s economic competitiveness and maintain the quality of life for those who live and work in the area. Innovation and a willingness to explore new solutions to these issues will be required in the face of diminishing funding for transportation.

Those with special transportation needs in the greater Manchester area are currently served by a number of public, private and social service agency-based transportation providers. However, these services are characterized by a lack of coordination that results in inefficiencies and the duplication of services. The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region, in conjunction with other programs currently being undertaken, is designed to address this situation and assist in the achievement of the following goals as defined in the President’s Executive Order on Transportation Coordination and the United We Ride Federal transportation initiative:

 Promote cooperation and the development of mechanisms to minimize duplication and overlap of programs and services so that transportation-disadvantaged persons have access to more transportation services

 To facilitate access to the most appropriate, cost-effective transportation services within existing resources

 To encourage enhanced customer access to a variety of transportation and associated resources

 To formulate and implement administrative, policy and procedural mechanisms that enhance transportation services at all levels

 To ensure comprehensive planning for the coordination of transportation for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and persons with lower incomes

The remainder of this document presents the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region. More specifically, the Plan includes:

 An assessment of transportation needs of the SNHPC region, including the identification of those individuals with disabilities, older adults and those with limited incomes

 An inventory of transportation services currently available in the SNHPC region, focusing on the identification of areas where services overlap and where gaps in service currently exist

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 The identification of strategies to address the gaps in services and actions to eliminate or reduce duplication and utilize these resources in a more efficient fashion

 Prioritization of strategies and statement of action items

A principal component of the Plan involves work currently being conducted by NHDHHS, NHDOT, SNHPC and other regional stakeholders on the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project. This project, which involves the coordination of human services transportation on a regional and statewide scale, is designed to develop an action plan to modify the organization of Community Transportation in the State and region and improve service efficiency and quality. Based on the current framework, the State has been divided into ten Community Transportation Regions, each composed of a Regional Coordination Council (RCC) made up of funding agencies, service providers and other stakeholders.

SNHPC is currently participating as a stakeholder in the Region 8 (Greater Manchester) and Region 9 (Greater Derry/Salem, including the towns of Chester, Derry and Londonderry in the SNHPC region) RCCs. As a principal Region 8 stakeholder, SNHPC has facilitated the following activities to date:

 Conducted an open RCC development process including a diverse group of regional stakeholders

 Identified the composition of the Region 8 RCC

 Developed and approved By-Laws for the Region 8 RCC

 Developed and approved an MOU for the Region 8 RCC

 Recruited a Citizen Member for the Region 8 RCC

 Received 15 signed Region 8 RCC MOU’s from stakeholders

The Region 8 RCC was formally adopted by the State Coordinating Council (SCC) in September 2009. As part of the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project, SNHPC will continue to participate in activities related to RCC Regions 8 and 9 including development and implementation of local coordination activities, monitoring and participating in activities related to the SCC and conducting a process leading to identification and selection of a Regional Transportation Coordinator (RTC). NHDHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services has mandated that transportation funding under this program will be transitioned to RTCs designated by each RCC no later than July 2012. Additionally, it is anticipated that regional RTCs will have a role in the implementation of the planned NHDHHS Managed Care Medicaid system. As a result, Regions 8 and 9 will continue to work towards the goal of selecting an RTC. Because of the importance of the Statewide Coordination project in addressing transportation needs in the region, the RCC stakeholders will continue to be included in the development and review of this Plan. Additional details pertaining to the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project will be provided in a later portion of this Plan.

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The remainder of this document presents the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region. The next section of the Plan will present 1) existing conditions within the SNHPC region, including a presentation of socio-economic conditions demonstrating need for public transit and human services transportation in the region and 2) existing transportation resources available in the region.

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ASSESSMENT OF NEED FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT-HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION IN THE REGION

Introduction/Demographics

The 490-square-mile SNHPC region includes the City of Manchester and the towns of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Chester, Deerfield, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry, New Boston, Raymond and Weare. The 2009 American Community Survey results indicate that the population for the SNHPC region was 265,155. Manchester, the largest city in the State of New Hampshire, is located in the southeast quadrant of the state, approximately 18 miles south of the state capital at Concord, 60 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, 141 miles from Hartford, Connecticut, 252 miles from New York City, and 250 miles from Montreal, Canada. Figure 1 shows the SNHPC region.

The Manchester area is served by highway, air, and rail facilities. The highway system services the major portion of passenger and freight movements. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MBRA), which is the largest commercial air traffic facility in New Hampshire and a major economic engine for the region, provides passenger service from eight carriers as well as general aviation services and cargo services from six carriers. Rail services presently provide bulk material transport, and regional and local officials are in the initial planning stages to extend passenger rail services into southern New Hampshire and the SNHPC region.

Interstate 93 (I-93) and the F.E. Everett Turnpike are controlled access north-south highways connecting Manchester to Salem and Nashua, New Hampshire, and Lowell, Lawrence, and Boston, Massachusetts to the south and to Concord and the remainder of the state to the north and Montreal, Canada. Interstate 293 (I-293) provides an east-west connection between I-93 and the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Manchester. U.S. 3 and New Hampshire Routes 3A and 28 also provide north-south service within the Manchester area and southern New Hampshire. New Hampshire Route 101 provides east-west service to the seacoast and the Connecticut River Valley.

Passenger transportation service is provided by automobile, taxi, bus, and airplane. In Manchester, taxi and limousine services are available while the Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) provides the opportunity for fixed route service to approximately 901percent of the Manchester residents. Intercity bus travel is available through Concord Coach/Boston Express, Vermont Transit Lines and Peter Pan Trailways and MBRA provides regularly scheduled passenger airline service as well as general aviation and cargo services. Freight moves predominantly by truck and, to a lesser extent, by air and rail. Because of Manchester’s location at a junction of the interstate system, has become the hub of the motor freight industry in New Hampshire. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that, to sustain general economic productivity and growth, funding

1

Transit service within one-fourth mile of a residence is generally accepted as a definition of a service corridor. Upon visual inspection of the MTA routes, it was calculated that approximately 90 percent of Manchester's population lies within one-fourth

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for numerous transportation projects that would improve traffic efficiency for commercial trucking and private motorists general must be increased.

The next section of the Plan presents existing conditions within the SNHPC region, including a presentation of socio-economic and other data demonstrating the need for public transit and human services transportation in the region. This need is presented through the use of data obtained from the Census and more recent data from the 2005 – 2009 American Community Survey. This information is supplemented by additional data gathered through a 2006 providers survey conducted for the original version of this Plan and through follow-up Community Transportation Surveys completed in 2011. The sample for these surveys consisted of approximately 455 clients of social service agencies and profit and not-for-profit transportation providers serving the region. The final portion of this section of the Plan provides a description of existing transportation resources available in the region.

Information contained in the 2011 Community Transportation Consumer Survey provides general insights into the need for more and better coordinated Community Transportation in the region. Community Transportation is defined as “any public transportation service or human service agency transportation service or program, whether it be provided by a public or private entity, that focuses on transportation for seniors, persons with disabilities and persons with low income and others with special needs”. Nearly fifty percent of the respondents to the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey indicated that they felt that their community was underserved by Community Transportation. Additionally, 32 percent of the survey respondents reported that, during the past twelve months, they had been unable to get to a medical appointment or shop for groceries because of a lack of reliable transportation. Finally, 81 percent of the respondents indicated that they would definitely use or probably use Community Transportation if it met their needs.

Table 1 presents population growth data for the communities in the SNHPC region. For the period from 2000 to 2010, these communities grew at an average of about five percent. Table 1 indicates that Chester (approximately 26 percent and New Boston (approximately 29 percent) experienced the highest growth during this period while the population of Derry decreased by approximately three percent. Additional data on population growth in the region is presented in Figure 2. Town 2000 Population 2010 Population Percent Change (2000-2009) Auburn 4,682 4,953 5.8 Bedford 18,274 21,203 16.0 Candia 3,911 3,909 -0.1 Chester 3,792 4,768 25.7 Deerfield 3,678 4,280 16.4 Derry 34,021 33,109 -2.7 Goffstown 16,929 17,651 4.3 Hooksett 11,721 13,451 14.8 Londonderry 23,236 24,129 3.8 Manchester 107,006 109,565 2.4 New Boston 4,138 5,321 28.6 Raymond 9,674 10,138 4.8 Weare 7,776 8,785 13.0 Region 248,838 261,262 5.0

Source: U.S. Census Bureau from NHOEP

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There is much evidence to suggest that, despite efforts to encourage denser development and discourage sprawl, the demand for affordable housing and desire for personal space is resulting in increasing rates of growth at the fringes of the urban areas of the SNHPC region. Within the SNHPC region, it is evident that increasing dispersion of land development in the area is resulting in increased regional trip-making and travel across municipal boundaries.

Increases in the demand for regional travel suggested in the previous paragraph are illustrated further in Table 2. Table 2 presents Census information on mean work trip travel times for the communities of the SNHPC region. Table 2 shows that, between 2000 and 2009, average mean work trip travel times within the region remained relatively constant at approximately 29 minutes and these travel times continue to exceed the State averages by approximately three minutes. Five communities (Chester, Derry, Deerfield, Raymond and Weare), whose mean work trip travel times were greater than thirty minutes experienced increases in travel times between 2000 and 2009.

Town 2000* 2009** Auburn 26.7 27 Bedford 27.2 25.1 Candia 28.3 25.7 Chester 32.2 32.8 Deerfield 33.9 34.3 Derry 31.1 31.9 Goffstown 26.1 23 Hooksett 25.7 24.6 Londonderry 29.7 27.3 Manchester 21.3 21.8 New Boston 32.7 30.4 Raymond 31.6 34.3 Weare 35.1 35.5 Region 29.4 28.7 State 25.3 25.4 *2000 Census

**2005-2009 ASC Survey 5-Year Estimates

Table 2 Mean Travel Time to Work (Min.)

Assessing the need for transportation services and improved coordination of services in the SNHPC region involves the identification of those individuals or groups with special transportation needs. Those individuals having less than adequate access to private vehicles or those unable to operate private vehicles would likely be included in this population, along with readily identifiable groups such as the elderly, those with low-incomes, special needs groups related to a physical disability, and children. The remainder of this section identifies the characteristics of residents of the SNHPC member communities within these groups and provides additional information designed to identify those with special needs.

The single-occupant automobile continues to overwhelmingly represent the primary mode of transportation for work trip travel in the SNHPC region. Table 3, which presents mode split data for work trip travel in region, shows that approximately 84 percent of the total employed population in the region traveled to work in a single-occupant vehicle while public transportation accounted for less than one percent of all work trip travel. The results of Table 3 suggest that those individuals having less than adequate access to private vehicles or those unable to operate private vehicles would likely be included among those having special transportation needs. Considering this fact, the population of the region with special transportation needs would likely also

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include groups such as the elderly, those with low incomes, the disabled, and children. The next portion of this chapter provides information identifying the extent to which these groups exist within the region.

Town Total Workers 16 and Over Drove Alone Percent Drove Alone Carpool Percent Carpooled Total Using Public Transportation Percent Using Public Transportation Total Bicycle/Walked Percent Bicycle/Walked *Other Percent Other Auburn 2,902 2,502 86.3 226 7.8 0 0 61 2.1 113 3.9 Bedford 10,401 9070 87.2 437 4.2 104 1 73 0.7 697 6.7 Candia 2,459 2115 86 160 6.5 0 0 34 1.4 150 6.1 Chester 2,415 1892 78.3 290 12 0 0 0 0 233 9.6 Deerfield 2,313 1897 82 134 5.8 0 0 12 0.5 171 7.4 Derry 18,053 15507 85.9 1444 8 72 0.4 289 1.6 758 4.2 Goffstown 9,415 7428 78.9 677 7.2 94 0.1 517 5.5 781 8.3 Hooksett 7,572 6118 80.8 598 7.9 8 0.1 401 5.3 432 5.7 Londonderry 13,459 11427 84.9 1036 7.7 135 1 162 1.2 699 5.2 Manchester 56,424 46832 83 5699 10.1 339 0.6 1862 3.3 1692 3 New Boston 2,743 2315 84.4 173 6.3 0 0 8 0.3 247 9 Raymond 5,000 4275 85.5 535 10.7 40 0.8 45 0.9 90 1.8 Weare 5,397 4485 83.1 453 8.4 0 0 157 2.9 302 5.6 Region 138,553 115,863 83.6 11,862 8.6 792 0.6 3,621 2.6 6,365 4.6

