Christiansburg citizens were recently provided the opportunity to participate in a bus survey. Survey costs were paid for by the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Montgomery County Metropolitan Planing Organization (MPO), a transportation policy-making entity which can access federal funds. The MPO is closely linked to the NRV PDC, and both organizations receive annual funding from the town. Federal funding gives higher consideration to projects that are continuing, comprehensive and cooperative.
At Tuesday's Town Council meeting, representatives from Blacksburg Transit (BT, a department of the Town of Blacksburg) shared the survey results.
Survey highlights included an excellent response rate, representing over 38% of all town households. Based on average household size, this was considered to be at least 8,876 of approximately 20,000 residents living in Christiansburg. Looking at the town in three portions, 58% of the responses came from the central zone, 31% from the northern zone, and 9% from the eastern zone.
Responses indicated that 45% of the bus riders would use the service for shopping. Another 41% stated they would access the bus for concerts or sporting events, 37% for errands or appointments, 36% for commuting to or from work, and 21% for dining out.
Top destinations in the central zone included Kroger/CVS (adjacent to the skateboard park and aquatic center), downtown, high school area, Cambria, the library and the Wade's Supermarket/County Government Center areas. Destinations outside of town included Blacksburg/VT, Radford, both hospitals and the Corporate Research Center. All four quadrants of the regional commercial shopping hub, plus the Arbor Drive area, were identified as top in-town destinations in the northern zone.
Council received numerous route options with associated costs, and operation of the service is dependent upon state and federal funding. Based upon survey responses, this is expected to be approved and has been requested through the "Job Access Reverse Commute" (JARC) program. The optional inter-connected routes included a Downtown Christiansburg loop, mall circulator, flex routes to move the public from neighborhood hubs to commercial hubs, and commuter routes. No options provided for Sunday service and others excluded service on Sundays and Mondays. Route connections between Christiansburg and Blacksburg would be provided.
Shoppers could park in one store lot and visit any store in the commercial area without having to drive. All new proposed service would meet ADA requirements and fares would be set by Christiansburg. Currently, BT riders pay 50 cents or can purchase monthly or six-month passes. Transfer slips for moving from one route to another are free.
BT and the Town of Blacksburg have the needed infrastructure and regulatory mechanisms in place to support expanded service in the Town of Christiansburg. JARC operating funds require a 50/50 match, and can come from various sources such as the Town and partnerships with area businesses. Capital funding for vehicles is typically 90% state/federal and 10% local.
The Christiansburg Town Council will discuss these options during their fiscal year 2009-2010 budget process; however, a significant portion of these costs are already included in their proposed budget. If approved, a memorandum of understanding between the two towns would be created and vehicles ordered. Service could begin in October, which is before the retail holiday shopping season. If funding for the Huckleberry Trail bridge over Peppers Ferry is provided, and CDBG funds for extending pedestrian routes in the Cambria/Park Street area are received, and the downtown street events continue -- all these new transportation options would tie residential areas to the various destinations and events, providing economic stimulus.