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OperationsRoadmap
Vision:2020presentedbytheCentralMidlandsRegionalTransitAuthority(CMRTA)proposesa newdirectionandapproachtopublictransportationintheMidlandsthatwillcreateamore innovative,connectedandaccessiblesystemtofacilitateabetterqualityoflifeforallRichland Countycitizens. Theconversionofcompressednaturalgas(CNG)asanewfuelsourcefortheCMRTAstransit fleetwillnotonlybeamajorinvestmentintheinfrastructureforCMRTAhelpingthesystem saveupto40%offuelcostwhilemitigatingitsimpactontheenvironment,butitwillalso createmuchneededinfrastructurefortheentireregionthatallowslocalbusinessesand governmentstouseanddevelopcleaner,Americanhomegrownenergywhileboostingthe economicdevelopmentpotentialfortheentireregion. Thedevelopmentofhighfrequencyservicealonghighcapacitycorridorswillprovidegreater connectivityandaddedconvenienceforridersduringpeakhourssothattheycangettowork, schoolandretailinamoreefficientmanner. TheCMRTAwillalsorestructureservicetobeginservingneighborhoodswithlowerdensity routeswithsmallerbusestodirectlyconnectriderswiththehighercapacitytransitcorridors. Thischangewillenhanceefficiency,provideopportunityforincreasedridershipandbetter connectneighborhoodstothedowntownbusinesscorridors. WithnewtechnologiesandimprovedinfrastructuretheCMRTAwillcreateamoreintelligent transitsystem.Someofthesemeasuresincludeimplementingtheautomatedvehiclelocator (AVL)andenhancedGPStrackingtoproviderealtimearrivalanddepartureinformationfor riderssothattheycanmoreefficientlyplantheirtripsusingtheirsmartphonesorthe
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redesignedCMRTAwebsite.Andthenewsmartcardfarepaymenttechnologywillallowriders toquicklyandeasilyrechargetheirtransitpassesatterminalstospeedridercommutes. Alloftheseinnovationsandserviceenhancementswillenableamorerobust,accessibleservice forthecitizensofRichlandCountytolive,toworkandtoplay.Increasedfrequency,more coverageandgreaterconnectionwillcontributetoahigherqualityoflifeforall. TheCentralMidlandsRegionalTransitAuthoritysVision:2020reflectsanewphilosophyand approachtoservice.Vision:2020issimplyaboutgrowingridershipbyprovidingamazing serviceforourtransitriderswhileconstantlyattractingnewcustomersandbuilding communitywidesupport.Byfocusingonjobconnectivity,jobgrowthandlivablecommunities, CMRTAserviceswillbecomeatransportationstyle.Vision:2020soperationalplantargets improvingexistingservices,creatingnewservicesandbringingaboutinnovative technologies/infrastructuretosupportcurrentandfutureriders.Thechangesinclude: ENHANCEDSERVICES:HighCapacityTransitCorridorsandLocalRoutes: o Traditionaltransitbutwithhighfrequencytomakeridingtransiteasyand convenient. o Ridershipratesarewellaboveotherrouteswithhighdemandformoreservices. o Enhancementstargetfrequency,expandedeveningsandrestoredSundays. o Localrouteswillbuildonexistingsuccessfulservicesandconnectpeoplewith jobsandshopping.Theseserviceswillseehighfrequencypeakhours,as supportedbyridership. NEWSERVICETYPE:LimitedStopExpress(LSE)Routes: o Travelsalongmajormetrotransitcorridors,stoppingonlyatmajorintersections, transferpoints,largeemploymentareasandretailcenters. o LimitedStopExpressroutesaredesignedtooperatebothdirectionstoserve suburbanandmetrocommuters.Initially,theserouteswillonlyoperateduring peakperiods.Servicewillexpandassupportedbyridership. NEWTECHNOLOGY:CompressedNaturalGas(CNG): o CompressedNaturalGas(CNG):Aspartofitsenvironmentalcommitmentand emphasisonsupportingAmericanindustry,CMRTAwillactivelypursueCNGas itsfueltypeforitstransitfleet.CMRTAsleadershipinthisareabrings considerablefederalfundsandinvestmentthatcanactasacatalystfor alternativefueluseintheMidlands.
