By K.D. Norris
The Rapid announced last week that its Mobility for All planning process will continue its public outreach efforts this week with a series of virtual meetings to gather feedback on proposed changes to The Rapid’s bus service that may take effect in the fall of 2021.
Possible changes to The Rapid’s Southwest service area — including Routes 8, 10, 16, 24, 28, 44 and the Silver Line — will be discussed on Facebook Live and Zoom platforms Thursday, Oct. 15, from 9-10 a.m. and again from 6-7 p.m. (See a Facebook page on this event here.)
According to the announcement, the proposed changes to route alignments, stops and schedules, and the introduction of new on-demand zones, are a result of more than a year of “technical analysis and public feedback” on The Rapid’s current operations.
“These meetings will offer multiple opportunities for public feedback and input on proposed changes that we believe will offer improved service and innovative new options to our riders,” Nick Monoyios, planning manager at The Rapid, said in supplied material. “COVID-19 has forced us to change our approach to outreach and engagement, but we’re confident that our process will create the best possible outcome for our riders and the community.”
The interactive digital workshops will be offered twice a day Monday, Oct. 12 through Thursday, Oct. 15 to highlight the proposed changes and offer participants the opportunity for questions, feedback, and suggestions.
There will be a comprehensive overview on Friday morning, Oct. 16, from 9-10 a.m.
The other sessions which will focus on other specific geographic areas and routes in The Rapid’s service area include:
Northeast Service Changes — Routes 11, 13, 14, 15 — Oct. 12, 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Southeast Service Changes — Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17, 28, 44 — Oct. 13, 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Northwest Service Changes — Routes 7, 9, 12, 18, Laker Line — Oct. 14, 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
According to the announcement, additional feedback will be solicited throughout the month of October, and will be part of informing final recommendations to The Rapid’s Board of Directors in early 2021.
“Started in 2019, Mobility for All, also known as a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) in the transit industry, is an effort to improve the efficiency, productivity and reliability of The Rapid’s bus service,” according to the announcement. “By working within The Rapid’s current budget constraints, Mobility for All will result in better transit and mobility service without additional cost to the taxpayers in The Rapid’s service area.”
It has been 15 years since The Rapid conducted a COA and this plan accounts for changes in demand for transit, travel patterns, emerging mobility technologies and relies on extensive public engagement and feedback. Initial changes to bus service as the result of the COA would take effect in the fall of 2021.
Should The Rapid’s Board of Directors decide to move forward with the proposed changes, additional public hearings and opportunities for feedback will take place in early 2021.
For more information on The Rapid and the other meetings, visit therapidmobilityforall.com.
