Western Piedmont Leads the Way

 

Officials in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties along with the municipalities of Hickory, Newton and Conover recently passed resolutions to create a regional transit authority. Tentatively called Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority, the organization will become the first regional public transportation authority with consolidated urban-rural transit service in the state.

 

This is a huge step forward in addressing current and future public transportation needs in our region, said John Tippett, planning director for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, which helped to lead the effort.  We are well on our way to having the first truly consolidated urban/rural multi-county transit system in North Carolina.

 

The transit authority plans to assume the operations of the rural and urban transit systems in the four-county region, collectively known as the Unifour, on July 1, 2008.  The following four service providers will be consolidated:

• Alexander County community transportation provided by Alexander County Transportation, a county-operated system
• Burke County community transportation provided by Burke County Transit Administration Inc., a nonprofit agency
• Caldwell County - community transportation provided by Caldwell County Area Transit System Inc., a nonprofit agency
• Catawba County Piedmont Wagon Transit System, operated by the city of Hickory, which provides community transportation to county residents and fixed-route service for the cities of Hickory, Newton and Conover

The authoritys story began in 2001 when Caldwell County Area Transit System applied for a planning assistance grant on behalf of Unifour.  The funding, awarded from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Community Transportation Association of America in 2002, made possible a feasibility study, completed by consultants RLS and Associates in 2004.

 

From feasibility to implementation, the project moved forward in 2005 when Hickory used federal Section 5307 planning funds, combined with state matching funds from the NCDOT Public Transportation Division, to finance the implementation study.  The city contracted with the KFH Group to complete the study, and work was initiated in May 2006.

 

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments served as facilitator for the project.  A study committee met regularly and guided the progress of the Regional Transportation Implementation Plan.  Additionally, each county conducted meetings and public hearings.

 

The project had support early on from the transit directors and their transportation advisory boards, said Pat Perry, transportation planner with NCDOT Public Transportation Division, whose assigned area includes Unifour.  They had the willingness to pursue the idea and explore their options with the common goal of how to provide better transportation within the region.

 

The Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority is well on its way to becoming the states next regional system, following the regionalization initiative promoted by the Public Transportation Division.  An additional 29 counties and municipalities have expressed interest in exploring the concept.

Public Transportation Planning

Public transportation plays a vital role in enhancing the productivity and the quality of life in the United States. It promotes access to employment, community resources, medical care and entertainment in communities across America. Both those who choose to ride, and those who have no other choice benefit from its presence. By reducing congestion, air pollution and travel times, it even benefits those who choose not to ride.

In urban areas, transit typically ranks as the second most used travel mode after personal vehicles. North Carolina has one of the better highway systems in the nation and it has supported our state emergence as an economic power and population center. In North Carolina urban areas however, congestion and travel delays are occurring more frequently. Our reliance on personal vehicles for virtually all trips has contributed to congestion and reduction in air quality. Statewide, growth in travel demand has exceeded population growth by a large percentage. Although North Carolina has an aggressive highway building program, it appears that it will be unable to keep pace with the demands placed on its capacity.

 Alexander County Transportation

Alexander County Transportation (ACT) provides service to meet the transportation needs for the citizens of Alexander County. Transportation is provided to passengers who qualify for human service assistance and to the general public. Services are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and may be scheduled by contacting ACT at 828-632-1112.

Human Service eligibility requirements include passengers covered under Medicaid, Alexander County Work First and passengers who are declared disabled and/or 60 years of age or older. Medicaid and Work First passengers must meet approval for all appointments though Alexander County Department of Social Services. Elderly/ Disabled passengers are eligible for medical and general transportation both within and outside of the county. Handicap accessible vehicles are available upon request. Passengers will be assisted only with boarding and exiting transit vehicles. If further assistance is needed, passengers will be required to have a caregiver present to assist them. Caregivers may ride free of charge.

General Public transportation is provided only within the county, at a fare of $1.00 each time the passenger boards the vehicle. Fares are waived for children 12 years of age and under.

Passengers under 18 years of age will require adult supervision. Passengers 16 years of age or older may ride without adult supervision with a consent form from their legal guardian. All passengers are encouraged to schedule appointments as far in advance as possible. Service is provided on an as available basis. Contact ACT for more information at 828-632-1112. Telecommunications Relay Service Customers may contact 711 or 1-800-735-2962 (TDD/TTY) for assistance in scheduling appointments.

 Caldwell County Transportation System

The Caldwell County Area Transportation System (CCATS) is
a private non-profit corporation that provides transportation services to the residents of Caldwell County. Transportation is available to individuals qualifying for human service programs and to the general public. Vehicles operate from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. Service is provided on a demand response basis. Reservations for scheduling a trip may be made by calling the CCATS office at (828) 757-8679 during regular office hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Human service transportation is provided for qualifying individuals covered by Medicaid, the Work First Program, General and Medic l Transportation for Senior Citizens enrolled by the Division of Aging, Elderly Disabled Transportation Assistance Program and other specific human service agencies that contract for client transportation. Medical transportation for eligible riders is available to both in and out of county facilities. Individuals not eligible for a human service program may receive transportation through the Rural General Public program. Service is demand response, curb to curb. Lift equipped vehicles are available for individuals with disabilities. Passengers will only be assisted with boarding and alighting from the vehicles.

There is a $2.00 fare per one way trip for individuals whose fares are not covered by a third party. For more information about available services, how to schedule a trip, or to determine eligibility contact the CCATS office during regular working hours at (828) 757-8679 or by mail at:

CCATS
P.O Box 387
Lenoir, NC. 28645

 Piedmont Wagon Transit System
The Cities of Hickory, Newton and Conover and
Catawba County

Description of the Piedmont Wagon Transit
System (PWTS):

The Piedmont Wagon Transit System (PWTS) was established in 1987 as a consortium and is funded by Federal and State funds, with matching funds from the Cities of Hickory, Newton and Conover and Catawba County. The PWTS operates five bus routes. Ridership is approximately 550 riders per day. The last three-year cumulative bus passenger ridership is 162,790. Total revenue hours in FY 2002-03 for the fixed route was 11,640. Total revenue hours for Dial-A-Ride was 8,625. Buses operate on a six day week, Monday through Friday and Saturday and run for twelve and eight hours respectively. In addition to the fixed route, the PWTS provides human services paratransit vans for persons with disabilities, elderly and the general public in rural areas.

PWTS operates a fixed route service in the Cities of Hickory, Newton and Conover. It operates five peak hour buses on five fixed routes, including a shuttle bus route. It serves an area of approximately 56,386 persons (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census). Ridership on the fixed route averages approximately 11,550 rides per month. PWTS operates a free shuttle that connects to one of the other PWTS bus routes. The shuttle provides easy access to the main commercial business corridor on US Hwy 70.

PWTS also provides a rural general public complementary paratransit service. The service operates in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is designed to serve individuals whose disabling conditions or functional limitations prevent them from using the PWTS fixed route service. Riders must be certified to be eligible to use paratransit. This service utilizes 20 vans. Paratransit ridership averages about 16,962 passenger trips per year over the last three fiscal years.

Fares The fixed route general adult fare is 75 cents A child who is five years or younger and accompanied by an adult may ride free on PWTS buses. The ADA half fare (35 cents) program is available to individuals who receive Medicare benefits. The program is also available to seniors who are 65 years and older. Paratransit Dial-A-Ride fare is 75 cents per one-way trip. Adult attendant rides free. Request for service should be made one day in advance.

Hours of Operation The fixed route service hours are Monday through Friday, 5:45 A.M. to 6:15 P.M. and Saturday from 7:45 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. The Dial-A-Ride service hours are 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

For more information contact:
Piedmont Wagon Transit System
1512 4th Street SW
Conover, NC 28613
Tel. (828) 464-9444
FAX (828) 466-0570

NCDOT Public Transportation Division
www.ncdot.org/transit/transitnet

Statewide TDM Plan
www.ncdot.org/transit/transitnet/TDM/default.htm

 

DOWNLOADS

1 Regional Transit Implementation Plan.pdf
(16699-kb)

10_News Release.pdf
(23-kb)

Feasibility of Consolidating Community Transportation Programs in the Unifour.pdf
(2359-kb)

PIEDMONT WAGON TRANSIT MASTER PLAN_2002.pdf
(1647-kb)

Regional Contract Clauses and DBE.doc
(76-kb)