	Summer 2006
	Howard Transit-Real People Contest Howard Transit is celebrating a decade of service this year and marked the occasion with the "Howard Transit - Real People" essay contest. Loyal customers were asked to tell how access to Howard Transit has impacted their lives. Prizes were donated by Henderson’s Wharf in Baltimore, Howard County Parks and Recreation, Southwest Airlines, The Melting Pot Restaurant in Columbia, Toby’s Dinner Theater and the Waterside Restaurant in Columbia. An Apple IPOD was also included as a prize. Everyone who entered the contest received a one-week pass on Howard Transit. A panel of judges selected seven winners from the entries received. Over the next year, winners of the contest will be featured in advertisements in local newspapers and on Howard Transit buses. Winners will also be featured in an upcoming television commercial produced by G-TV, the Howard County Government Cable Channel. Winners were honored at a ceremony on May 11 held at the Ellicott City Senior Center. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and to our contest sponsors. Contest Winners (left to right) Shelby Kennedy, Stanley Raskin, Elsie Chadwick, Mark Henry Yee, Tammie Simon with County Executive James Robey. Contest winners Rene Felipa and Xiaojian Zhou not pictured. The Real People Perspective *This edition of Perspective* features 3 of the 7 winning essays of the Real People Contest. The remaining essays will be featured in future issues of Way To Go! Elsie B. Chadwick One by one I made the adjustments necessary to live independently as I aged. I almost gave up the day I was told that I had to quit driving. I checked the Howard County Transit schedule and found that they could get me to all the places I had driven to. I enjoyed the walk to the bus stop and realized that it replaced 30 minutes on the boring treadmill. I saw more of Howard County from the bus window than I had seen behind the steering wheel, and began looking forward to long bus rides. I now enjoy a new group of considerate friends -- passengers and drivers. Rene Felipa I think that the person who thought to use the phrase "real people" should win a prize. They hit the nail right on the head when they referred to the people who depend on Howard Transit as being "real people". I consider it a compliment. Thank you. From time to time since 1992, I've had to depend on what used to be ColumBus and is now Howard Transit. During the times when I had private transportation, I got away from the sense of what makes me one of the real people. Lately, I've had to depend on Howard Transit again as my primary source of transportation. I came to realize that I had gotten away from that sense of community that sometimes develops amongst individuals who have in common things that go much deeper than what may be perceived from someone's outside appearance, economic status, or whatever. What makes me one of the real people? Speaking for myself, just being a member of this community. And, whether I have the convenience of private transportation or not, I'm ALWAYS going to depend on the convenience of Howard Transit. In more ways than one, it's a vital part of my practical lifestyle. Shelby Kennedy One of the biggest rights of passage in a young person's life is receiving their driver's license when they come of age. As a person born with a mobility-impairing disability, I watched my friends prepare for their new taste of freedom, and wondered how I would be able to have that feeling of independence without the ability to drive myself. Once I discovered Howard Transit bus service, I realized that I could get where I needed to go on my own! I was excited to be able to commute on my own terms; quickly plotting out the bus routes to work, school, and, most importantly, interesting shops and stores. I feel very lucky to live in an area that provides public transportation to it's residents, and luckier still to have friendly bus staff that always try to help riders, especially those who find themselves lost. That's been my situation more times than I'd like to admit! Thanks for the lift, Howard Transit! Pedestrian Facilities Master Plan The County Department of Planning and Zoning has embarked on a comprehensive assessment of pedestrian facility needs in the County. The main objective of the Pedestrian Facilities Master Plan is to develop a system of sidewalks, pathways and associated improvements (such as curb cuts and crosswalks) which enhance public safety, improve access to transit, support community revitalization and meet the mobility needs of current and future residents and businesses. The County’s network of pedestrian facilities evolved over many decades as Howard County evolved from its rural roots to its current suburban and even urban character. During those years, pedestrian facilities were built by a combination of State and County agencies as well as private developers. As a result, there are many gaps and inconsistencies in the pedestrian network. Through the Pedestrian Facilities Master Plan process, the County hopes to begin closing those gaps and provide greater uniformity and predictability for