StarMetro News
StarMetro To Hold Listening Sessions on Bus Stop Analysis
Nova2010 Bus Stop Locations Open for Public Input - On Thursday, September 2, StarMetro will hold two Listening Sessions to garner feedback from bus patrons about the proposed bus stop locations for its route decentralization project known as Nova2010. The first session will take place from 7 to 9 a.m., and the second session will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Both sessions will take place in C.K. Steele Plaza. Bus patrons who cannot attend these Listening Sessions may view the bus stop location maps online and email feedback to nova2010project(at)talgov(dot)com or starmetro(at)talgov(dot)com and/or call StarMetro's main office at 850-891-5200.
The proposed Nova2010 bus stop locations come from a thorough bus stop analysis, which took place over the summer, with input from a consultant and citizen/bus operator group. Additionally, the Transit Advisory Group, a Mayor-appointed citizen group, consulted StarMetro Planners on the proposed bus stop locations.
Currently, StarMetro utilizes 1,052 bus stops spread out across the City of Tallahassee. Most of these bus stops are fairly close to one another, less than a quarter of a mile. According to the preliminary bus stop analysis, the Nova2010 decentralized system would utilize 738 bus stops. Of these 738 bus stops, 473 currently exist in today's system, and 265 are brand-new bus stops. These new bus stops would be placed along corridors that are not served today and that would be served in the Nova2010 system - corridors, such as North Monroe Street, Magnolia Drive, Capital Circle NE/SE and portions of Orange Avenue and Blair Stone Road. Most of the Nova2010 bus stops would be placed within three-tenths of a mile from one another and at major intersections and trip generators.
StarMetro's Nova2010 route decentralization project aims to take the current downtown oriented route structure and break apart each route to create a more grid-like route structure with routes running from north to south and east to west, many bypassing downtown's C.K. Steele Plaza. The City Commission approved the project last spring.
For more information, please call StarMetro's main office at 850-891-5200. For additional project updates, please call the Nova2010 hotline at 850-891-5283 or email nova2010project Citizens may also follow updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/starmetrotransit.
StarMetro Will No Longer Operate the Spirit Express
Per FTA Guidelines, A Private Agency Will Take Over the Shuttle Service - After over 30 years of providing Florida State University's (FSU) game-day shuttle service, StarMetro will cease to operate the Spirit Express. The shuttle service carried football fans from the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center to Doak Campbell Stadium during FSU home games. Instead, a private transit company, Annett Bus Lines, will operate the game-day shuttle service beginning with the upcoming FSU football season.
This change in service providers stems from a guideline set forth by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which StarMetro must abide by since it receives federal funds. As such, the FTA 'Charter Service Rule' (Title 49 - Park 604 - 'Charter Service') states that any transit agency receiving federal funding must advertise any charter service, which is the Spirit Express' classification, to private transit companies in order to provide a level playing field for these charter services. If a private transit company expresses interest in the advertised charter service, then the public transit agency must relinquish the service and allow the private transit agency to provide that charter service.
Two weeks ago, Annett Bus Lines expressed interest in taking over the game-day shuttle service for FSU. In compliance with FTA regulations, StarMetro must allow Annett Bus Lines to operate the service. For information about Annett Bus Line's FSU game-day shuttle, please call (800) 282-3655 or visit Annettbuslines.com.
"On behalf of everyone at StarMetro, I would like to thank all of the Seminole fans for choosing to take the Spirit Express to the FSU home games over the past decades," said Ron Garrison, executive director of StarMetro. "Also, we would like to wish the best to Annett Bus Lines in continuing this service."
StarMetro will continue to operate all other city and university services.
For more information about StarMetro services, please call 891-5200. Other ways to view information includes liking StarMetro's official Facebook page at Facebook.com/starmetrotransit or following the organization on Twitter at Twitter.com/starmetro_.
StarMetro Completes Draft Bus Stop Analysis for Decentralization
Now Open for Public Input on the Proposed Nova2010 Bus Stop Locations After a thorough bus stop analysis with a consultant and citizen/bus operator group, which took place over the summer, StarMetro has released the preliminary bus stop locations for Nova2010, the route decentralization project approved by the City Commission last spring.
