Jaunt’s 2022 Community Ridership Satisfaction Survey

September 12, 2022 Janet and Robin News

Please participate in Jaunt’s transit planning survey! Jaunt is conducting a Transit Development Plan to evaluate our current services, and to identify opportunities to improve those services in the future. Your participation in this survey is an opportunity for you to provide us with your feedback about our services and on possible improvements.

Two surveys are available: one for current riders (Rider Survey) and one for community members or non-riders (Community Survey).
The survey is open from Tuesday 9/6-Sunday 9/18.
Both surveys are available online via QR code, you can also find Rider Surveys on buses and Community Surveys are available either in civic service buildings and community hubs in each of the jurisdictions we serve.

Thank you for your input, we look forward to hearing from you!

Rider Survey URL: surveymonkey.com/r/jauntsurvey

Community Survey URL: surveymonkey.com/r/jauntcommunity

Jaunt, Inc. Seeks Candidates for Alternative Fuel Advisory Committee

May 17, 2022 Janet and Robin News

Feasibility study to begin June 2022

Jaunt, Inc. has partnered with Kimley-Horn to develop a high-level feasibility assessment for alternative-fueled vehicles for its fleet. In concert with this effort, Jaunt will convene an advisory committee of approximately 10-12 representatives from the community to share their opinions and perspectives, study issues, and develop recommendations in a focused, small group structure.

Jaunt will seek membership from each of the localities it serves, representing a broad cross-section of the community to lend diverse perspectives and voices to the effort. The committee will work to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by converting to alternative fueled vehicles; provide suggestions for feasibility and timeframe for Jaunt using alternative fueled vehicles; and promote community support for the recommendations.

The advisory committee will convene at three key points throughout the study, which is expected to be completed over 5-8 months, beginning in June 2022. During the meetings, the committee will discuss the study findings and formulate well-developed, thoughtful recommendations to Jaunt’s leadership on key decisions addressed during the course of the engagement. In making decisions, Jaunt’s leadership will consider the input from this advisory committee.

Interested citizens can learn more and apply online at www.ridejaunt.org/afac by Friday, May 27.

Jaunt, Inc. Announces Promotion of Ben Nemec to Director of Maintenance

April 26, 2022 Janet and Robin News

Nemec to step into his role effective immediately

Jaunt CEO Ted Rieck is pleased to announce the promotion of Ben Nemec to Director of Maintenance, effectively immediately.

In this role, Mr. Nemec will oversee the day-to-day management of the vehicle maintenance shop, as well as maintenance of the entire Jaunt fleet, facilities, equipment and components; and managing and supervising the work of the maintenance staff and contractors. An important element in overseeing Jaunt facilities is the maintenance of Jaunt’s radio tower contract, which facilitates critical communication between bus operators and dispatch.

“Ben has been a steadfast and committed Jaunt employee for nearly 15 years,” said Rieck in announcing Nemec’s advancement. “With this promotion, I’m proud to recognize his specific knowledge of Jaunt’s fleet as well as his considerable education and experience in automotive mechanics and maintenance management.”

“I have enjoyed serving Jaunt over the years,” said Nemec. “I’ve had the pleasure to watch the organization evolve and grow and I’m excited to continue to contribute to its growth in this new capacity.”

Mr. Nemec started his tenure at Jaunt in 2008 and brings 30 years of technical and mechanical skills to the role. He graduated at the top of his class in the Automotive Machinist program at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, MN in 2001.

CONNECT Services Adopt Stop Points to Improve Passenger Safety

April 26, 2022 Janet and Robin News

Beginning Thursday, April 28, 2022, a small schedule change will go into effect on certain CONNECT routes. Select pick-up locations will be converted from “time points” to “stop points.” Meaning, the buses will stop long enough for passengers to safely disembark or board, but will no longer wait until a listed time.

These changes are being implemented to pick-up locations around UVA that do not have adequate space for multiple buses to pull off the road. The intention of these adjustments is to alleviate traffic concerns and allow for more efficient management of our routes.

Specific locations that will be impacted by these changes are:

Emmet St @ Central Grounds Garage
Emmet St @ Ridley Hall
Whitehead Rd @ Rice Hall
Jefferson Park Ave @ Cabell Hall
Jefferson Park Ave @ Pinn Hall
Jefferson Park Ave @ Brandon Ave

As always, the Transloc app is passengers’ best option to determine the location of the bus and estimated arrival time to your stop. The times published in the route schedule are estimates, not guarantees.

For more information on how these changes will affect schedules, please visit our CONNECT page.

Jaunt, Inc. Announces Promotion of Stephen Johnson to Chief Development Officer

April 12, 2022 Janet and Robin News

Johnson will step into his new role effective immediately

Jaunt CEO Ted Rieck is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephen Johnson to Chief Development Officer (CDO), effective immediately.

In this newly created role, Mr. Johnson will manage and oversee agency planning and system development activities, coordinating, planning, and executing projects to improve and expand Jaunt service. Focusing on strategic, financial, and operations planning and analysis, Johnson will monitor and evaluate performance to ensure quality customer service. He will also provide critical management and policy support to the CEO.

“Stephen’s intellect and passion for planning, process, and community building will be instrumental in advancing Jaunt’s strategic vision for the future of transit in our region,” said Rieck in announcing the promotion.

Mr. Johnson started his tenure at Jaunt as a transit fellow, while he completed his master’s program at the University of Virginia. From there he was hired as Jaunt’s mobility planner, later going on to become planning manager – the agency’s first dedicated, full-time planning position. In 2021 Mr. Johnson was promoted to Director of Planning and Process.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Johnson in accepting the promotion. “I’m passionate about the ways in which public transportation can advance social causes such as equity, congestion, and climate change and I’m eager to continue to translate that passion into actionable solutions in this new role.“

Mr. Johnson brings nearly five years of experience with Jaunt and 12 years of technology, design, and project management experience to the role. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science and a Master’s in Urban and Environmental Planning, both from the University of Virginia.

Crozet CONNECT Survey

March 9, 2022 Janet and Robin Community, News

Jaunt is conducting a survey to determine current and potential ridership needs for the Crozet CONNECT commuter service. The survey will be live March 9-27, 2022, and can be found here. This feedback is valuable to us and it will be used to inform future stop needs as well as any schedule changes that would be beneficial to the community as a whole. Thank you for your help and we look forward to hearing how we could better serve the Crozet community.