By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
For the first time since Princeton Borough’s zoning was changed to make the program possible, the status of Princeton University’s shuttle system was reviewed by the Regional Planning Board of Princeton on Thursday.
Some of the discussion involved how the system might tie in with the jitney system proposed by Princeton Borough.
In accordance with the zoning ordinance that allows the program, “the university is required to provide an annual certification of the shuttle and staff is required to report on that and to evaluate its effectiveness,” Borough Zoning Officer Derek Bridger said Thursday. “The ordinance requires that the shuttle system provide regular, frequent scheduled services that promote and encourage the use of the shuttle.”
Although the report presented Thursday was for 2006, officials expect the 2007 report in the next month or so, Mr. Bridger said.
Kristin Appelget, the university’s director of Community and Regional Affairs, noted that the report on the system is prepared by the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association — not the university — and was provided to the borough in April 2007.
During the meeting, board member Marvin Reed said he and other officials originally advocated the ordinance, which was drafted “to enable the university not only to reduce the amount of on-site parking lots on their campus, but even to expand the allowable square footage — if we could be continually convinced that the jitney system is adequate.
”Tonight was the first time we have had a report back indicating that adequacy,” he said.
According to Mr. Bridger, ridership has been increasing — approximately 500,000 rides were provided in 2006 — and schedules have been modified to satisfy the demand.
In response to complaints from residents, shuttles are avoiding use of primarily residential streets, including Murray Place and Aiken, Patton and Princeton avenues, Mr. Bridger said. In addition, the university has responded to complaints about large buses by using a greater proportion of smaller vehicles to accommodate riders, he said.
”The university had made numerous enhancements and they appear to be responsive to the needs of their riders,” he said.
Princeton’s University Services General Manager Paul Breitman, who supervises the shuttle system, said that those enhancements have included linkage of routes to New Jersey Transit and the increased “frequency of shuttles through the main core of campus.”
He added, “Our eye is toward the future.”
Part of that effort, according to Mr. Bridger, is discussion with Princeton Theological Seminary and the Institute for Advanced Study about the possibility of integrating shuttle systems and expanding services.
Moreover, the possibility of linking the shuttles with the jitney program proposed by the borough has also been raised, he said, noting that the borough expects bids on the service to be received by the end of March.
Later, Mr. Reed recommended the use of reliability measures — to track if shuttles operate on schedule — especially in relation to the Nassau Street line and the potential borough jitney system.
”That one is expected by New Jersey Transit to be servicing Dinky riders,” he said. “Dinky riders have a real hang-up about reliability and whether they make the train on time.”
Further comments were issued by Murray Place resident Martin Schneiderman, who spoke on behalf of a number of residents who have been concerned about shuttle routes in residential areas.
”The university heard us loud and clear,” he said. “There are no buses going down that area.”
However, Mr. Schneiderman said further information should be gathered to determine whether buses “are going around mostly empty most of the time.”
He added, “We want to have it regularly enough that people want to use it, but have that balance,” he said, adding that residents want officials in both municipalities to consider “alternatives” to further use of buses, including the encouragement of both walking and bicycling.
In conclusion, Mr. Bridger said that “monitoring should continue to ensure future success,” and recommended that hourly rider data should be collected to better analyze the efficiency of each line.
