COTA to implement fixed flex-route pilot service

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, first lady Diann, and their new baby take part in the test-run of the Commonwealth Office on Transit Authority’s Fixed Flex-Route service yesterday. (Contributed Photo)

The Commonwealth Office on Transit Authority on Tuesday, held a test run of its Fixed Flex-Route service with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his family, as well as Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog and several cabinet members.

The Fixed Flex-Route service combines predictable services of fixed routes around island as well as the affordability per passenger availed to those of a call-a-ride. Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda P. Camacho noted that this service will provide curb-to-curb service to call-a-ride passengers at a minimal cost, or no additional cost in most cases.

“This reduces demand for para-transit and gives passengers the ability to travel dynamically by using a scheduled transit service,” she said.

The pilot program will run public transportation services along the southern end of the business district of Garapan to the Northern Marianas College, servicing key points along the way to provide a public transportation alternative for CNMI residents and visitors, while reducing traffic congestion, carbon emissions, accidents, and fuel costs while improving air quality.

The service is set to launch later this year as the final stages of planning between COTA and its federal counterparts take place.

In 2013, a transit feasibility study was initiated and undertook a whole community engagement process to create a blueprint to establish public transit as an integral community service in the CNMI, which was reliable, affordable, and safe.

In March 2016, the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority received $344,293 in grant funding from the Office of Insular Affairs Technical Assistance Program combined with funds from the Federal Transit Administration for a Fixed Flex Bus Express Pilot Program.

Camacho shares that the flex-route transit is a hybrid of conventional fixed-route transit service.

“It assimilates conventional transit in that its main route covers a service corridor with a set of fixed stops and schedules. Fixed route vehicles are allowed to deviate from the main route to provide service to users who either have trip ends located out of the service coverage of the main route or require accessible services such as para-transit,” she said.

At this time, COTA is setting in motion plans to develop public transportation services for Rota and Tinian.

Additionally, COTA is planning to implement its feeder services for As Matuis to Garapan as Route 2, Kagman to Garapan as Route 3, Kagman to Dan Dan to Northern Marianas College as Route 4, and Navy Hill to Garapan as Route 5.

The feeder service, she says, will work in conjunction with scheduled public transit to extend geographic coverage at an even lower cost. The planned feeder services will serve remote or sparsely populated areas using small low-cost vehicles to shuttle passengers between neighborhood locations and scheduled stops on transit route.

During the pilot run, Torres expressed the socio-economic benefits of public transit amidst the many new developments.

“Today is one step closer to fulfilling COTA’s Public Transportation Plan and narrowing down the list of possible routes to the most promising for fixed-flex route and para-transit services in the Commonwealth. Soon many will be able to use public transit for school, work, and recreation as this program progresses,” he said.

For her part, Camacho underscored the importance of public transportation for the CNMI, while also emphasizing the Torres administration’s continual commitment to fully implementing a system that serves all three islands.

“Public transportation makes sense for the CNMI. It serves as a link into the community and builds on our efforts to improve the quality of life for every person residing here in the CNMI.”