Transportation System Plan 2018-2038

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. To achieve the transit ridership goals identifie d in the Alternative Measures contained in the 2001-2023 Rogue Valley Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for reduction of reliance on single occupant autom obiles, RVTD m ust significantly increase the am ount of intracity service within the RVMPO area. The first step toward m eeting these goals was taken when the RVMPO, acting on behalf of its member local governm ents, chose to dedicate half of the federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds expected to be received in the region over the next 18 y ears to funding im proved RVTD service. This commitment is expected to m eet the financial obliga tion identified in Measure 7 of the RTP Alternative Measures. A recent service im provem ent financed th rough the use of STP funds dedicated to transit was the increased service frequency on Route 60 (White City ). In 2003, increases in service frequency will also be im plem ented on Routes 4 (East Medford) and 40 (Central Point). In addition to the region’s financial com mitment to improved public transit service within the Rogue Valley area, achieving transit ridership goals will re quire strong com munity support and adherence to the policies set forth in the public transit com ponent of the City ’s Transportation System Plan . It will also require integration of transit im provem ents with improvem ents identified under other TSP components including Transportation Dem and Managem ent, Bicy cle, and Pedestrian Com ponents that include policies and strategies designed to support and encourage the u se of public transit by improving access to transit. In addition, achieving transit ridership goals will require land use actions designed to strengthen the activity centers (including TODs) where RVTD intends to em phasize high quality service. Medford Transportation System Plan 1-14 Introduction and Executive Summary