Methodology and Response Group Size and Age of Survey Respondents Summary of Passenger Comments and Suggestions Residency and Overnight Lodging

Transcription

1 April 30, 2018 MEMORANDUM To: Paul Murphy From: Tom Crikelair Subject: 2017 Island Explorer Passenger Survey CC: John Kelly, Stephanie Clement, Mary Ann Hayes This memo presents the results of an onboard passenger survey carried out on Island Explorer buses during August of The analysis includes comparisons with similar surveys from past years. A copy of the survey form is attached as Appendix A. Appendix B provides an internet link to the Island Explorer web site and a full transcription of passenger comments. The report is structured as follows: Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 Section 9 Section 10 Section 11 Section 12 Appendix A Appendix B Methodology and Response Group Size and Age of Survey Respondents Summary of Passenger Comments and Suggestions Residency and Overnight Lodging Trip Purpose Visitor Travel Modes Park Entry Permits Parking Locations Number of Years Utilizing the Island Explorer Service Evaluation Island Explorer Future Internet Use Survey form Internet link for a transcription of 2017 passenger comments

2 1. Methodology and Response The onboard survey was carried out on August 1 and 2, Surveys were distributed between 7:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. on Island Explorer bus routes that originate at the Bar Harbor Village Green, including the Bicycle Express, and on Loop Road buses that originate at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. The Schoodic route was not included in the survey effort. Groups were handed a survey form by a survey team member as they boarded buses at the Bar Harbor Village Green and at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Passengers were asked to complete one survey per group. Those who agreed to participate were given a blank form and a pencil and were asked to place their completed form in a box at the front of the bus as they disembarked. Nearly all groups that were offered a survey form agreed to take one. In 2017, 467 surveys were distributed and 451 were returned, for a response rate of 97%. It is important to recognize that the survey examines Island Explorer usage (1) during the daytime only and (2) during the peak of the summer season. The distribution of trip purposes and the distribution of riders by route would have been different if the survey had included evening hours. Surveys were not distributed in the evening in part because it would have been difficult for passengers to fill out survey forms on buses in the dark. Because the survey was carried out during the busiest part of the summer, the percentage of usage by visitors (as opposed to year-round and seasonal residents) may have been somewhat higher than at other times during the season. Figure 1 shows bus routes utilized by survey groups in The total is greater than 451 because some respondents used more than one bus route for their trip. This figure also shows the 2017 distribution of ridership by route. FIGURE SURVEY AND RIDERSHIP DISTRIBUTION Survey Respondents Survey Distribution Ridership Distribution Oceanarium 79 13% 15% Eden Street 64 10% 19% Sand Beach % 15% Loop Road 93 15% 15% Jordan Pond % 17% Brown Mountain 37 6% 1% Southwest Harbor 57 9% 6% Schoodic 0 0% 2% Trenton 49 8% 5% Bike Express 25 4% 4% Total % 100% 2

3 The survey sample included a lower percentage of Eden Street route riders when compared with the actual distribution of ridership by route for the full summer season. This results in part from the fact that survey distribution was limited to daytime hours. Surveys were only distributed at the Bar Harbor Village Green and at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center. This means that survey distribution focused on groups that traveled to, from, or through these two transit hubs. Results would have been different if surveys had been given to more people who boarded Island Explorer buses at other Mount Desert Island locations. 2. Group Size and Age of Survey Respondents Participants were asked to identify the number of individuals in their party. In 2017, the 451 participating groups included a total of 1,232 individuals. The average group size was 2.7 and the median group size was 2.0. The average group size has been generally consistent during past Island Explorer surveys, as shown in Figure 2. FIGURE 2 AVERAGE GROUP SIZE Surveys Average Group Figure 3 shows the distribution of survey groups by group size. FIGURE 3 SIZE OF PARTICIPATING GROUPS IN 2017 Group sizes 2017 Number 2017 Percent One 90 20% Two % Three 55 12% Four 75 17% Five 31 7% Six 12 3% Seven 3 1% Eight or more 7 2% % In 2017, 18% percent of group members were retired adults, 56% were non-retired adults, and 26% were children below the age of 18. Thirty-seven percent of participating groups included at least one child. Children traveling without an adult accounted for 5% of all groups. These distributions have been consistent within a few percentage points over the course of past years. 3

4 3. Summary of Passenger Comments and Suggestions GENERAL PRAISE Bus riders continue to be very pleased with free Island Explorer bus service. A visitor from New York on the Southwest Harbor bus said, Thank you to everyone who has a role in this service. It is valuable and much appreciated. A model for other parks. A visitor from Quebec on the Oceanarium bus said, Best way to visit the island. Great service. A seasonal worker from Albania said, You guys are doing a perfect job. A visitor from Canada said, The drivers are like best friends to every passenger so nice. A visitor from Connecticut on the Jordan Pond bus said, I love leaving my car behind so I don t have to find parking. A Massachusetts visitor said, Traffic and parking would be disastrous without the Island Explorer. A visitor from Singapore on the Southwest Harbor bus said, Fantastic island bus service, ideal for many one-way hikes around Acadia, friendly drivers, flexible drop-off and flag down. Perfect transport for an eco-holiday. A visitor from New Hampshire said, Excellent vacation due to the Island Explorer service. We have not used our car once! THANK YOU, L.L.BEAN! As they have in past years, passengers expressed gratitude to L.L.Bean for the corporation s contribution to the bus system. A visitor from Connecticut said, Thank you for your continued support of this essential service in Acadia National Park. A rider from Massachusetts said, We are so glad that L.L.Bean is helping to make this shuttle available to all. A visitor from New York said, Each year when I see L.L.Bean s name I am impressed by their commitment to supporting Acadia and visitors to the state of Maine. Thank you, L.L.Bean! A visitor from New Hampshire said, Amazing company whose heart and heads are in the right place! Someone from South Carolina said, A great affirmation for an outdoor company. A very positive statement. A visitor from Pennsylvania said, L.L.Bean will always get my family s business because their corporate dollars are spent supporting the environment. Love them! Another Island Explorer rider said, I am extremely grateful to L.L.Bean since the park is so poorly funded. I will purchase from L.L.Bean whenever I can in gratitude. A visitor from Delaware on the Southwest Harbor bus said: Very generous, perspicacious. Synonyms for perspicacious include discerning, perceptive, astute, smart, farsighted, canny, wise, aware, and discriminating! 4

5 PARKING AND CAPACITY CONCERNS A visitor from Georgia on the Jordan Pond bus said, We had no idea how limited parking was inside Acadia. A visitor from Virginia on the Oceanarium bus said, Parking spaces are impossible to find locally. You need more buses in the peak season. Another Oceanarium route passenger said, You may need more capacity for popular routes at times of peak demand. A Massachusetts visitor on the Sand Beach route said, It is frustrating to wait for a bus only to find there s no room. A visitor from Tennessee said, Sand Beach needs more frequent service. We get on at Blackwoods and ALWAYS have to stand. (In 2018, Sand Beach will be served every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Blackwoods Campground will be served by a separate route.) A New York visistor on the Jordan Pond route said, Getting a bike on and off at Jordan Pond can be tough because it is so busy. A visitor from Pennsylvania on the Trenton route said, Imagine the traffic nightmare without the buses!! SUGGESTIONS Survey respondents used the comment section to make a variety of suggestions for improving Island Explorer service. Several people asked for bus service to start earlier in the morning on some routes. A passenger on the Trenton bus said, Buses should run earlier to accommodate early morning hikers who want to avoid crowds. A Bicycle Express rider from Ohio suggested, You should start the bike route sooner. The bike store opens at 8 am, so the line was very long at 9:15. A visitor from Tennessee said, We need bathrooms at the Visitor Center bus stop! An Ohio passenger on the Southwest Harbor route suggested, Drop Smugglers Den campers at the entrance to save time. Other suggestions included: Later bus service to Sand Beach More stops later in the day at Wildwood Stables Increased Eden Street capacity at 9:00 p.m. Ferry service between Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor A bus route between Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor Direct service from Sand Beach to the Village Green, without a diversion to Blackwoods Campground More benches at bus stops 5