*Motorcycle, worked from home or other means Source: ACS 2005-2009

Mode of Travel Table 3 Mode of Work Trip Travel

Table 4 presents Census data describing household composition and vehicle ownership in the communities of the SNHPC region. Within these communities, approximately fourteen percent of all workers in live in households with one or fewer vehicles. In the City of Manchester, which includes about 76 percent of the respondents of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey, this figure represents approximately 26 percent of all workers 16 and over. Additionally, the 2000 CTPP reported that the mean number of workers per household in the SNHPC communities was 1.55. These data appear to suggest the existence of households in the region with less than adequate access to transportation for work trip travel. Additional information on household composition and vehicle ownership is included in Figure 3.

Town Total Households Total Workers Age 16 and Over Workers 16 and over in households With 1 of Fewer Vehicles Percent Workers 16 and over in Households with 1 or Fewer Vehicles Auburn 1,763 2,902 229 7.9% Bedford 7,181 10,401 634 6.1% Candia 1,552 2,459 150 6.1% Chester 1,528 2,415 99 4.1% Deerfield 1,417 2,313 130 5.6% Derry 12,592 18,053 233 1.3% Goffstown 5,648 9,415 836 8.9% Hooksett 4,638 7,572 87 1.1% Londonderry 8,372 13,459 1,252 9.3% Manchester 43,961 56,185 14,383 25.6% New Boston 1,729 2,743 269 9.8% Raymond 4,043 5,000 67 1.3% Weare 3,071 5,397 335 6.2%

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Table 5 presents information showing significant increases in the elderly population (individuals age 60 and over) of the SNHPC communities. Between 2000 and 2010, the aged 60 and over population increased by an average of about 31 percent. Significant differences in the growth of the elderly population in some of the region’s communities existed during this period. During this period, the elderly population of Londonderry increased by about ninety percent. Approximately 75 percent of the respondents to the 2011 Community Transportation Consumer Survey indicated that they were over sixty years of age. Additionally, 77 percent of respondents to this survey also indicated

Town 2000 Age 60+* 2010 Age 60+** Percent Change

Auburn 416 790 89.9 Bedford 2,794 4,197 50.2 Candia 398 728 82.9 Chester 363 645 77.7 Deerfield 364 705 93.7 Derry 2,975 4,565 53.4 Goffstown 2,602 3,182 22.3 Hooksett 1,471 2,332 58.5 Londonderry 1,875 3,550 89.3 Manchester 17,417 18,516 6.3 New Boston 326 736 125.8 Raymond 953 1,540 61.6 Weare 526 1,015 93.0 Region 32,480 42,501 30.9 *2000 Census **2010 Census

Table 5- Population Age 60 and Over

that they were retired. Table 5 also shows that other communities experienced significant increases in elderly population during this period such as New Boston (126 percent), Deerfield (94 percent), Weare (93 percent) and Auburn (90 percent). A map showing the distribution of the elderly in the SNHPC communities is presented in Figure 4.

The economic status of residents of the SNHPC region compared with Census poverty thresholds is presented in Table 6. The Census defines poverty in relation to various family sizes. For example, the income poverty thresholds in 2009 for single individuals and for a single individual and three related children are $10,830 per year and $18,310, respectively. Table 6 indicates that, in the communities of the region, about eight percent of the total population was defined as living in poverty. This figure ranged from about 14 percent in the City of Manchester to about two percent in Bedford. For those 18 to 64 years of age in the region, the average total population living in poverty is approximately five percent. Within individual communities, this figure ranged from 7.6 percent in Manchester to approximately one percent in Bedford. Approximately 25 percent of the respondents to the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey indicated that they were living in a household with a total annual income of between $10,000 and $19,000. An additional seventeen percent of respondents to this survey indicated that the total annual income for all members of their household was less than $10,000. Table 6 shows the existence of approximately 11,600 individuals and about 1,800 persons 65 years of age and older in the region defined as living in poverty.

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Town Population for whom Poverty Status is Determined Total Below Poverty Line Percent Below Poverty Line Ages 18-64 Below Poverty Line Percent Below Poverty Line 18-64 Ages 65 and Over Below Poverty Line Ages 65 and Over Below Poverty Line Percent Auburn 5,147 173 3.4 154 3.0 0 0.0 Bedford 20,420 416 2.0 248 1.2 24 0.1 Candia 4,154 176 4.2 147 3.5 10 0.2 Chester 4,675 125 2.7 67 1.4 0 0.0 Deerfield 4,171 158 3.8 104 2.5 17 0.4 Derry 33,901 2,220 6.5 1281 3.8 160 0.5 Goffstown 15,054 582 3.9 308 2.0 181 1.2 Hooksett 12,550 350 2.8 158 1.3 67 0.5 Londonderry 24,916 590 2.4 358 1.4 85 0.3 Manchester 106,537 14,950 14.0 8050 7.6 1060 1.0 New Boston 5,013 107 2.1 69 1.4 16 0.3 Raymond 10,108 663 6.6 483 4.8 119 1.2 Weare 9,023 241 2.7 153 1.7 13 0.1 Region 255,669 20,751 8.1 11,580 4.5 1752 0.7 Source: ACS 2005-2009

Table 6 Economic Status

Data on welfare recipients residing in the region can also be used to identify groups with special transportation needs based on economic status. Recipients of public assistance may be less likely to have access to some transportation options due to economic circumstances. A comparison of Tables 6 and 7 indicates that communities with higher numbers of welfare recipients (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) also appear to show higher numbers of individuals living below the poverty level. These findings appear to indicate potential demand more transportation choices in some portions of the region. Town Auburn Bedford Candia Chester Deerfield Derry Goffstown Hooksett Londonderry Manchester New Boston Raymond Weare <10 <10 <10 104 25

Table 7 TANF Recipients*

34 36 1,305 *Number of TANF Cases 11 18 <10

*Includes two parent cases that are funded with State only dollars

Source: NHDHHS- September 2010

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Because of over reliance on the single-occupant automobile for travel in the region, children must also be included in the population of those with special transportation needs. Table 8 presents information on regional population of those aged five to fourteen. This group makes up about thirteen percent of the total population of the region. The percentage of those five to fourteen years of age as a percentage of total population ranged from about eleven percent in Manchester and Goffstown to about eighteen percent in Bedford.

