Cedar Rapids area bus service goes under the microscope

CEDAR RAPIDS - Public transit in the greater Cedar Rapids area will be put under the microscope to decide what adjustments can be made to serve more people by bus.

More frequent stops, remapping routes, Sunday service, expansion in Robins, Marion and Ely, better bus stop amenities and coordination with expected new Cedar Rapids-to-Iowa City express bus and park and rides will all be considered.

'The impetus for the study is a fresh look at the transit system,” said Brandon Whyte, multimodal planner for the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization. 'To some degree, they should act as if there's no transit system. Give us what is an ideal transit system.”

The Corridor MPO, which has representatives from Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Ely and Fairfax, has begun soliciting bids for a contractor who specializes in public transit to conduct the study. Bids are due by Oct. 30, and the study will be due in May.

It's possible but unlikely the study would recommend tearing the system apart and starting over, he said. But te information should help decide how to spend a windfall of transit money arriving in a few years.

The Corridor MPO's allocates 20 percent of federal money to roads, 80 percent to bike amenities and none for public transit. The model will shift in 2020-24, with 50 percent for roads, 30 percent for bikes and 20 percent for public transit.

This will mean an estimated $4.1 million extra for transit over four years, Whyte said.

The extra revenue will create opportunities to improve the system that aren't feasible given current budget constraints, Whyte said.

The study will provide three scenarios for transit: a cost neutral model, an increased ridership model and a highest level of service model, according to the project sheet.

The contractor will be asked to analyze possible transfer stations so fewer people have to pass through the Ground Transportation Center to reach their destination, thus decentralizing the system, Whyte said.

Whyte said one 'mini-hub” could be in northwest Cedar Rapids so people busing from Marion or Hiawatha can catch a transfer more conveniently.

Bus stop accommodations, including shelters better protecting against bad weather, were identified as the top need in a public survey this year.

More frequent stops than the one an hour that exists on most routes today was next. And then came later evening service, beyond 7 p.m., and Sunday service.

Cedar Rapids Transit, which has 30 buses, 22 of which operate at peak hours, saw a 2.5 percent uptick in ridership in 2014 to 1.3 million rides. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1.7 percent of commuters use public transit. Fares cost $1.50 for adults and 75 cents for student, elderly and disabled riders.

Partner transit providers such as Linn County LIFTS and Neighborhood Transportation Services also will be examined.

'Public transit can reduce burden on the roadways in terms of congestion, reduce long-term maintenance costs of roadways, it's better for the environment and there's health benefits,” Whyte said.

l Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@thegazette.com