6 4. Residency and Overnight Lodging In 2015, 16% of participating groups said that they are year-round or summer residents of Mount Desert Island. This includes 6.5% who said they are year-round residents and 9.8% who said that they are summer residents. The distribution of local residents, summer residents, and visitors for the most recent ten years of Island Explorer surveys is presented in Figure 4. FIGURE 4 LOCAL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS Year-round 8% 11% 11% 9% 8% 9% 8% 9% 6% 7% Summer residents 14% 11% 11% 12% 14% 13% 12% 12% 11% 10% Visitors 78% 78% 78% 79% 78% 78% 81% 79% 83% 84% Participants were asked to identify their hometown and state. The results are presented in Figure 5. Twenty-seven percent of groups participating in the 2017 survey live yearround in New England, while 25% live in Mid-Atlantic States. Seventeen percent live in the Southeast, 10% live in the Midwest, and 6% live in Western states. Canadians accounted for 6% of Island Explorer groups in Other international groups accounted for 6%. FIGURE 5 YEAR-ROUND RESIDENCE BY REGION Mid Atlantic 25% 24% 19% 28% 26% 25% 27% 27% 31% 25% Maine 13% 17% 19% 15% 14% 17% 11% 15% 12% 13% Other New England 18% 18% 18% 18% 17% 16% 18% 15% 16% 15% Midwest 9% 6% 12% 8% 10% 9% 8% 12% 11% 10% Southeast 7% 13% 10% 10% 11% 11% 12% 12% 12% 17% West 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% 7% 7% 5% 6% 6% Canada 7% 6% 4% 5% 5% 5% 6% 6% 5% 6% Other international 15% 9% 10% 10% 12% 10% 11% 8% 8% 6% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Combined New England 31% 35% 37% 33% 31% 33% 29% 30% 28% 27% Eastern Europe 7% 4% 3% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 1% 2% Survey participants were asked: What town will you stay in tonight? In 2017, 89% of bus riders said they planned to stay overnight on Mount Desert Island or in Trenton. Nearby islands and Schoodic together accounted for 2%. The percentage staying in other Hancock County towns was 4%, while 4% stayed elsewhere in Maine. Town-bytown results for the most recent ten surveys are presented in Figure 6. 6

7 FIGURE 6 LOCATION OF OVERNIGHT LODGING Town Bar Harbor 64% 73% 69% 69% 75% 70% 75% 75% 72% 64% Mount Desert 14% 8% 10% 10% 10% 7% 7% 11% 8% 10% Southwest Harbor 6% 5% 8% 6% 6% 5% 7% 4% 6% 7% Other Hancock County 4% 3% 3% 4% 2% 8% 3% 4% 8% 4% Other Maine 3% 1% 2% 4% 2% 4% 3% 2% 2% 4% Tremont 0% 4% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 3% Trenton 9% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 3% 2% 1% 5% Schoodic area 1% 1% 2% 0.4% 1% 1% 1% 0.2% 0.4% 1% Nova Scotia 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Local Islands 0% 1% 1% 0.2% 0% 1% 1% 0.8% 0.4% 1% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% MDI Region 94% 96% 93% 91% 95% 89% 94% 94% 90% 91% Figure 7 shows distribution of overnight lodging by type of accommodation from 2007 through In 2017, 32% of Island Explorer groups stayed in campgrounds, while 31% stayed in motels, inns, or B&B s. The percentage staying overnight on sailboats or yachts in 2017 was 4%. Cruise ship passengers accounted for 7% of survey groups in 2008, because a large cruise ship was in Bar Harbor on the second day of the 2008 survey. Subsequent surveys have been scheduled for days when large cruise ships were not expected. FIGURE 7 TYPE OF OVERNIGHT LODGING Campground 30% 25% 26% 24% 25% 22% 20% 23% 23% 32% Motel, Inn, B&B 32% 29% 34% 39% 39% 38% 43% 41% 39% 31% Year-round residence 9% 14% 14% 11% 10% 13% 10% 11% 8% 9% Summer residence 9% 7% 10% 11% 14% 14% 8% 12% 11% 10% Short-term rental 6% 12% 10% 7% 8% 9% 14% 9% 16% 12% Sailboat or Yacht 5% 4% 3% 6% 3% 4% 4% 3% 3% 4% Cruise Ship 7% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Other 4% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1% 2% 1% 0% 2% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Surveys asked: Is your overnight lodging within easy walking distance of the Bar Harbor Village Green? In 2017, 26% of participating groups said they were staying overnight in a hotel, B&B, or residence located within easy walking distance of the Bar Harbor transit hub. This compares with 36% in 2015, 39% in 2014, and 37% in