Town Total Ages 5-14 Total Popluation Percent of Total Aburn 711 4,953 14.4 Bedford 3,790 21,230 17.9 Candia 522 3,909 13.4 Chester 795 4,768 16.7 Deerfield 564 4,280 13.2 Derry 4,516 33,109 13.6 Goffstown 2,018 17,651 11.4 Hooksett 1,791 13,451 13.3 Lononderry 3,899 24,129 16.2 Manchester 12,344 109,565 11.3 New Boston 868 5,321 16.3 Raymond 1,212 10,138 12.0 Weare 1,341 8,785 15.3 Region 34,371 261,289 13.2 Source: 2010 Census

Table 8- Population Ages 5-14

Individuals with special transportation needs in the region also include those with disabilities. The Census defines this group as the civilian non-institutionalized individuals aged five and older with certain defined sensory, mobility-related or cognitive conditions. Individuals with the following types of conditions are represented in this population:

 Sensory disabilities involving sight or hearing

 Conditions limiting basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting or carrying

 Physical, mental or emotional conditions causing difficulty in learning, remembering or concentrating

 Physical, mental or emotional conditions causing difficulty in dressing, bathing or getting around inside the home

 Conditions making it difficult to go outside the home to shop or visit a doctor

 Conditions affecting ability to work at a job or business

Table 9 presents information describing the region’s Census defined disabled population. About 15 percent of the total population of the region (approximately 40,000 people) is defined as having a disability, with figures ranging from a high of almost twenty percent of the population in the City of Manchester to slightly less than ten percent in Bedford. The results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey indicated that thirty percent of the respondents use a walker or cane when they leave the house and an additional thirteen percent indicated that they use a wheelchair. Fourteen percent of the respondents of the survey indicated that they require someone to accompany them when they go out. Eighteen percent of the respondents of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey indicated that they require assistance getting in/out of a car or van and an additional fourteen percent required assistance getting on/off a bus.

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It should be noted that the segment of the total population of the region defined as disabled is actually lower than the national average of 19.3 percent as reported in the Census. Additionally, it would be misleading to define all those with a disability as having special transportation needs. Rather, the figures presented in this portion of the report should be used to reinforce that there is a substantial segment of our society that, because of physical or other limitations, must consider alternative modes of transportation for mobility. Figure 5 presents a map showing the distribution of the disabled population in the region.

A key role of Community Transportation in the region should be to provide

Town Total Disabled Population Total Population Percent of Total Auburn 623 5,122 12.2 Bedford 1,985 20,732 9.6 Candia 465 4,165 11.2 Chester 545 4,636 11.8 Deerfield 445 4,155 10.7 Derry 4,364 34,290 12.7 Goffstown 2,545 17,687 14.4 Hooksett 1,673 13,279 12.6 Londonderry 2,778 24,837 11.2 Manchester 21,384 109,691 19.5 New Boston 540 4,880 11.1 Raymond 1,634 10,122 16.1 Weare 998 8,730 11.4 Region 39,979 262,326 15.2

Source: US Census Data 2005- Ages 5 and Older Table 9 Persons With Disabilities

convenient and affordable access to employment and employment centers. Table 10, which shows daily origin-destination data for work trip travel in the region, indicates a total of 77,400 daily work trips occur within the thirteen communities of the SNHPC region. Approximately 87 percent of these trips or about 67,100 occurred in the five communities generally comprising the urbanized area of the region. This area consists of the Towns of Bedford, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry and the City of Manchester. Eighty-two percent of the respondents to the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey were residents of Manchester and Goffstown. These data appear to indicate the existence of a market for work trip travel transportation within the urbanized portion of the region. Based on the fact that the majority of work trip travel occurs on a regular weekday basis during specific peak hours of the day, this travel could be accommodated effectively by an expanded regional fixed route bus service. MTA currently provides limited fixed-route services to communities outside Manchester as well as to the City of Nashua.

Additionally, MTA is currently working on numerous efforts such as discussions with local communities and the establishment of public-private partnerships designed to promote the expansion of bus services throughout the region. CART is currently developing proposals for fixed-route bus services in the Towns of Derry and Londonderry. MTA, CART and SNHPC all remain committed to the expansion of regional transit in this area to improve mobility, provide access to employment, medical care and other services as well as to improve the environment and promote livable and sustainable communities. It is also important to consider the role of other transportation modes such as ridesharing in addressing the demand for peak hour work trip travel. Additionally, transportation demand management strategies such as telecommuting and variable work hours should also be promoted in an effort to reduce work trip travel.

