Weekly comments from Dale Martin

Dale Martin
City of Fernandina Beach
City Manager
April 29, 2016 1:00 a.m.

A little over two months ago, I shared with you several comments related to public transportation. Last year, an effort was made with the trolley to provide public transportation around the City. For a variety of reasons, but also notably not for the lack of investment, effort, and enthusiasm of the operator, the trolley was not as successful as hoped. Nonetheless, I still strongly believe that public transportation services represent a quality of life investment in a community.

In addition to continuing discussions with last year’s operator, I invited the Council on Aging, represented by Ms. Janice Ancrum (Executive Director) and Mr. Michael Hays (Transportation Director), to participate in the discussions given the Council on Aging’s existing transit operations. I encouraged the trolley operator and the Council on Aging to cooperatively explore transit operations for this season. Earlier this week, I met again with Ms. Ancrum and Mr. Hays to learn of those subsequent discussions.

The Council on Aging has offered to expand its operations to include a route similar to that of the trolley last year. In general, the route would begin downtown (Centre Street operations may be limited due to posted weight restrictions) and proceed east along Atlantic Avenue, with possible stops at Central Park and the Recreation Center. After another stop at Main Beach, the vehicle would travel southward on S. Fletcher Avenue to the Seaside Beach area at Sadler Road for another stop. The vehicle would then travel westward on Sadler to the retail area at Sadler Road and 14th Street for another stop before moving to the retail area at TJ Coursen Road and 14th Street. From that area, the vehicle would proceed northward on 14th Street to a stop in the vicinity of Jasmine Street.

The final stop of the route would be in the vicinity of the Martin Luther King, Jr. or the Peck Center. I believe that this stop is perhaps the most critical to establishing and sustaining this transit system. The system cannot solely be oriented toward visitors and tourists, but must also provide access to residents who have their own transportation needs, whether it be for errands, appointments, or livelihood.

That’s the concept, but, as expected, every concept has a cost. The Council on Aging has a vehicle currently out-of-service that can be refitted and put into use as the “Island Hopper.” The cost of repairs to be able to return the vehicle to service is approximately $6,300. Once the vehicle is in service, Mr. Hays estimates that to run the aforementioned loop is $12.50. The cost of six loops five days per week results in a monthly cost of $1,600. So, for four months (June, July, August, September) of operations, the cost is roughly $13,000. With the Council on Aging assuming half of the costs, I’ll need to find approximately $6,500.

Riders would be charged $1 for each ride. Although possible stops are described, the route, in order to not jeopardize the overall purpose of the Council on Aging, would have to be considered a “flex route,” meaning that, if necessary, the vehicle would have to deviate to satisfy the greater transit mission of the Council on Aging. Such route alterations would likely be rare, because the vehicle to be utilized is a surplus vehicle. An additional facet related to the Council on Aging’s flex route is that the vehicle would be required to both embark and disembark passengers anywhere along the route, not only at the stated locations. It is for these reasons that for planning purposes, the loop would be allocated one hour of transit time.

Mr. Hays has confirmed with appropriate state officials that this proposed service would not jeopardize dedicated funding for the Council on Aging.

As was an apparent issue with last year’s trolley, marketing and promotion will play a key role in the success of this effort. In addition to the costs described earlier, I’ll need some direction and assistance for marketing: facilitating an effort to get the bus “wrapped” with unique “Island Hopper” graphics; printing and distributing brochures; identifying bus stops with signage; additional technology such as web site or mobile phone applications?

Additional funding could be utilized to expand operations for more months or for weekends. A second vehicle could be added to assist with movement in the opposite direction, improving the efficiency of travel for riders. Those are opportunities that can be further developed once the initial operation begins.
This effort can be an exciting example of a private-public partnership in providing a community service. I indicated to Ms. Ancrum that through this offer and effort, the Council on Aging is on the cusp of developing a broad expansion of public transit in Fernandina Beach. I look forward to supporting this effort.
The Council on Aging will provide additional details of this proposal at the City Commission meeting at 6:00 PM, May 2, at City Hall.