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o ByopeningthefirstpermanentnaturalgasfuelstationtotheMidlands,itopens todoorstootherfleetsfromRichlandCounty,CityofColumbia,StateofSouth Carolina,UniversityofSouthCarolinaandSchoolBusfleets. o CMRTAwillpursueastrongpublicprivatepartnershiptobringCNGfueltothe retailmarket,allowingprivatecitizenstopurchaseflexfuel,naturalgasor hybridgasvehiclesandfuelforlocalorregionaltravel.Emerginggreen technologysuchasbiogasproductionwillhelpestablishnewindustriesin theMidlands. o Naturalgashaslowertailpipeemissions,isaUSbasedfuelproductthatcreates USjobs,costsabout40%lessthandieselfuelandpermitsCMRTAtostretchits dollarsevenfarther.Itisveryexpensivetobuildtheonsiteinfrastructureand buythenewtransitfleet. NEWSERVICETYPE:NeighborhoodService&FlexRoutes: o Redesignslowproductivitytransitroutesandusessmallbusesinneighborhoods todirectlyconnectpeoplewithhighcapacitytransitcorridors. o Flexroutesallowbusestoleaveneighborhoodserviceroutestopickupordrop offcustomersinlowdensityareas.Usuallyoperateinpeakserviceonlybutuse dialarideoptionsinmidday,eveningandonweekends. o Createsmoreindependenceandridershipoptionsforpersonswithdisabilities andtheelderly. o Highridershipandstrongfarecollectionallowsthesmallservicestogrowinto fullservicetransitroutes. NEWSERVICETYPE:Park&RideExpressRoutes: o Dedicatedservicetoparkingareaswithexpressservicetomajoremployment sitesviatheregionsinterstatehighwaynetworkbutwillalsocirculatethrough downtowntominimizetransfers. o Connectpeoplewithjobsorevents(downtownemployers,events/concerts, USC,etc.)overalongerdistance. o Operatesonlyduringpeakperiodsordedicatedeventtimes.Allrouteswilltravel intodowntownColumbiainthemorningandfromdowntownColumbiainthe afternoonwithconnectionstootherroutes. o Allowsmetroworkerstoreachsuburbanretailareasforemploymentwhile suburbanserviceincreasesaccesstometrojobmarkets.

TransitTechnologies:CompressedNaturalGas(CNG)buses;realtimearrivaland departureinformationfortransferpointsandsmartphones;webbasedtransittrip planningandtripmatchingservicesforrideshareandvanpoolprograms;newshelters andbenchestomatchtheservicetypes;andanewdowntowntransitcentertosupport downtownrevitalization.

HighCapacityTransitCorridorsandEnhancedLocalRoutes: Corridor#1:N.Main/ColumbiaCollege:Enhancedto30minutealldayservice,later evenings,enhancedweekendandrestoredSundayservice.Keyresidentialandretail corridorwithservicetoColumbiaCollegeandEauClaireCommunityCenter. Corridor#2:PalmettoHealthRichland/FarrowRd:Enhancedto30minutepeakservice, laterevenings,enhancedweekendandrestoredSundayservice.Willuseneighborhood andflexservicesonweekendstoconnecttootherroutes.KeyaccesstoPalmetto Health,SCHealthDepartmentandlargestateemploymentsites. Corridor#3:TwoNotchRd:30minutealldayservicewithnewLimitedStopExpress routeduringpeakperiodstoprovidenear15minuteserviceduringpeaktraveltimes; restoreevenings,enhanceweekendsandrestoreSundays.Willenhanceamajorretail, residentialandemploymentcorridorthatwillreduceautotrafficandconnectwithnew servicestotheVillageatSandhill. Corridor#4:ForestDr:Enhancedto30minutepeakservice,laterevenings,enhanced weekendandrestoredSundays.PossibleLimitedStopExpresstoFt.Jacksonforsupport workersandfamiliesattendingArmygraduationceremonies/events.Routesupportsa growingretailandresidentialcorridor. Corridor#5:Assembly/BluffRd.:Enhancedto30minutepeakserviceand60minute middayservice.Willuseneighborhoodandflexservicesonweekendstoconnectto otherroutes.EnhancestransportationforUniversityofSouthCarolinastudentsand workerstocampuswithincreasedaccesstospecialeventsatWilliamsBriceStadium andStateFairgrounds.HighusebystudentsfromtheUniversityofSouth Carolina/MidlandsTechnicalCollegewillallowfor20minutefrequencyallday. Corridor#6:Devine/GarnersFerry:Enhancedservicefortheentirearea,expandingto GreenlawnAve.with30minutealldayservice.AnewHopkinsLimitedStopExpress routeduringpeakperiodswillprovidenear15minuteserviceduringpeaktraveltimes. RestoreseveningsandSaturdayswithSundayneighborhoodserviceandflexservices. EnhancedservicetoMidlandsTechnicalCollege,BenedictCollegehousing,Veterans AdministrationHospitalandShandoncommunity.
