09F+grp+3

7:03...but can't figure out table of graphs or page #'s. I kinda included some tables on the table of contents, I don't know if that is enough

Even newer...12-11 @ 5:41...maybe final?

Newest Newest of the new...12-11 4:22. I removed the written survey results and just include the graphs in this copy. Also, I did some reformatting because the graphs were still out of sync on my computer...

Newest of the new- 12/11 NEWEST

New New rough draft



New Rough Draft--- Group 3 Services 202 Main Street Newark, DE 19711

November 1, 2009

Ms. Maureen Feeney Roser Assistant Planning and Development Director Downtown Newark Partnership 220 Elkton Road Newark, DE 19711

Dear Ms. Roser:

Over the past few years, transportation and safety issues have developed in Newark. The thousands of students who go out nightly in Newark have relied upon Public Safety escorts and the late night bus to reach their destinations safely and comfortably. Unfortunately, the University has abolished the driving portion of its Public Safety escort program, leaving the students with the late night bus as their only transportation option. The late night bus is very unreliable and cannot be depended upon by students. This has left students with a huge need for a safe and reliable form of after hours transportation.

Downtown Newark Partnership's goal is to enhance the economy of downtown Newark, both safely and efficiently. With the current safety and transportation issues that have developed in Newark, a complex solution may be required to solve this while also boosting the economy. To come to this solution, extensive research will be needed. Group 3 Services has an impeccable record of services, making us the right organization to assist you with this. The following proposal outlines the current late night transportation problem and the research methods our organization will use. It then explains the procedure, budget, and schedule of our proposed solution.

I hope you find Group 3 Solutions' proposal informative and helpful. If you have any questions or concerns please call (302)555-5555 or email us at group3services@delaware.com. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Ms. Brenda Olmo Ms. Elizabeth Young Ms. Heather Orzechowski Ms. Devon Smith "Group 3 Services"

__** Group 3 Services Proposal **__

Group 3 Services proposes to research potential solutions to a new transit service that will abolish the after hour transportation dilemma and make all of Downtown Newark more accessible to members of the community. The new service will provide a much safer environment and help to move towards your partnership's goal of Downtown Newark economic development. **Statement of the problem ** With the recent reports of crime surrounding the University of Delaware campus, a reliable and safe transportation method has become even more important to ease the minds of late night Newark travelers. According to neighborhoodscout.com, ones chances of becoming a crime victim in Newark are 1 in 15. This includes both property and violent crimes. The University's annulment to the driving public safety escort service has left many students wandering the streets alone at night, leaving them vulnerable to the possibility of property and violent crimes.
 * Introduction **

Our objective is to look into potential solutions to the reoccurring problems that occur when students in the University of Delaware community are forced into potentially dangerous situations when leaving local bars on Main Street. Furthermore, we hope to provide a solution that as a result of providing students with a safe option home, will also aid in stimulating the Newark economy.
 * Objectives **

**Procedure** The first step in determining a potential solution to this problem involves researching other Universities that have implicated systems to help ensure the safety of their students at night. This will give us the ability to take what we like from their solutions and create one of our own. Our initial studies have turned up many universities that have successfully enacted a solution to the late night problem. They are as follows: We have chosen the above institutions because like the University of Delaware, they acknowledged the late night problem and each of them was able to implicate a very successful solution.
 * Ohio State
 * Western Washington University
 * University of Wisconsin
 * Oregon State University

Once we have a better general understanding of what some of the solutions might be we will begin surveying local bars and apartment complexes about how willing they would be to support as solution to the walk home prevent dangers that students frequenting their establishments face. We will interview the following bars and complexes: These bars and establishments are arguably the most popular among the student population at the University of Delaware. As a result, we are certain that they will provide feedback that is vital to our research. Finally, students will be surveyed to get an idea of their support for a solution and if implicated, whether or not they would utilize the service. Students will be randomly invited to a survey provided by us on a social networking site. We expect approximately 50 students to reply to the survey based upon previous experiences using this mode of questioning. Whether your need is to start, to develop or to respond to a new competitive environment, Group 3 Services has been there before and can help assess your options. We can provide recommended services such as independent market studies, a formal business or strategic plan, or a contract evaluation. Our market research, financial modeling and attentiveness help identify, evaluate and prioritize options. We will help set up the path to success and determine the roles and responsibilities that will define success. Tools we use include:
 * Klondike Kates
 * Iron Hill
 * Deer Park Tavern
 * Timothy's
 * Grottos
 * East End
 * Buffalo Wild Wings
 * Kildares
 * University Courtyard Apartments
 * Learning Station
 * Ivy Hall
 * The Mill at White Clay
 * University Gardens
 * Record of Service**

-strategy research -financial forecasting and budgeting -partnership development -market and research analysis -success settings

Your goals become our goals, and together we will come up with a solution.

