The City of Asheville invites the public to participate in an online survey about ART bus service on Open City Hall Asheville. This survey is part of the City’s Transit Master Plan update.
The Transit Master Plan will shape how and where transit service will be provided by ART service. It’s designed to ensure safe, convenient and accessible public transportation for all residents, workers and visitors to the Asheville area.
Last developed in 2009 and adopted in 2010, an updated plan will provide measurable goals and detailed strategies for improving transit throughout the City. The plan will:
- Assess existing transit services;
- Review ART’s current operating environment;
- Evaluate current and future mobility needs; and
- Determine whether and how existing bus transit services can be adjusted to provide enhanced service throughout the City.
The plan is expected to be completed by summer 2018.
“This survey not only asks residents how they are using ART bus service, it also includes maps where people can drop a marker to show where they’d like to go on ART that is currently not accessible by bus,” said Elias Mathes, Transit Planning Manager. “This input will inform the analysis and decision making for future improvements to the ART system.”
How to take the survey
The survey, which will be open through Jan. 14, 2018, is designed to get rider and resident input on how to improve ART bus service. Visit this link to take the survey. Paper copies of the survey will also be placed in Asheville recreation centers and at the ART Station, 49 Coxe Ave.
Also in November, local volunteers will be conducting supplemental surveys with riders on ART buses, so be on the lookout for that.
“Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible, to reach as many riders and residents as we can,” said Brenda Mills, City Neighborhood and Public Engagement Manager.
Though not required to participate in the Open City Hall, registration is encouraged. Registration is quick and easy, and the information is used only to verify local input and to prepare the meeting for the right-sized crowd. It is not shared with a third party.
Community workshops
Two community workshops will be held in November. The format will be charrette style, a collaborative discussion between participants, City staff and the consultant team for the project. Here is the workshop
schedule:
- 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Edington Career & Education Center, 133 Livingston St.
- 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Kairos West Community Center, 604 Haywood Road.
For more information on Asheville’s Transit Master Plan and to get involved, please visit the AshevilleNC.gov/TransitMasterPlan on the City of Asheville website. More public outreach is planned for the spring as the plan takes shape.
For more information, contact:
Elias Mathes, Transit Planning Manager | City of Asheville
828-232-4522 | EMathes@Ashevillenc.gov