Quote:
Originally Posted by Cirrus
Yes of course. It's not just to educate people in cars, but also pedestrians and cyclists. Anyone who doesn't ride the bus already will learn where it goes.
But pedestrian trips and cycling trips are less likely to be diverted onto the bus than car trips, simply because they're shorter. If you're only walking 3 blocks, why wait for a bus? We wouldn't want you to anyway, since walking costs even less and takes up even less space than transit. But since peds and cyclists are usually also car drivers at other times, teaching them where the bus goes may divert their next car trip.
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Interesting points and I had to think about them.
I think that those of us who historically have owned cars tend to view urban bus travel differently than an adult who has not.
For example: the "0" bus.
The "0" Bus that runs almost the length of Broadway south from Civic Station runs through a variety of business neighborhoods. Bus riders that board and exit at these neighborhoods do so for different reasons.
A) A downtown group commute home from Civic Station to stops on Broadway for which using the light rail provides no time savings.
B) People that work along or close to Broadway. This group changes character as one travels south on the 0 bus, as different groups service different types of retail and entertainment businesses. For example, where there are concentrations of fast food restaurants such as on Broadway south of Littleton Blvd and north of C-470, the 0 bus is a commuter bus from apartment complexes along Belleview and in a two block swath on either side of Littleton Blvd. In a similar fashion, the budding entertainment district centered around about Broadway and 1st Avenue, provides ridership for workers and some who use entertainment venue.
C) Lastly, and, IMO, a group that is not appreciated enough in logistical planning, are those who take the 0 bus a short distance, such as to and from the urban Kings Supper at "Trolley Square" in Englewood, and, the underclass segment that goes to the Swedish Medical Complex area. These riders hop on and off the bus after a few stops, go about with their business, and, then use a transfer to return via bus within the time limits on the transfer. Such users view the 0 bus as a pay one time "Mall Shuttle." Most bus drivers know the scoop, and, let such riders return ride, after taking their transfers.
I believe that this last group will provide the greatest ridership increase for RTD buses in the future, as the auto challenged population, regardless of why they are auto challenged, will increase faster than percentage growth of the metro wide population. I think that carless young adults will increasingly take the bus, once more realize just how affordable short distance travel is on a bus.
Part of "educating" local bus use occurs naturally as people move into an area who either do not own a car, or who own a beater. People scope out where the supermarket is, coffee shops are, a neighborhood bar, etc., then "map" this into a mix of bicycle, walking, bus, and, light rail riding. I do believe, however, that many whose means are decreasing, hesitate to use such services due to who fellow riders are, perceptions about personal safety, and, false pride.
This is an area that RTD, IMO, can get additional ridership quickly through small scale mapping of multistory apartments in terms of where supermarkets, retail, and, entertainment is. Adjust bus routes to take advantage of very localized ridership needs. For example: I know that the 0 bus runs every 15 minutes in each direction. If I shop, I time myself based upon this bus frequency.
Having done this myself, I found that I could shop at 2 mile or more separated places (as long as they were near Broadway) and then ride to a bicycle friendly stop (down hill or flat riding) for $4.50 retail and about 90 minutes of my time.
(Branded bus, etc., show be directed to those people who need a bus to travel light rail stop distances. I imagine a "0x" bus that would stop maybe 6 or seven times between Civic Station and the Highlands Ranch terminus, including stops at Broadway Light Rail. Have the local 0 serve stations such as Evans, and Englewood.)
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