City of Lawrence
Public Transit
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TO: |
Dave Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
Robert A. Nugent, Public Transit Administrator
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CC: |
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
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Date: |
March 15, 2010
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RE: |
Agenda Item: Recommendations for Changes in Public Transit Service
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Please place the following on the Future Agenda Items:
Approve recommendations for changes in public transit service, if appropriate.
Background:
In January 2009, Olsson Associates (OA) and Bourne Transit (BT) were tasked with creating an implementation plan for the Lawrence Route and Schedule Design for Coordinated Transportation Plan, for the expressed purpose of increasing coordination between the transit operations of the University of Kansas (KU) KU on Wheels (KUOW) and the City of Lawrence (The T).
In preparation, an intensive focus group and stakeholder involvement process was also utilized to gain information and input the community’s perspective pertaining to transit service. These included the Lawrence City Manager & KU Vice Provosts; Downtown Lawrence Inc.; Federal Transit Administration; Kansas Department of Transportation; Chamber of Commerce; Federation of the Blind; Haskell Indian Nations University; Douglas County Senior Services; KU Transit Commission; City Transit Staff; LMH; USD 497; Social Service Agencies; League of Women Voters; KU Senate Presidents; and employers. The consultants also developed a series of route profiles that provided performance information such as ridership, productivity and efficiency of all City and University routes. This information was used to develop issues and/or concerns in existing service. The stakeholder input and the performance information helped the consultants develop their recommendations.
The implementation of service changes was split into two phases. The first phase was for the implementation of changes that could be accomplished within a short period of time. These changes were implemented in August 2009 and included the following:
· Guide to Ride - A single publication that includes maps, timetables and pertinent information pertaining to bus service in the community. This included information about both the City and University transit service.
· Shelter Maps – A single map that is located on each shelter that provides information about bus service in the community, with specific route times for service that shelter. Information pertaining to both City and University services were provided.
· Coordinated Public Information – All customer service calls are now being route to a common call center. This includes lost and found and route and schedule information requests. One website is being utilized by both the City and the University. All information pertaining to bus service in the community can be accessed at this site.
· Route #11 – By combining three routes route #11 was created to provide service between the Downtown the KU campus and residential and retail locations around 31st and Iowa. This coordinated route provides service to both University students and the general population.
The second phase of service change is scheduled to take place in August 2010. In preparation for these changes a series of public meeting were held to present recommendations for change to the public. There were seven meetings at various times and locations. Over 100 people officially attended these meetings and offered comments, concerns and suggestions about the recommendations. This input was used to develop the final set of recommendations. These final recommendations were approved by the Public Transit Advisory Committee on March 9, 2010.
Proposed Changes in Service:
Merge Route 1 and Route 2 into a single route.
Route 1 is currently interlined with Route 4, and Route 2 is currently interlined with Route 3. The proposal would end the route interlining and merge Route 1 and Route 2 into a single route.
Modify Route 3 to include peak and off-peak alignments, and an off-peak flex zone.
Ridership data indicate that Route 3 has lower ridership than many other transit routes while providing key service to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. To more efficiently match supply with demand, Route 3 will continue its current alignment during the peak morning and afternoon periods. The fixed route alignment will be limited in the off-peak periods (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and after 6 p.m.) to the portion connecting downtown to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The remainder of the route area will be served by demand response service.
Continue fixed route service on Route 4 while finalizing future change in service.
Ridership data indicates that Route 4 has the lightest ridership in the Lawrence transit system. The initial recommendations as presented in the public hearings called for converting the North Lawrence area into a demand response service. This demand response service would have offered curb-to-curb service in North Lawrence.
At public meetings there was general concern about implementing this type of service. Therefore, it was determined that further community discussions were needed before changes could be implemented. While the proposed or alternative changes are under further study and discussion the current fixed route service will be continued.
Split Route 5 into two separate routes.
Currently Route 5 serves as a cross town connector at 40 minute frequencies. The new routes (Route 5 and Route 9) would serve separate areas east and west of Iowa Street.
The existing eastern portion of Route 5 East would continue. The route would follow 23rd Street / K – 10 out to the east Hills Business Park. The route would be at 60 minute frequency in the off-peak hour, and 30 minutes during peak hour.
The western portion of the existing Route 5 West will become Route 9. It would serve southwest Lawrence and provide a north-south connection along Wakarusa Drive connecting 31st Street and Iowa Street to 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive through the 27th Street and Inverness Drive area. The route would be at 60 minute frequency.
Split Route 6 into two separate Routes.
Currently Route 6 is a bi-directional loop route. Creating two separate routes (Route 6 and Route 12) would allow for more direct service.
The new route would maintain the strong connection between downtown and the 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive area. This route would deviate slightly onto Iowa Street to maintain service to the 9th Street and Iowa Street vicinity, before continuing on 6th Street. The route would serve Free State High School along Overland Drive on the westbound trip before beginning the eastbound trip. The new route 6 would have a 40 minute frequency.
A new Route 12 would assume part of the southern portion of the current Route 6, and create a connection between the 6th Street and Wakarusa Drive area with the University of Kansas Campus using Wakarusa Drive and Bob Billings Parkway, before continuing onto downtown. From downtown, the route would proceed directly north on 9th Street to Iowa where it would resume the route westward at Bob Billings and Iowa. The new Route 12 would maintain a 60 minute frequency.
Modify Route 7 to create shorter frequency and access Haskell Indian Nations University.
Currently Route 7 is at an 80 minute frequency. Making only a single loop around the 31st Street and Iowa Street area would allow Route 7 to improve the frequency from 80 minutes to 60 minutes.
Currently Route 26 serves several large apartment complexes and faces overcrowding issues. A slight route modification will decrease the pressure on Route 26. Instead of continuing from 24th Street and Ousdahl Road onto 24th Street, Naismith, and 21st Street, the route will continue from 24th Street and Ousdahl Road north on Ousdahl Road to 21st Street will it will resume its current alignment.
Recommended and Action Requested:
Staff seeks City Commission approval of the recommendations for changes in public transit service.