8 5. Trip Purpose Survey respondents were asked to identify the primary purpose of their bus trip. The largest categories in 2017 were hiking and sightseeing, each with 29% of total responses. biking was the next most popular trip purpose with 10%, followed by work with 8%. The combined total for various recreational purposes (hiking, biking, swimming, and boating) was 54%. Other purposes in 2015 included carriage ride, ferry to Swans Island, Thuya Gardens, whale-watching, retrieve our car, and appointments. FIGURE 8 TRIP PURPOSE Work 11% 13% 13% 12% 12% 13% 10% 10% 10% 8% Hiking 21% 22% 24% 20% 28% 30% 31% 32% 40% 29% Biking 13% 11% 14% 14% 15% 11% 18% 11% 10% 10% Swimming 7% 1% 6% 2% 2% 6% 4% 5% 3% 4% Boating 2% 2% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 2% Shopping 10% 9% 4% 8% 5% 4% 6% 7% 4% 6% Dining 4% 4% 4% 4% 6% 3% 4% 5% 4% 6% Sightseeing 27% 29% 27% 30% 27% 27% 20% 25% 24% 29% Other 5% 9% 7% 8% 4% 5% 5% 5% 4% 6% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 6. Visitor Travel Modes In 2017, 59% of visitor groups said they traveled to the region in an automobile without an attached trailer, 21% of visitors arrived in a recreational vehicle or in a car towing a trailer, and 11% arrived in the region on an airplane. Five percent arrived by private boat, and 2% traveled to the region on an intercity bus. FIGURE 9 VISITOR TRAVEL MODES Car 48% 50% 56% 58% 58% 58% 64% 59% 61% 59% RV or trailer 23% 19% 15% 16% 17% 16% 10% 16% 17% 21% Airplane 17% 13% 19% 13% 17% 17% 16% 17% 18% 11% Sailboat or yacht 5% 5% 4% 6% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% 5% Intercity bus 4% 3% 3% 5% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% Tour bus 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% Cruise Ship 8% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Other 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3% 2% 1% 2% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 8

