TMTA Adopts Service Changes to Fixed Routes/Evening Service

In large part, because of advocacy by public transportation advocates the TMTA board made the decision at their October meeting to delay the decision on service changes until November to allow staff to get more public input.

In response, TMTA surveyed over 200 fixed route riders and about 20 businesses and social service agencies. They also received additional input on their website and via email.

As a result of this additional input TMTA staff recommended the board approve a modified version of Scenario #1, Eliminate Evening Service, at their monthly board meeting on Monday, November 15, 2010. The TMTA board voted to adopt the staff’s recommendation.

The service changes include:

Elimination of the least productive fixed route trips, except on the 29th Street Special (Route 14). The 6:30am and 5:36pm trips will be eliminated, otherwise the 29th St. Special service will remain the same.

Elimination of the Downtown Circulator (Route 16). Routes 1 (Oakland) & 3 (North Topeka) will serve the Rescue Mission.

Replace the existing Evening Service by extending fixed route service until 10:15 pm on Routes 1 (Oakland), 5 (West 6th), 10 (West 21st), 11 (East 6th) and 12 (White Lakes). Additional routes could be added at a later date if there is enough demand.

Modify all routes as suggested by the Comprehensive Operations Analysis that was done by the HDR consulting firm this past Spring. For example, in order to provide better service to the Lake Shawnee area the White Lakes Route (Route #12) will now go out to 29th Street and Croco Road.

TMTA expects that these changes will result in an estimated potential net ridership increase of 10 to 15 thousand rides and a potential savings of about $120, 000.

The service changes are scheduled to take effect in early January 2011.

For more information the route changes call 783-7000.

Route Changes