A “Next Generation” Transit System for the Monadnock Region

A Phased Approach to Expanding Public Transit Services to Greater Keene and Beyond

A 2022 Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) Transit Study produced a roadmap to expand much needed public transit services to more areas and people in the Monadnock Region through a phased, incremental approach. Efforts would begin with a pilot project to implement new “microtransit” services in the Greater Keene area while augmenting existing services throughout the region with a new critical medical care ride service. In comparison to existing transit services, the Greater Keene microtransit

service is designed to be more convenient, practical and reliable to all types of users. An expanded service area including key population centers and destinations, expanded operating hours, and shorter wait and trip times will make transit a viable option for travel to work, retail and grocery shopping, medical appointments, educational institutions, entertainment, and to visit family and friends.

Compared to the existing Keene transit services, the “Next Generation” system is projected to:

• Increase ridership by 125% from 29,000 rides per year to up to 63,500.
• Provide transit access to 70% more people and 46% more jobs.
• Provide more convenient ride booking (10-25 minutes before travel).
• Provide more direct and faster rides between origin and destination.

The long-term plan is to demonstrate and build upon the success of the greater Keene services to further expand transit to high need/high demand areas, and to address other gaps as needed in the region.

Community Transportation Projects Expanding Ridership and Addressing Unmet Need

In 2022, the MRCC received $390,000 in funding from the NH Department of Health and Human Services to support community transportation projects. MRCC-affiliated transportation providers have successfully leveraged the funding to establish new and expand existing services for Monadnock Region residents.  

The following charts describe the projects and the impact on expanding access to vital transportation services in the Region.

Monadnock Region Transit System Design Project 

Southwest Region Planning Commission is currently partnering with the MRCC to conduct an evaluation of transit system operating and governance models for the Monadnock Region. The evaluation is being conducted as follow up to the Microtransit Feasibility and Fixed Route Transit Service Plan Design Assistance Study completed in December 2022.   

The Transit Study examined the feasibility of enhancing existing fixed bus routes and/or creating new ones, as well as launching new microtransit services in various parts of the Region. It presents a regional transit framework consisting of zones and corridors where transit is most likely to succeed. The goal of the current Transit System Design Project is to identify a transit operating and governance model to support expanded transit services in the Region.   

Studies and Reports

• Microtransit Feasibility and Fixed Route Transit Study
• Next Gen 4-Pager
• Monadnock Region Next Generation Transit Project Implementation Guide
• Coordinated Community Transportation Plan
• Keene Master Plan Vision Keene 20-Forward; Pillar 3- Connected Mobility

Region Map