Transporation Planning
West County Transit Study
FRTA bus approaching Court Square in Greenfield
Project Overview
The FRCOG periodically conducts studies to assess transit services and ongoing unmet transit needs in the Franklin County region. The FRCOG is committed to working to ensure that all Franklin County residents have access to transportation facilities and services. To do so we coordinate with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) to explore ways to improve the region’s bus system, and work specifically to support better access to jobs, training, and needed services for low-income residents.
During the summer and fall of 2007, the FRCOG evaluated transit services and needs in western Franklin County, an area with very limited transit service. As part of this study, a survey to gauge the interest in expanded transit services was sent to all households in the ten West County towns, approximately 5,625 households in total (777 surveys were completed), and a public forum was held to gather input from residents. The study also reviewed demographic and economic data related to transportation needs.
Current Activities
A draft of the FRCOG’s report on Transit Services and Needs in Western Franklin County was recently released for public review and comment (links to the draft report appear below) that will run from April 21, 2008 through May 20, 2008. The study’s main finding was that western Franklin County has currently has inadequate transit services and access for many residents. The FRTA’s bus route to the West County area runs only during the school year, and only twice each weekday, at times that are not useful for most West County residents. Another important finding of the study was that the main beneficiaries of expanded bus access in the West County area would likely be low-income and moderate-income residents who often face the most issues with transportation to jobs, training, and services. If you would like more information about the study, or would like to offer comments, please contact Maureen Mullaney at trans@frcog.org or (413) 774-1194 ext. 108.
Draft Transit Services and Needs in Western Franklin County (411K pdf file)
Submitted Survey Comments (350K pdf file)
Appendices (910K pdf file)
Future Plans
The FRCOG will finalize and release its report on transit services and needs in western Franklin County after the conclusion of the public comment period. The FRCOG will then work with the FRTA to pursue funding for increased bus services to the West County area, based on the study’s findings. The FRCOG will also continue to work on other studies and projects, such as the development of the Regional Transit Center, to improve and expand other transit services in the region as needed.
Links
This page was last updated on 04/17/2008 .