I’m approaching 4 years of using the Cedar Rapids Transit bus system, and I have yet to meet someone who thinks the system is as good as it can get. Of course this is an easy statement because something like transit can never be perfect, but I believe it can be improved. In order to do this we need to make changes and that is not easy.
The Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is currently funding a study to improve our system and gather input on what changes should look like after they are implemented. Part of this is a quick survey you can take online about how you use, or don’t use, our system. This is important for everyone to take because we need data on current users and the potential users, even the people who say they will never use it. Please take the survey here.
There will also be an open house held on September 22nd at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel. You can come between 6pm and 7:30pm, but make sure you’re there for the short transit system presentation at 6:30!
These efforts are just the beginning and certainly won’t solve all of our system’s problems, but they are key to not only better transit options, but also to a better corridor. We want to see economic development in our community and public transit can help by providing jobs, property value, and stimulate redevelopment. Also, a more efficient system can allow the transit dependent to become more productive and open doors to better job opportunities, more time with their family, and an overall better lifestyle. I’ll stop here before I start to sound like I’ve jumped off the deep end of the Utopian pool, just make plans to spend a small amount of time to provide feedback.
Tags: cedar rapids, Corridor MPO, open house, survey
