It makes sense that public transit ridership increased in 2008 given the downturn in the economy and fluctuating gas prices, and I’ve seen a couple of recent posts about proof in Iowa. The Gazette had an article in September about the increase in ridership found in a report by Environment Iowa. National public transit use was up 4% and Iowa saw a 5% increase. We were also among states to see the largest decrease in car travel (8%). Cedar Rapids has seen an increase in ridership as well and is currently studying how local public transit can be improved to continue this trend.
Dubuque, Iowa is also taking the time to ask for feedback. The Regional Transit Authority held meetings in October and heard suggestions like later service hours and service on Sunday. Unfortunately, many have been hurt by the economic downturn and have had to turn to public transit, however, this puts pressure on the transit systems to better serve their ridership so employees have a way to get to work. The natural cycle would probably show that public transit decreases as people get hired and are again able to pay for cars. To prevent this from decreasing the improved public transit services, communities need to change how choice riders view the system.It’s great to see a national increase, and even better to experience the effects in the Midwest, but on a proactive note, I’d like to see some focus on making these increases permanent.
Have you seen effects on public transit where you live? How is it changing?
Tags: cedar rapids, iowa, open house
2009-11-08 at 9:51 pm |
Do you know any more details about the Dubuque meetings? The KCRG report is really vague. I think RTA may only be the rural service / door-to-door service, and not actually affiliated with Keyline Transit, the more typical bus system serving the City of Dubuque. The news report didn’t really clarify. Looking at the system map, Keyline seems to have pretty decent coverage around Dubuque, but hours of operation are pretty limited from what I remember.
2009-11-09 at 8:19 am |
I believe this study involved KeyLine Transit. I can’t find more information about when the meetings were/are, but the city does have a 2009 transit study page with links to the work done by LSC Consultants. You’re right the that RTA “specializes” in the rural coverage, as far as I know, so maybe there was collaboration on this project.