State Grant Funds Still on Hold – Further Reduction in Service Necessary

[Bruce Coulliette]

Due to continued uncertainty as to the availability of State Grant Funds that were approved in the DRPT Six-Year Improvement Plan for FY 2011 by the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission to support the Valley Connector Service, we must further reduce coach service.  This is necessary to reduce operating costs that where to be covered by the grant funds.  The reduced service will be necessary until the grant funds become available.

During the next few weeks, we will be reviewing ridership data and survey results to determine how to best reduce coach service while still providing a viable commuting option for our current and future customers.

We will work with those interested in establishing and coordinating additional vanpools.  While a degree of comfort is lost in a van compared to a coach, vans do have advantages.  Vanpools can be a benefit as they can reduce commute time by providing service to a smaller groups working similar schedules, working in the same area such as South West DC, and/or living in the same area such as Woodstock.

We have prepared several surveys that will be used to alter the current service.  Please review and complete the following surveys, so we can best serve you.

The Vanpool Survey will help determine the desire and possible schedules and routings for additional vanpools.  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7ZRLJQ5

The Valley Connector Review Survey will help determine how the current service is being used to determine how service can be adjusted to improve efficiency and reduce costs.  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9PHTXTB

The Customer Satisfaction Survey is an opportunity to offer positive recommendations on how to improve the current service.  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/96L6J8P

We appreciate your continued support.

Valley Connector

www.valleyconnector.com