VanGO History
Prior
to 1992
Transportation in Charles County began as a service for indigent senior
citizens going to "nutrition" sites. Services operated by Charles
County Aging program.
As services for senior citizens expanded, so too did Charles County Transportation services. While still operated by the Aging Division of the Department of Community Services, and still focusing on senior citizens, transportation becomes available to the general public, and destinations include medical facilities and shopping centers, as well as senior sites and centers.
1992
Charles County transportation system renamed VanGO. Services contracted
through a private provider for the first time. Decision to contract rather
than operate directly is part of an effort to streamline government and
more cost effectively provide services.
1993
VanGO receives a three-year demonstration grant through the Department
of Education (DOE) to expand employment-related transportation for individuals
with disabilities. Called DARTS (Disabled Accessible Responsive Transit
Service), services are integrated with other VanGO services to maximize
transportation opportunities for all passengers.
1994
VanGO begins administering the Medical Assistance (MA) transportation
program for the Charles County Health Department in partnership with the
Department of Community Services. VanGO moves from the Aging Division
to the Administration portion of Department of Community Services.
1996
DARTS program ends.
1997
Welfare Reform efforts ongoing throughout the county lead local Department
of Social Services to contact VanGO about increasing levels of transportation
throughout the county to better serve welfare clients' employment needs.
Through purchase of ticket books for their clients, DSS provides first
significant infusion of money that enables VanGO to expand.
DCS undergoes reorganization and VanGO becomes part of the Housing & Community Development Division.
VanGO's first major expansion occurred in 1997. Three major routes are introduced (La Plata-Pinefield Corridor, Waldorf Residential, and Waldorf Business) providing the first M-S service offered by VanGO. Routes are at 45 minute intervals throughout the day (but with lunch breaks) timed to intersect at the central hub (St. Charles Towne Centre Mall).
Other routes offered VanGO services in other areas of the county, but primarily one or two days per week with only one arrival and one return opportunity offered (Bel Alton, Cobb Island, Eastern Charles, Nanjemoy, Indian Head Senior Center, Indian Head).
In 1997 VanGO was voted Most Improved System in Maryland by the Transportation Association of Maryland.
Fiscal Year 1998 Ridership = 38,670 (July 1,
1997-June 30, 1998)
Revenue = 24,121 (July 1, 1997-June 30, 1998)
1998
VanGO named best paratransit system in Maryland by the Transportation
Association of Maryland.
Indian Head added as a major route, operating Monday-Saturday at fixed intervals with connections to La Plata. The La Plata service was redesigned. Bel Alton shuttle was discontinued.
Fiscal Year 1999 Ridership = 68,779 (July 1,
1998-June 30, 1999)
Revenue = $66,738
1999
VanGO's second major expansion occurs, doubling service on the four major
routes and extending operating hours until 10:00 P.M. (included a dinner
break for drivers). Second expansion was made possible through two programs:
1) Route 301 Demo Project, where increase in local transit is offered
as part of long-term effort to reduce traffic impacts along the Route
301 corridor; 2) Job Access and Reverse Commute, a new federal grant program,
aimed at further assisting welfare reform efforts. Through a partnership
with the local DSS, VanGO endeavors to provide transportation opportunities
for those obtaining and trying to maintain second-shift jobs. DSS provides
$155,000 towards the Jobs Access Program.
VanGO's budget approaches one million for the first time.
Routes now include St. Charles East A & B (formerly single Waldorf residential), Business Loops A & B (formerly one loop), La Plata A & B (formerly part of the La Plata-Pinefield Corridor), Indian Head to Waldorf (through La Plata), St. Charles West and Pinefield.
Fiscal Year 2000 Ridership = 75,119 (July 1,
1999-June 30, 2000)
Revenue = $48,094
2000
Indian Head Senior Center route becomes a subscription service.
VanGO introduces the All Day Pass. For one low price, customers can ride all day.
Fiscal Year 2001 Ridership = 165,228 (July 1,
2000-June 30, 2001)
Revenue = $113,816
2001
Added Waldorf-Charlotte Hall (Gold) Route. This is the first major intercounty
connector in Southern Maryland. Gold Route is timed to meet at the transfer
hub in Waldorf and at McKay's Plaza in St. Mary's County, enabling passengers
to travel throughout Charles and St. Mary's Counties. VanGO and St. Mary's
Transit (STS) form partnership to enable passengers to use fare media
from either system.
Fiscal Year 2002 Ridership = 246,132 (July 1,
2001-June 30, 2002)
Revenue = $142,098
2002
Based on 2000 census, Waldorf's development district and Indian Head become
designated urban areas.
Maryland Comprehensive Transit Program (MCTP) funding enables VanGO to continue operating during the daily lunch and dinner breaks, when routes previously temporarily halted.
Early morning commuter service to local park and rides test-piloted and discontinued a few months later in July 2002. Eastern Charles and Cobb Island become subscription routes.
All primary routes become fixed-route services, and ADA paratransit service is implemented.
Fiscal Year 2003 Ridership = 352,218 (July 1,
2002-June 30, 2003)
Revenue = $144,248
2003
Nanjemoy routes expanded to provide Monday-Friday service throughout the
day, modeled on the design of the urban routes.
Dialysis/ SC+ subscription services developed.
VanGO becomes its own division (Transportation Division) within Department of Community Services.
Budget reaches nearly $3 million.
Fiscal Year 2004 Ridership = 407,875 (July 1,
2003-June 30, 2004)
Revenue = $174,301
2004
Transfer Hub relocated from Mall to Waldorf Park & Ride at the intersection
of Route 301 and Smallwood Drive.