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Auburn Bedford Candia Chester Deerfield Derry Goffstown Hooksett Londonderry Manchester New Boston Raymond Weare Total Auburn 332 30 45 21 80 24 44 76 197 8 73 36 966 Bedford 113 2,392 125 58 50 331 705 387 294 3,403 96 126 173 8,253 Candia 26 236 4 46 22 40 47 6 26 453 Chester 6 327 9 11 15 28 10 406 Deerfield 13 4 307 17 21 14 376 Derry 137 44 57 221 30 3,736 80 53 633 884 22 153 40 6,090 Goffstown 20 153 23 12 5 27 116 78 1,155 162 5 287 2,043 Hooksett 151 208 190 33 45 173 98 1,293 106 2,178 35 79 103 4,692 Londonderry 184 250 33 76 52 1,284 170 209 2,744 2,195 69 230 103 7,599 Manchester 775 2,657 722 250 364 1,473 3,119 1,869 1,787 28,669 516 678 755 43,634 New Boston 7 9 64 57 371 27 535 Raymond 15 30 43 13 63 82 22 26 28 197 935 1,454 Weare 19 68 16 8 140 51 12 604 918 SNHPC Region 1,779 5,753 1,459 1,043 983 7,243 4,361 4,089 5,754 39,164 1,336 2,327 2,128 77,419 SNHPC Urban 966 8,253 2,043 4,692 7,599 43,634 67,187 Concord 101 220 54 26 235 191 309 532 139 1,509 78 79 515 3,988 Nashua 122 837 122 66 27 832 399 303 892 3,503 158 133 284 7,678 Salem 48 121 36 78 11 1,649 122 42 602 732 6 176 19 3,642 Elsewhere in NH 573 1,063 533 557 738 5,033 3,100 804 3,215 6,047 589 1,966 951 25,169 Vermont 7 2 6 7 17 39 Maine 4 12 5 29 17 6 7 60 140 Massachusetts 159 766 138 207 37 3,198 328 284 2,303 2,283 70 497 137 10,407 Andover 20 34 19 52 25 668 5 43 142 252 12 70 1,342 Haverhill 8 8 5 29 12 280 7 16 37 89 111 602 Lawrence 16 6 467 119 100 61 769 Methuen 7 23 345 22 43 90 108 8 646 N. Andover 32 24 6 41 29 249 16 9 142 100 78 726 Boston 12 93 23 24 13 663 151 78 575 582 28 129 30 2,401 Total 5,610 22,937 3,861 3,210 3,130 28,078 15,230 15,031 27,363 137,333 3,620 7,954 6,217 279,574 Source: Residence MCD/County to Workplace MCD/County Flows for New Hampshire: 2000

TOWN OF RESIDENCE ( In Study Area)

Place of Work

Table 10 Daily Work Trip Travel

This section of the Plan has presented existing conditions within the SNHPC region, including a description of conditions demonstrating need for more and better coordinated Community Transportation in the region. This need has been presented through the use of data obtained from the Census and more recent data from the 2005 – 2009 American Community Survey. This information is also supplemented by additional data gathered through a 2006 providers survey conducted for the original version of this Plan and the follow-up Community Transportation Surveys completed in 2011.

Existing Transportation Services

The previous portion of the Plan presented information on populations with special transportation needs in the SNHPC region. This section presents information on available transportation services within the region, focusing on those services that represent alternatives to the automobile for those unable to own or operate a private vehicle.

Manchester Transit Authority

The current MTA fixed-route system, shown in Figure 6, consists of eleven routes providing scheduled service Monday through Friday. Saturday service is provided on eight of these routes while no Sunday service is provided. Hours of operation on weekdays are 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM while on Saturdays service is provided on a reduced schedule between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM. The regular fare for a one-way trip is $1.50. Discounts are available for senior citizens and handicapped passengers at 50 percent off the regular fare. Monthly passes that provide unlimited use of the system are also available.

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(Healthcare Shuttle/East Side Plaza) provides service to many of the principal medical facilities in the City including Elliot Hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic and the Veterans Administration Clinic. Route 5 (SNHU) provides service to Southern New Hampshire University near the Hooksett town line and Route 11 (Front Street/Hackett Hill Road) provides service to the northern portion of the City and the Hooksett Wal-Mart store. Route 6 (Bremer St./Mast Road) and Route 13 (Bedford) provides service to the west side of Manchester as well as principal shopping areas in the neighboring towns of Goffstown and Bedford. The Mall of New Hampshire is served by Route 8 (So. Willow St./Mall of NH) and Route 10 (Valley St./Weston Rd./Mall of NH) while service to MBRA is provided on Route 3 (Brown Ave./Airport/Airport Industrial Area). All MTA routes provide a connection to downtown Manchester and the Canal Street Transportation Center is served by Route 13. Weekday frequency of service (headway) on most routes is sixty minutes.

The MTA also provides service on StepSaver, a transportation program offered as required under the ADA Act of 1990, to individuals who are prevented from using the fixed route buses. The service is provided on an advanced reservation basis from 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday. StepSaver service, which covers a 0.75 mile extension beyond the current MTA routes, provides transportation in Manchester, and the portion of the Bedford currently served by Route 13 and the portion of Goffstown served by Route 6. The fare for StepSaver service is $3.00 per one-way trip.

Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation (CART)

The Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation (CART) is a curb-to-curb transportation system serving a seven-town Greater Derry/Salem service area including Chester, Derry and Londonderry in the SNHPC region. CART works with multiple agencies in the Greater Derry-Salem region to coordinate scheduling and dispatching of rides, pooling of transportation resources and accessing Federal transportation funding. The service is open to the public for a fee of $3 per one-way ride with one service area community. Rides between service area communities and to out-of-region medical destinations are $4.00 and $5.00, respectively. Ten-ride passes for these three trip types can be purchased for $30, $40 and $50.

As part of a Federal Congestion Mitigation-Air Quality (CMAQ) program grant awarded to the Town of Salem, a fixed route component of CART currently being developed will provide local transit service on a fixed route service between Salem and Derry crossing through a portion of Windham. The CART Connector is a planned fixed bus route that will provide service along the NH 28 corridor between the I-93 Exit 2 area in Salem and the Center Street/Crystal Avenue area of Derry. This service will meet the public transportation needs of the area’s citizens by providing the area’s first fixed bus route serving shopping, medical and employment sites. CART is also currently developing additional deviated fixed-route services to improve the system wide cost-effectiveness and efficiency and provide the Greater Derry/Salem area with increased mobility.

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ESNH/Special Transit Services

Special Transit Service (STS), which is a subsidiary of Easter Seals NH and has been a

provider of transportation services since 1980, is the largest provider of Community Transportation in New Hampshire. Since its inception, STS has developed partnerships with human service and municipal agencies benefiting communities within the SNHPC region that strive to coordinate and consolidate specialized transportation in the area. STS provides transportation with an operational fleet of more than 80 specially-equipped vehicles and serves over 3,000 individuals annually with 300,000 trips covering over two million miles. STS is certified and licensed by the NH Department of Safety, Health and Human Services, EMS, American Red Cross, National Safety Council and NHDOT.

