Possible bus route changes part of five-year master plan process.
Possible service scenarios for Battle Creek Transit now are available for review on the city’s website.
As part of the city’s master plan process for Transit, consultant Foursquare ITP presented two scenarios at public meetings in March. The presentation, information and maps related to the scenarios, and a short public survey now are online at battlecreekmi.gov/transit. Scroll to the Transit Spotlight section.
The scenarios address service issues and opportunities identified through a comprehensive analysis of the existing network. The two scenarios have many similarities, and some important differences.
Scenario 1
This service redesign eliminates most instances of one-way service, and introduces new transfer opportunities outside of downtown. It also envisions expanding service coverage with a new route – 6W – which would link areas of Battle Creek, Springfield, and Bedford Township.
To limit the financial impact of the added route, service frequency would reduce to hourly on all routes. However, this scenario still would require one additional vehicle, and two additional drivers.
Scenario 2
This scenario also focuses on increasing bi-directional service throughout the Transit network, but is more conservative in expanding service. Scenario 2 is cost-neutral compared to existing service, and requires the same number of vehicles and drivers. It also includes the same number of hourly and 30-minute routes, but Route 2W – currently hourly – becomes a 30-minute route, and 3W – currently 30-minute service – becomes hourly.
This scenario balances regional connectivity and local circulation by alternating the direction of the end-of-line loop on some routes. For example, a route may end with a clockwise loop on one trip, and a counter-clockwise loop on the next trip. This allows access to all destinations on a route on every trip, and gives riders at the end of the route bi-directional service in their neighborhoods.
Specific information on each Transit route, under each scenario, is on the Transit web page. The survey on the scenarios will remain open during the month of April.
Anyone with questions can contact Transit at 269-966-3474, or PublicInput@battlecreekmi.gov.