Friday and Saturday night services to mall suspended except for employee shuttle.
Employee shuttle discontinued shortly thereafter due to low ridership.
Waldorf-to-Charlotte Hall redesigned to connect hourly with STS (rather than every other hour).
La Plata B expanded to evening service.
Cobb Island and Eastern Charles routes eliminated.
Newburg route introduced.
Planning of new transfer hub facility begins.
VanGO named best fixed route system in the state of Maryland.
All Day Pass increased to $2.
Fiscal Year 2005 Ridership
= To be updated (July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005)
Revenue = $ To be updated
2005
Agency Bucks for area service orgainizations began. Ticket books cost $20 and may be used to purchase an All Day Pass.
Mystery Stop Monday - First Monday of every month, a passenger is picked from
different routes and awarded promotional items along with a $30 gift certificate
to Wal-Mart. A picture is taken of the winner and displayed on the bus for that month. The winner also receives a pass to ride for free for a month.
VanGO holiday operations change beginning in 2006. There will now be only two holidays that VanGO is closed for: Thanksgiving and Christmas.
A new transfer and shelter was provided for passengers of La Plata A, La Plata B, and Nanjemoy in 2005.
FY 2006 Highlights
VanGO staff are coordinating with various groups to finalize the plans for making a permanent transit hub location at the Park and Ride. This would include an office space and an increased number of parking spaces for VanGO vehicles.
The Newburg route, which travels along Route 301 from La Plata to the Harry Nice Bridge and back several times each day Monday through Friday has continued to increase its ridership. Ridership has doubled to over 600 passenger trips provided each month. This route provides service to several motels along Route 301 which have become low-income housing for many persons using VanGO to get to work. It also provides transportation for clients of the Jude House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for adults.
As detailed in the Dialysis/Senior Center Subscription narrative, VanGO continues to implemented the subscription routes for dialysis and senior center customers. In addition to the cost savings, up to 75 passengers are utilizing this service on a weekly basis. Under the new service, trips are more coordinated based on geographical locations of customers and their destinations which allows for a more efficient use of VanGO resources. VanGO has worked closely with the local dialysis and senior centers to promote the ongoing system.
FY 2007 Highlights
In September 2006, VanGO implemented the new Indian Head and Berry Road routes. Due to the need for more frequent service for residence of the western side of the county, it was necessary to split the service area into two parts to better serve the potential passengers. Both routes have been in operation for less than six months but have received positive feedback from passengers.
Previously, the Indian Head route operated loops that were more than two hours long requiring passengers to ride extensive amounts of time before arriving at their destination Now the passengers are able to arrive at the La Plata transfer point in less than an hour and have the ability to go directly to Waldorf or La Plata. This has provide more passenger flexibility and minimized overall ride time.
The Berry Road Route is a by-product of the former Indian Head route which serviced this area. Over the past several years there has been a great amount of development along Berry Road (Route 228). VanGO was receiving frequent inquiries regarding the increased need for transportation along this road. In response to this demand we were able to justiy the need for a separate route for Berry Road which includes the newest high school/technical center in the county, North Point Complex. Although ridership is slowly increasing we anticipate a higher volume with more outreach to the residences. The Berry Road Connector provides service on hourly loops from 7:00 AM until 9:00 PM.
FY 2008 Highlights
MA Coordination || As previously detailed, the Department of Community Services is attempting to collaborate with St.Mary's Health Department to further coordinate MA between the two jurisdictions. The initial focus is identifying what areas MA passengers travel and determining if resources can be maximized by combining trips. This project is in its beginning stages but we are optimistic that a plan can be created to benefit MA clients as well as both jurisdictions.
Specialized Services Assessments/ADA Eligibility Determination || Recognizing the need for professional medical analysis, Charles County DCS contacted Civista Health Rehabilitation Services inquiring about medical staff offering assistance in evaluating individual applicants applying for VanGO specialized services. The Civista Health Rehabilitation Services Department offered to provide this service free of charge as part of their community outreach. Civista's staff expertise enables us to determine the level of service that is needed by each individual applicant. This assistance allows us to be more efficient and accurate when determining the transportation needs of our clients, which allows us to more effectively manage and use limited funding for specialized services. Civista staff meet with us weekly to discuss the applications submitted for specialized services.
Safenights || During FY2008, DCS coordinated with the Department of Social Services and Lifestyles, Inc., to ensure transportation for homeless residents participating in Safenights. Safenights, administered by Lifestyles, provides overnight accommodations for homeless individuals from November through March at a different participating church each week during the five months where nighttime temperatures may be freezing. VanGO added – for the appropriate week – a designated stop (with deviation if necessary) along the appropriate public transit route to accommodate passengers wishing to get to a Safenights location. VanGO also starts the appropriate route 15 minutes early each day to add the Safenights location as the first stop of the route, to meet the timing needs of the churches. For locations that are not located on or near public transit routes, a subscription run is provided with the Department of Social Services's funding. DSS purchases and provides to Lifestyles agency bucks, which Lifestyles distributes to its participants, who then can redeem the agency bucks for all-day passes on VanGO. This collaboration required minor adjustments to VanGO routes, but saved Lifestyles from having to provide separate transportation for its participants, which it previously did. The money savings experienced by Lifestyles is then able to be used for direct services (such as meals, etc.) and administration of the program to ensure the continued viability of the Safenights.
GIS Mapping || VanGO now has the ability to complete and maintain GIS mapping internally. As a result, information regarding the routes, the stops, specialized services, and service requests is more accurate and more readily available. In FY09, DCS plans to incorporate some of the GIS improvements in its website, also to be enhances/updated in FY 09.