Services provided by STS include door-to-door individualized transportation, charters and transportation for special education students. Current and past clients of STS include CART, the NH Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services, the Manchester Housing Authority, Catholic Medical Center and Elliot Hospital. ESNH, which is an active participant in the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project, serves as a principal stakeholder in RCCs throughout the State and on the SCC.

Other Transportation Services

Other transportation services provided by local public, private and social service agency based providers are available in the SNHPC region. Approximately 35 of these providers were identified through the development of the Region 8 RCC process. The providers were originally identified as part a Regional Transit Feasibility Study through a telephone survey conducted in the Spring of 2006. In 2010, as part of the Region 8 RCC process, an updated directory of transportation providers in the SNHPC region was compiled and documented. The database of transportation providers is included in this report as Appendix A and the results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumer Survey is included in Appendix B. The following section provides brief descriptions of other Region 8 stakeholders providing transportation in the region:

Granite State Independent Living is a non-profit organization providing a range of

service, including evaluation, skills training and on-going support to enable eligible consumers to purse independent lives. GSIL maintains five wheelchair accessible vans and mini-busses, which provide transportation statewide for social and civic activities. Beginning in mid-2011, GSIL will be a provider of Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for trips within a 20 mile radius of Concord.

Green Cab is a private taxi company based in Derry. They are fully licensed and insured

and provide service throughout the Region 8 RCC area including MBRA. Since April 2010, Green Cab has been a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) provider in New Hampshire and is currently providing approximately twenty hours of service per week for CART.

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St. Joseph Community Services Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization that has provided meals to the elderly and homebound disabled throughout Hillsborough County since 1977. In addition to its Meals on Wheels program, St. Joseph Community Services also provides transportation to individuals age 60 and older who are socially isolated due to a lack of transportation. Transportation services are offered at locations within Hillsborough County and are primarily directed at nutrition sites. Additional transportation is provided according to availability of funding and service hours.

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester is a private, nonprofit system of

comprehensive mental health services available to those in the Manchester area and is a designated community mental health program of the NH Bureau of Behavioral Health. They provide a broad range of state-of-the-art services included in over thirty programs utilizing a staff of more than 300. The Center provides a demand-response door-to-door transportation service for clients primarily in the greater Manchester area.

The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery ProgramRoad to Recovery provides

transportation for cancer patients to their treatments and home again. Transportation is provided according to the need and available resources in the community. In the Greater Manchester area, the organization currently provides demand-response transportation services utilizing their own fleet as well as other vehicles belonging to volunteers.

Trilogy Wheelchair Transport and Eldercare Services, LLC is a medical transport

service company located in Manchester. They currently provide demand-response door-to-door transportation in the greater Manchester area. Service is available during evenings and on weekends.

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STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS IDENTIFIED GAPS IN TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

This section of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region identifies strategies designed to address the gaps in the provision of transportation services identified in earlier portions of this Plan. The strategies will be identified in this section and prioritized in the following section. The strategies identified in the Plan will be implemented by the Region 8 and 9 RCCs as well as by additional stakeholders. Additionally, SNHPC will also cooperate with other Federal, State and regional agencies in the implementation of strategies identified in this section. The following strategies to address gaps in transportation services are included in this Plan:

1. Continue Support/Funding for Replacement Vehicles and/or Other Improvements to Demand-Responsive and Other Regional Transit and Transportation Services

The purpose of this strategy is to facilitate the grant application process for providers in the region and ensure that specific grant applications are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Plan. Federal Transportation legislation requires that, as a condition for funding under three programs of the Federal Transit Administration, proposed projects must be derived from a locally developed public transit-human services transportation plan. The Plan must be developed through a process including representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation and human service providers as well as the public.

A request was made by the NHDOT Bureau of Rail and Transit to add this strategy as an Addendum to the Plan. The proposed Addendum was presented to the SNHPC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) during a meeting held on October 18, 2007. Based on a recommendation made by the TAC, the Addendum to the Plan was subsequently approved by the SNHPC MPO at a meeting on October 23, 2007.

It is anticipated that SNHPC, in association with area providers, will continue to provide support for agencies requesting funding to replace existing vehicles and provide other services to improve coordination in the region. The following list provides an example of some of the previous proposals that SNHPC has supported:

 FTA Section 5310 Capital Assistance grants to Easter Seals Special Transit Services for replacement vehicles

 FTA Section 5310 Capital Assistance grant to Granite State Independent Living for replacement vehicles

 FTA Section 5316 Job Access Reverse Commute grant to Manchester Transit Authority for reverse commute service in Manchester and Bedford

 FTA section 5317 New Freedoms grant to MTA for new paratransit services

 Title IIIB to Easter Seals Special Transit Services for social services funding

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It is hoped that, as SNHPC continues to provide support for funding proposals by including them in the Plan, coordination between the transportation services now available in the region will be improved.

2. Continue Collaboration with MTA/CART/NHRTA on Proposals for Coordinated Community Transportation

As part of its strategy to improve coordination of Community Transportation in the region, SNHPC will continue to work with the existing public transit providers in the region. CART works with multiple agencies in the Greater Derry-Salem region to coordinate scheduling and dispatching of rides, pooling of transportation resources and accessing Federal funding while MTA has provided fixed-route transit services in the Manchester area since 1973.

SNHPC’s Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) specifies that the Commission will undertake numerous activities related to the support of MTA and CART planning and operations. Activities will include system monitoring and evaluation, updating of the MTA Short Range Transit Plan, production of system maps and related materials, documenting and coordinating FTA Section 5307 capital and operating funding requests, analysis of ridership data, compilation of transit operating data and general and comprehensive transit planning. Staff will also continue to participate in meetings of the MTA Board of Commissioners and CART Board of Directors and Executive Committee. These tasks will continue to be undertaken in part to ensure that existing and planned MTA and CART services can be coordinated most effectively along with other Community Transportation services. It is essential that CART and MTA remain, along with SNHPC, as principal stakeholders in the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project.

