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7 <br />and Phase I changes. Mr. Watterson noted that a rapid transit study is also being <br />conducted. <br /> <br /> Mr. Frank Spielberg, transit consultant, said that the goal of the Plan was to <br />identify duplication and overlaps in service, design routes so they can run on time, and <br />have a 30 minute pulse. Mr. Spielberg reviewed changes implemented in 2005. Phase I <br />recommendations include changes to route 2, modifying the trolley route, and <br />modifications to routes 3 and 6. Phase II includes changes to routes 4 and 6. He said <br />future changes could include Sunday service and the addition of routes to Monticello, <br />Charlottesville High School, and CATEC. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris noted that the Transit Center will have a digital board to show <br />locations of buses, and he thinks this system should be broadened as he thinks it would <br />dramatically increase ridership. He said he is also a fan of moving to a fare free system. <br />He asked where we are on either of the ideas. <br /> <br /> Mr. Spielberg said he agrees about the board system. He noted that the trolley is <br />already free and free service has been studied. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watterson said staff is looking at a system wide digital board, and said that is <br />where we are headed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he would like to see Sunday service bumped up to Phase II, not <br />system wide, perhaps just the trunk route to start. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he would like to implement Sunday service earlier as well as <br />he has heard a lot of interest from citizens about it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he found the report helpful. He said he has shifted his position on <br />the trolley route change. He said he used to support it going north to Barracks Road <br />Shopping Center, but noted that there are other routes that go there. He said many <br />students use the trolley to get downtown and he would be concerned about losing those <br />students. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watterson said staff is neutral on the idea. He said if the goal is to maximize <br />ridership then it should be kept as it is. He said students could still get downtown if the <br />route changes, but it may not be as convenient for them. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris expressed concern about the percentage of students using the trolley to <br />get to their classes, and said he does not know if that is the best use of the trolley. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked staff to consider rerouting route 2 so that it gets residents to a <br />good grocery store. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watterson said the challenge is that you cannot go through the neighborhood <br />in 30 minutes. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Watterson said that the <br />th <br />ridership on the shuttle service that was created to take people to the grocery store on 5 <br />Street has been very modest. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Watterson said that it is good <br />practice to make the system more attractive and will be complimentary to the issue of a <br />regional transit authority. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said interest has been expressed in exploring the idea of an urban street <br />car on West Main Street and he has been requested to form a task force to look at its <br />financial feasibility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watterson said a fixed route such as this could be highly beneficial to the <br />system. <br /> <br /> <br />