**Cost to the Downtown Newark Partnership** Other consulting firms work on billable hours, but Group 3 Services provides all of our services on a cost-per-project basis. This policy offers you the benefit of staying on budget without the unforeseen increases during the project. The total projected cost of this project is $25,000. This price is for a team of four consultants working on your project for one month. The budget includes research, surveys, travel, preparation of final reports, equipment, insurance, office supplies, local transport, facilities, equipment, and all related expenses. 1, November 9th to 16th: Phase 1 will begin on November 9th and last until November 16th. During this phase, our group will investigate other institutions who have implemented similar systems. Once the research has been completed, the surveying phase will begin. 2. November 16th to 23rd: Surveys will be compiled and distributed. Specific surveys will be distributed to the three different groups: local bars, students, and housing complexes. Recepients will be given one week to complete the surveys, and on Monday November 21st, the data from the surveys will be collected. The Group will spend the next two days reviewing the data.
 * Schedule**

3. November 23rd to December 1st: A preliminary report will be constructed. The group will spend this week reviewing the report and looking for areas to further research.

4. December 1st to December 8th: Any further research will be completed. The group will create graphs and charts using their findings. The report will be finalized and made ready for presentation.

5. December 8th: Deliver Report to Downtown Newark Partnership.


 * Front Matter**

Group 3 Services 202 Main Street Newark, DE 19711

November 23, 2009

Maureen Feeney Roser Assistant Planning and Development Director Downtown Newark Partnership 220 Elkton Road Newark, DE 19711

Dear Ms. Roser:

Enclosed is Group 3 Services’ report on the transportation problems in downtown Newark. The transportation issues have created an unsafe environment that doesn’t encourage economic development. The report contains an assessment of the transportation problem in Newark, along with research on other universities who have solved their transportation issues using a variety of techniques.

The transportation problem was researched by surveying students, local bars, and apartment complexes. Research was completed on the transportation systems of University of North Iowa, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Kansas. After reviewing survey and internet information, suggestions on how to fix the current transportation issue were made.

We hope that this report will demonstrate that the transportation dilemma has made the downtown environment less safe while simultaneously hurting the economy. Please contact Group 3 Services if you have any questions regarding the report.

Sincerely,

Ms. Brenda Olmo Ms. Elizabeth Young Ms. Heather Orzechowski Ms. Devon Smith "Group 3 Services"

● Title page **(all of this will be included on our word version of the final draft)** ● Table of Contents ● List of tables and figures

**EXECUTIVE SUMMARY**

 * T**he City of Newark is composed mostly of University of Delaware students for a majority of the year. These students heavily relied on the UD Public Safety driving escort to get from one place to another. In the Summer of 2009, Public Safety canceled the driving escorts and decided to implement a walking escort service instead.

While UD does have a "Hen after Ten" bus service that has stops around the the UD campus, it does not howeverbut not around Main Street. The City of Newark has bus services, the Unicity bus and Newark Trolley, but their services stop around 4pm. There are also two pedicab businesses that were introduced to the UD campus this past semester that can transport two people at a time by bicycle, but the demand for transportation is higher than the pedicabs can handle.

We researched the different ways other university students get around town late at night, and found that a lot of schools have late night services to go to the towns, which are funded by different sources. Some have transportation fees added to the tuition, while others are funded by collaborations of city, state university and/or the police department.

After surveying the local bars, we found that most felt there had been a decline in customers since the elimination of the UD driving escort, and felt there was a need for a late night transportation service in Newark. While most felt the service was necessary, no bars we surveyed were willing to pay for a service.

The students made it clear that they need a way to travel safely at night and that they would be willing to pay for a service. They want to go out on Main Street more often, but feel the lack of safe transportation in Newark makes it difficult.