pedestrians. Over the past year, Department of Planning and Zoning staff in cooperation with the County’s Department of Public Works, the State Highway Administration and other County agencies, has worked to identify the need for features such as crosswalks, curb cuts, medians, pedestrian signal phasing and lighting in the eastern half of the county. In the same way that existing facilities were developed though both public and private initiatives, it is anticipated that future pedestrian improvements will be provided through a combination of County and State capital projects and private sector efforts as development and/or redevelopment occur. The Plan will provide guidance and structure as these improvements evolve. All potential projects will be evaluated based on a number of factors with pedestrian safety being of primary importance. Sixteen community meetings have been conducted to obtain input into the plan. More meetings are anticipated over the coming months. The Department of Planning and Zoning continues to seek public input to this process. If you have questions, concerns or suggestions regarding pedestrian facilities in the County and/or if you want to view a draft list of pedestrian improvement options, please contact Brian Muldoon at 410-313-4363 or bmuldoon@co.ho.md.us. Spreading the Word Shelby Kennedy is first featured passenger in the Real People Campaign. The advertisement featuring Shelby (below) can currently be seen on several Howard Transit buses. Future advertisements will feature other winners of the Real People contest along with their personal quotes regarding Howard Transit . New Logo and Slogan Howard Transit recently updated its logo. Although the change is subtle, the new logo is more contemporary. Buses and bus stop signs will be updated with the new logo in the future. Howard Transit also has a new slogan. You may remember, We’re Here to Get You There. The new slogan is Way To Go! A simple and easy to remember message. Howard Transit Website** Many passengers are using the Howard Transit website to get the latest news, route schedules and route maps. Detailed information is also available about HT Ride, Howard Transit’s curb to curb service for passengers with disabilities and senior citizens. In June 2006, there were over 100,000 hits at www.howardtransit.com .

In This Issue Planning for the Future Transit Talk Spreading the Word Planning for the Future Howard Transit is about to begin a Transportation Development Plan (TDP). The Plan is updated every five years and assists the County to identify public transportation needs, analyze the performance of the system and recommend improvements to be implemented during the next five years. The Plan will be coordinated with similar TDPs for Connect-A-Ride and Western Anne Arundel County transit services. The TDP will be developed under the direction of the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning and the Corridor Transportation Corporation, the County’s contract transit manager. Passengers and other interested citizens can provide input into the Transportation Development Plan at monthly meetings of the Public Transportation Board. For dates and additional information, please call 410-313-4311. DID YOU KNOW? Howard Transit has a Passenger Advisory Group. The Howard County Passenger Advisory Group (PAG) is a transit advocacy group made up of concerned citizens who regularly use Howard Transit. The PAG meets quarterly and is currently seeking individuals who want to provide input regarding Howard Transit services. If you are interested in becoming a member of PAG or for further information, please contact Ron Skotz, Corridor Transportation Corporation at 301-725-4000. Transit Talk Transit Talk offers up-to-date information about what's happening on transit in Howard County. Work on Wheels Work on Wheels is a reverse commute service sponsored by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and Howard County. The program provides job development services to employers in Howard County and provides transportation to interviews and daily transportation to eligible individuals who live in Baltimore City. For more information about the program, please call 410-859-1000. More Riders on Howard Transit Howard Transit had more riders in Fiscal Year 2006 (July 2005- July 2006). Ridership increased by 80,000 trips or 13% over the previous fiscal year. Passenger Advisory Group (PAG) Meeting Schedule Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 7:00 P.M. Meetings will be held at the Florence Bain Senior Center in Columbia and will begin at 7:00 p.m. If you'd like us to address other topics in future newsletters, please contact Customer Service at (800) 270-9553, or visit *the Howard Transit website* . Mission Statement "Howard Transit is committed to fulfilling the public transit needs of Howard County citizens and attaining the highest levels of safety, reliability, and accountability." For route and schedule information, visit www.howardtransit.com or call (800) 270-9553 Howard Transit is a service of Howard County Government and is managed by the Corridor Transportation Corporation.