News Releases
News from the City of Lawrence for Tuesday, August 11
(Sent: 2009-08-11 05:05:37)NEWS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009 News from the City of Lawrence
1) Transit systems coordinate on new Guide to Ride
2) First coordinated transit route to launch August 17
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Contact: Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator, 832-3464
Derek Meier, Transportation Coordinator, kuonwheels@ku.edu, (785) 864-4644
(Lawrence, KS) – Using public transportation in Lawrence is easier now that information about all bus routes is available in one convenient Guide to Ride.
The Lawrence Transit System and KU on Wheels have created a publication that combines route maps, schedules and information on city and university bus routes.
Both systems previously had their own large fold-out maps. The new Guide to Ride is a booklet with a small system map that folds out from the back. Separate pages for each of the 16 routes illustrate the route map and schedules for that particular route.
The printed Guide to Ride will be distributed throughout the community at the end of this week. All the routes and schedules are now available online at www.lawrencetransit.org for those who want a head start planning a trip.
The Guide to Ride is part of the first round of recommendations issued in March by a team of nationally recognized transportation specialists hired to assist in coordinating the two transit systems.
“Having all the bus routes in one document will be a real benefit for riders,” said Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator. “Since the city and university have a reciprocal pass program and anyone can ride any of these routes, it makes sense to combine the information.”
”The goal of the new Guide to Ride is to make it easier for passengers to understand the routes and schedules, reducing confusion and lowering the barriers for new riders,” said Derek Meier, KU on Wheels Transportation Coordinator.
Two additional changes recommended by the transportation specialists are being launched this August. A new coordinated Route 11 will connect downtown, main campus, several apartment complexes, and the retail area at 31st and Iowa streets. Additionally, one information hotline for both bus systems will become a centralized resource for the community. The new number is (785) 864-4644, and will be active August 17.
To get help planning a route or for more information, call (785) 864-4644 or visit www.lawrencetransit.org.
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Contact: Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator, 832-3464
Derek Meier, Transportation Coordinator, kuonwheels@ku.edu, (785) 864-4644
(Lawrence, KS) – Riders of both the City of Lawrence and University of Kansas bus systems will benefit from a new route that is set to launch Monday, August 17. Route 11 is a coordinated effort between the Lawrence Transit System and KU on Wheels.
For city bus riders, the route will offer more frequent options, with buses running every 30 minutes during the weekday. University bus riders will gain service on evenings, Saturdays, and school breaks, when KU buses do not run.
The new Route 11 will connect downtown, main campus, several apartment complexes, and the retail area at 31st and Iowa streets. One city bus route and two university bus routes were merged in order to create Route 11. The T Route 8 will no longer operate, nor will KU Routes 24 and 25.
A few elements of the new route may require adjustment for riders.
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Route 11 may be served by either KU buses or T buses.
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KU buses are not equipped with bike racks. City bus riders accustomed to using bike racks will need to keep this in mind.
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Route 11 has two alignments—one for weekdays when KU classes are in session, and the other for evenings, Saturdays, summer semester, or weekdays when KU classes are not in session. The difference in route alignments affects service to Daisy Hill, GSP and Corbin residence halls, West Campus, and the 31st and Iowa retail area.
“This is the first step in our efforts to maximize resources and provide better transit service for the whole community,” said Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator.
”Route 11 benefits students and the community,” said Derek Meier, KU on Wheels Transportation Coordinator. “Students along the corridor will benefit from increased hours of operation, six days per week, while city riders benefit from greatly improved frequency of service.”
The route is part of the first round of recommendations issued in March by a team of nationally recognized transportation specialists hired to assist in coordinating the two transit systems.
Two additional changes recommended by the transportation specialists are being launched this August. A coordinated Guide to Ride has been published, which includes information for both the T and KU bus routes. Also, one information hotline for both systems will become a centralized resource for the community. The new number is (785) 864-4644, and will be active August 17.
To get help planning a route or for more information, call (785) 864-4644 or visit www.lawrencetransit.org.
Planning team members from the university and the city are continuing to work with the hired transportation specialists to identify additional corridors in which to coordinate service. The specialists’ next report is due in January 2010 with possible implementation in Fall 2010.
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