R2002-31 ADOPTING COMPREHENSIVE CHANGES IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE TRANSIT SYSTEM

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ROUTE CHANGES II� The starting point for the route changes that staff is proposing is the consultant's Alternative B. The route system presented in Alternative B is similar to the present route system,but has several significant route changes, particularly the replacement of large loops with bi-directional service on a main street. This similarity to the present route system has the great advantage of already being familiar to those who ride the buses, even though there are some significant changes. Attached are the present route map (on 15"x 18"paper) and a copy of the proposed route map. The first change is that all of the route numbers and names have been changed to be less confiasing and to better indicate the areas that the routes serve. The present numbering system uses the same route numbers for two routes that are linked together. For example#1 E. Mound links to #1 Airport; #2 Edward links to #2 St. Mary's; etc. The new numbering system is less confusing because each route has its own number, and these numbers are based on the present numbering system. For example the two #1 routes now become#11 and #12, and the two #2 routes now become#21 and#22. Route names were expanded from one word to as many as five words to better describe the area covered by the route. For example, "E. Mound"has become "Martin Luther King - Meadowlark". The biggest change in the routes is the elimination of most of the large loops which add unnecessary time to these trips. Someone boarding a bus today on E. William St., east of 27th St., must always go to the airport and to the Walmart/K-Mart shopping plazas before going downtown. In almost all cases large loops that are found on today's routes have been eliminated in the new routes. For example the large loop referred to above has been replaced with a bi-directional route on E. William St. and a new, express route on US Rte 36. The large west end loop on the West Main route has been replaced with a bi-directional route running on W. Main St. and Forest. The loop on the E. Mound route has been replaced with a bi-directional route on E. Mound Rd. and an extension of the Jasper route into Park 101. Note that there are small loops at the ends of both of these routes, and most of the routes,just to get the buses turned around. One large loop that has remained is on the Lost Bridge - Wal-Mart East route. That route serves two residential areas that are not well connected by streets or walkways, so both areas could not be served by a single bi-directional route. Keeping the loop was the only feasible solution. Other route changes include: • service to the DMH Occupational Health Clinic (north of Faries Parkway); • express service for shoppers from downtown to the Wal-Mart East shopping areas; • new service to the Enterprise School - Taylor Road area; • new, limited service to the Holiday Inn; and � • better connections between routes.