City transportation survey hits about 220 responses; MTA to aid outreach and focus groups planned

Elaine, a Health Department staff member presenting the transportation update, said the city’s transportation project is in the initial information‑gathering phase and the survey has about 220 completed responses.

Elaine described outreach efforts: social media posts, distribution to center members, collaboration with other city departments, and cooperation with the MTA which is running survey information on a downtown digital board and posting at bus stops. Staff are also visiting five Manchester Housing Authority high‑rise common areas to offer hard‑copy surveys and assist residents without phone access.

Preliminary response patterns showed many respondents had not used bus services; Elaine said earlier counts (when under 200 responses) indicated about 80% of respondents had not used the bus, which staff attribute partly to outreach to non‑riders. The next phase will keep the survey open likely through February and then convene focus groups and neighborhood conversations to explore findings and test recommendations.

Potential recommendations Elaine listed include adding bus stops on existing routes, extending an existing route a few blocks or piloting free shuttle services at targeted points. She said the MTA will help with public education about available services and the commission discussed possibly using funds raised at the senior luncheon to implement pilot measures.

Elaine noted the transcript uses the acronym "MTA" without spelling it out; the full agency name was not provided in the meeting record.