Our recommendation is that the Newark Trolley hours be extended to the evening. The Newark Trolley is a safe alternative to walking or driving. This will bring more students on to Main Street and ease up on the traffic congestion. (Will expand on this later)

THE REPORT

**● Introduction**
The University of Delaware recently stopped its driving escort service which allowed students to feel safer when traveling in Newark. They now provide walking escorts, but not to Main Street. The Public Safety budget cuts have left young people feeling vulnerable getting around Newark. This report is being issued to gather information on the late night transportation for University of Delaware students in Newark and to determine solutions to this problem. Lack of reliable transportation is stopping students from spending more time on Main Street and the surrounding establishments.

Hen after Ten is the University of Delaware’s only means of transportation late night. The stops are the Smith Overpass, Dickenson Complex, the Rodney Complex, George Read Hall, and Christiana Commons. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the bus runs every 10 to 15 minutes until 4am on the weekends. This facilitates students getting from one area of campus to another, but does not bring the students to Main Street.

Newark does provide a daily service in the Unicity bus route and the Newark Trolley. Trolley service loops College Square Shopping Center to Elkton Road and ends around 4pm. The UNICITY Bus system is a service of the City of Newark and UD Transit of the University of Delaware, with funding assistance from the State of Delaware. Unicity has more stops than the trolley and a covers a broader area, but ends at 5:20pm.

Services like Green Rides and College Taxi are pedicab services that can be flagged down on the street or you can call to have them pick you up and take you to a specific location. The owners of College Taxi and Green Rides say they're trying to fill a void left when UD public safety officials stopped offering safety-escort rides earlier this year in favor of walking students home or to bus stops (RACHEL KIPP • The News Journal • October 27, 2009) The problems with this type of transportation are it is weather permitting, and each service has only 4 pedicabs. This does not cover the demand for transportation as mentioned on Green Rides Facebook page, “Thank you everyone for a great night! We had very heavy call volume and could not accomodate everyone. Please bear with us as we work on this issue. All four Greenriders had passengers their entire shift”. (Facebook)

The 2006-2008 University of Delaware Crime Statistics – Newark Campus shows that rape has gone down since 2006, but robbery and aggravated assault are rising. The city of Newark’s crime statistics aren’t much better. The January 2009 report shows that while rape is also down 18.2%, unlawful sexual contact is up a staggering 57.1%. Add to this that the median age in Newark is 22.6 and that 54% of its population is female and the need for a safe mode of transportation is evident.

**University Research**
Western Washington University - The Late Night Shuttle is a service for Western Students, funded by the Student Transportation Fee. It is not operated or affiliated with WTA. (Whatcom Transportation Authority). The Student Transportation Fee is $25 a semester and automatically added to the tuition of anyone taking 6 credits or more.

Ohio State – COTA instates Night Owl bus funded by COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) The line brings buses to OSU’s campus at late night hours and makes stops in popular destinations such as the Short North and the Arena District.Since it is run by the Transit Authority, regular bus fares are charged.

University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point -Several institutions were essential in helping make the late night bus a reality, including the university, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Student Government Association, the Stevens Point Transit Department and the Stevens Point Police Department. Another great feature of the bus is that it is free for the students to ride. The late night bus system will cost $86,337 for the 2009-2010 academic year. Of this, $53,952 is funded by the state and federal governments. This leaves a total tab of $41,386 for UWSP students, which averages to about $2.44 per student per semester.

Oregon State University-The Beaver Bus, a late-night bus service operated by Corvallis Transit System, and regular bus fares apply.

**Survey Results**

 * Bars/ Late Night Destinations**

Considering the Downtown Newark Partnership’s focus on economic development, Group 3 Services found it necessary to survey local bars. These establishments were surveyed to see if they were suffering because of the lack of transportation in Newark.

The bar survey questions included: · Question 1: Do you think that more students would come to your establishment if they were offered transportation? · Question 2: If you were helping to fund the service, how much would you be willing to pay? · Question 3: What night(s) are you most busy and/or would most benefit from the transportation service? · Question 4: Have you ever had to call a cab or other form of transportation to take a customer home because they are too intoxicated? · Question 5: Do you think the liability would increase or decrease with this service? · Question 6: Have you seen a decrease in revenue since the University of Delaware stopped their driving escort service? · Question 7: Would you say that the communication level is strong or weak between your management/owners and the other local bars management/owners? The following is a chart displaying the bar’s survey answers
 * Question Number || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 ||
 * Deer Park || Yes, especially during winter months || No || Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday are our busiest nights || Yes, have called a cab several times || Depending on the specifics of the service, but probably a decrease in liability || Yes, but can’t say if its due to the lack of escort service or just bad economic times || Strong within our organization, weak with other bar managers and owners ||
 * Pat’s MVP Bar || Yes || Yes, but not sure how much || We would benefit on all nights || No || Stay the same || Yes, this year has been slower || We do not communicate with other owners and management ||
 * Kildare’s || No, our location is fairly central || No || Weekend nights || Yes, have called a cab service || Yes || No || Strong with management of close by bars ||
 * Buffalo Wild Wings || Yes || No || Sundays || Yes || Increase if we were directly connected to the service || Yes, recently it has been very slow || Weak ||
 * Grotto’s || No || No, not in the budget || During sporting events || Yes || Not sure || No || Strong ||
 * Kate's || Probably not, we are right on main || No || Weekends || yes || No effect || No || Strong with closest bars like Iron Hill ||
 * Iron Hill || No || No || Wednesdays || Yes || No change || No || Strong ||
 * East End ||  || No || When students rent out || Yes || Not sure || Yes || weak ||
 * Timothys || Yes || Unsure || Fridays || Yes || Unsure || Yes || okay, we are off main street ||

Group 3 Services found it equally important to survey the predominately student residing apartment complex managers in the Newark area to get an idea of how they feel about the late night transportation issue.

We spoke with the following representatives to get their point of view: University Courtyards - Valerie Learning Station (Lang Housing) - Tim University Gardens (beginning of Main St.) - Ralph The Mill at White Clay (Lang Housing)- Mary Anne Studio Green - Rebecca

Each representative was asked the following questions: 2-"Have there been any late night safety issues in your complex?" 3-"If you were to fund the service, how much would you be willing to pay?" 4-"Have you ever offered any type of bus or transportation service for your tenants in the past?" 5-"Do you think that offering this type of service would attract more potential tenants?"
 * 1-"Would you be interested in a late night transportation system taking your residences to and from the bars at night?"

__University Courtyards__**, 1. We have a UD bus hub right outside of our complex on South Chapel so I don't think that would be needed really. 2. Not inside our complex necessarily, but I can think of one particular situation that happened a few weeks ago where a girl was robbed on Delaware Ave. right outside one of our buildings. 3. I don't think we need a service, UD provides a transportation service at night already, I know that the students used to use the driving escort service quite frequently, but UD cut that program last year. We do pay a police officer to watch the area of our complex at night, so we are taking a positive approach towards our tenants' safety. 4. Just UD's service, which we do not finance but we only house students so UD has a stop right outside of our 7000 and 8000 building (buildings that require access cards to enter). 5. I think that we are a very central location, but maybe if we offered a van type service, like that of UD's old service, we could use that as an additional selling point.

1. No, we are located on Main Street. 2. We have not had any late night safety issues in our complex to my knowledge in the past few years, we require a key for entrance to the building since we are located right in the heart of Newark. 3. If we were to have a service, I would not put too much money into it since all of the late night hot spots are within 2 miles of the apartments. 4. No we have not 5. I don't think that our location really needs to offer the service, most people chose to live here because they can walk everywhere and a car is not needed to travel around in Newark.
 * __Learning Station__****,**

1. Sure. I think that a good amount of our residents would use the service. The main complaint we get with undergrad students is that we are "far" from "downtown" Newark, now keep in mind we are only a mile a few popular bars, I guess the students don't want to have to walk. 2. On occasion we have some issues, not so much lately, but we had a few situations last year. 3. As long as the maintenance fees weren't too ridiculous, sure. 4. No we have not 5. Yes I do, we just never got it going before. We thought about starting a service a few years back, but it was too expensive, and with the Universities services, we didn't see too much need. However, the escort service would not drop students off close enough to our complex because we are off-campus housing.
 * __University Gardens__**

1. Yes. 2. We are situated farther away from main campus, so we tend do have more of a problem that most of our other complexes. In the last month we have had 2 different tenants get robbed and held at gun point walking back to their apartment. 3. Yes, but we would have to raise the rent for our residents 4. No 5. Yes.
 * __The Mill at White Clay__**

1.Yes 2. Not that have been reported to me. We have an evening patrol service and a Newark police officer that lives on site 3. It would depend on the student demand. I believe this would be a great marketing tool 4. Not at this community 5. Yes, especially for our international students.
 * __Studio Green__**

We concluded from our survey results, that the more distant apartment complexes (from UD campus) feel that a more sufficient late night transportation service would be beneficial. Depending on the student demand and costs, a majority of those surveyed said that they would fund the service.