The initial phase of the SNHPC Regional Transit Feasibility Study, completed in 2007, consisted of a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) of the MTA fixed-route bus services. The COA was designed to produce recommended service modifications to ensure that, before work begins on expanding public transit on a regional basis, the existing fixed-route system was operating as efficiently as possible. The MTA, with the cooperation of the SNHPC, evaluated the service recommendations from the COA and service changes were subsequently implemented in July 2007. The service improvements addressed the need for elimination of poorly utilized services and made adjustments on other routes to address reliability issues and improve service in higher demand areas. The MTA service system was modified to restructure all routes to set cycle times at sixty minutes and begin and end all routes at a single downtown terminal.

The remainder of the Regional Transit Feasibility Study was subsequently completed and the results of the study presented at a TAC meeting in August 2008. The study included an assessment of the demand for expansion of conventional transit services in the region, consisting of 1) census-track level identification of “transit-dependent” groups within the region; 2) a review of planned/proposed regional developments that could increase transit demand or serve as major transit origins/destinations; 3) a discussion of transit expansion

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proposals with municipal officials and 4) a review of previous proposals for transit expansion in the region. Subsequent tasks within the study included 1)development of a comprehensive inventory of transportation services in the SNHPC region; 2) identification of the institutional, administrative and operational features of an organization to develop and more effectively coordinate regional transit services for this area and 3) identification of options for funding for regional transit service and coordination.

Since the conclusion of the Regional Transit Feasibility Study, SNHPC has continued in association with MTA, CART, member communities and other stakeholders, to pursue numerous proposals to implement strategies designed to increase regional transit, some of which represented study recommendations. Examples included options for CART fixed route services, extension of MTA services into neighboring communities such as the implementation of Route 11 service to the Hooksett Wal-Mart facility and MTA initiatives to form public/private partnerships with various entities such as Southern New Hampshire University and Stoneyfield Farms as a means to extend fixed-route services throughout the region.

SNHPC staff will also continue to participate in other activities related to the development of a coordinated system of Community Transportation in the region. As part of the current effort underway to implement the Capitol Corridor Passenger Rail project in the region, SNHPC will continue to be involved in the development of analyses for this service, including assistance to the consultant selected to update the required project environmental documentation. The commission will provide assistance related to the $2.24 million FRA grant awarded to NHDOT to fund planning and environmental studies related to this project. It should be noted that the successful implementation of passenger rail service in the region will require close coordination of fixed-route and feeder bus services to improve the accessibility to the system. As a way to ensure that planning for this coordination is developed, SNHPC will also continue to participate in the activities of the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority.

3. Continue Participation in the Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services Project

The Statewide Coordination of Community Transportation Services project is the result of a Statewide Transit Coordination Study was completed by the New Hampshire Office of State Planning in 1995. The study was designed to determine 1) the needs of the agencies which fund transportation 2) the capabilities of the service providers and 3) the coordination model that would be best for the State. In 2006, the NHDOT, under the guidance of the Governor’s Task Force on Community Transportation, began a statewide coordination study of human services transportation. The study grew from the results of the Statewide Transit Coordination Study. The Task Force was developed to carry on the work originally begun in the Coordination Study and develop an action plan to modify the organization of Community Transportation in the State and improve service efficiency and quality. A final report for the study, which was completed in October 2006, defined the framework at the State and regional levels required for coordination of

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Community Transportation. Based on the recommendations of the study, the State would be broken down into eight to ten Community Transportation Regions, each composed of a Regional Coordination Council (RCC).

In 2007, the New Hampshire State Legislature established the State Coordination Council (SCC). Represented on the SCC are the State Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Education and the Governor’s Commission on Disability, transit providers, the UNH Institute on Disability, ARRP, Easter Seals, community action agencies, regional planning commissions, the Coalition of Aging Services, the Endowment for Health, and Granite State Independent Living. Since this time, the SCC has been working to develop state-level coordination systems including information technologies and working with regional groups to establish regional councils.

The RCCs include local transportation providers, funding agencies, consumers, agencies requiring transportation services and other stakeholders. As of September 2011, all ten regions have RCCs that have been approved by the SCC. The RCCs are developing databases of information for consumers in their communities, including directories of local transportation services.

The formation of the Greater-Manchester Region 8 RCC began in May 2008 with stakeholder meetings utilizing contacts developed through the completion of the 2008 Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region. The Region 8 RCC stakeholders, who have been holding regular meetings since August 2008, have accomplished the following to date:

 Conducted an open development process including a diverse group of regional stakeholders developed through the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region;

 Identified the Composition of the Region 8 RCC;

 Updated the “Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan”;

 Developed and Approved By-Laws for the Region 8 RCC;

 Developed and Approved an MOU for the Region 8 RCC;

 Recruited a Citizen Member for the Region 8 RCC;

 Received 15 Signed Region 8 RCC MOU’s from Stakeholders.

In association with NHDOT, NHDES and other regional stakeholders, SNHPC will continue to participate in the RCCs for Regions 8 and 9 and continue to pursue opportunities to coordinate Community Transportation.

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PRIORITIZATION OF STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS GAPS IN SERVICE

The previous sections of this report have outlined the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region in terms of assessing need for public and human services transportation in the region and identifying strategies to address gaps in transportation service. This section of the report will present a prioritized listing of strategies to address the service gaps. Each strategy includes individual action items to be undertaken in conjunction with local, regional and State agencies and stakeholders.

The following listing represents the prioritized strategies and action items identified to address the existing service gaps in the provision of public transit and human services transportation in the region:

1. Continue Support/Funding for Replacement Vehicles and/or Other Improvements to Demand-Responsive and Other Regional Transit and Transportation Services

As stated in the previous section of this Plan, this strategy will enable SNHPC to

facilitate the grant application process for providers in the region and ensure that

specific grant applications are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Plan. The

SNHPC regularly assists various transportation providers in the region with grant applications and will continue this policy. On-going assistance and support will also be provided to various transportation initiatives in the region. As SNHPC continues to provide support for funding proposals by including them in the Plan, coordination between the transportation services now available in the region will be increased.

