To:       City Commissioners

From: Public Transit Advisory Committee

Date:   April 30, 2004

Re:      Proposed Route Changes

The Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) has completed their annual Route and Scheduling Review.  This review involved an examination of our system looking at operational efficiency, system-wide goals, budgetary constraints/opportunities, and input from staff and the general public.  Two public hearings were held with 48 individuals in attendance.  In addition, written comments were allowed and a driver meeting was held.

The public provided excellent feedback on the proposed route changes and also requested further improvements to the system.  The overall viewpoint expressed was that the public likes the transit system the way it is currently configured.  This is backed up by our 22% increase in ridership for the first three months of 2004 as compared to the same time frame in 2003.  While the public was receptive to tweaking a route to make an improvement in timing or pick-up/drop-off location, the public was also clear that any major changes or improvements made to the routes should be in addition to what is currently offered.  

PTAC is sending several proposals back to the Route/Scheduling Review sub-committee for further study.  Suggestions being considered are service to the jail; later hours; north/south routes for west Lawrence; east/west routes for east Lawrence; and shuttle service on the South Iowa retail loop.  In the next several months, PTAC plans to submit a detailed report to the City Commission regarding the current status of the transit system and a plan for system-wide improvements.  This report will further highlight public input and requests for service.  In addition, it will provide cost-estimates for each suggested service enhancement. 

RECOMMENDATION:

After the public review process was completed, the full PTAC committee reviewed all comments and is recommending the following route enhancements for City Commission approval.  Maps have been provided that highlight the change.

Route 1 – Outbound route will extend service to Prairie Park Nature Center; numerous requests from Parks & Recreation staff, schools, and day cares have been received for this additional destination

Route 2 – Route will utilize Barker instead of Learnard

Route 5 – Outbound route will provide service on 24^th Place between Crossgate and Inverness instead of Clinton Parkway; this change will serve the Legends which rents to KU students and may enhance our Ku on Wheels T Sticker sales; KU on Wheels has dropped service to this destination

Route 5 – Upon installation of the traffic light on 31^st and Neider Road, the route when departing Four Wheel Drive will utilize Neider Road to turn onto 31^st; this by-passes two lights and a stretch of Iowa where no opportunities for pick-ups/drop-offs exist since we are in the turn lane on Iowa

Route 6 – Outbound counter-clockwise route will turn onto Folks & Overland Drive to move the route closer to the high school and away from 6^th Street where limited opportunities exist for safe pick-ups/drop-offs

Route 7 – Inbound route traveling on 27^th Street will turn right onto Belle Haven and utilize 27^th Terrace to access Louisiana; this avoids a left hand turn at the “limited” controlled intersection of 27^th and Louisiana

Route 7 – Upon installation of the traffic light on 31^st and Neider Road, the route when departing Four Wheel Drive will utilize Neider Road to turn onto 31^st; this by-passes two lights and a stretch of Iowa where no opportunities for pick-ups/drop offs exist since we are in the turn lane on Iowa

 Route 7 – Inbound route traveling on Massachusetts will turn left onto 11^th, turn right onto Vermont, stop on the bank side of 9^th Street and proceed on the outbound route utilizing New Hampshire to 11^th, turn left onto Massachusetts

Route 8 – Start service inbound at Four Wheel Drive at 6:17 am instead of starting service at 9^th and Mass at 6:43 am.  This would cost approximately $2,000 for the remainder of 2004 and $5,000 for 2005.  This can be absorbed in our existing budget.

All Routes – Start Saturday service at 6:00 am instead of 7:00 am.  This would especially assist those passengers going to work on Saturday mornings and paratransit passengers needing access to dialysis.  This would cost approximately $8,000 for the remainder of 2004 and $21,000 for 2005.  This can be absorbed in our existing budget.

The proposed route and scheduling changes will tremendously improve the transit system’s ability to provide transportation to the citizens of Lawrence. 

If the route changes are approved by the City Commission, our next step will be to revise and print the Route Map and Schedule.  We are targeting a August 1, 2004 start date for the proposed route changes which is dependent upon our cartographer and printer meeting that deadline.