The Central Ohio Transit Authority will culminate a $9.4 million plan to redesign the bus system serving the Columbus region later this year.
Kimball Perry reports on the May 1 launch of redesigned bus service in Columbus, Ohio.
According to Perry, the newly redesigned bus service for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) reflects a "new philosophy of how COTA views its riders and service," focusing on delivering "more riders to destinations faster and more directly."
Perry devotes a lot of ink to the opinion of one resident who opposes the changes, but Josh Sikich, director of COTA's Transit System Redesign, also makes the case for locating frequent lines near population densities.
More riders will be near routes that run more often, Sikich said. Now, 116,000 riders are within a quarter-mile of a bus route that runs every 15 minutes. After May 1, that number will rise to 219,000 riders, an 89 percent increase.
According to the article, COTA is expecting ridership to decline initially, before increasing by 10 percent by 2020. The city is offering an interactive map to compare existing and future routes. The city can also point to the example of Houston, where the bus system has experienced large increases in ridership since undertaking a similar redesign in August 2015.
FULL STORY: COTA to implement new bus routes on May 1
Bus System Redesign Wins Improved Ridership in Columbus
After a bus system redesign a year ago, Columbus is one of a few cities in the country where bus ridership is increasing.
Updated Transit Network for Columbus Available for Public Comment
Jarrett Walker shares news of a proposed transit network update for Columbus, Ohio, which he helped develop as part of a consulting team led by IBI Associates. The update has been released for public comment.
Boston to Pilot Free Transit Passes for Workers in Commercial Districts
The city of Boston will undertake an experiment about how to center public transit as an economic recovery tool.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)