Over the next two weeks, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will be soliciting public input on their recently completed Downtown Operations Analysis report. This study was conducted to evaluate current Downtown transit operations and to identify potential service adjustments.
One of the most significant portions of the report deals with the proposed Bus Transit Station concept proposed in the 2010 Downtown Strategic plan last year.
The report provides information on what it would look like to place a Bus Transit Station at Gay and High streets, providing enough space to serve northbound buses, but not southbound buses. Such a station would cost between $20 to $40 million and would increase operating costs by 5%.
Other alternatives to address the concerns of improving pedestrian aesthetics and retail vibrancy along High Street include modifications to existing bus service on High Street, diversion of service to parallel streets, or the use of a shuttle to connect remote terminals located at each end of Downtown.
The steering committee who assisted in the development of the report showed no support in favor of the Bus Transit Station and instead supported the concept of rerouting six local bus lines from High Street to Front Street. This option would require the conversion of Front Street to two-way between Nationwide and Broad streets, would cost approximately $400,000 and would increase COTA operating costs by 2%.
The four upcoming public meetings will be held at the COTA Headquarters located at 33 North High Street, and will be held on the following dates:
• Tuesday, July 19 at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 20 at 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 26 at 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 26 at 6 p.m.
If you’re unable to attend these public meetings, feel free to leave your comments below and they will be relayed to COTA officials. Which of the two main options do you think makes the most sense? Moving forward with building a new transit station, or rerouting bus lines to spread the traffic to multiple streets?
More information can be found online at www.cota.com/Public-Meetings.