After surveying 26 students to get their thoughts on the current and future plans for a late night transportation service, our results are below.


 * //Respondent Statistics://**

-All full-time students at UD. -Living: 7% live "on campus"**, 62% live in an "off campus" house****,** and 31% live in an "off campus" apartment Of those living off-campus, they reside: East Cleveland- 5% East Park Place- 5% Delaware Circle- 5% Benny Street- 5% Amstel Ave.- 9% South Chapel St.- 9% Continental Ave.-9% New London Rd.- 9% University Courtyards- 13% Choate Street- 18%**
 * - UD STUDENTS: 0% are Freshmen, 7% are Sophomores, 16% are Juniors, and** 77% are Seniors.
 * -78% are between the ages of 21-23** **a**nd 22% are between the ages of 18-20.
 * Ivy Hall- 13%

//Do you go out at night to locations that require transportation?//
 * 56.5% said yes**, 43.5% said no


 * //How often do you 'go out' during the week for late night entertainment?//**

4.2% said never 25% said 1-2 nights 0% said 5 or more
 * 70.8% said 3-4 nights**


 * //How appealing is the idea of a new late night transportation service?//**

On a scale of 1-4 with one being not appealing at all - 4 being extremely appealing, 4.2% said 1 20.8% said 2 33.3% said 3
 * 41.7% said 4**


 * //What system of transportation would you prefer to ride in?//**

Bus/Trolley System: 13.7% Pedicab: 4.5% Subway/Train: 4.5%
 * Taxi/Car Service: 68.2%**
 * Sedan/Van: 9.1%

//What days of the week do you most often participate in late night entertainment? (more than one can be chosen)// (each day is out of 100% of people polled because everyone had the option to chose that day as one they "go out" on)** Monday- 4.2% Tuesday- 41.7% Wednesday- 29.2% Thursday- 50% Saturday- 91.7%** Sunday- 12.5%
 * Friday- 95.8%

Rating scale of 1-5 was used, 1="hate it!" to 5="love it!"**
 * //How satisfied are you with UD's current transportation service? (UD Public Safety walking escort service and Bus service)//

UD's new walking PS escort: 2-8.3% 3-4.2% 4-4.2% 5-0% UD's current bus service: 1-16.7% 3-41.7%** 4-8.3% 5-4.2%
 * 1-83.3%**
 * 2-29.2%


 * //Where would you like to take a late night transportation service?//**

ONLY mentioned bars around campus= 20%
 * Areas around "UD Campus" - majority specifically mentioned Main St., Ivy, etc.= 80%**

--which if they mentioned Main St. I'm assuming included the bars on Main.


 * //Would you be willing to pay for a late night transportation service? And if so, how much and in what form of payment would be most convenient?//**

No, I would not pay for this service- 38% -Of the 62% that would pay, credit/cash/UD ID flex tied with each having 6 votes. So it would probably be best to offer all 3 payment options. 85% suggested that they would pay between $2-$4 per ride.
 * Yes, I would pay for this service- 62%**
 * -**Also as far as the amount of money that each person would be willing to pay,
 * --**A few people also mentioned that they would like to pay for a monthly or weekend ride pass. One person suggested $20/month to charge.


 * //Where would you expect to see advertisements for the new transportation service?//**

Email-8.3% Facebook- 10.4% At the bars- 12.5% UD Website- 14.6% UD Review/Newspaper- 16.7%
 * Around UD (fliers, signs, etc.)- 37.5%**


 * (we will have graphs/charts for the above information in our final draft, however it was very difficult to make in the wiki)**

After researching and surveying other universities, students and local apartment complexes and bars, we have proven that a new late night transportation service is necessary. While the economy is not very strong, and funds are not as readily available as they once were, we are keeping the cost as minimal as possible. Our recommendation is that the Newark Trolley hours be extended to the evening. The Newark Trolley is a safe alternative to walking or driving. This will bring more students on to Main Street and ease up on the traffic congestion. We have found that this solution would please the students, as well as local apartment complexes, bars and overall create a more positive transportation system for Newark in the latter hours. **(expand on more later)**
 * CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS**

● Works Cited
 * this will be included in our next draft.

Appendices:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/87WP9DC (student survey we conducted)