9 7. Park Entry Permits In 2017, 80% of Island Explorer groups said they purchased an Acadia National Park entry permit. This matches the 2015 survey result. Eighty percent is the highest level of permit ownership recorded during Island Explorer surveys. Between 2000 and 2005, there was a significant and steady increase in the percentage of bus riders with permits, from 37% in 2000 to 69% in From 2005 through 2013, the percentage of bus riders with entry permits remained fairly level at about 70%. This increased in 2014 to 74% and in 2015 and 2017 to 80%. FIGURE 10 DID YOU PURCHASE A PARK ENTRY PERMIT? YES 69% 68% 72% 61% 66% 67% 70% 70% 70% 74% 80% 80% NO 31% 32% 28% 39% 34% 33% 30% 30% 30% 26% 20% 20% Figure 11 shows the level of entry permit purchases for various user groups. In 2017, 85% of out-of-town visitor groups purchased an entry pass. Fifty-one percent of summer residents purchased passes. In 2017, 50% of year-round residents said they purchased passes. In 2001, only 15% of year-round residents reported that they had purchased an entry permit. In 2017, 91% of groups who said they would visit Acadia National Park on their bus ride had a permit. Fifty-four percent of bus riders who were not traveling to the park had a permit. FIGURE 11 PERCENT OF USER GROUPS WITH PARK ENTRY PERMITS Year-round residents 42% 36% 35% 60% 38% 33% 41% 59% 65% 50% Summer residents 56% 43% 41% 35% 39% 52% 49% 40% 46% 51% Visitors 78% 64% 74% 73% 79% 78% 75% 80% 86% 85% Groups visiting ANP on this trip Groups not visiting ANP on this trip 86% 77% 81% 78% 82% 82% 80% 80% 90% 91% 46% 32% 37% 46% 38% 40% 32% 32% 50% 54% Figure 12 shows permit ownership by type of lodging. It shows that the groups least likely to have a permit are people staying in summer residences, people staying in yearround residences, and people staying on boats. 9

10 FIGURE 12 PERCENT WITH PARK PERMITS BY LODGING TYPE Campgrounds 88% 83% 81% 76% 85% 83% 83% 84% 88% 92% Hotels 71% 63% 70% 75% 81% 80% 71% 77% 85% 81% B & B 87% 71% 71% 77% 77% 83% 78% 84% 90% 89% Short-term rental 60% 65% 76% 83% 82% 83% 79% 90% 93% 91% Summer residence 63% 32% 34% 37% 40% 52% 39% 44% 44% 50% Year-round residence 40% 41% 39% 57% 53% 41% 46% 64% 77% 56% Sailboat or yacht 67% 41% 57% 54% 31% 39% 65% 50% 57% 50% Figure 13 shows where bus riders purchased their Park entry permits. Figure 14 shows a breakdown of permit types for Island Explorer bus riders. Prior to 2012, survey forms did not ask about individual passes. FIGURE 13 WHERE DID YOU PURCHASE YOUR PARK ENTRY PERMIT? Village Green 39% 41% 34% 38% 41% 37% 39% 34% 33% 30% Loop Road 11% 10% 13% 14% 9% 11% 8% 9% 7% 5% Visitor Center 25% 27% 35% 30% 28% 29% 34% 30% 34% 26% ANP Campground 6% 9% 8% 7% 8% 4% 5% 7% 6% 6% Thompson Island 1% 1% 1% 2% % Other 13% 12% 10% 10% 14% 19% 15% 19% 18% 33% FIGURE 14 TYPES OF ENTRY PERMITS One-week 57% 66% 57% 55% 65% 46% 51% 42% 55% 50% Full Season 11% 10% 9% 11% 9% 14% 10% 14% 13% 15% Individual 11% 13% 11% 3% 3% Senior Pass 16% 12% 20% 20% 16% 23% 22% 30% 27% 27% Other 16% 13% 13% 14% 11% 5% 4% 3% 2% 5% 10

