MEMBER UPDATES
**For Immediate Release **For Immediate Release **For Immediate Release
Date: July 20, 2007 Contact: Rad Nichols, COAST
(603) 743-5777
COAST Ridership Continues to Set Records during 25th Anniversary Year
Dover, NH- Recent ridership reports of the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) show that more and more people are relying on the region’s public transit system. May 2007 marked the first month in the organization’s history in which more than 35,000 passengers rode on the system. The 35,554 passenger trips represented a 19.3 % increase over the number of rides provided in May 2006. June 2007 represented the 7th month of the last 9 that COAST set a record for the number of passengers using the system. In addition, this year will mark the 5th year in a row that COAST will set a record for the number of passengers carried.
Interim Executive Director, Rad Nichols says, "Overall ridership on the COAST system is projected to increase 5% in 2007, totaling nearly 375,000 trips.” Nichols adds, “In the last 5 years, the number of passengers riding the system annually will have soared 95%. That is an accomplishment all of the dedicated staff at COAST will be very proud to have achieved.”
On June 25, COAST implemented new bus schedules throughout the regional system. Initial assessments of the impact of the new schedules are very good. Buses are having significantly fewer problems keeping to the published timetables, meaning on-time performance is far superior. Patronage on the system continues to climb as riding the buses is becoming increasingly popular. The bus schedules have become much more user friendly, connections between bus routes have improved and the overall system is more usable and convenient for people.
Nichols stated, “With gas prices continuing to be just under $3.00 per gallon, we project more and more people will continue to try public transit and COAST. I don’t know of any other way to get from Rochester to Portsmouth and back for just $2.00.”
Individuals interested in receiving more information about COAST should call (603) 743-5777, or visit the COAST website at www.coastbus.org.
COAST is a public, non-profit transit system, and has proudly served residents of the Seacoast since 1982 with safe, affordable transit service.
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Transit System Gets One Millionth Rider
UNH Wildcat Transit and Campus Connector
http://unh.edu/news/campusjournal/2007/May/02rider.cfm
North Country Completes Regional Coordinated Transit Plan
North Country Council has completed a coordinated transit plan that identifies public transportation needs, makes recommendations for coordination of existing services, and presents plans for new services.
Download a copy of the completed plan here [PDF format].
For more information about the plan, please contact Stacey Doll at 603-444-6303 Ext. 13 or by e-mail at sdoll@nccouncil.org.
Keene Introduces Biodiesel Fuel
Home Healthcare Hospice & Community services, operator of Keene's City Express public transportation system and the Friendly Bus transportation for seniors, has been using biodiesel fuel in its diesel buses since the first of the year. Buses have begun to show better mileage and demonstrate smoother acceleration with this clean-burning fuel, which puts fewer pollutants in the air.
Keene is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection. More information is available at http://www.ci.keene.nh.us/planning/climateminutes.htm.
COAST Switches to Biodiesel Fuel
The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) switched its bus fleet to biodiesel fuel. COAST purchased a blend known as B20, consisting of 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel fuel, for all diesel buses in its fleet. Biodiesel is derived from soybean or canola oils, and it is biodegradable, non-toxic and emits less pollution. Existing diesel engines need no modification to operate on B20 and see no reduction in performance. In fact, the use of biodiesel has been found to prolong engine life.
Download more information here [PDF format].
