For Immediate Release
February 19, 2019
Contact: Zeth Lundy, Public Information Coordinator
(207) 992-4268
zeth.lundy@bangormaine.gov
Bangor Area Transit’s Community Connector Launches Survey to Gather Community Input
BANGOR, ME -- The Bangor Area’s Transit System has launched a study to identify ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its Community Connector Bus Services. As part of the study, the system is asking riders and non-riders to complete a survey to provide data on how the existing network of bus routes is being used today and how to improve those services to retain the loyalty of those who ride today, to identify unmet needs for travel, and to determine what characteristics of service would lure new riders to transit.
The survey is an important part of the study being executed by Stantec Consulting of Scarborough, Maine that will result in an action plan to make the Community Connector service more responsive to public need while improving its productivity. The survey will enable our consultants to determine how the existing Community Connector service is meeting the needs of those who ride it today. We are also asking those who don’t ride the service today to take the survey so that we can identify characteristics of service, such as routing and service frequency that would attract new riders to the Community Connector. The survey is available online at bangortransit.study.
The Bangor Transit Study survey will be posted until February 27, 2019 and the public is encouraged to take the survey online. The study will include eight tasks including a review of the demographics and travel characteristics of the current service area; a detailed analysis of the current route structure and how those services are designed and delivered; a peer system analysis to compare the productivity of the Community Connector with other transit systems that have similar characteristics; a gaps analysis of the shortcomings of the existing service and identification of opportunities for expansion of the current network of routes; a draft of recommendations and an implementation plan; a proposed budget that includes savings that improve service productivity along with cost estimations for any suggested service expansion; and a final report following the review by the City of Bangor and participating municipalities.
More information about the study and the survey can be obtained through the Project Website at bangortransit.study or through the Community Connector website at http://www.bangormaine.gov/communityconnector.
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The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 33,039 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.