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Corridor#7:BroadRiver/Harbison:Enhancedwith30minutepeakfrequencies; enhancedeveningandweekendservice,includingSundays.Expandedfrequencyto DutchSquareMall,stateemploymentcentersandHarbisonRd.retail/employment sites.Highridershipbuildstowardadowntowntoshoppingweekendexpressservice. DowntownCirculator:ThishighfrequencyserviceintodowntownColumbiacreatesthe opportunityforadowntowncirculatoratamuchlowercost.Asbusesarrivedowntown, theywilldepartthenewtransitcenterandorbitdowntowntoconnectthenorthand southendstoincludeBullandAssemblystreets.Quickaccesstodowntownhighrises, UniversityofSouthCarolinacampusandTheVistawithouthavingtotransferroutesto getthere.

NeighborhoodServiceRoutes&FlexRoutes: EauClaire:ConnectsEarlewood,SunsetRd.andEauClaireneighborhoodswithBroad RiverandN.Maincorridors.Fixedrouteservicesgivecustomersquickaccessto shoppingorconnectionsintodowntownandPalmettoHealthRichland. ColonialDr./W.Beltline:ConnectstheneighborhoodsbetweenN.MainSt.andTwo NotchRd.todowntownwithconnectionsatFarrowRd.providingincreasedopportunity toreachjobcenters. MonticelloRd./DennyTerrace:FlexRoutewithpossibledialarideservicetoconnect DennyTerrace,EauClaireandN.MainSt.communitieswithevening/weekendservice. FairfieldRd./WilsonRd.:FlexRoutewithpossibledialarideservicetoconnectthe WilsonRd.andNortheastRichlandCountywiththeN.MainStandFarrowRd.corridors. Allowsforeveningandweekendtransitservices. ForestAcres:FlexRoutewithpossibledialarideservicetoconnectForestAcreswith TwoNotch,ForestDr.andpossiblyDevine/GarnersFerry.Allowsforeveningand weekendtransitservices. Millwood/Shandon:FlexRoutewithpossibledialarideservicetoconnectThe MillwoodandShandonareaswiththeForestDr.aswellasDevine/GarnersFerry Corridors.AlsoprovidesconnectionsintoFivePointsandtheUniversityofSouth Carolinacampus.Allowsforeveningandweekendtransitservices. RosewoodDr.:ConnectsHollywood/RoseHill/Rosewoodneighborhoodswiththe Devine/GarnersFerryandtheAssembly/BluffRd.highfrequencycorridorswithaccess atMidlandsTechnicalCollegeandAssemblySt.Allowsforeveningandweekendtransit services.
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BushRiverRd./St.Andrews:ConnectstheBushRiverRd.St.Andrewsareawiththe shoppingandemploymentareasofBowerParkway,HarbisonRd.andLakeMurrayBlvd. andthenewPalmettoHealthParkridge.Allowsforeveningandweekendtransit services.

