Proposed changes to Capital Metro bus routes would affect central Austin residents

Proposed changes to Capital Metro bus routes would affect central Austin residents

By Mary Tuma Thursday, 18 February 2010

The consultant team hired by transit agency Capital Metro to study the bus system and propose improvements released its final report and recommendations Thursday.

Suggestions include the implementation of MetroRapid and a creation of frequent service routes, reducing bus stops and consolidating routes on main corridors downtown, improving frequency and directness on several routes in East Austin, such as service to the South Congress Transit Center, a consolidation of UT routes and replacement of fixed-route bus service in lower density neighborhoods.

The group recommended utilizing existing regular service routes to supplement or replace UT Shuttles and adjusting frequencies by day based on demand. Additionally, the proposals suggest some low-ridership routes in north and south central Austin should be deleted and called for increased connectivity for residential areas along Mueller to downtown and UT campus.

The plan calls for new commuter service from the east, south, and southwest and addition of add regional park-and-rides in Manor, the I-35 South corridor, south Mopac, and in the SH 71 West corridors.

Recommendations are said to be more cost effective, increase ridership, provide more direct routes and a better-connected system.

Contracted in 2009, Perteet, Inc., was hired to analyze all components of the system through market research, a current evaluation of network, feedback from riders, non-riders, bus operators and other stakeholders. The group was put in charge of developing ServicePlan2020, a ten-year goal to improve bus service and part of Capital Metro’s long-range transit plan All Systems Go.

The study pulled ridership data from Fall 2008, and identified specific strengths and weaknesses of the route and combined combined demographics, travel patterns, land use characteristics, congestion data, parking costs, and other variables for the service analysis. The group sought to find the transit potential from riders and non-riders, as well as served and unserved markets.

The consultant group said board members, staff and the community were included in the process through a series of meetings and surveys. Two sets of public meetings were held in August and November and a targeted neighborhood outreach program supplemented these forums. A Community Advisory Committee, comprised of riders and groups who have a key stake in public transportation, was also formed to provide feedback.

James Gamez, Capital Metro transportation planner, said one of the most significant differences in this particular plan came from the hefty public involvement process.

Gamez heard from frustrated central Austin residents living in Barton Hills, who would loose direct routes to UT and downtown and those in Travis Heights areas, where service will be pulled altogether. He cited low ridership as a major factor.

“We believe reinvesting resources to more frequently used routes would benefit more people than those negatively affected by the changes,” said Gamez. “People have expressed disinterested in losing service, but there are alternate routes.”

The newly crafted Capital Metro Board has spent time learning about and trying to understand plan specifics.

“The feedback given to us thus far from board members has been positive,” said Capital Metro communications representative Erica McKewen. “We are waiting for their stamp of approval so we can go forward with the system.”

The first modifications would take place during the fall 2010 service change and be implemented in phases over the next few years. Several capital projects, such as improvements to bus stop shelters and terminal locations, have to be completed before changes can take place. Capital Metro will consider adoption of the plan on Feb. 22.

For information about Capital Metro’s Service Plan 2020: www.capmetro.org/serviceplan2020.

To read previous Community Impact reporting on Capital Metro's ServicePlan2020, visit: more.impactnews.com/5776