11 8. Parking Locations Participants were asked where they parked their cars or recreational vehicles. In 2017, 48% were parked at their hotel or campground, 13% were parked at a private residence, and 2% said that someone else was using their car. Seventeen percent said they did not have a car or RV available locally. A combined total of 80% of Island Explorer riders reached an Island Explorer bus stop without using a private vehicle. The Hulls Cove Visitor Center parking lot was used by 13% of Island Explorer groups in People who said they parked their cars on the street or in public parking lots in Bar Harbor accounted for 3% of groups surveyed in FIGURE 15 WHERE IS YOUR CAR NOW? Lodging 50% 48% 48% 50% 51% 50% 54% 54% 53% 48% Residence 12% 12% 12% 10% 13% 9% 14% 14% 12% 13% Someone is using it 2% 2% 3% 1% 3% 3% 2% 3% 2% 2% No car 18% 24% 21% 22% 20% 18% 13% 16% 13% 17% Hulls Cove Visitor Center 6% 5% 7% 6% 5% 6% 5% 5% 13% 13% Other ANP 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 2% 0% 1% 2% 1% Bar Harbor street or lot 5% 4% 6% 7% 6% 7% 9% 6% 3% 3% Other towns 2% 2% 1% 1% 0% 2% 0% 1% 1% 1% Other 3% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 2% Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Note: The percentage for other towns is for the use of public parking. 9. Number of Years Utilizing the Island Explorer Groups were asked how many years they have used the Island Explorer. In 2017, 71% were first-year users. Fifteen percent of Island Explorer groups said they had used the system for five or more years. FIGURE 16 HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU USED THE ISLAND EXPLORER? 1st year 63% 61% 67% 67% 65% 66% 68% 67% 66% 71% 2nd year 14% 10% 10% 9% 12% 6% 8% 7% 11% 7% 3rd year 7% 5% 6% 5% 6% 6% 4% 5% 4% 4% 4th year 3% 7% 5% 3% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 3% 5 or more 13% 17% 13% 16% 13% 17% 15% 17% 15% 15% 11

12 10. Service Evaluation Passengers were asked to evaluate the quality of service provided by the Island Explorer. They were asked to rate the cleanliness of buses and the friendliness and helpfulness of drivers. They were asked whether seats were readily available, whether buses ran on time, if bus schedules were easy to find, and if schedules were easy to understand. Riders were also asked to comment on the frequency of service and whether the right destinations are served. The results of service evaluations for 2017 are presented in Figure 17. FIGURE 17: EVALUATION OF SERVICE QUALITY FOR 2017 Excellent Good Fair Poor Buses are clean 83% 16% 1% 0% Drivers are friendly and helpful 80% 19% 2% 0% It is easy to find a seat 62% 27% 10% 1% Buses are on time 71% 26% 2% 0% Bus schedules are easy to find 79% 18% 4% 0% Bus schedules are easy to understand 71% 23% 5% 1% The frequency of service is convenient 68% 28% 4% 1% The right destinations are served 75% 23% 2% 0% 11. Island Explorer Future Passengers were asked four questions about the future of Island Explorer service. Groups were asked to rate each item as very important, somewhat important, or unimportant. Passengers were asked: Should we continue to provide this service? Should we continue to offer free service? Should we add more buses to increase seating capacity? Should we add more buses to increase service frequency? Responses are summarized in Figure

13 FIGURE 18 ISLAND EXPLORER FUTURE % 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Continue Service Keep it Free Add Buses to Increase Seats Increase Frequency Very Important 99% 89% 23% 25% Somewhat Important 1% 10% 60% 55% Unimportant 0% 1% 17% 20% There continues to be very strong support for continuing the Island Explorer, with 99% of survey respondents agreeing that this is very important. Eighty-nine percent of participating groups agreed that it is very important to keep the service free, while an additional 10% see this as somewhat important. One quarter of Island Explorer groups feel it is very important to add buses to increase seating capacity and service frequency. Sixty percent of all groups said adding buses to increase capacity is somewhat important, while 17% said adding buses for this purpose is unimportant. A combined 83% said adding capacity is either very important or somewhat important. 12. Internet Use Island Explorer riders were asked three questions about their use of the Internet. Did you use the Internet to plan your trip? Have you visited the Acadia National Park web site? Have you visited the Island Explorer web site? In 2017, 71% of Island Explorer riders said that they used the Internet to plan their trip, up from 68% in This compares with 69% in 2014, 73% in 2013 and 59% in In 2017, 79% of Island Explorer groups said they had visited the Acadia National Park web site and 35% said they had visited the Island Explorer web site. IEX survey17_3.docx 13

