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PenTrans "Next Big Steps" Questionnaire and Comments  

At the PenTrans Oct. 18 "Next Big Steps" Forum we used the questionnaire below to stimulate discussion of some ideas and goals that PenTrans especially wants to consider. Below the questionnaire are some of the interesting responses we received that will help us form PenTrans policy on the future of Pennsylvania transportation.

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1. Seamless regional transportation
			Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion

2. A Transit Oriented Development element in every new capital project
			Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion

3. Amenities on transit that are competitive with other transportation modes
			Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion

4. Greater local/regional participation in funding transportation growth
			Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion

5. Parking policy and pricing linked to full external costs
			Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion

6. Wider use of road pricing linked to full external costs of driving
			Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	No Opinion

What are your ideas? Are there other questions we should be asking?

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Comments from  Oct. 18 PenTrans Forum 

Michael Wood, Penn. Budget & Policy Center

Need to demonstrate how transit benefits all Pennsylvanians. 

Some consideration needs to be made that not all can afford to pay the “full cost” of transportation choice. 

Address relatively small things such as more signage.

Ideas about real time monitoring is a great option.

Need more cooperation between Amtrak and SEPTA. Why not linked access to 30^th Street Station?

Commonwealth funding adequacy is vital. The new funding stream is based on taking a larger percentage of the sales tax, but sales tax proceeds don’t increase over time at the rate of some other taxes – personal income tax in particular. It was a great leap forward, but will need to be monitored to make sure it doesn’t buy less over time.  

Doing a few highly visible improvements would go a long way with non-Philadelphia area legislators. Many seem to think transit funding is a bottomless pit that does not benefit them. 

Anonymous

1. I agree that transit oriented development element should be encouraged. I disagree that it’s reasonable to include this element in every capital project. Much needs to be done just to operate & maintain the system. These improvements need to be expedited to insure a safe and efficient intermodal transportation system and may not necessarily have a TOD element.

2. Another issue that is a deterrent to seamless regional transportation is the fact that agencies at the federal state and local level are oriented to only one mode. This creates funding around individual modes rather than overall mobility goals. For instance the federal government has separate modal administrations (i.e., FHWA, FTA, FRA) rather than one surface transportation administration that is focused on regional surface transportation. The same can be said of State, County and local levels. Funding and administration of programs needs a Seamless Multi-Modal Focus.

3. Private sector needs to work with local public sector in partnership to better promote walkability, transit and alternative transit options. This starts with local land use planning and a partnership with land use and transportation. Developers wouldn’t think of building without electric, gas, water or sewer service. They should also think about transportation with the same focus (i.e., as a critical element to make my development work!)

4. Don’t forget Pa. is a very diverse state: (urban vs. rural) needs.

 
Sarah Stuart, Bicycle Coalition

Improve transit experience for customers.

Make regional transportation seamless using transit, bicycling & car sharing.

Jeremy Stevenson, STV, Inc.

Pocket Guides with all-inclusive (bus/RR/trolley/subway transit information. I’d love to share ideas regarding this.

Matt Edmond

The best transportation system is one that offers choice of modes. Seamless system and smaller improvements (amenities) are the way to go.

Anonymous

Do the little (least expensive) things first. Cleaning, signage, loops, coordinated schedules, experimentation with increased service frequency on regional rail.

Tom Spearing, Hill International, Inc.

Public private partnerships, sale of state assets to improve our infrastructure.

Matt Malozi, Traffic Planning and Design, Inc.

Improve “self-promotion” of regional transit's importance and address crippling false perception of SEPTA as wasteful and lacking financial accountability – especially with suburban decision-makers (SEPTA Board members, Mayors, State Reps & Sens, etc.). Continue to promote SEPTA to the suburban “occasional” riders (Phils/Eagles/Flyers/Sixers Fans whose word-of-mouth advertising can be an asset or liability). 

Anonymous

Need regional champion as suggested by presenters. DVRPC and others? Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce?

Revisit state constitution as proposed by Dwight Evans.

Operating improvements / frequency of service / capital projects most important

Anonymous

Align highway funding/prioritization with land use priorities to reduce contradictory results, i.e., facilitating - and warning against - sprawl at the same time.

Articulate benefits of transit and subsidies versus driving to better show the comparison.

Anonymous

Make Public transit more visible to rush hour commuters stuck in traffic... visible signs (billboards) letting people know commute time from end of the line to downtown and the cost. People will realize that thecost of fuel and parking are more than transit option. A public awareness campaign could be all of our best friends. We need to sell “TIME AND VALUE!”

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