NewRoutesEnhancedLocalRoutes&NeighborhoodService/FlexRoutes TwoNotchRoadLocal:CreatesanewlocalservicealongTwoNotchRd.thatoperates betweenColumbiaPlaceMallandtheVillageatSandhill.Thisroutewilloperatebi directionallytotakecommuterstojobcentersinboththecityandsuburbs. TwoNotchRoadLimitedStopExpress:CreatesaLimitedStopExpressthatoperates fromdowntownColumbiaalongTwoNotchRoadtoColumbiaPlaceMall(orbeyond). Thisroutewillmakelimitedstopsonlyatmajorpointsofinteresttoourcustomers.This routewilloperatebidirectionallybringingcommuterstojobcentersinthecityandout tothesuburbs.Servicewilloperateduringpeakperiods. CollegeSpecial:ConnectsvariousoffcampusapartmentsfortheUniversityofSouth Carolina,AllenUniversityandBenedictCollegestudents,totheentertainmentdistrictof FivePoints.ThisroutewilloperatefromBluffRoadtoTwoNotchRoadvia Blossom/HardenStreets. HopkinsLimitedStopExpress:LimitedStopExpressbetweenHopkinsanddowntown ColumbiaviaGarnersFerryRoad.Serviceduringpeakperiodswilloperatebi directionallybringingcommuterstojobcentersintothecityandouttothesuburbs. Gamecock/EventShuttles:ShuttlestoconnectdowntownColumbiarestaurants,hotels andparkinggaragesandTheVistatoWilliamsBriceStadium.Thisenhancedfare servicewillprovidecirculatorstyletransitinthedowntownColumbia/Universityof SouthCarolinaareas,basedondemand. RuralTransportation:Keytoasuccessfultransportationplanisaserviceasdiverseasits communities.Ruralcommunitieshavedistinctneeds,focusedmainlyonaccessto employmentcentersandmedicalcare.Solutionsdevelopedinconjunctionwith communitieswillincludededicatedvanpoolprograms,volunteerrideshareprograms andCMRTAtechnicalsupportforprivatetransportationproviders.Theseserviceswill plugoutlyingcommunitiesintothemetrotransportationnetworkforaccesstohigher education,medicalcareandemployment.Asdemandbuilds,newfixedroutesandpark andrideswillfollow. ExpandedDARTserviceforpersonswithdisabilitiesasserviceareasgrow,aswellas accesstoallfixedroutes,andalldialaride/flexservices.
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NewRoutesEnhancedPark&RideExpressroutes Northwest(I26)Express:NewservicefromI26Exit97(Peak)throughColumbianaMall (Harbison)andthenbacktoI26intodowntownColumbia.Servicewilloperateduring peakperiodswilltakecommuterstojobcentersintothecityandouttothesuburbs. Northeast(I77)Express:NewservicefromBlythewoodthroughKillianRoad,Palmetto HealthRichlandtodowntownColumbia.Servicewilloperateduringpeakperiods.This routewilloperatetowardColumbiainthemorningsandtowardBlythewoodinthe afternoons. East(I20)RichlandExpress:CreatesaservicethatoperatesfromtheVillageatSandhill viaClemsonRoad,I20,ColumbiaPlaceMall,PalmettoHealth/RichlandHospitalto downtownColumbia.Servicewilloperateduringpeakperiods.Thisroutewilloperate bidirectionallybringingcommuterstojobcentersintothecityandouttothesuburbs. Gamecock/EventShuttles:NewPark&RideroutesfromtheNorthwest,Northeastand EastRichlandPark&RidelocationsforUniversityofSouthCarolinafootballgamesand specialevents.Thispremiumfareservicewillprovideroundtripexpressservicesfrom keylocationstodowntownforgamedayactivitiesbasedondemand.

