Public transportation needs include more bus routes, new technology
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 16, 2014
SALISBURY — The city and Rowan County are working together on a plan for public transportation that calls for more hours, weekend service, additional routes and new technology.
City Council on Tuesday approved the Rowan-Salisbury Local Coordinated Plan, which is contingent on federal, state and local funding. The plan, which aims to improve the mobility of people with disabilities and low incomes, is required to qualify for state and federal dollars.
Rowan County commissioners approved the document in April.
The plan includes a survey of people who use public transportation. They would like to see new technology on public buses and vans, including:
• Mobile data computers to increase scheduling efficiency
• Real-time vehicle tracking on the public transportation website
• Safety devices like back-up cameras for smaller vehicles in the transportation fleet
• Electronic fare boxes
• Software applications like a mobile phone app for real-time tracking
They also said they need Rowan Express routes in western and northern Rowan County, as well as expanded connection with the CATS system and more services for the medically fragile and elderly.
Riders would like more bus stop shelters and benches, as well as additional seating and bike racks on the vehicles. Suggested marketing and public outreach efforts included interactive maps, business advertising on a monitor inside the bus and advertising on TV and radio.
They listed the strengths of public transportation as reasonable fares, clean vehicles, feeling safe, good connectivity, nice drivers and good coverage of outlying areas.
City Council recently agreed to expand public bus service to Wallace Commons and the outpatient medical facilities on Julian Road.
In other business at Tuesday’s City Council meeting:
• Salisbury Transit detailed corrections to six deficiencies in Title VI compliance, which is assessed by the state Office of Civil Rights. The city had several clerical deficiencies, including not providing a signed document and failing to list all of the required civil rights agencies on a complaint form.
The deficiencies were corrected.
Councilman Pete Kennedy said he serves on the city’s Transportation Advisory Board and said while he is not aware of any civil rights complaints, it is important to comply with Title VI.
• City Council approved the local water supply plans for Salisbury and China Grove.
Jeff Jones, senior engineer with Salisbury-Rowan Utilities, said the water-sewer system is efficient with an average of 52 gallons of water used per person each day, including industrial, commercial and residential use.
The state is targeting water-sewer utilities that average more than 100 gallons per person each day as inefficient, he said.
“We’re doing very well,” Jones said.
• City Council reappointed Jane Riley and Jim Haymaker to the Hurley Park Advisory Board and appointed Tamara Sheffield to the Community Appearance Commission.
The city still has one opening on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and encouraged residents to apply by contacting City Hall.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.