The final phase implementation includes several new service areas as well as improvements to the services that debuted in December of 2008.
On October 12th, COAST will begin service on updated or all-new routes 33, 34, and 35, operating under the “Dover FastTrans” banner. All three routes operate through downtown, including the Dover Transportation Center, to make connections with other transit services provided by COAST, Wildcat Transit, C&J (at Exit 9 Park & Ride), and the Amtrak Downeaster. The routes feature hourly frequency and make quick trips through town. Most importantly, COAST has chosen to lower the base fare to just 50 cents to encourage ridership on these local services.

Route 33, established in December 2008, serves downtown, neighborhoods along Sixth St., and on to the Strafford County Complex. That service remains, and will expand to serve the neighborhoods of Portland Ave. (currently part of Route 34), Henry Law Ave., and Court St. (via Tennyson Ave.). These expansions are possible due to schedule adjustments and still allow the route to operate every hour from about 7am to 8pm.

Route 34, originally begun in March this year operating on Portland Ave., is shifting to serve a different area of the city. The route will now serve as a connecting route for the many residents along Knox Marsh Rd. (NH155), and will also run through downtown and on Broadway between Pierce and Oak St. The route makes timely connections at the Transportation Center to other COAST and Wildcat Transit routes.

Finally, COAST is introducing Route 35, an entirely new service. The route provides cross-town service along the oft-congested NH108 (Durham Rd./Central Ave.) corridor. It is scheduled to operate every hour opposite the schedules for routes 2 and 3 which serve similar areas. This creates a service frequency of about 20 minutes through the heart of the city, a level on-par with larger cities elsewhere in the country.

Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director, expressed great enthusiasm. “We are proud to provide this high level of transit service to the city of Dover. With the addition of Route 35, Dover has positioned itself as one of the most transit intense and friendly communities in New Hampshire.”

Christopher Parker, Dover Planning Director, stated, “It is great to see this service expand in such a short period of time. We are happy to be able to provide the FastTrans service to the Dover community, and pleased that it has been able to react to community needs and desires as the program has morphed from one route to three.”

The Dover FastTrans project is headed by the city, including planner Bruce Woodruff, to provide frequent and flexible transportation for the greater downtown area. Woodruff, Parker, and the City Council worked with COAST to develop the project, ultimately resulting in three new fixed-routes as well as increasing to hourly frequency on COAST Route 1. The high level of service provided by FastTrans allows residents, whether they own automobiles or not, to move around town conveniently and affordably.

“Taking your car a short trip, five minutes down the street to the grocery store, creates more pollution than your commute to work over the highway. By taking advantage of FastTrans, you’re saving money on gas and car maintenance, and helping reduce pollution and traffic congestion in Dover,” said Jeremy LaRose, Manager of Operations and Planning for COAST. “For residents and visitors alike, this is a huge benefit.”

COAST is operating the new service for the City of Dover under a federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. Under this program the federal government will subsidize 80% of the project costs (less farebox revenues) for up to three (3) years. The City of Dover, through the $3.50 vehicle registration fee residents pay at City Hall, will subsidize the majority of the remaining 20% of the project costs.

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) has provided public transit service to the Seacoast New Hampshire region since 1982. COAST is a public, non-profit transit system that relies primarily on federal and local government support to operate. For more information on COAST and/or the Dover FastTrans service, visit www.coastbus.org or call the friendly staff at COAST at (603) 743-5777.