In addition to facilitating specific grant applications, SNHPC will continue support for other improvements to demand-responsive and other regional transit and

transportation services including ridesharing and TDM strategies. Many of these

potential improvements have been discussed with stakeholders participating in the Region 8 RCC process. A Region 8 RCC Strategic Planning Session was held on September 21, 2010 to address the Community Transportation needs of Region 8. Discussion during the Strategic Planning Session included topics such as 1) using Community Transportation to enable organizations to work together to share information and resources; 2) key transportation resources in Region 8; and 3) the type of services provided by public, private non-profit and for-profit providers in the region. Perceived transportation needs in the region as expressed by the stakeholders in attendance included 1) possible service to area senior centers; 2) expansion of service to provide transportation after hours and on weekends and 3) transportation to medical facilities in the region, specifically outside of Manchester.

A portion of the discussion during the Strategic Planning Session focused on an FTA Section 5310 funding opportunity offered by the NHDOT and potential Region 8 projects to be pursued. In July, 2010, NHDOT announced the availability of FTA Section 5310 Federal funds to support coordinated Community Transportation services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities with the intent to expand the availability of services

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in the State and support the goals of the Statewide Coordination of Transportation Services Project. Funding was allocated to RCC regions utilizing a formula based on regional population of residents over 65 and those between the ages of 5 and 64 with disabilities. Under this formula, Region 8 was allocated approximately $114,200. Following a lengthy discussion during the Strategic Planning Session, it was agreed that the Region 8 RCC could pursue the following types of projects with the FTA Section 5310 funds allocated to the region: 1) Subsidy/Flex Taxi Voucher System; 2) Volunteer Driver Program; 3) Development of Ride-Matching services and 4) Development of a Ride Board.

Based on the discussions during the Strategic Planning Session and the results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey, it appears that there is demand for Community Transportation services that could be developed though programs of this nature. The results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey indicated that, of the 412 responses to the question, “What types of community transportation do you use?”, 127 responses or approximately 31 percent of the total indicated that they were currently using taxis or relying on volunteer drivers for transportation. These results would appear to indicate potential demand for the development of taxi and

volunteer driver programs for this region.

One of the perceived transportation needs of the region identified during the Strategic Planning Session was transportation to medical facilities and senior centers. This need also appears to have been identified through the results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey. The results of the survey indicated that, of the 1166 individual responses to the question “To what activities would you travel using Community Transportation if it were more readily available?”, 403 responses or approximately 35 percent of the total indicated that they would travel to medical appointments or to senior centers. These results appear to indicate potential demand for

development of transportation options for travel to medical facilities and senior centers.

The demand for transportation to senior centers appears to be indicated through other results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey showing that approximately 72 percent of the respondents to the survey were over the age of sixty. Additionally, approximately 55 percent of the survey respondents indicated that they were retired and 56 percent of the respondents indicated that they utilized some sort of assistance when they traveled, such as a wheelchair, walker, cane or travel companion.

Another perceived need identified during the Region 8 Strategic Planning Session was for an expansion of existing services to provide transportation after hours and on weekends. Approximately 57 percent of the 43 transportation providers surveyed during the development of the initial Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan for the SNHPC Region indicated that they provided services only during the week. Additionally, only two of the providers surveyed during the recent 2011 Community Transportation Providers Survey indicated that they provided transportation seven days per week. These results appear to indicate demand for development of transportation options for travel during weekends and evenings.

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In summary, under the strategy “Continue Support/Funding for Replacement Vehicles and/or Other Improvements to Demand-Responsive and Other Regional Transit and Transportation Services”, the following action items are:

1. Facilitate the grant application process for providers in the region and ensure that specific grant applications are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Plan.

2. Continue support for other improvements to demand-responsive and other regional transit and transportation services including ridesharing and TDM strategies.

3. Develop taxi and volunteer driver programs.

4. Develop transportation options for travel to medical facilities and senior centers.

5. Develop transportation options for travel during weekends and evenings.

2. Continue Collaboration with MTA/CART/NHRTA on Proposals for Coordinated Community Transportation

As part of a strategy to improve coordination of Community Transportation, SNHPC will continue to work with the existing public transit providers in the region. Activities will include system monitoring and evaluation, updating of the MTA Short Range Transit Plan, production of system maps and related materials, documenting and coordinating FTA Section 5307 capital and operating funding requests, analysis of ridership data, compilation of transit operating data and general and comprehensive transit planning. These tasks will continue to ensure that existing and planned MTA and CART services can be coordinated effectively along with other Community Transportation resources. MTA and CART will continue as stakeholders in RCC Regions 8 and 9.

In addition to general coordination with CART and MTA, SNHPC will collaborate with both stakeholders on more specific proposals for improvements to coordinated Community Transportation. SNHPC will continue to provide support to the MTA on

proposals for improvements to Community Transportation. In February 2010, MTA

and SNHPC collaborated on a successful Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Initiative Program Grant Application to fund the MTA Health Care Circulator that became the Healthcare Shuttle/East Side Plaza Route 1 service. The service was designed to 1) provide improved access to medical facilities such as the Elliot Hospital, Doctors Park on Tarrytown Road, Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, Veterans Administration Hospital, and the Manchester Mental Health Facility and 2) connect these locations with Veterans’ Park, which is the MTA main transfer point for fixed route service. SNHPC will continue to assist MTA in the development of similar services in other portions of the City and region. As noted in the previous section of this Plan, the results of the 2011

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Community Transportation Consumers Survey appear to indicate demand for development of transportation options for travel to medical facilities.

A previous section of this Plan described public/private partnerships with local businesses developed by MTA to improve mobility. MTA currently provides Shopper Shuttles for area seniors with service being provided to grocery stores at East Side Plaza and Valley Street in Manchester. Additional services are currently being planned and SNHPC will continue to provide support for these and other efforts to improve Community Transportation in the region. The results of the 2011 Community Transportation Consumers Survey indicated that 203 respondents to the question, “To what types of activities would you travel using Community Transportation if it were more readily available?”, said that they would use services for grocery shoppin

Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan