MST Designing for Transit Guidelines and ADA Analysis Project

Bus stops are a critical part of every transit rider's experience. The Designing for Transit Guidelines and ADA Analysis Project would help to outline a path to make transportation safe, accessible, and equitable for all modes and abilities throughout Monterey County. Monterey-Salinas Transit District (MST) is the primary public transit provider in Monterey County. The agency operates 37 routes, serving the County's estimated 437,325 residents. It operates through two major transit hubs in Monterey and Salinas, as well as secondary hubs in Marina and Sand City. Additionally, MST provides connections to the City of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County, the City of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, and the City of Gilroy in Santa Clara County. MST's most frequent transit bus service is focused around the denser, more urban areas of Salinas and Monterey. Limited service extends to rural communities in southern Monterey County. Designing for Transit is a guide for developers, planners, city or public agency staff, and transit agency staff to meet complete street objectives while providing the best possible experience for bus riders, bus drivers, and others around bus stops and along bus routes. The most recent edition is from 2020, and it has become outdated as new state laws take effect. Designing for Transit provides a high-level overview of bus stop planning and design considerations, as well as integrating transit service on streets. The guide addresses bus stops, where and how bus stops interact with the street network to inform placement at an intersection, minimum street dimensions for accommodating buses and providing other transit-supportive or priority treatments along roadways, and access between bus stops and the places people want to go. Well-designed and thoughtfully located bus stops are a key component of high-quality transportation systems. By updating the Designing for Transit guide, MST can collectively improve the quality, efficiency, customer experience, and safety of our transit system. The primary project stakeholders will be Monterey-Salinas Transit District and Caltrans. AMBAG supports this project and is available to assist and provide input when needed. The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) maintains a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of public works staff from across Monterey County. The TAC will provide invaluable technical expertise throughout the project. MST will be hiring a Consultant to complete the scope of work listed below. Due to the interconnectedness of this project, TAMC, AMBAG, Monterey County, and the 12 jurisdictions MST serves will also be involved. The overall project objectives are to 1) update the Designing for Transit guide and 2) perform a thorough ADA analysis of all active stops within the MST service area.