The Roanoke Times

File October

With Blacksburg Transit eyeing new routes in Christiansburg next year, the survey intended to gauge the town's needs has those planning the extension optimistic.

"We are excited about the relatively high response-rate and hope for even more," said Blacksburg transportation planner Erik Olsen.

So far more than 2,300 completed surveys have been received. Olsen said that is a 26 percent response rate, and they are on target to reach between 30 percent and 40 percent.

The survey, administered by the Virginia Tech Center for Survey Research, was sent to every home in Christiansburg in October to gauge residents' transportation needs.

According to Susan Willis-Walton, director of the Center for Survey Research, the 22-question survey, in addition to identifying destinations, also addresses bus stop locations, the kinds of routes used to get to various destinations and the time of day participants would most like to see the bus run.

The survey also addresses such issues as bus stop structure and accommodations for riders with disabilities.

A second mailing will be sent out on or before Dec. 12 to reach everyone who has not returned the first survey.

"Generally, a large boost in response is seen just after the second wave mailing to nonrespondents, so we anticipate receiving quite a few more surveys over the next couple of months," Willis-Walton said.

She said the list of addresses will also be updated.

Though an end date has not been determined, the Center for Survey Research is entering the actual survey response data as they come in and will be cleaning and tabulating all of the data at the beginning of 2009.

While it is too early to determine what influence the survey will have on the implementation of new routes and service, Willis-Walton said that she has received great ideas and written comments from respondents along with their returned surveys.

"It seems like citizens are highly interested in the public transit and bus issues in Christiansburg," she said.

The information about desired stops, scheduling and services have been helpful thus far, and a strong response rate from the second mailing would provide an even better representation of the town's needs, Willis-Walton said.

Olsen said that while the current survey focuses on travel within and from Christiansburg, he anticipates that residents would like a regional bus service that reaches across town limits to include areas such as Radford and Giles, Floyd and Pulaski counties.

"BT is exploring expanded service into these areas and hopes to work in conjunction with other service providers in our region," Olsen said.

As an incentive for completing the survey, $25 gift certificates for local restaurants and other businesses will be raffled off to 10 households that sent in responses.