that is currently provided by Routes 2 and 4, fixed r oute service is prim arily designed to provide intercity service that connects central Medford to the com munities of Ashland, Phoenix, Central Point, Jacksonville, Talent and White City . The existing route structure generally provides very good coverage within 1/4 m ile of m ost activity centers in the gr eater Medford area. However, connections between activity centers are not easily made and there is lim ited or no service in m uch of the eastern (and largely residential) portion of the city , including the SE Me dford TOD and in the southwestern portion of the urban area. Additionally , little or no service is provided to the northwest industrial portion of the city and to the southwest, largely residential area. Service to the Rogue Valley Interna tional-Medford Airport is provided upon request only . Figure 3-5 in Chapter 3 shows the existing RVTD fixed route structure and ¼ mile service coverage area. RVTD operates eight fixed routes generally from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm . Service is currently provided Monday through Friday and there is no weekend service. Of the eight fixed routes currently operated by RVTD, only four operate on 30 m inute frequencies. The rest operate with one hour service frequency , with the exception of Jacksonville (Route 30) with a total of only nine runs per day . RVTD has designated bus stops and in m any locations has inst alled am enities for passengers. However, there are existing problem s with inadequate waiting areas and pedestrian access to m any other stops throughout the UGB. A passenger survey conducted by RVTD in Novem ber 2001 indicated that the following service deficiencies were identified by current riders: • Riders want weekend service, especially on R outes 10 (between Medford and Ashland) and 60 (White City ) so that riders who work Monday to Friday can shop on the weekend after they have been paid. • One Route 10 bus is needed for evening service (e.g., as late as 9 PM for those working late who need to get hom e). • One express bus run during each of the m orning and evening peak hours on Route 10. A slightly higher fare would be acceptable. • Regular, all day service on Route 30 rather than 9 tim es/day as is currently provided. • Expanding or m odify ing existing route structure to reach pockets of elderly housing to m inimize walking distances to bus stops for these individuals. According to the 2001-2023 Rogue Valley Regional Transportation Plan , the existing hours of operation do not fully meet the dem and for general public tr ansit service, particularly for Southern Oregon University students, Rogue Com munity College students, Bear Creek Corporation employees, residents living at the Veteran’s Dom iciliary in White City , Rogue Valley Medical Center, Providence Hospital and the Rogue Valley Manor. Modifications are needed to provide transportation to em ployees whose shifts begin early in the m orning and for em ployees who work gravey ard shifts. RVTD also offers paratransit service (shared ride, curb-to-curb, wheelchair-accessible) for people whose disabilities prevent them from using RVTD’ s lift-equipped buses. Service is operated using local taxis. This service is only available on the sam e day s and hours of the fixed route sy stem and is lim ited to the geographic area within ¾ of a mile on either side of any fixed route. Fares for paratransit service are double the fares for fixed route service. Future Service Deficiencies and Regional Plans Much of RVTD’ s service planning effort focuses on developing and im plem enting short-term strategies to m eet the needs of existing riders or to attract new riders by offering service that m eets current travel needs within the lim ited financial resources of the agency . The assessm ent of fu ture service deficiencies and im provem ent needs bey ond the short-term planning horizon has been addressed in the 2001-2023 Medford Transportatio n System Plan 7-4 Public Transit Plan

Transportation System Plan 2018-2038