OFBD Forum April 2004 ~ Transportation Comments

Citizen input via survey

 

o      Create a diversity of transportation opportunities – i.e., public transportation, volunteer groups to provide transportation (individuals, businesses, groups), agencies that provide vehicles, car repair/maintenance to low income people

o      How can regionalism support and encourage efforts towards mass transportation resulting in less reliance on autos

o      Need bus services for the area for the general public

o      Public is absolutely needed – park and ride to malls +236 to Portsmouth

o      Mass transit (bus service) within KEYS

o      Transportation involves all means of travel, public transportation, vehicles, pedestrian and cross borders

o      Regional bus system

o      Rt. 236 growth, access to S. Berwick and Eliot, summer traffic issues

o      This is the piece that allows every person to truly access services, training, jobs

o      Public transportation from town to town – bike trails along roadways – hiking or paved walking/biking paths to connect community

o      Trails, public transportation, parking

 

OFBD Forum 9/29/05 Transportation Table Notes

Citizen input as written on the tablecloth during cafŽ style conversations, in response to this vision/goals statement:

 

Transportation Vision: We envision a regional community where all citizens have access to diverse and environmentally conscious modes of transportation.

 

Goals to move us toward that vision:

a.     Public Transportation - Connect KEYS Communities through public transportation.

b.    Non-motorized Modes of Transportation Ð Safe Walk-able Communities Ð Connect popular destinations in the KEYS Region through off-road trails or paved and signed shoulders on public roads.

c.     Infrastructure (Roads, highways, etc) - Educate and inform people on transportation issues and major projects to ensure meaningful public participation and community input.

 

Table Notes (lines separate clusters of notes):

 

á      Need public transportation that takes KEYS to outside destinations

á      Towns/budget committees making decisions without all the info/facts

á      NIMBY Ð How do you have dialogue and brainstorming without people reacting negatively before facts and action fully realized

á      Disaster evacuation Ð could we do it with our current transportation infrastructure?

á      Turnpike not currently designed to take wide loads so forces them to use smaller highways like 236

á      How do you get public excited about transportation issues??

á      Work together to shape our regional future while we still can!

á      Need to fund/support Eastern Trail

á      Low income people face challenge getting transportation to basic services not classified as critical

á      Getting the info out about initiatives Ð projects under transportation

á      Eastern Trail is the backbone for comprehensive KEYS trail system

á      on demand bus transportation 236, Rte. 1

á      Public transportation to connect people with services in Sanford

á      NH canÕt  provide many services needed by ME residents, but has closer access than ME services

á      NH-ME need to improve working and planning relationship on two shared transportation routes b/c lacking . Ex., NH response to Memorial Bridge issues.

 

á      Senior transportation needs

 

á      Poor people need transportation options

á      No emergency transport for people without cars

á      Trolley system connecting Southern Maine and New Hampshire

á      Goal:  connect KEYS communities to each other and to New Hampshire, Sanford, and Portland through public transportation

á      regional growth

á      Where is NH?

 

á      Need affordable transportation

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________

á      Help!

á      Sidewalks

á      bike paths

á      carpooling

 

á      No fear

á               Needs: