A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
1 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Agenda
Project Overview
Timeline
Upcoming Project Activity
RTA Profiles
RTA Site Visits
Civic Engagement Plan
Project Vision and Goals
Next Steps
2 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Project Overview
Study background/familiarization
Develop a statewide transit vision
Identify existing conditions and transit system trends
Identify issues and improvement opportunities
Evaluate improvement scenarios
Develop recommendations
3 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Study Overview
Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
4 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Study Background/Familiarization
Review previous plans and studies
Collect background data
Develop RTA profiles
Identify stakeholders
Create civic engagement plan
5 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Develop Statewide Transit Vision
Set strategic direction
Define expectations for service network
Create broad guidelines for RTAs
Integrate with MassDOT’s transit vision
Collaborative and iterative process
Input from staff
Working session with advisory committee
6 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

7
Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Existing Conditions &
Transit System Trends
Emphasis on stakeholder input
RTA Administrators
Local, regional and state stakeholders
System and network level data
Financial
Service
Technology
Administrative and organizational
Marketing
| Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

8
Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Issues and Improvement Opportunities
Compare and contrast RTA experience
Categorize issues and systems
Identify best practices
Consistency with statewide transit vision
Consider national trends
Assess applicability to
Massachusetts
Potential Topics
• Service policies
• Fare policies
• Service Provision
•
Operating contracts
• Partnerships
• Financing
• Innovative practices
• Technology
•
Staffing levels
• Planning & scheduling practices
• Public information & marketing
• Human Service Transportation
| Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Evaluate Improvement Scenarios
Screen long list of opportunities based on:
Transit vision, goals and objectives
Potential for improvement
Potential for consensus
Realistic chance for implementation
Evaluate costs, benefits and impacts
Focus on high-value opportunities
9 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Develop Recommendations
Collaborative process
MassDOT staff
Advisory Committee
RTAs
Objective is to create a system that is:
More effective and efficient
More transparent, predictable and understandable
Broad constituent support
Fundable
10 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011

Beyond Boston: A Transit Study for the Commonwealth
Scott Hamey, Project Manager
Office of Transportation Planning
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
10 Park Plaza, Suite 4150
Boston, MA 02116
617.973.7210
Scott.Hamwey@state.ma.us
11 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot 10/14/2011