In order to gain feedback on the proposed bus stop locations, StarMetro staff will hold a public meeting on Thursday, August 12, from 7 to 10 a.m. in C.K. Steele Plaza. Members of the public who cannot attend this meeting on August 12 may view the bus stop location maps online and email feedback and/or call StarMetro's main office at 850-891-5200.
Currently, StarMetro utilizes 1,052 bus stops spread out across the City of Tallahassee. Most of these bus stops are fairly close to one another, less than a quarter of a mile.
"Of the 314 eliminated bus stops, most would be eliminated under the Nova2010 system due to proximity," said Ron Garrison, Executive Director of StarMetro. "Many of our bus stops are simply too close to one another."
According to the preliminary bus stop analysis, the Nova2010 decentralized system would utilize 738 bus stops. Of these 766 bus stops, 473 currently exist in today's system, and 265 are brand-new bus stops. These new bus stops would be placed along corridors that are not served today and that would be served in the Nova2010 system - corridors, such as North Monroe Street, Magnolia Drive, Capital Circle NE/SE and portions of Orange Avenue and Blair Stone Road. Most of the Nova2010 bus stops would be placed within 3/10 of a mile from one another and at major intersections and trip generators.
"This draft bus stop analysis took quite a while to complete, but with the help of the consultant and the citizen/bus operator group and with support from the Transit Advisory Committee, we are ready to release this information," said Ron Garrison, executive director of StarMetro. "We hope to get good feedback and suggestions from the public so that we can move forward with implementing Nova2010."
StarMetro's Nova2010 route decentralization project aims to take the current downtown oriented route structure and break apart each route to create a more grid-like route structure with routes running from north to south and east to west, many bypassing downtown's C.K. Steele Plaza.
For more information, please call StarMetro's main office at 850-891-5200. For additional project updates, please call the Nova2010 hotline at 850-891-5283 or email with your comments. Citizens may also follow updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/starmetrotransit and Twitter at @starmetro_.
StarMetro Introduces Twelve New Buses Into Its Fleet
Today, StarMetro will introduce twelve new 2010 series buses into its fleet. These twelve new buses will replace twelve aging buses from 1994 and 1996 - making StarMetro's bus fleet up-to-date by the Federal Transit Administration's standards.
"We are very excited to replace our remaining1994 and 1996 series buses with brand-new buses from 2010," said Ron Garrison, Executive Director of StarMetro. "These twelve new replacement buses will provide a more reliable and more comfortable transit service for our customers."
The twelve new 2010, 40-foot buses represent a significant advancement in bus construction, offering advanced electrical systems, heavier-duty components and more driver and passenger amenities. The new buses also feature clean-diesel technology, making the buses environmentally friendly.
Each bus cost nearly $500,000 and was paid for in full by the Federal Transit Administration.
StarMetro Reuses Discarded Bus Parts to Create Art
This week, StarMetro will unveil an eleven-foot four-inch, aluminum sculpture created by local sculptor Mark Dickson in front of its offices on Appleyard Drive. The sculpture was paid for with federal funding designated for art enhancement.
Dickson built the sculpture mostly of old StarMetro bus parts, such as discarded bus rims and exterior bus panels. The sculpture took nearly three months to complete and weighs 500-700 pounds.
"[The sculpture] is inspired by our love of movement and machines," said Dickson. "It represents the power of the wind in a sail, the forward motion of wheels on the road and the feeling of momentum moving us forward."
The sculpture, titled 'Transit,' falls into the Federal Transit Administrations' (FTA) art enhancement program and was commissioned for $14,783. FTA's art enhancement program provides full grant monies to local transit agencies, like StarMetro, in order to incorporate local art into their transit facilities.
"We are very excited to integrate art from local artists in our transit facilities," said Ron Garrison, Executive Director of StarMetro. "Good design and art in various forms and media can enhance the appearance of a facility, give vibrancy to a community's public spaces and make the public feel more welcome."