InnovationsforPartnerships&TransitTechnologies DowntownCirculator:Inadditiontotheemphasisonconnectingworkers,studentsand visitorsthroughoutdowntown,newpartnershipswithintheRichland/Columbiaareawill permitthecreationofacirculatortoconnecthotels,conventioncentersand restaurants. DedicatedJobCenterRoutes:Asnewindustryarrivesandexistingbusinessesexpand, shiftworkatmajoremploymentsitescanbecomemorechallengingandcancreate increasedburdenonthelocalinfrastructure(traffic,lackofsurfaceparking).New partnershipswithlargeemployersallowsforspecializedtransitroutes(opentothe public)fromdowntowntoindustrialparks,warehousesormanufacturingcenters. LexingtonCountyTransportationOptions:WhilefocusedonRichlandCountyasthe primaryfundingsource,LexingtonCountyanditsmanytownsandcommunitieswill haveaccesstosimilarprogramsandservicesonapayasyougobasis.Severalhigh capacitytransitandPark&RidecorridorsexistinLexingtonCountytheopportunityto addneighborhoodserviceandflex/dialarideprogramsservicesinoutlying communities.

University&CommuterConnections:CMRTAs2013programstobeginconnecting studentstotransitwillbeginwithnewlowercostfareoptionsforstudentsto encouragemoreusebyhighschool&collegestudents.Partnershipswithuniversities, schooldistrictsandmajoremployerlocationswillallowustoconnectawholenew passengerbasewithawholenewsetofcommuteoptions. IntelligentTransitSystems(asampleofpopulartechnologies): o CMRTAwilltakethenextstepintechnologybyaddingautomatedvehicle location(AVL)toallowrealtimearrivalanddepartureinformationforcustomers atstopsoronsmartphones. o GPStrackingonbusescanhelptriggerlightstoturngreenonmajorcorridors helpingpushthebusesthroughcloggedcitytrafficandspeedupcommute times. o Newtechnologywilltextpassengerswhentheirbuseswillarrive(withuser definedsettings)andevenletthemtracktheclosestbuswhilewaitingonthe streetcornerandusewebbasedtripplanningonthenewCMRTAwebsite. o SmartphoneappsforvisitorscanlinkthemtotransitandQRT/barcode technologyaroundtowncantelltouristsaboutroutesandservicesonthego. o Smartcardfarepaymenttechnologywillallowcustomerstoridewiththetapof theircardandcanrechargetheirtransitpassesatterminals(similartoanATM). Thisalsoprovidesrealtimebusarrivalinformation,generalpassenger informationandadvertisingrevenueforthesystem.

RiderAmenities(asampleofpopularamenities): o AnimproveddowntownTransitCenterwithoffstreetbusaccessandoffstreet waitingareas.Thenewdowntowntransitcenterwillgivecustomersamore secure,convenientandcleanerwaytoridetransitservices.Buseswillnolonger lineupdowntownforroutetransfersthereforedowntownsidewalkswillbe easiertonavigateforpedestrians.Customerswillbeabletocatchtheirbusesat thesamegateeverydaytoimprovereliabilityandgetthemhomeontime. o NewbusesforallroutesandservicesarevitaltoimprovingCMRTAservices. Newbusesformajorcorridorswillbestateoftheart,lowfloorbuses. New,onboardtechnologieswillannouncemajorstops,digitallydisplay thecrossstreetsandincludeonboardsecuritycameras.Newergonomic seatingwithstainlesssteelinteriors(andonboardWiFiforPark&Ride routes)willcreatethelookandfeelofalightrailtraincar.
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Newneighborhoodserviceandflexroutebuseswillbesmaller,less expensivetooperateandmoreneighborhoodfriendly.Inadditionto beingquieter,theyhavealowerprofile,takeuplessoftheroadand supportthefeelingofcommunity.Theyarelessexpensivetopurchase andpermitserviceinnewareasuntilridershipgrows.

o Largercapacitybicyclerackstosupportgrowinguseoftransitforbicyclistsin partnershipwithbusinessandemployerswillencourageriderstobiketothe routeandridetransittotheirdestination. o Brandnewbenches,sheltersandsignswithenhancedservicesatSuperStops andneighborhoodconnectionpointswillfeaturesolarlighting;reflectivedecals andrealtimearrivalinformationatenhancedstopswillmakeforsaferandmore convenienttransfers.Trashandrecyclingbinswillmakeiteasiertokeepthe areascleanandneat.Allbusstopsignswillbereplacedwithhighvisibility signagetoincludetherouteandtravelinformation.