Seems like extreme mixed messages . . . replace and remove?
Obviously, not all stops have shelters, but maybe we should work towards that instead of replacement.
Here’s one message:
bus shelter survey
Metro to Use Grant Money to Upgrade Bus Shelters
In October 2011, Metro Transit announced it would receive $5 million dollars as part of a $920 million federal grant intended to put Americans back to work repairing, rebuilding and modernizing the nation’s transit infrastructure. Read more
Metro will use part of this grant money to upgrade its bus shelters. Please give us your comments on how to best use this grant money to accomplish this task.
- Print/Mail Survey (PDF)
The survey asks about what you value – heat, benches, signs, etc.
Here’s a different message. I haven’t had time to watch the meeting yet, but my understanding is that at his presentation TPB (Madison Area MPO) planner Mike Cechvala was clear that a major goal of an updated Transit Development Plan would be eliminating bus stops so that stops would be 1/4 mile apart. Here’s some info that was handed out at that meeting.
2. Bus Stop Spacing
Many of Madison’s strong transit corridors (Johnson/Gorham Street, Jenifer Street, University Avenue) have bus stops every block – eight or more per mile. This condition has not substantially changed since Mills Street, University Avenue, State Street, Jenifer Street, and Johnson Street were served by streetcars in the early twentieth century. While closely spaced bus stops are convenient for riders in these corridors, they result in delay for all riders using the service. The TDP will evaluate the bus stop spacing in central Madison.Here’s the full handout with additional information. And some maps/data.
Seems like a mixed message to me. Also, seems like if people don’t want to be on a bus that stops often and makes it easy for other bus riders to access the stops, perhaps we should have express buses . . . just a thought! Seems simpler than removing bus stops that are well loved and used! Finally, I’m concerned that there might be stereotypes about only young people and students using these stops, which I don’t think is entirely true. In fact, I know it isn’t.
