What kind of improvements would you like COTA to make?
COTA is expanding, slowly but surely. Asking what improvements should be made is a reasonable question. If you're reading this, you've probably thought about this question. I've thought about it a lot, drawn several maps, and done just a little analysis to show my thoughts on the issue. Here are some of my ideas:
1. Simplify the route structure (see details)
Keeping routes on the major streets and making fewer diversions into neighborhoods will decrease travel times, make the system less confusing, and encourage ridership. Although diversions can get the buses closer to some customers, it's not worth the increase in travel times, labor costs, and lack of clarity. Just look at this map. Can you tell me how the #19 works? How about the #10? There's too many loops, diversions, and different termination points. I'd rather drive and know where I'm going.
2. Increase the spacing between stops (see details)
This is also designed to improve travel times to be more competitive with cars and give customers a clearer picture of exactly where buses stop. A 10% system-wide reduction in travel times could mean 5% or more savings from the annual budget.
I say if there are too many stops to show on a map, then there are too many stops. Increasing the spacing between stops will have a more positive effect in places where customers are waiting at nearly every stop and may not be necessary in lower ridership areas.
3. Invest in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) such as Smart Cards and Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
These two investments will reduce dwell time (the amount of time a bus spends at a stop while customers board) and signal-related delay.
4. Re-brand the busiest routes as colored lines. Promise frequent service (15 minute headways or better) between certain hours, seven days a week.
This will make the system look more "rail-like" on a map and the more frequent service should encourage people to ride without worrying about a schedule.
5. Implement Freeway Bus Rapid Transit
See the map below for a potential regional system that's kind of like commuter rail with multiple spur lines.
6. Install real-time bus arrival information at stops
Real time arrival information has the potential to overcome the uncertainty associated with riding buses. One of the most frequent arguments for rail is that people feel more confident a vehicle will arrive when there are tracks that they can see. Even better would be a sign that says how long until a vehicle is coming. This can be done for buses, and passengers will be able to use time in a more productively. This will reduce the total travel time passengers associate with buses, making them far more competitive with cars.
7. Invest in Commuter Rail
Columbus needs a way to shape land-use into compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods well outside of Franklin County. I think commuter rail on existing freight right-of-way will be the most affordable way to get relatively long distance lines that could spur greenfield transit-oriented development (TOD).
8. Support Inter-City Rail and Streetcars
Inter-city rail will connect Columbus to the rest of the state and the midwest. Streetcars can give people coming into downtown a stress-free way to transfer from inter-city rail, regional rail, or bus lines. Even when the level of service is the same as a bus, people are biased towards rail, and it will carry more passengers.