14 APPENDIX A 2017 SURVEY FORM

15 Island Explorer Passenger Survey 2017 PLEASE FILL OUT ONLY ONE SURVEY PER FAMILY OR GROUP 1. DATE 2. TIME Number in your party 3. Retired adults 4. Other adults 5. Children (under 18) 6. WHAT ROUTE ARE YOU ON NOW? (Please check only one) (1) Oceanarium (2) Eden Street (3) Sand Beach (4) Loop Road (5) Jordan Pond (6) Brown Mountain (7) Southwest Harbor (9) Trenton (10) Bike Express 7. WILL YOUR RIDE INVOLVE MORE THAN ONE ROUTE? YES No 8. IF yes, please check the other route used for this ride. (1) Oceanarium (2) Eden Street (3) Sand Beach (4) Loop Road (5) Jordan Pond (6) Brown Mountain (7) Southwest Harbor (9) Trenton (10) Bike Express 9. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this bus trip? (Please check only one) To or from (1) Work (2) Hiking (3) Biking (4) Swimming (5) Boating (6) Shopping (7) Dining (8) Sightseeing (9) Other 10. Are you a year-round MDI or Schoodic resident? Yes No 11. Are you a summer resident of MDI or Schoodic? Yes No 12. What town will you stay in tonight? 13. Are you staying at (1) Campground (2) Motel or Inn (3) B & B (4) Year-round residence (5) Summer residence (6) Weekly rental (7) Sailboat or motorboat (8) Other 14. Can you easily walk from your lodging to the Bar Harbor Village Green? Yes No 15. What is your home town and state? 16. If you are not an MDI or Schoodic resident, how did you travel to the region? (1) Car or truck without trailer (6) Commercial airplane (2) Car or truck with trailer (7) Private airplane (3) Recreational vehicle (8) Tour bus (4) Sailboat or motorboat (9) Intercity bus or van (5) Cruise Ship (10) Other 17. On this bus ride will you visit Acadia National Park? Yes No 18. Have you purchased a National Park entry permit for your group? Yes No 19. If yes, where did you purchase your entry permit? (1) Village Green (2) Loop Road (3) Hulls Cove Visitor Center (4) ANP Campground (5) Other 20. What type of entry permit do you have? (1) One-week (2) Annual pass (3) Individual Pass (4) Senior Pass (5) Other Thank you for completing both sides!

16 Island Explorer Passenger Survey How many years have you used the Island Explorer? This year only 2 years 3 years 4 years 5-18 years 22. If you have a car or RV available locally, where is this vehicle parked now? (1) No local car or RV (2) Hotel, campground, B&B (3) Someone else is using it (4) Private residence (5) Other (where?) THIS IS THE 19TH YEAR FOR THE ISLAND EXPLORER. HOW ARE WE DOING? Excellent Good Fair Poor 23. Buses are clean 24. Drivers are friendly and helpful 25. It is easy to find a seat 26. Buses are on time 27. Bus schedules are easy to find 28. Bus schedules are easy to understand 29. The frequency of service is convenient 30. The right destinations are served 31. Should we continue to provide this service? Very important Somewhat important Unimportant 32. Should we continue to offer free service? Very important Somewhat important Unimportant 33. Should we add more buses to increase seating capacity? Very important Somewhat important Unimportant 34. Should we add more buses to increase service frequency? Very important Somewhat important Unimportant 35. Did you use the Internet to plan your trip? Yes No 36. Have you visited the Acadia National Park web site? Yes No 37. Have you visited the Island Explorer web site? Yes No 38. Do you have any comments about the Island Explorer, or suggestions for improving the service? Comments and suggestions will be posted at L.L.Bean has pledged $3 million to Friends of Acadia for the Island Explorer to help protect Acadia National Park. Do you have any comments about L.L.Bean s contribution? Thank you for completing both sides!

17 APPENDIX B 2017 PASSENGER COMMENTS Passenger comments can be downloaded from the Island Explorer web site: