Multi-Modal Transit Center
and Confluence Park
Multimodal Center Application -- Purpose
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| Multimodal Center Application links Purpose | Usage | Parking | Location Amenities | Operations-Costs | Miscellaneous |
The information on this page is excerpted from the Capital City Welcome and Multimodal Center application submitted to the Vermont Agency of Transportation, March 1, 2002.
The purpose of this project is to improve downtown Montpelier's vehicular transportation efficiency and mobility, provide safety and efficiency for bicyclists and pedestrians, and restore the natural and built environments by creating usable open and green space.
- This project will:
- • improve transportation access into the city and provide for coordinated
public transportation of local bus service, inter-city bus service, commuting
vans, and provide the termini for a potential passenger rail link to the downtown
area
• bridge a gap in the downtown bicycle and pedestrian network
• provide visitors with a central location for information
• create usable open and urban green space
• provide greater access to the Winooski River and enhance the river ecology and aesthetics.
- The need for this facility is substantiated by:
- • poor and uncoordinated transportation modalities;
• no all weather waiting areas for local bus service;
• being so far from the core of the downtown, the capital's Welcome Center is not readily visible to visitors, and has little available parking;
• the Welcome Center's existing technology will be soon outdated;
• incomplete bike paths and pedestrian ways;
• the train station is located outside of the downtown;
• little public greenspace or access to the Winooski River.
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As a major regional and statewide destination for travelers and state employees, Montpelier has all the characteristics of a city that would benefit from enhanced public transit: a large commuting population that work "regular" hours, a "captive audience" on the part of state employees that are an employment pool that is organized and accessible to being invited to participate in alternative transportation programs, and a local population that lives and works within the city, for whom the convenience of public transit would provide a tangible alternative to commuting short distances and having to locate and pay for long-term parking.
The Capital City Welcome and Transit Center could be a pivotal development to the Capital Area, and its location and function are critical to both the operation of the whole system as a public orientation center for the city.
The function of a Transit Center is to provide interface between differing modes of transportation. Broadly defined, passengers interface in the following ways:
- • Passengers enter the transportation system either at peripheral
parking lots and travel to the Center or directly at the Multi Modal Capital
City Welcome and Transit Center;
• Passengers change between modes of travel (i.e. leave a car and get on a shuttle bus, etc.);
• Passengers interchange within modes (i.e. leave a bus and get on another bus, etc.);
• Passengers leave the transportation system (i.e. use shuttle to return to their cars in a peripheral parking lot);
• Pedestrians and bicyclists can safely and directly traverse the Capital District and the Downtown and utilize bus service;
• Passengers can utilize The Washington County Railroad line for potential rail service;
• Tourists will become aware of alternative modes (i.e. bicycle path, bus service, and tourist excursion train).
A new Capital City Welcome and Transit Center for Montpelier will be the destination to integrate VT Transit Bus Lines, Wheels (the regional public transit provider), bicycle path users, a Welcome Center for tourists and tour buses, and potential Washington County Railroad passenger uses.
| A second function of the center will be the major transfer hub for intra-regional buses, commuting vans, and satellite parking lot shuttles for downtown employees and visitors as part of the larger parking policy. |
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A third element would be to create a new, larger, modern Montpelier Visitors Center that is prominently located, with designated parking. The current Welcome Center is off the main highway with little parking. |
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Transit service for downtown Montpelier could take several forms depending upon the need, funding and public policy. The options that have been considered are:
A simple bus stop at the curb of a street typically with a shelter, similar to the Vermont Transit bus station currently in use.
A bus station serving one or more companies providing intercity or interstate service
A multimodal center serving multiple forms of transit providers such as buses, shuttle buses, taxi,
A multimodal center serving all of the above plus direct connection with Amtrak service, commuter rail station, auto leasing, etc.
Montpelier's existing service demands exceed the capacities of the first two options. Montpelier has an established demand for inter- and intra-city bus service, airport shuttle service to Burlington, a shuttle bus/peripheral parking lot system, taxi service and a vibrant tour bus destination demand. However, direct connection (via rail) with Amtrak is infeasible since their existing station is located out of town.
These factors suggest that an multi-modal Capital City Welcome and Transit Center in the downtown would best accommodate the transit needs and provide a facility able to grow to a mature level of service effective enough to contribute to the overall transportation and mobility of the city.
Public policy and user preference for transit has been changing rapidly in recent years and promises to change even more so in the future. Therefore, planning for a true inter-modal Capital City Welcome and Transit Center seems warranted. While commuter rail service from Montpelier to Burlington does not currently exist -- and may not materialize for more than a decade -- the location and design of the Capital City Welcome and Transit Center should anticipate this development and remain flexible enough to accommodate rail use in the future.
For More Information
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City of Montpelier 39 Main Street, City Hall Montpelier, VT 05062-2950 Beverlee Hill, Assistant City Manager (802) 223-9512 bhill@montpelier-vt.org |
City of Montpelier Planning and Community Development Department 39 Main Street, City Hall Montpelier, VT 05062-2950 (802) 223-9506 planning@montpelier-vt.org |
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Carr Lot Advisory Committeee 39 Main Street, City Hall Montpelier, VT 05062-2950 Jon Anderson, Chair janderson@vtlaw1.com |
Conservation Commission
39 Main Street, City Hall Montpelier, VT 05062-2950 Paul Markowitz, Chair (802) 229-6307 aviva@sover.net |
Page updated March 18, 2005
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