Pleasant Street Shuttle Survey Results

Pleasant Street Shuttle Survey Results

Survey Dates: August 13, 2018 – September 28, 2018
The Town of Watertown and Watertown Transportation Management Association (WTMA) conducted a survey to evaluate interest in new transportation services. In particular, the possibility of offering shuttle service along the Pleasant Street Corridor to connect to transit.

There were a total of 383 survey respondents, of which more than half (212), indicated an interest in a shuttle service for the Pleasant Street Corridor. Respondents who said they would use the shuttle reported that they would use is at least 3-5 times per week and would be willing to pay at least $1 per ride and be on it for a maximum of 15-30 minutes. The top three most popular locations for the shuttle service to connect were the Red Line to Harvard, Watertown Yard Bus Terminal and Watertown Square Bus. 

The Town of Watertown and the WTMA are continuing to look for potential partners who would like to participate in a Pleasant Street shuttle and share in the cost. Details of the project are being discussed, interested participants should contact Sophia Galimore at 781-404-5008, director@watertowntma.org.

Employees and tenants of participating locations in the Pleasant Street corridor received a link to a survey that took 5-10 minutes to complete. The thoughts and opinions shared will be used to help determine what services should be offered and are summarized in this report.  
Download the Full report as a PDF

Conclusions

  • There is high interest in a shuttle service for the Pleasant Street Corridor.
  • Retirees are interested in a shuttle.
  • Red Line to Harvard, Watertown Yard Bus Terminal and Watertown Square Bus were the top 3 transit stations for the shuttle service to connect to.
  • Respondents are willing to pay at least $1 per trip.
  • Respondents are willing to ride the shuttle between 15 – 30 minutes maximum.
  • Respondents who said they would use the shuttle reported that they would use it at least 3-5 times per week.
  • The data shows that a peak period (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM) and (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) service is the most desirable based on work hours.
  • Majority of respondents own 1 or more vehicles per household.

Survey Results Overview

Note: Numbers of respondents indicated below are the numbers for each specific question.

  • Total Survey Responses = 383
  • The majority of respondents (252) were Watertown residents.
  • Most work a Monday to Friday schedule.
  • Almost all respondents (348) have 1 or more cars in their household, 169 of those have 2 or more cars.
  • The majority of respondents (213) reported working full time (41 or more hours a week), and another 111 work 31 or more hours per week.
  • Most respondents (213) leave for work sometime between 7:00 and 8:30 AM and the majority leave for home between 5:00 and 7:00 (208). These correspond to the most likely times for a commuter shuttle service.
  • 238 respondents reported that they did not work from home and 238 did not work from another location, these responses indicate this group is part of the target market for a shuttle service.
  • 245 respondents reported that they currently drive alone to work and only 65 take public transportation as their primary commute mode.
  • More than half of the respondents (212) indicated that they would be interested in using a shuttle bus service if one were available.
  • The top three spots that respondents indicated interest in were:
    • Red Line – Harvard (165)
    • Watertown Yard Bus Terminal (143)
    • Watertown Square Bus (130)
  • Respondents who said they would use the shuttle reported that they would use it frequently with 3-5 times per week (106) being the most popular answer.
  • Almost 75% of respondents (229) indicated that they live within walking distance of a transit stop.
  • When asked about what they would expect from a shuttle service, respondents were looking for:
    • 15-30 minutes maximum time (159)
    • $1 cost per trip (176)
  • Many respondents (176) indicated that if a shuttle service was provided, it would influence them to stay at their current job or residential location longer than they planned.
  • Respondents top answers for what their biggest concerns about their commute were:
    • Congestion on streets and highways (193)
    • The frustration of commuting (179)
    • Overall travel time (168)
  • The main reasons why people choose to drive to work were:
    • Driving takes less time than other options (147)
    • Transit takes longer than driving (141)
    • A transit stop is too far from my final destination (108)
    • A transit stop is too far from my home (98)
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If your daily commute feels repetitive, expensive, or just harder than it needs to be, you are not alone. Many Watertown commuters are looking for easier, more flexible ways to get to work without relying on driving alone every day. That is where GoMassCommute comes in. Watertown TMA is introducing a new app designed to bring your commuting options, rewards, and support programs into one easy-to-use platform. By joining GoMassCommute, Watertown TMA is working alongside other TMAs across the region to make commuting more accessible, connected, and rewarding. As more people and businesses think seriously about sustainability, this platform offers a practical way to explore options like transit, biking, walking, and carpooling—while choosing what works best for your schedule and lifestyle. Q: What can GoMassCommute actually help me do? A: GoMassCommute brings your commuting options into one place. You can explore different ways to get to work, log your trips, earn rewards, and even connect with other commuters nearby. It is designed to make trying new commute options feel simple and manageable. One of the biggest benefits of GoMassCommute is the confidence it can give commuters as they plan how to get to and from work. You may not always know what options are available, even if commuting greener is something that interests you. In many cases, there are more possibilities than people realize, and GoMassCommute helps bring them into view. This is also why Watertown TMA has made the switch from eCommuter. With its more accessible, user-friendly design and stronger features for connecting people to commute options and helpful resources, GoMassCommute offers a more engaging and practical experience for today’s commuters. One especially helpful feature is the app’s ability to automatically track trips from your phone, saving time compared to manual logging. Whether you are looking for a rideshare option, thinking about trying transit, or simply curious about what is available to you, the platform helps simplify the process and make those options easier to access. Q: Why should I switch from driving alone? A: Even small changes to your commute can make a big difference. Using transit, carpooling, biking, or walking just a few days a week can help reduce costs, lower stress, and support more sustainable travel. GoMassCommute helps you try these options in a way that feels realistic and supported. One of the most valuable features is the ability to connect with other commuters based on where you are traveling from. After creating a profile, you can see whether others nearby have similar commute patterns. With privacy safeguards in place, you can choose to connect by email and explore whether sharing a ride could work for you. Q: What kinds of rewards or programs are available? A: Watertown TMA offers several programs that make it easier—and more rewarding in terms of prizes and incentives—to try new ways of commuting. One featured incentive is the T for 2 Transit Program , which gives eligible commuters the opportunity to try public transportation at no cost. Participants who currently commute by driving alone can receive a free MBTA pass for two months by committing to take transit at least two days per week and logging their trips in GoMassCommute. There is also the FlexRide Carpool Program , which helps match commuters for shared rides, making commuting more affordable and convenient. For added peace of mind, the Emergency Ride Home program provides a reliable backup option if unexpected situations come up during the workday. In addition, commuters can participate in the Go Green Reward , where logging 20 trips over three months earns a $25 gift card. It is a simple way to build more sustainable habits while being rewarded for the trips you are already taking. Q: Do I have to change my whole commute to use this? A: Not at all. Many commuters start small—trying transit once or twice a week or carpooling occasionally. GoMassCommute is designed to support gradual changes, so you can find what works best for your schedule and comfort level. At its core, GoMassCommute is about more than individual trips. It is about bringing commuters, employers, and communities together to make commuting easier, more connected, and more sustainable across the region. Q: How do I get started? A: Getting started is easy. You can download the GoMassCommute app on Android or Apple , or visit www.gomasscommute.com/watertowntma to access the platform online. Once you create your profile, you can begin exploring commute options, logging trips, connecting with other commuters, and taking advantage of available rewards and benefits. 
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