Dickson, who is a member of the Council on Culture and Art (COCA), attended Florida State University studying courses in metal fabrication and sculpture. He has studied with respected sculptors, such as late professor Charles Hook, professor Jim Devore and the late metal smith Jerry Grice. Dickson's other notable works around Tallahassee include a sculpture in The 621 Gallery's Charles Hook Sculpture Garden in Railroad Square. Dickson also helped install Hugh Nicolson's 'Storm Song' sculpture, which is the iconic 'dolphin' sculpture on the back steps of the Capitol building. The artist owns his own working studio in Tallahassee.
"It is an exciting and progressive step for our local public transportation to include the arts as it moves into a bright future," said Dickson. "Tallahassee's cultural attraction will continue to grow with the advancement of public art."
Summer Wheels Pass Goes on Sale June 1
Tuesday, June 1, StarMetro will begin selling the Summer Wheels pass for $33. The Summer Wheels pass allows children 17 and younger unlimited trips on StarMetro's service during the months of June, July and August for a reduced rate.
"The goal of the Summer Wheels Pass program is to offer children a means of transportation during the summer," said Ron Garrison, executive director of StarMetro. "Ultimately, the Summer Wheels pass gives independence to kids and freedom to parents."
The pass, which is valid June, July and August, costs $33 no matter the purchase date.
"Essentially, if a child purchases the pass in June; then, he/she will be getting three months of unlimited service for less than the price of a one-month unlimited pass," said Garrison. "Likewise, even if a child waited until August 1 to purchase their Summer Wheels Pass, that child would still save money versus paying for a one-month unlimited pass."
StarMetro will offer the pass until August 16. Children may purchase the pass at C.K. Steele Plaza and/or StarMetro's office, located at 555 Appleyard Drive.
Introducing the Gadsden Express
Gadsden County, in cooperation with StarMetro, Commuter Services of North Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation, announce the arrival of the Gadsden Express. This service offers inexpensive weekday express service with stops at Quincy, Midway, Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and C.K. Steele Plaza in Downtown Tallahassee. For more information, please download the Gadsden Express brochure (PDF).
City Commission Unanimously Approves StarMetro's Nova2010 Route Decentralization Project
Tonight, the City Commission unanimously approved StarMetro's route decentralization project, known as Nova2010. StarMetro's Nova2010 project will take the current downtown oriented route structure and break apart each route to create a more grid-like route structure with routes running from north to south and east to west, many bypassing downtown's C.K. Steele Plaza.
With the approval of the City Commission, StarMetro Staff will now move forward with a thorough bus stop analysis. During the analysis, StarMetro Planners and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Consultant, along with the collaboration of the Public Works and Tallahassee Police Departments, will begin identifying each stop along the 12 cross-town routes.
At the meeting, City Commissioners directed StarMetro Staff to make safety issues discussed by citizens a priority for completion prior to implementation slated for Spring/Summer 2011.
"After a year-long planning process and an extensive public involvement phase, I'm elated that the Commission voted to approve this innovative route structure," said Ron Garrison, Executive Director of StarMetro. "After countless improvements to the Nova2010 structure suggested by the public and the Transit Advisory Committee, we believe Nova2010 to be the best transit configuration for Tallahassee. Additionally, the new system would make transit a viable option for many Tallahassee residents and better foster a sense of community."
Some benefits for customers of the new Nova2010 system will include:
- Reductions in downtown transfers.
- Reductions in travel time.
- Reductions in carbon footprint.
- Increases in on-time performance.
- Increases in frequency (bus comes more often).
- Increases in regional travel opportunities.
For more information, please call StarMetro's main office at (850) 891-5200 or visit Talgov.com. For additional project updates, please email or call the nova2010 hotline at (850) 891-5283 or email nova2010project@talgov.com. Citizens may also follow updates on facebook and twitter.
Citizen Advisory Council Unanimously Votes to Endorse StarMetro's Route Decentralization Plan
At tonight's special meeting, the Transit Advisory Council voted unanimously to endorse StarMetro's proposed route decentralization project, known as Nova2010.
"Nova2010 is a step in the right direction," said Transit Advisory Committee member Cecil Washington. "With a decentralized StarMetro, transit will be a shining light in the City of Tallahassee."
While a majority of the Transit Advisory Committee members and a few citizens stood up and praised Nova2010's positives, some citizens in attendance raised concerns about the safety of the proposed 39 transfer intersections and service to the Governor's Square Mall.
Ron Garrison, executive director of StarMetro, and Gabe Menendez, director of the City's Public Works Department, both addressed these concerns.
"By the time Nova2010 is implemented, we'll most likely have all 39 transfer intersections fit with painted crosswalks, pedestrian signals and sidewalks with complete curb cuts," said Menendez. "In addition, StarMetro and Public Works have identified grant monies that would help pay for ten to 15 audible chirpers, which goes beyond ADA [American with Disabilities Act] requirements for crosswalks. If we are awarded these monies, these chirpers would be installed at high priority transfer intersections."
Garrison and Menendez both noted citizen input regarding safety issues was very important and thus were pleased to offer updates on the safety improvements to be added at all transfer intersections.
"StarMetro is a mass transit system, and as such we make our decisions based on what is best for the entire community," said Garrison. "We believe Nova2010 is what is best for this community, and tonight the citizens have spoken."
With the backing of the Transit Advisory Committee, StarMetro intends to take the proposed route decentralization plan to the City Commission for final approval in the spring.
StarMetro's Nova2010 route decentralization plan aims to take the current downtown oriented route structure and break apart each route to create a more grid-like route structure with routes running from north to south and east to west, many bypassing downtown's C.K. Steele Plaza.
For more information, please call StarMetro’s main office at (850) 891-5200 or visit online at Talgov.com/starmetro. For additional project updates, please call the Nova2010 hotline at (850) 891-5283 via email. Citizens may also follow updates on FaceBook and Twitter.
StarMetro Installs Solar Trash Compactors
Last week, StarMetro installed five solar-powered trash compactors at StarStops located at the intersections of Tharpe Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Capital Circle North West and Tennessee Street, Tennessee Street and Woodward Avenue, South Adams Street and Orange Avenue and Appleyard Drive and Jackson Bluff.
These new BigBelly compacting trash receptacles use 100 percent solar power and hold five times the volume of a traditional trashcan. Due to the large capacity of the BigBelly trash receptacle, StarMetro will save in labor, fuel and maintenance costs. In addition, the BigBelly provides environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
"Introducing the five BigBellys will serve as a pilot project for StarMetro," said Ron Garrison, executive director of StarMetro. "At the end of the project, we'll look at expanding the number of BigBelly trash compactors at StarStops."
The five trash compactors were purchased completely with stimulus funds.
StarMetro's Dial-A-Ride Rolls Out New Buses
This week, StarMetro's paratransit service, Dial-A-Ride, will place 14 new buses on the streets. The new 23-foot 'Challenger' buses, made by Champion, will replace older buses from Dial-A-Ride's current fleet. The new buses seat 16 passengers and come equipped with three foldaway seats, three wheelchair positions and a rear lift.
A grant from the Federal Transportation Authority paid for the complete replacement of the 14 buses at a cost of $1,027,852; each bus cost $73,418.
"The replacement Dial-A-Ride vans will allow the City to continue to provide safe, timely and efficient transportation for our elderly and disabled citizens," said Donna Peacock, Superintendent of Paratransit. "These vehicles are equipped with several new features designed for the comfort and safety of the citizen - a state-of-the-art farebox, three wheelchair securement areas with automatic self-tensioning belts, microbiotic fabric seats and a better suspension system for smoother rides."
Dial-A-Ride is a transportation service for elderly and qualified persons with disabilities living within the City of Tallahassee. In compliance with the American's with Disabilities Act, the Dial-A-Ride Program provides curb-to-curb service for those who cannot access StarMetro's fixed route service.
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